James White and His Strange Doctorate
James White refers to himself on the home page of his website as "Dr. James White." There is a small problem with that - his doctorate is from an unaccredited correspondence school. James’ insistence on calling himself "Dr" has been the butt of jokes from Catholics, Mormons and others who have debated him in the past.I mean, think about it - if you needed heart surgery would you want a doctor who received his MD from a correspondence school? Me neither. There is a reason that schools covet accreditation.
Here is another example of what happens when you get a degree as James did and then try and pass yourself off as a "Dr". It would have been better for James and his ministry if he had just left well enough alone. But no, he wanted the prestige of putting those two little letters in front of his name. Except in his case, the letters mean little to nothing.
James White: Color him shortcutted and shortchanged.
posted by Charles @ 6:11 PM
14 Comments:
"DOCTORS"?
charles said . . .
James’ insistence on calling himself "Dr" has been the butt of jokes from Catholics, Mormons and others who have debated him in the past.
A couple of days ago, Charles, I had a young man in my store, and in describing for me his "near fatal" experience, he opened up his shirt to reveal a scare from his upper stomach to his belly-button. He had been butchered by a Doctor who cut his intestines while doing an appendectomy, and has had to have repeated corrective surgeries.
This reminded me of the fact that many, if not most, of the doctrinal heresies and aberrations among men and sects were and are propagated by "Doctors" -- some of them in even Baptist seminaries. There seems to be a "Doctor" behind every heresy known to mankind. In this respect, perhaps "Doctor" is rather appropriate for James White, regardless of its "accrediting" source.
There is a veritable scandal currently in the Baptist General Convention of Texas involving a reported 1.3 million dollars scammed from the Convention's coffers in "support" of alleged new "church starts" by a trio of preachers in the South Texas area. The overseers of this money were "Doctors," Seminary graduates, including the head honcho of the BGCT's headquarters, Doctor Charles Wade.
See the story at --
http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=24309
At best, most "earned doctorates" simply indicate that the "Doctors" ostensibly fulfilled some type of required studies. They mean very little else.
"Doctor" Frame, for example, thinks
"elect" fetuses get "born again" before being born. "Doctor" Sproul thinks "elect" babies get "born again" as infants. "Doctor" Mohler thinks both Frame and Sproul are "scholars." Such "doctorates" obviously did not do very much for these "Doctors."
thanks for breaking your silence to hit a new topic and a territory that has rarely been alluded to or discussed on this website.
Verse for the day Ephesians 5:16
"Doctor"?
deadhorse said...
thanks for breaking your silence to hit a new topic and a territory that has rarely been alluded to or discussed on this website.
I think Charles has alluded to it, but I have not. In fact, I have never mentioned this matter, so far as I recall. I do not "weigh" anyone's doctrine by his "pigtails." Some of the most "Doctors" of our time have been aberrant in their doctrine.
For example, when Dr. MacArthur wrote his "Gospel According to Jesus," he did not advocate either (1) the creedal view of Eternal Sonship of Christ, nor (2) Justification based on Imputed Righteousness. The latter view, I think, primarily accounted for his confounding and confusing Justification with Sanctification in that original book. I have not read his "revised" version, so don't know if he successfully corrected the errors in the original.
MORE ON "DOCTORS"
Bob to Charles:
Do you remember "Y2K," Charles? If it served no other purpose, it did demonstrate how foolish some of our "Doctors" can be.
Here is a partial list of "Y-tookers"--
Gary North, Noah Hutchings, Pat Robertson, Hal Lindsey and sidekick Cliff Ford, Jack Van Impe, Grant Jeffrey, Chuck Missler, John Ankerberg, A. J. Dager, John Anderson, Michael Hyatt, Gene Edwards, Jerry Falwell, Shaunti Feldham, Big Texe Marrs, Larry Spargimino, Donald McAlvany, Robert Clouse, James Dobson, Joyce Meyers, Robb Thompson, Tony Keyes, Craig Smith, R. C. Sproul, John Anderson, Larry Burkett and others demonstrated that a "Doctor's" degree is not of any great significance, regardless of how it was obtained.
Did you ever see where any of these ever apologized by causing so many people to waste money on Y2K products?
IS BROTHER JAMES' DOCTORATE WORTH ANYTHING?
Brother Bob, Hello!
Yes, I remember Y2K. It was strange.
You are right that a "Dr." does not equate to sound doctrine. It never has and it never will.
However to many, especially in academia, a doctorate lends credibility. An accrediteddoctorate has certain rigorous requirements. An unaccredited doctorate means nothing since the requirements for the degree have not been verified and compared to other degree granting institutions.
Brother James wants to use the title of "Dr." but evidently did not want to subject himself to the rigorous standards required to get an accredited doctorate.
Brother Bob, have you ever received those spam e-mails offering college degrees for a fee, the “degrees” being just a piece of paper sent in return for the fee? I’m not sure what Brother James’ degree entailed, but since it was not accredited, academically it is worth no more than one of these degree mills that offer a “Dr.” degree in the mail for a fixed amount of money.
Charles
DOCTOR DEGREES FOR SALE
Charles said...
Brother Bob, have you ever received those spam e-mails offering college degrees for a fee, the “degrees” being just a piece of paper sent in return for the fee?
I was given a "Price List" which offers Degrees on any subject at "50% Off -- Buy 1 Get 1 Free." The $250 is more than I care to pay, so I am waiting for a better deal -- like, "Buy 1, Get 10 Free." For even less money, I could just fix my own Diplomas and print them on fancy framed parchment sheets available at Office Depot.
My local "Research Agent" is a very "sharp" fellow. He even conducts Seminars about how teachers can update their educational credentials, and he knows all about the "degree mills" to avoid. Even you, Charles, might be surprised to learn some ministerial names he has discovered who sport "cheapo" degrees.
I know one theology teacher who started tacking "Ph.D" onto his name, and he said he got it via correspondence for $20 from a "church-based" school in the midwest.
The "Doctor" thing is another admirable attribute of Spurgeon -- he never let anyone "doctor" him.
Brother Bob, Hello!
You wrote, The "Doctor" thing is another admirable attribute of Spurgeon -- he never let anyone "doctor" him.
Unlike "Dr." James White. I guess no one would "doctor" him so he had to get one through the mail.
Charles
WHITE WHINE KEEPS DRIPPING
Bob to Charles:
Do you think, Charles, that James White will ever "get over" his boo-boo in calling off the White-Caner debate?
I surmise from James' recent comments that this canceled debate even continues to predominantly occupy his mind despite subsequent engagements on land and sea, and apparently he has it on his mind in the primary portion of his "waking hours." Seems like the entire year of 2006 for James has been occupied by his obsession with the debate that never came to pass.
He continues to Whine on his current website, this time whining about a satire by Ergun Caner featuring the cover of one of James' Hybrid Calvinism books, The Potter's Freedom.
James is one of those "types" which makes up chuckle because they "take themselves so seriously" -- not that they really have a sense of humor. James reminds me a lot of Ruckman in this regard. He takes himself so "seriously" that its funny.
James sees it "humorous" when the Caners are the butt of the joke, but it's not so funny when James is the laughingstock. So James has composed a "serious" lengthy piece on his website, refuting the idea that there is any "humor" in Caner's satire. I find this a big joke on James' part; it's funny due to its pretentious "seriousness."
More "significantly," however, what is even more jokified is James' still trying to get a "hearing" at Liberty -- evidently realizing that he blundered terribly due to being "predestinated" to voluntarily "quit" the debate with the Caners a few weeks ago. The debate was "reprobated," and James does not seem to be content with that reprobation. He must think he has a stronger "free will" than his normal theology implies.
He had his opportunity, but since he insisted on finding fault with the altered format (or whatever), he said he "quit." Like a spoiled brat, James had to have it his way or no way at all.
I have always heard it said, Charles, that "quitters never win." Of course, you could never convince James of that, could you?
have yall seen whats on the founders blog now? a fake debate between james white with tom ascol against what the caner brothers would have said?
these five pointers love debate so much that they even want to fake a debate.
volfan007
FOUNDERS "DEBATE"?
volfan007 said...
have yall seen whats on the founders blog now? a fake debate between james white with tom ascol against what the caner brothers would have said?
these five pointers love debate so much that they even want to fake a debate.
If they really wanted to debate, why did they "quit" when they did not get their way on the format?
They can have it "their way" on their own website, but one might question whether they can even do any better at honorable debate. With no Moderator to call their hand on violations and misrepresentations, they can get away with anything by way of violating the rules of honorable debate -- especially in the category of "ad hominem" remarks.
WHITE'S DEFICIENT "DOCTORATE"
EXPOSED REGARDING "MACARTHUR STUDY BIBLE"
Charles said...
You are right that a "Dr." does not equate to sound doctrine. It never has and it never will.
I first was made aware of the deficiency of James White's status as a "doctor" about nine years ago. John MacArthur's Study Bible had been released (1997) and James called it a "dandy one," despite its being so faulty on the Trinity and Eternal Sonship of Christ. MacArthur had already openly published his heterodox view on "sonship" which conflicted with the Creedal Christianity view on Sonship, and the notes in his 1997 edition of the Study Bible were consistent with this denial.
Although the 2006 edition of this Study Bible is allegedly a "revised" version, it is just as poor on this matter as the original. In both the original and the revised editions, for an example, the MacArthur Study Bible quotes the Nestorian Syriac Pershitta translation on Hebrews 7:3, which serves to discredit the Eternal Sonship of Christ. The original MSB used the New American Standard Bible and the revised MSB uses the NKJV, and both have good good translations of Hebrews 7:3, upholding the Eternal Sonship of Christ; however, the MSB opts for the Syriac Pershitta which serves to eliminate one the strongest affirmations of the Eternal Sonship of Christ.
How could a "doctor" call such a Study Bible a "dandy" when it was so far afield on such a vital truth as the Eternal Sonship of Christ?
Tom Ascol recently said:
"If I told you that years ago I was with the NASA space shuttle program you would have every reason to accuse me of dishonesty when you learned that all I meant was that I once took my family on a trip to the Kennedy Space Center. Similarly, if I present myself as "Dr." So-in-so when in fact I have not done the formal academic study that is associated with that title, you are entitled to call me a deceiver."
One is tempted to ask Dr. Ascol about "Dr." White's degree in relation to the above statement.
i did ask ascol about dr. whites degree....he would not even post my comment at the founders blog.
volfan007
I believe Dr. Adrain Rogers was only a honorary, Same with Jerry Vines and the list goes on and on.
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