From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Bible college
Bible college
Bible colleges are institutions of higher education that tion for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) accredits many
specialize in biblical studies. Curriculum is Bible-based Bible colleges in the United States. Bible colleges may
and differs from that of liberal arts colleges or research also be accredited by the Transnational Association of
universities. Bible colleges generally exclude the study Christian Colleges and Schools, by regional accreditors,
of philosophy, unlike seminaries and theological colleg- or by international counterparts. About 25 U.S. Bible col-
es. Bible colleges are also unlike seminaries but similar leges hold accreditation by regional accreditors, which
to theological colleges in that Bible colleges are primarily accredit most academically oriented colleges and univer-
undergraduate institutions. sities in the U.S.[6]
In the UK, as of 2009, all Bible colleges (along with
Affiliation all independent colleges of higher education) need to
be accredited by either the British Accreditation Council
Bible colleges are associated primarily with evangelical (BAC) or Accreditation Service for International Colleges
Protestant denominations.[1] Their primary purpose is (ASIC).
to prepare people for roles in Christian ministry.[2] The Some Bible colleges and institutes operate without
Bible-centered curriculum is typically supplemented by conventional educational accreditation or government
structured programs of Christian service.[3] licensing. These institutions typically claim exemption
due to the religious nature of their programs, that in-
History volving an outside agency in this capacity would compro-
mise their missions. Dr. Paul Chappell, founder and presi-
In the United States and Canada, the origins of the Bible dent of West Coast Baptist College explained the basis for
college movement are in the late 19th century Bible Insti- his refusal to seek accreditation for that school, writing:
tute movement.[4] The first Bible schools in North Ameri- "The local church should have no approving agency over
ca were founded by A.B. Simpson (Nyack College in 1882) its ministry. I believe this position to be consistent with
of the Christian and Missionary Alliance, and D.L. Moody the Scriptures and with our Baptist distinctives... A study
(Moody Bible Institute in 1887). Many were established as of history would reveal that educational institutions be-
a conservative reaction against liberal established theo- gin to waver when they become more interested in what
logical colleges and seminaries.[2] the world thinks of them than what God insists upon.
...For the accredited college, the approval of an accredit-
Programs ing agency becomes its ’life’s blood.’ ...It is my firm con-
viction that the ’life blood’ of a Christian college should
Bible colleges generally confer certificates, associate’s be nothing other than the living Word of God itself." [7]
degrees, diplomas, or bachelor’s degrees, most often in
biblical studies and Christian ministry. Some Bible col-
leges offer supplementary training or degree programs Scope
in ministry-related areas that also have secular appli- The Association for Biblical Higher Education asserts that
cation, such as Christian education, and church music. "there are more than 1,200 Bible schools and colleges in
Some others have established seminaries and graduate the United States and Canada," and that Bible colleges
divisions. produce "a large percentage of North American evangel-
Many Bible colleges in the United States and Canada ical missionaries and serve as a primary training cen-
that offer intercollegiate athletic programs are members ter for local church leadership."[4] The South Pacific As-
of the National Christian College Athletic Association or sociation of Bible Colleges claims that "more than fifty
the Association of Christian College Athletics. per cent of all Protestant missionaries in the world today
Increasingly, Bible colleges also offer distance learn- are graduates of the Bible Colleges."[8] According to one
ing modules online. However, few yet offer modules source, there are over 2,000 Bible colleges worldwide as
about actual Web ministry.[5] of January 2009.[9]
Accreditation
Each country has its own governmental process for ap-
proval or accredtation of higher education. The Associa-
1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Bible college
Notes and references [4] ^ History: Biblical Higher Education, American
Association of Bible Colleges website (accessed
[1] The Canadian Encyclopedia lists the largest November 19, 2007)
affiliated denominations as Mennonites, [5] Open Letter to Colleges proposing web evangelism
Pentecostals, Holiness movement churches, course modules
Baptists, The Church of Christ, Church of God, the [6] Megan Boehnke, Johnson Bible College announces
Missionary Church, and the Christian and new name, Knoxville News Sentinel, April 29, 2011
Missionary Alliance. See Bible Schools, in The [7] WCBC website page on Accreditation: Liberal Arts
Canadian Encyclopedia (3rd page in online version Studies and the Local Church Bible College
of article) [8] SPABC History
[2] ^ Bible Schools, in The Canadian Encyclopedia (1st [9] BibleCollegeGuide.com
page in online version of article)
[3] Bible Schools, in The Canadian Encyclopedia (3rd
page in online version of article)
External links
• Association of UK Bible Colleges
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bible_college&oldid=455422152"
Categories:
• Bible colleges
• Types of university or college
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