Protestant Bible Institutes in the United States

Abstract

Despite the fact that theological education was the initial inspiration behind establishing institutions of higher learning in what became the United States, few formal studies exist concerning what may best be identified as Bible colleges or, as will be employed in what follows, Bible institutes. For example, the literature generated by higher education scholars makes almost no reference to Bible institutes. The literature generated in recent years concerning Christian colleges and universities also makes almost no reference to these same schools. However, given the sheer number of Bible institutes operating in North America alone, considerable scholarly work needs to be done. Perhaps what follows can thus provide not only an overview of these schools but also a framework for the beginnings of further study. This chapter opens with some speculative remarks concerning why research concerning Bible institutes is so difficult to find. A history of these schools will then be provided. The remaining portion will then provide an overview of these schools as they exist today through both data and some brief cases studies. Although perhaps needing revision by subsequent scholars, the brief case studies are divided into four ways. First, some schools have chosen to remain what is generally referred to as 2-year institutions while others have become 4-year institutions. Some even offer graduate programs. The chosen examples come from the Mennonite tradition. Second, some schools are intentionally interdenominational schools while other schools are intentionally denominational. Examples of these schools include an interdenominational school in the Midwest and a school in the Church of Christ or Restoration tradition. Third, an overview of an organization that is not a formal institute but provides an ever-increasing array of opportunities for Bible instruction, Youth with a Mission or YWAM, is offered. Finally, perhaps the most recent additions to this list of schools include schools being started by individual churches. One example is from an interdenominational school while the other is from the Baptist tradition. While this typology and the case studies cannot do justice to the full range of Bible institutes presently in operation, the hope is that it can give rise to a body of work that does.