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T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
June, 1936
“Qive Us MORE BIBLE”
The plea of Christian Young People Answered in Biola’s Provision of a Bible Collegiate Course
T wo years are not enough !” This conviction has been expressed by scores of young people who have studied at the Bible Institute o f Los Angeles, have, completed the two-year General Course, and have received a diplòma. During more than a quarter o f a century of the Insti tute’s activities, it has been the purpose of the Board of Directors and of the staff to train young people in the knowledge o f the Word of God for truly efficient Christian service. The increasing demands of recent years have proved— to Christian educators and pastors, as well as to
The practice of granting a diploma for two«ffears’ work in the General Course has been discontinued, although stu dents may-still pursue prescribed work for two years and receive a certificate. For eligibility for the Institute- di ploma, one must now choose one o f the three-year courses — General, Music, Christian Education, or Jewish Misr. sions, or the four-year Missionary Course— arid for the ob- tainment o f a degree in addition to the Institute diploma, four years are required for the Bible Collegiate; Course. How “ S trengthened and E nlarged ” ? In the announcement made in
the young people themselves— that additional time is needed for more thorough study o f the Word, if Bible Institute gradu ates are to cope effectively with the modernistic and atheistic teaching that abounds today. From the very beginning of the Bible Insti tute movement in America, stu dents who have received their training in Bible Institutes, where the Word of God has been given central place, have been called to preach the Word in churches and on mission fields. In view o f the subtle and unscriptural teaching that is being propagated from many centers today, it is im- ■ perative that Bible Institutes shall make an advance commensurate with the need. Legally';' known now as The Bible Institute o f Los Angeles, Incorporated, this institution— with a true pioneer spirit— has taken a forward step in the field o f Christian education. First, it has strengthened its courses ma terially; and, in the second place, the Institute has applied for and has received State authorization for the conferring o f certain de grees. At the present time, courses are offered which lead to the degrees o f Bachelor o f Theology and Bachelor of Christian Educa tion. At the twenty-sixth annual Commencement exercises of the Bible Institute, held on June 11, 1936, six young men, having at tended the Institute for four or more years, and having met the specified requirements, will be hon ored with the degree of Bachelor o f Theology—the first group to receive this distinction at Biola. These young people will serve as ministers and missionaries.
W ha t Others Say Marion College Marion, Indiana
the March K ing ’ s ' B usiness con cerning the newly acquired col legiate standing o f the Institute, the statement was made that “ al though the curriculum has been strengthened and enlarged, the Institute remains unchanged in its doctrinal position and the sub jects taught.” According to the new plan, work which was for merly* covered in a two-year course is now given in three, ad ditional time being given to all the major Bible subjects, such as Doctrine, Synthesis, Analysis, and similar courses. In the two- year General Course, one former ly received twenty-seven hours o f instruction in Bible; in the pres ent three-year General Course, forty-three hours o f Bible work are required. By “ instruction in m m is meant the study o f the Bible itself— as distinct from such related subjects as the Bible and Science, Biblical Pedagogy, Christian Psychology, and the like. The four-year theological course for men increases the number o f hours o f Bible work to fifty-three, and the four-year Christian Education course pro vides for forty-five hours o f Bible work. These figures refer, in each case, to “ semester hours.” In other words¿ twenty-seven semes ter hours means that the student spends eighteen tim es tw e n ty - seven hours in actual classroom study o f the Bible, or a total o f 486 hours —and this figure does not include the hours o f prepara tion required outside o f class. Originally and ideally, Bible
Permit me to take this opportunity to congratulate you upon your forward movement in the Bible Insti tute, bringing it to collegiate standing. With the rising standards of education throughout the country, Christian leaders should secure the very best training possible. They do not only owe it to themselves but to others. Our schools which are fundamental in char acter have been rather slow in raising standards. Credentials in themselves amount to but little. There is no reason, however, why persons who have the pre requisites for high standards of work and who pursue their courses on that plane should not have consistent credentials. I am happy that you have taken this step. J. A. Huffman, Dean of Theology I take pleasure in stating that I am glad to learn that the Los Angeles Bible Institute is planning to offer a four-year course leading to the degrees, Bachelor of Christian Education and Bachelor of Theology. Wheaton College and the great Bible Institutes of the country are absolutely one in principles of faith and life. When it comes to methods of pro cedure and matters of curriculum, each institution has its own plan. W e never intend to exert any influence or pressure upon any other Christian school, except insofar as friendly cooperation is invited. From our point of view, however, we are glad to see a tendency toward a reasonable degree of standardization in Bi ble Institute courses. This will make ¡t much easier for us to exchange credit on a sound educational basis. Sound educational principles will in turn strengthen our testimony. Oliver Buswell, Jr. President • The Ashland Theological Seminary Ashland, Ohio May I congratulate you upon the attainment of the goal of collegiate standing. Doubtless this step will greatly facilitate the exchange of Bible Institute cred its with other institutions of higher education. I have always felt it was a pity that more credit could not be secured, because I knew the high value of the work. I am deeply interested in the step you have taken- Alva J. McClain Dean Wheaton College Wheaton, Illinois
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