WHERE BIOLA STANDS
Dr. Richard Chase
F requently people ask us, “What’s Biola like today? Is it the same as it .was 20 or 30 years ago?” Yes, as far as the fundamental cardinal doc trines of the Word of God, it is the same today as it has always been. In its expanding program of education, however, it has changed quite sig nificantly. As you may know, today we have not just one but five schools: the Bible Institute, Arizona Bible College, The School of Missionary Medicine, Biola College, and Talbot Theological Semi nary. A brief history of Biola’s educa tional program reveals how these schools came into existence. We for mally began operation in 1908, with a two-year program to serve and assist in churches. This was our Bible In stitute. In 1922, under the direction of Dr. R. A. Torrey, we expanded into a three-year Bible Institute. In 1934, a four-year “collegiate course,” leading to a degree, was brought into being. In 1943, the next advancement was made in a seminary program leading to a B.Th. degree; a college degree was not required. A year later, in 1944, the Biola School of Mission ary Medicine was instituted. It is a one-year program for graduates of Bible institutes or colleges. Then, in 1949, came the inaugura tion of a Bible college program offer ing a B.A. degree. This was Biola Bible College which has since grown into a full-fledged collegiate program, now known simply as Biola College. In 1952, we discontinued the old semi nary program and started Talbot Theological Seminary. All of these schools are affiliated with our historic official title, The Bible Institute of Los Angeles, Inc., or Biola,, as it is more commonly known. From the point of view of doctrine and basic purpose, these schools clearly belong under that
revered name. From an educational standpoint, however, they are much larger in scope and outreach than the name implies. As an example, consider with me the Talbot Theo log ical Seminary, named after Dr. Louis T. Talbot, our chancellor and one of the most effec tive Bible teachers and preachers of this century. Since this is a standard seminary, it is actually a graduate school of theology. A college degree is required for entrance. More than a Bible institute diploma is necessary. Biola College now offers majors in fifteen different areas. Among them are: Biological Science, English, His tory, Bible, Christian Education, Physical Education, Psychology, Mu sic, and a Nursing degree. The Col lege is accredited by the Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges and also by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The latter organization is California’s Standard Accrediting Association for all its Colleges and Universities. So, all of the majors at Biola College are accredited in the truest sense of the word and this edu cational facility has far outstripped the diploma program suggested by our corporate title. These giant steps in educational progress reveal the magnitude of some changes. Yet, despite these im portant developments, Biola has not changed a single one of the God-hon oring distinctives of the historic Bible institute movement. We believe that these distinctives shape the very nature of all our schools. They comprise our basic in stitutional objectives, our require ments in conduct, and the nature of our courses of study. Though the fu ture may call for continued expansion and change in the academic programs, our heritage will continue to shape all that we offer. We will only mention
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker