When “Dr.” Doesn’t Mean Doctor: The Problem with Titles in Christian Ministry

In academic and professional settings, the title “Doctor” is reserved for individuals who have completed rigorous doctoral-level study and research at accredited institutions. However, in some Christian ministry circles, the use of the title “Dr.” has become widespread, even among those whose degrees are honorary, unaccredited, or self-styled. This can create confusion and undermine trust, especially when spiritual teaching is involved. 

The Bible calls believers to honesty and integrity (Ephesians 4:25; Proverbs 12:22). Claiming credentials one does not legitimately hold is inconsistent with these values. This post examines several prominent Christian leaders whose use of the title “Dr.” has raised questions about academic legitimacy and transparency.

Understanding Doctorates

Earned Doctorates

These involve formal coursework, comprehensive exams, original research, and dissertation defense at regionally or nationally accredited institutions. Examples include Ph.D., Th.D., D.Min., etc.

Honorary Doctorates

Awarded as honorary recognition for achievements or contributions without academic requirements. Ethically, recipients should not use “Dr.” as a title without specifying that the degree is honorary.

Unaccredited Degrees

Granted by institutions not recognized by official accreditation agencies (such as CHEA or the U.S. Department of Education). These degrees may lack academic rigor and do not carry the same weight as those from accredited schools.

Case Studies of “Dr.” Usage in Christian Ministry

Name	Claimed Degree(s)	Institution(s)	Accreditation Status	Notable Facts
Ken Johnson	Th.D. (1989)	Christian College of Texas, TX	No independent record found	Only appears in his own bios; no independent evidence of school existence or accreditation.
Tom Horn	Honorary Doctorate (2007)	Dr. I.D.E. Thomas	Honorary (not earned)	Ceremonial degree; no academic work completed.
James White	Th.M., Th.D., D.Min.	Columbia Evangelical Seminary	Unaccredited	Seminary operated as correspondence, no traditional campus; unaccredited.*
Kenneth Copeland	Honorary Doctorate (date unspecified)	Oral Roberts University (honorary)	Honorary	Often uses “Dr.” title based on honorary degree; no earned doctorate.
Benny Hinn	Honorary Doctorate	Oral Roberts University (honorary)	Honorary	Known for using “Dr.” title from honorary doctorate.
Joel Osteen	Honorary Doctorate	Oral Roberts University (honorary)	Honorary	Uses “Dr.” title based on honorary doctorate; no earned doctorate.
Creflo Dollar	Honorary Doctorate	Oral Roberts University (honorary)	Honorary	Uses “Dr.” title based on honorary doctorate.

Why It Matters Using the title “Dr.” without an earned doctorate misleads audiences about one’s expertise and qualifications. In Christian ministry, where spiritual guidance and teaching are paramount, this undermines trust and can cause spiritual harm. Transparency about one’s credentials aligns with biblical calls for honesty and integrity. What Should We Do?  1)    Always ask about the nature of someone’s doctorate: earned, honorary, or unaccredited. 2)    Be cautious about assuming expertise based solely on the “Dr.” title. 3)    Encourage Christian leaders to clearly disclose the nature of their credentials.      *  James White’s past ‘doctorates’ are from Columbia Evangelical Seminary, an unaccredited correspondence school criticized for lacking academic standards. In 2017, he stated he was pursuing an accredited Ph.D. at North-West University (South Africa), but as of now, no completion has been confirmed.