There is secular education and there is religious education.
Secular schools seek secular education, and sacred schools receive sacred
accreditation—each by their own peers.
Religious institutions need no secular accreditation because they offer no
secular degrees.
Secular accreditation associations in turn are recognized by governmental
agencies. They trace their authority back to the capitol of a country, like
Washington, D.C.
Religious accrediting associations are recognized by the Church of Jesus
Christ, which has no supreme central office on earth. Our authority is
derived directly from Heaven.
Civil and religious interests are different and have separate realms of
jurisdiction.
The State is not superior to the Church. The Church need not wait for
approval from the secular world.
Civil agencies should not be dictating standards of Christian education,
any more than a police officer should be directing the worship of God.
Theological Seminaries should not be accredited by accrediting
associations that are "recognized" by an agency of the federal
government, because it is contrary to the Biblical principle of
"Separation of Church and State," indicated by Christ when He
said, "…Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to
God the things that are God’s…" (Mark 12:17).
What business does a Christian educator have going to the world of
unbelievers for recognition and acknowledgement when 2 Corinthians 6:14
clearly tells us, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with
unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with
unrighteousness?"
A Christian educational institution securing accreditation from an
association which is attached to a governmental agency is a Scripturally
condemned and unholy union as James 4:4 says, "Ye adulterers and
adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with
God?"
The American Theological Education Association, in accordance with the
Inspired teaching of the Bible, has chosen not to seek endorsement with
either the EAES or CHEA.
