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Introduction to Boise Bible College
A
Bible College
The
traditional goal of a college education was to provide a basic understanding
of our complex world and the tools with which to respond creatively to
life’s challenges. This involved teaching students to read, write, think,
speak, and do research through studies in literature, language, history, the
sciences, philosophy, and theology. Yes, theology used to be an integral
part of a college education. In fact, many of our older universities
originally taught from a Christian perspective. This is obviously no longer
the case.
The
original style of college education is still available today in institutions
generally known as Bible Colleges. These schools use the same framework of
learning used by our early American colleges, and they are devoted to
preparing Christian leaders for the church and the world.
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Doctrinal Position
Boise Bible College upholds the standards of the church as revealed in the
New Testament Scriptures; contends for the full inspiration of the
Scriptures and the deity of Christ (His virgin birth, miraculous life,
bodily resurrection from the grave, ascension into heaven, and personal
return); teaches the plan of salvation most fully recorded and illustrated
in the Book of Acts; contends for the restoration of the biblical church in
such things as life, teaching, name, organization and purpose, and stresses
the church’s mission of world evangelism.
You
are welcome to study at Boise Bible college regardless of your church
affiliation if you name Jesus as your Lord and Savior and are seeking to
govern your life by His Word.
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Denominational Affiliation
Our college is not a part of any
denominational system, but it is associated with and supported by
independent congregations which are generally called Christian Churches or
Churches of Christ. These churches call all Christians to unite behind the
practices and teachings of the church described in the New Testament as a
means of more effectively evangelizing the world.
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Recognition
.
. . by churches
Individuals and churches across the nation, and
especially the Northwest, support the College. Our graduates serve churches
all around the United States and many nations around the world. Our alumni
serve on the teaching staffs of some of the finest Christian colleges and
seminaries.
.
. . by governmental agencies
The College is recognized by the State Board of
Education. Eligible students who attend BBC can qualify for Federal benefits
offered through Title IV Student Aid, VA, and Social Security programs. The
College is also approved by the immigration Service of the United States
Department of Justice to educate nonimmigrant alien students.
.
. . by educational institutions
Nearly all Christian colleges and seminaries
are receptive to accepting our credits and degrees. Many highly regarded
colleges welcome our students. However, some schools discriminate against
all Bible colleges and are reluctant to accept our credits. Furthermore, as
with all collegiate institutions, transfer of credit often depends upon the
program being pursued by the student and the quality of the work completed.
If you are planning on transferring from BBC to another institution,
investigate the likelihood of transferring credits as early in the process
as possible.
.
. . by accrediting associations
The College is accredited by the Association
for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE), formerly the Accrediting
Association of Bible Colleges, 5890 S. Semoran Blvd., PO Box 780339, Orlando
FL, phone 407-207-0808. This is the national accrediting association for
evangelical colleges that include a substantial requirement for biblical
instruction and student ministry requirements. It is recognized on the national
level and by the Board of Education of the State of Idaho. The Council for
Higher Education (CHEA), the national accrediting organization, approves the
ABHE.
The College is recognized as a nationally
accredited post-secondary institution in Transfer Credit Practices of
Designated Educational Institutions, published by the American Association
of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers.
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Location
Boise is increasingly recognized as a very livable city. The city is large
enough to have the benefits of a large city, yet small enough to avoid the
problems associated with large urban areas. It also enjoys an expanding
economy where opportunities for part-time employment are abundant. Boise
Towne Square Mall and the revitalized downtown area offer great shopping and
job opportunities.
Boise offers numerous formal and informal educational opportunities. Boise
State University, Northwest Nazarene College, Albertson College, and other
vocational schools are located in the area. It also features a museum of
art, a performing arts center, the State Historical Museum, the Boise
Philharmonic, and several very active drama groups.
The
city also provides many opportunities for recreation and amusement. Boise
features community-wide programs like the
Shakespeare Festival, the McCall Ice Festival, and Nampa’s Snake River
Stampede. A minor league baseball team makes its home just a couple of
blocks from our campus. The city has numerous parks, many of which are
connected by a bike path along the Boise River. Bogus Basin Ski Resort is
just a thirty-minute drive away. Opportunities for camping, hunting, and
fishing abound in the mountains just north of the city.
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Facilities
BBC
is located on a 16-acre campus at the northwest edge of Boise. At the front of the campus is the
Administration Building which houses the offices of the administration and
faculty. Immediately behind this building is the Library/Classroom building,
which has been expanded to include a chapel and more
classrooms.
Behind the library building is the first wing of the new dormitory. When
complete, the dormitory will have two wings and a large student center. At
the south end of the campus is the
multipurpose building which contains a gymnasium, the cafeteria, student
lounges, and music room. On the east side of the campus is another dormitory
building. For a map of the campus with additions,
click here.
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History
BBC
was founded in 1945 by an evangelist, Orin Hardenbrook, in response to the
need of the Idaho-Eastern Oregon area for a Christian institution of higher
education. For her first twenty-nine years, the College operated as a
ministry of Boise’s First Church of Christ, then located at Eighteenth and
Eastman. The congregation’s ministers served as the core of the faculty, and
its elders as her administrators.
Kenneth Beckman, minister of First Church of Christ and a member of the
college faculty, became president of the college in 1949. He served in this
capacity (while still preaching and teaching) until 1973. Beckman, who
received the first honorary doctorate granted by BBC (awarded in 1995),
continued to teach at the school even after stepping down as president and
later retiring from preaching. As of 2008, he continues to teach the Survey
of Bible Doctrine class, which is taken by most first-year students.
In
1974 the College was separated organizationally from its founding church,
becoming an independent institution. J. Richard Ewing was also appointed
as the first full-time president in that year. He made it his mission to expand BBC’s educational
programs, budget, staff, and faculty. He guided BBC through the process of
receiving accreditation through the American Association of Bible Colleges
(now called the Association for Biblical Higher Education) on October 27,
1988.
Dr.
Charles A. Crane became president in 1990. His tenure has been marked by
tripling enrollment and substantial improvements in the college’s financial
stability and campus facilities. Dr. Crane retired as president on June 30,
2007, and became chancellor. Terry Stine was named the new president. He
previously served as BBC's missions professor and is the long-time director
of Niños de Mexico, a mission for children in Mexico City. The future for
BBC continues to look very bright
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Our Mission
BBC’s primary mission is to prepare Christians for full-time Christian
ministry. BBC also exists to prepare other Christians to serve churches in
unpaid non-professional capacities. finally, BBC has been established to
provide Christians with personal spiritual enrichment.
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Goals We Have for You
We want your attitudes and spiritual life to improve in:
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Your
personal commitment to Christ and motivation for spiritual growth;
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Your
display of mature Christian standards in personal discipline and conduct;
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Your
commitment to serve Christ and restore His church as revealed in the New
Testament;
-
Your
conviction that the Bible is God’s Word and your resolve to make it the
guide for your life;
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Your
participation in local (personal) and world-wide (missions) evangelism.
We want you to develop physically and socially in:
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Your
attitudes and habits toward the care of your body and your personal
grooming;
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Your
friendships and an understanding of how to be a friend;
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Your
patterns of social relationships, particularly toward the opposite sex;
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Your
ability to speak confidently with people of all ages and both sexes.
We want you to grow in your knowledge and skills in:
-
Your
understanding of the Bible’s content and basic knowledge of its fundamental
teachings;
-
Your
background in basic areas of general education which are essential to
Christian life and service;
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Your
ability to competently perform some leadership and service tasks in the
church;
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Your
ability to communicate the gospel orally and in writing;
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Your
ability to personally reach and teach others for Christ
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Your
capacity for self-directed learning.
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