A Bible college is an institution of higher education in which the course of study specializes in biblical studies. Higher education is Education that is provided by universities, vocational universities, Community colleges Liberal arts colleges Biblical studies is the academic study of the Judeo-Christian Bible and related texts This curriculum differs from the focus on academic programs of Christian liberal arts colleges or research universities, which may include, but are not limited to, biblical studies. Liberal arts colleges are primarily colleges with an emphasis upon Undergraduate study in the Liberal arts. A university is an institution of Higher education and Research, which grants Academic degrees in a variety of subjects Bible colleges are also primarily undergraduate, exclude the study of philosophy and systematic theology, and focus on lay education, differentiating them from seminaries. In some Educational systems undergraduate education is Post-secondary education up to the level of a Bachelor's degree. Philosophy is the study of general problems concerning matters such as existence knowledge truth beauty justice validity mind and language Systematic theology is a discipline of Christian theology that attempts to formulate an orderly rational and coherent account of the Christian faith and beliefs In religious organizations the laity comprises all persons who are not Clergy. A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is a specialized and often live-in Higher education institution for the purpose of instructing students Bible colleges are associated primarily with evangelical Protestant denominations[1]. Evangelicalism is a theological movement tradition and system of beliefs most closely associated with Protestant Christianity, which identifies with the Gospel Protestantism refers to the forms of Christian faith and practice that originated in the 16th century Protestant Reformation. Their primary purpose is to prepare people for roles in Christian ministry. In Christian churches, a minister is someone who is authorized by a church or religious organization to perform clergy functions such as teaching of beliefs [2] The Bible-centered curriculum is typically supplemented by structured programs of Christian service. [3]
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History
The origins of the bible college movement are in the late 19th century Bible institute movement. [4] The first Bible schools in North America were founded by A.B. Simpson (Nyack College in 1882) of the Christian and Missionary Alliance, and D.L. Moody (Moody Bible Institute in 1887). Albert Benjamin Simpson ( December 15, 1843 – October 29, 1919) ( A Nyack College is a private Liberal arts college affiliated with the Christian and Missionary Alliance and home to the Alliance Theological Seminary Year 1882 ( MDCCCLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common The Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA is an Evangelical Protestant denomination within Christianity. Early life Dwight Moody was born in Northfield Massachusetts to a large family Moody Bible Institute ( MBI) was founded by evangelist and businessman Dwight Lyman Moody in 1886 Year 1887 ( MDCCCLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Many were established as a conservative reaction against "liberal" established theological colleges and seminaries. A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is a specialized and often live-in Higher education institution for the purpose of instructing students [2]
Programs
Bible colleges generally confer certificates, associate's degrees, or bachelor's degrees, most often in Biblical studies and Christian ministry. An associate degree is an Academic degree awarded by Community colleges Junior colleges four-year Universities, Business colleges A bachelor's degree is usually an Undergraduate Academic degree awarded for a course or major that generally lasts for three four or in some cases and Biblical studies is the academic study of the Judeo-Christian Bible and related texts In Christian churches, a minister is someone who is authorized by a church or religious organization to perform clergy functions such as teaching of beliefs Some Bible colleges offer supplementary training or degree programs in ministry-related areas that also have secular application, such as Christian education, and Church music. Religious studies, or Religious education, is the academic field of multi-disciplinary Secular study of religious beliefs behaviors and institutions Christian music is music that is written to express either personal or a communal belief regarding Christian life Others have established their own seminaries and graduate divisions. A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is a specialized and often live-in Higher education institution for the purpose of instructing students See also Postgraduate Training in Education Postgraduate education (synonymous in North America with graduate education, and sometimes described
Many bible colleges in the United States and Canada that offer intercollegiate athletic programs are members of the National Christian College Athletic Association or the Association of Christian College Athletics. The National Christian College Athletic Association ( NCCAA) is an association of approximately 100 Christian universities, Colleges and The Association of Christian College Athletics ( ACCA) is an organization of collegiate athletics
Accreditation
The Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) accredits many bible colleges. The Association for Biblical Higher Education or ABHE (formerly the The Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges or AABC) is a nationally recognized Educational accreditation is a type of Quality assurance process under which services and operations of an educational institution or program are evaluated by an external body Bible colleges may also be accredited by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, by regional accreditors, or by international counterparts. The Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS is a U Regional accreditation is a term used in the United States to refer to the process by which one of several accrediting bodies each serving one of six defined geographic
Some Bible colleges and institutes operate without conventional educational accreditation or government licensing. These institutions typically claim exemption due to the religious nature of their programs, that involving an outside agency in this capacity would compromise their missions. Dr. Paul Chappell, founder and president of West Coast Baptist College explained the basis for his refusal to seek accreditation for that school, writing: "The local church should have no approving agency over its ministry. West Coast Baptist College is an unaccredited Independent Fundamental Baptist Bible college in Lancaster California, offering I believe this position to be consistent with the Scriptures and with our Baptist distinctives. . . A study of history would reveal that educational institutions begin to waver when they become more interested in what the world thinks of them than what God insists upon. . . . For the accredited college, the approval of an accrediting agency becomes its 'life’s blood. ' . . . It is my firm conviction that the 'life blood' of a Christian college should be nothing other than the living Word of God itself. "[5]
Scope
The Association for Biblical Higher Education claims that "there are more than 1,200 Bible schools and colleges in the United States and Canada," and that Bible colleges produce "a large percentage of North American evangelical missionaries and serve as a primary training center for local church leadership. The Association for Biblical Higher Education or ABHE (formerly the The Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges or AABC) is a nationally recognized "[6] Another source claims that "More than fifty per cent of all Protestant missionaries in the world today are graduates of the Bible Colleges. "[7]
See also
- Association for Biblical Higher Education
- South Pacific Association of Bible Colleges
- Council for Christian Colleges and Universities
Notes and references
- ^ The Canadian Encyclopedia lists the largest affiliated denominations as Mennonites, Pentecostals, Holiness movement churches, Baptists, The Church of Christ, Church of God, the Missionary Church, and the Christian and Missionary Alliance. The Association for Biblical Higher Education or ABHE (formerly the The Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges or AABC) is a nationally recognized The South Pacific Association of Bible Colleges (SPABC is an association of independent evangelical Bible Colleges The Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU is an organization designed to help Christian institutions of Higher education cooperate and communicate The Mennonites are a group of Christian Anabaptist denominations named after Menno Simons (1496&ndash1561 though his teachings were a relatively Pentecostalism is a renewalist religious movement within Christianity that places special emphasis on the direct personal experience of God through the Baptism The Holiness movement in Christianity is composed of people who believe and propagate the belief that the carnal nature of humanity can be cleansed through Faith Baptist is a term describing individuals belonging to a Baptist church or a Baptist denomination. The Churches of Christ discussed The Missionary Church is an evangelical Christian denomination of Anabaptist heritage The Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA is an Evangelical Protestant denomination within Christianity. See Bible Schools, in The Canadian Encyclopedia (3rd page in online version of article)
- ^ a b Bible Schools, in The Canadian Encyclopedia (1st page in online version of article)
- ^ Bible Schools, in The Canadian Encyclopedia (3rd page in online version of article)
- ^ History: Biblical Higher Education, American Association of Bible Colleges website (accessed November 19, 2007)
- ^ WCBC website page on Accreditation: Liberal Arts Studies and the Local Church Bible College
- ^ ABHE History
- ^ SPABC History
External links
- American Association of Christian Colleges and Seminaries
- Association for Biblical Higher Education
- South Pacific Association of Bible Colleges
- Association of UK Bible Colleges
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