Comments on: Huckabee and his "Theology Degree"

By: Huckabee Quizzes America on the Bible « kata ta biblia

Huckabee Quizzes America on the Bible « kata ta biblia — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 02:36:07 +0000

[...] this evening about Huckabee’s rhetorical allusions to biblical stories (as he continues to run as the most Christian candidate). The story was put together by Barbara Bradley Hagerty, who interviews Stephen Prothero especially [...]

By: Berlinerblau on Huckabee « kata ta biblia

Berlinerblau on Huckabee « kata ta biblia — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 02:36:19 +0000

[...] on the current race and has an excellent specimen in Mike Huckabee (I previously reflected about Huckabee and his “theology degree”). On his “The God Vote” column/blog at the On Faith website, Berlinerblau offers some [...]

By: Jemila

Jemila — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 13:22:52 +0000

Nice work Pat. I completely agree — a theology equally does NOT promise expertise on Latter Day Saints or “Islamofaschism.” Using God for politics scares me far more than politicians who lie yet leave God out of it.

By: Michael Westmoreland-White

Michael Westmoreland-White — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 02:44:16 +0000

Patrick, I like both your analysis and your new look. I have updated my article to reflect the NY Times story and the Huckabee response. In a few weeks, I think Huckabee will yesterday’s news. Even if wins the GOP caucuses in Iowa, he doesn’t have the infrastructure or money to follow up in New Hampshire. I think he’ll be out of the race by February–but, then, I thought Howard Dean would win in ’04 so what do I know?

But I think questions of integrity and candor are vital to decisions about elected officials.

By: Patrick George McCullough

Patrick George McCullough — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 01:33:59 +0000

Thanks, reflux!

Pistol, I completely agree that someone who majored in anything could possibly be a president. If Huckabee were forthright about the kind of education he had from the beginning, that’d be fine. But he intentionally played the “theology expert” card in moves like his statement about “Islamofascism.” And did you notice in that YouTube debate how he cut in on Giuliani to “offer help” on the Bible question? That, added onto his “celebrate the birth of Christ” ad in Iowa, and he’s totally trying to, as reflux chemist says in his comment, out-Christian the other candidates.

And yet, even if this were a valid political move, his basis for positioning himself as a theology expert or a better Christian (his “theology degree”) was false. I don’t have any stats, but I would think people would assume a “theology degree” is a degree that is dedicated to theological studies from a theological school, versus an undergraduate major in “religion.” Furthermore, I would think that “religion” sounds to the public much more reputable and broad-minded than only focusing on “pastoral ministry” (not even “pastoral studies” as you say, which sounds to me even more intellectual than “pastoral ministry”). If he’s a “religion” major, perhaps he is qualified to make claims about the beliefs of various religions. “Pastoral ministry” . . . not so much.

By: pistolpete

pistolpete — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 01:06:48 +0000

It does seem that Huckabee is misrepresenting himself, which is unfortunate. I would not quibble much, however, with distinctions between “theology,” “religion,” even “pastoral studies.” They make a world of difference in academia, but less so outside of it. I suspect someone could make a good President even if they had a degree in recreation therapy as long as they had the skills and experiences necessary to get the job done. I know a lot of political science majors who operate big businesses, English majors who serve as computer technicians, and Physics majors who write novels. It’s not so much the particular academic discipline that sets you apart as it is your willingness and ability to learn how to learn whatever you need to learn to get by.

By: reflux chemist

reflux chemist — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 20:12:36 +0000

I really liked your analysis here, this whole “who can out-christian the other” strategy really intrigues me. I wish this presidential election was about the fate of our country and all the issues we face, instead of who has the bigger, ahem, *bible*. Nice work maine.