I've seen many ministers with the title "Dr." . What are they doctor's of?

Question

What type of degree is this? are there several types?

wow Thank you everybody. I understand now.

Answer 1

There is the D.D., Doctor of Divinity, a degree earned by those whose education is solely to prepare them for preaching.

Then there is the Th.D., Doctor of Theology, earned by those who may preach but who usually teach.

Answer 2

There are several doctorates recognized by the American Association of Theological Schools:
D.D -doctor of divinity
S.T.D.- Doctor of Sacred Theology
Th.D.-doctor of Theology
The choice of the above depends upon the custom of the Seminary or University where the degree was granted.
These are granted after 2-10 years of courses, usually teaching, a dissertation and its defense, and previous graduate degrees.

There is also:
D.C.L.-Doctor of Canon Law
D. Mus- music

All of the above may be addressed as "Doctor" or (if ordained-not all recipients of the above are) "The Rev. Doctor XX YYY" and optionally, wear red piping on their cassocks and attire (but not on vestments)

And some clergy also have Ph. D. 's from secular or religious universities (e.g. in History, Comparative Religion, Philosophy, Music, Literature, Anthropology, Political Science,etc.)


There is also a degree, D. Min., Doctor of Ministry,
but this is a "practical" degree granted on the basis of course work and some project, usually done in a congregational setting, and a report, rather than a research dissertation and defense-more like a D.Sc. than a Ph.D. These are not usually addressed as "Doctor".

Likewise recipients of honorary doctorates, whether one of the above or Doctor of Humane Letters, or other strictly honorary degrees, are not usually addressed as "Doctor"

BTW-
One must have a secular Bachelor's degree to even begin to study for the above.
Most clergy have a B.A. from a college then an M. Div. from a Seminary or Theological School. It is different in England.

Answer 3

I don't have an answer to this because I haven't seen it unless they are teaching the word from The Holy Bible they aren't real ministers, anyone can minister and say I'm a minister, you could minister on planting a garden and say you are a minister, a doctor could be anything to do with healing, Only God can heal, Only Jesus can heal, Doctors that heal or bodies, I am positive have Gods help, But anyone can call themself anything, and it always isn't true.

Answer 4

Usually it is a Doctor of Divinity, however often it seems they are indoctrinated into the traditions of men rather than the truth... and hence become "Doctors of Bovinity" or Bovine Scatology. Jesus selected the unlearned... the tax collector or fishermen as Apostles. About the only Apostle that was chosen who was learned was Paul... and his learning was a great stumbling block. the unlearned seem to lean on the leadings of the Holy Ghost, while the learned seem to lean on their own understanding which is often flawed.

Answer 5

There are several, most of them have graduate studies in Theology or Divinity. Others have studied secular careers before entering in the ministry, for example: I had had a pastor who was a lawyer (as a matter of fact he was a retired judge). His son, who later was a pastor, studied and completed a BS in Engineering with me at the university.

Answer 6

Doctorate of Theology

Answer 7

They usually have a Doctorate in Systematic Theology

Answer 8

Usually they have degrees in Theology. Theology is the study of religion.

Answer 9

Doctor of religion or Divinity for example. it's a title you can get with a visa card n° and a high speed internet acess. It takes a few days. Much faster and much less effort that a PhD in biology for example....

Are we surprised dear ?

Answer 10

Anyone whom has a Doctorate can use the Dr. abbreviation