B. H. Carroll Theological Institute is an unaccredited Christian Baptist institution in Arlington, Texas with multiple sources of funding and a self-perpetuating board of governors. It is named after Benajah Harvey Carroll and teaches Baptist principles and practices.[1] It operates in cooperation primarily with Baptist churches,[2] and also cooperates with other Great Commission Christians. The institution offers classes in both conventional classroom settings and by innovative means. It trains students in "“teaching churches” located in multiple Texas cities, as well as through interactive lessons taught over the Internet",[3] with 20 such "teaching churches" in operation throughout Texas as of November 2006.[4] The school plans to focus on the use of distance education to make it easier for students to obtain theological education.[5] As of 2006, the school's second year of operation, B. H. Carroll Theological Institute has 300 students taking courses they hope will lead to seminary degrees and an additional 300 students auditing courses.[4] Bruce Corley is BHCTI's president.[4]
While it is certified to grant degrees by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board,[6]it is unaccredited. As of 2008, The Institute is in the process of applying for accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
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The institute's founding chancellor is Russell H. Dilday, a former president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, who launched the institute in part as a response to what he has called the "disruption" of theological education in the Southern Baptist Convention. Dilday had been forced out as president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas after fundamentalists gained control of that seminary during the Southern Baptist Convention conservative resurgence.[3] The four inaugural faculty members at Carroll all formerly taught at Southwestern.[7] including Corley, who was a professor of New Testament and Greek and the Dean of the School of Theology there.[8] Corley was awarded both a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) and Doctor of Theology (Th. D.) from Southwestern.[9]
However, Dilday denies that Carroll serves only moderate Baptist churches at odds with the conservative drift in the Southern Baptist Convention.[7]
Southwestern's president, Paige Patterson, has criticized Carroll Institute for using the name of Carroll, his seminary's founding president, saying
"People are, of course, free to employ whatever name they wish. Whether this is done with integrity depends on whether the principles of the one whose name is thereby invoked are honored and espoused. While one may question the justice of using the name of the founder of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in a competing effort against that seminary, the real test will be whether they have honored Carroll's name or just used it."[1]
However, Carroll biographer Alan LeFever takes issue with Patterson's statement. Carroll was theologically conservative, he notes, but the only guide for Southwestern faculty during his tenure was the New Hampshire Confession of Faith, which is less restrictive than the Southern Baptist Convention's 2000 Baptist Faith and Message.[1]
According to the Carroll Institute's website, "the institute is a graduate-level community of faith and learning dedicated to equipping men and women called to serve Christ in the diverse and global ministries of His church".[10]
Since its opening, the institute had stated that it was actively seeking certification in Texas through the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB),[4][11] a process that could take up to two years, during which time the institution was forbidden to use degree terminology or imply that it can offer degrees.[12] As of January 25, 2007, B. H. Carroll Theological Institute was granted a "Certificate of Authority to grant degrees" by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), which expires January 31, 2009.[6] With its THECB certification, the school is offering programs leading to a Master of Divinity degree with major in Christian Ministry, Master of Music degree with major in Christian Ministry or a Master of Arts degree with majors in Theology, Education, and Music.[13]
The institute currently has no approval or standing with the Council on Higher Education Accreditation or any group recognized by the United States Department of Education.
In 2004, BHCTI said, that upon receipt of Texas certification, it plans to pursue accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), one of six regional accrediting organizations recognized by the United States Department of Education.[11][14] In 2006, Corley stated that the school planned to apply for accreditation "from four accrediting agencies".[15] In November 2006, the school said that it had taken preliminary steps to prepare for SACS accreditation.[4] The school has said that it will also seek accreditation from the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS).[4] The school is soliciting members of its prayer network to pray for several of the school's pressing needs, including "Accreditation of the Institute by SACS & ATS".[16]
BHCTI-made application to the Association of Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) for accreditation.It is on the verge of "Candidate status" which is possibly guaranteed as early as the spring of 2012. An application for accreditation has been turned in, and a pre-accreditation visit has been completed.
A final report will be going to ABHE on November 1, 2010, ABHE will vote on the report by February 2011, and a site visit will follow sometime in the fall.
The institute's library received a donation of nearly 5,000 volumes from Eddie Belle Newport, widow of John Newport, longtime academic vice president at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. An additional 500 volumes were donated by Lois Hendricks, widow of longtime theology professor William Hendricks.[7]