Bible college
Encyclopedia
Bible colleges are institutions of higher education
that specialize in biblical studies
. Curriculum is Bible
-based and differs from that of liberal arts colleges or research universities. Bible colleges generally exclude the study of philosophy
, unlike seminaries and theological colleges. Bible colleges are also unlike seminaries but similar to theological colleges in that Bible colleges are primarily undergraduate institutions.
Protestant denominations. Their primary purpose is to prepare people for roles in Christian ministry
. The Bible-centered curriculum is typically supplemented by structured programs of Christian service.
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). Many were established as a conservative reaction against liberal established theological colleges and seminaries.
and Christian ministry
. 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
. Some others have established seminaries and graduate divisions.
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
.
Increasingly, Bible colleges also offer distance learning modules online. However, few yet offer modules about actual Web ministry.
many Bible colleges in the United States. Bible colleges may also be accredited by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools
, by regional accreditors
, or by international counterparts. About 25 U.S. Bible colleges hold accreditation by regional accreditors, which accredit most academically oriented colleges and universities in the U.S.
In the UK, as of 2009, all Bible colleges (along with all independent colleges of higher education) need to be accredited by either the British Accreditation Council
(BAC) or Accreditation Service for International Colleges
(ASIC).
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. 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."
Higher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
that specialize in biblical studies
Biblical studies
Biblical studies is the academic study of the Judeo-Christian Bible and related texts. For Christianity, the Bible traditionally comprises the New Testament and Old Testament, which together are sometimes called the "Scriptures." Judaism recognizes as scripture only the Hebrew Bible, also known as...
. Curriculum is Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
-based and differs from that of liberal arts colleges or research universities. Bible colleges generally exclude the study of philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
, unlike seminaries and theological colleges. Bible colleges are also unlike seminaries but similar to theological colleges in that Bible colleges are primarily undergraduate institutions.
Affiliation
Bible colleges are associated primarily with evangelicalEvangelicalism
Evangelicalism is a Protestant Christian movement which began in Great Britain in the 1730s and gained popularity in the United States during the series of Great Awakenings of the 18th and 19th century.Its key commitments are:...
Protestant denominations. Their primary purpose is to prepare people for roles in Christian ministry
Christian ministry
In Christianity, ministry is an activity carried out by Christians to express or spread their faith. 2003's Encyclopedia of Christianity defines it as "carrying forth Christ's mission in the world", indicating that it is "conferred on each Christian in baptism." It is performed by all Christians...
. The Bible-centered curriculum is typically supplemented by structured programs of Christian service.
History
In the United States and Canada, the origins of the Bible college movement are in the late 19th century Bible Institute movement. The first Bible schools in North AmericaNorth America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
were founded by A.B. Simpson (Nyack College
Nyack College
Nyack College is a private, evangelical, liberal arts college affiliated with the Christian and Missionary Alliance and home to the Alliance Theological Seminary, one of the denomination's seminaries. The main campus is located in Nyack, New York...
in 1882) of the Christian and Missionary Alliance
Christian and Missionary Alliance
The Christian and Missionary Alliance is an evangelical Protestant denomination within Christianity.Founded by Rev. Albert Benjamin Simpson in 1887, the Christian & Missionary Alliance did not start off as a denomination, but rather began as two distinct parachurch organizations: The Christian...
, and D.L. Moody (Moody Bible Institute
Moody Bible Institute
Moody Bible Institute is a Christian institution of higher education and related ministries that was founded by evangelist and businessman Dwight Lyman Moody in 1886. Since its founding, MBI's main campus has been located in the Near North Side of Chicago. MBI's primary ministries are education,...
in 1887). Many were established as a conservative reaction against liberal established theological colleges and seminaries.
Programs
Bible colleges generally confer certificates, associate's degrees, diplomas, or bachelor's degrees, most often in biblical studiesBiblical studies
Biblical studies is the academic study of the Judeo-Christian Bible and related texts. For Christianity, the Bible traditionally comprises the New Testament and Old Testament, which together are sometimes called the "Scriptures." Judaism recognizes as scripture only the Hebrew Bible, also known as...
and Christian ministry
Christian ministry
In Christianity, ministry is an activity carried out by Christians to express or spread their faith. 2003's Encyclopedia of Christianity defines it as "carrying forth Christ's mission in the world", indicating that it is "conferred on each Christian in baptism." It is performed by all Christians...
. 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
Church music
Church music may be defined as music written for performance in church, or any musical setting of ecclestiacal liturgy, or music set to words expressing propositions of a sacred nature, such as a hymn. This article covers music in the Judaeo-Christian tradition. For sacred music outside this...
. Some others have established seminaries and graduate divisions.
Many Bible colleges in the United States and Canada that offer intercollegiate athletic programs are members of the National Christian College Athletic Association
National Christian College Athletic Association
The National Christian College Athletic Association is an association of approximately 100 Christian universities, colleges, and Bible colleges in the United States and Canada which see collegiate sports primarily as an opportunity for Christian fellowship and ministry. The national headquarters...
or the Association of Christian College Athletics
Association of Christian College Athletics
The Association of Christian College Athletics is an organization of collegiate athletics. It was incorporated to provide an opportunity for smaller Christian College members to compete on an equal level of competition with schools of like size....
.
Increasingly, Bible colleges also offer distance learning modules online. However, few yet offer modules about actual Web ministry.
Accreditation
Each country has its own governmental process for approval or accredtation of higher education. The Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) accreditsEducational accreditation
Educational accreditation is a type of quality assurance process under which services and operations of educational institutions or programs are evaluated by an external body to determine if applicable standards are met...
many Bible colleges in the United States. Bible colleges may also be accredited by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools
Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools
The Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools is a U.S. national educational accreditation agency for Christian colleges, universities, and seminaries...
, by regional accreditors
Regional accreditation
Regional accreditation is a term used in the United States to refer to educational accreditation conducted by any of several accreditation bodies established to serve six defined geographic areas of the country for accreditation of schools, colleges, and universities...
, or by international counterparts. About 25 U.S. Bible colleges hold accreditation by regional accreditors, which accredit most academically oriented colleges and universities in the U.S.
In the UK, as of 2009, all Bible colleges (along with all independent colleges of higher education) need to be accredited by either the British Accreditation Council
British Accreditation Council
The British Accreditation Council for Independent Further and Higher Education is an educational accreditation agency recognised by the British Government for international students entering the United Kingdom for educational purposes....
(BAC) or Accreditation Service for International Colleges
Accreditation Service for International Colleges
Accreditation Service for International Colleges is a private body in the business of validating institutions.- External links :* *...
(ASIC).
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
West Coast Baptist College
West Coast Baptist College is an Independent Baptist Bible college in Lancaster, California, offering graduate and undergraduate degrees in Pastoral studies, evangelism, missions, church ministries, music, Christian education, youth ministry, and secretarial studies...
explained the basis for his refusal to seek accreditation for that school, writing: "The local church should have no approving agency over its ministry. 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."