Philadelphia Biblical University
Encyclopedia
Philadelphia Biblical University, formerly called Philadelphia College of Bible, is a school located in Langhorne, Pennsylvania
founded in 1913. Every undergraduate student graduates with a Bachelor's degree
in Bible
. In addition, students may work towards a dual degree, such as Business, Education, Music, and Social Work. There is also a Graduate School which offers Master of Science
degrees as well as a Master of Divinity
degree. On January 1, 2008, former President W. Sherrill Babb became the university's first chancellor and former provost Todd J. Williams was elevated as the university's fifth president.
Over a year later, C. I. Scofield
and William L. Pettingill co-founded Philadelphia School of the Bible on October 1, 1914. Both men were leading Bible teachers of their day, in which Scofield was known internationally for his Bible teaching and his work on the Scofield Reference Bible
. One year later, Scofield became the first president and Pettingill was the first dean of Philadelphia School of the Bible.
Thirty-seven years later, in 1951, the schools merged to become Philadelphia Bible Institute, offering a three-year Bible diploma. At the time of the merger, William A. Mierop was appointed president and Clarence E. Mason, Jr., academic dean. By 1958, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania granted the institute approval to offer a four-year program leading to the bachelor of science in Bible degree, and then changed its name to Philadelphia College of Bible.
Since the merge the school has had five presidents: William A. Mierop, 1951 to 1956; Charles C. Ryrie
, 1958 to 1962; Douglas B. MacCorkle, 1963 to 1977; and W. Sherrill Babb, 1979 to 2007. Todd Williams became the University's fifth president January 1, 2008.
to the new campus in Langhorne Manor. Under his leadership, in 2000, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania granted the college approval to become a university. Degrees offered have increased from three to eleven; six Graduate programs have been implemented; four extension campuses have been established; and student enrollment, faculty, and facility space have more than doubled.
Philadelphia Biblical University athletes compete in twelve sports under the name of the "Crimson Eagles." The athletic program is affiliated with the Colonial States Athletic Conference, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the National Christian College Athletic Association.
Langhorne, Pennsylvania
Langhorne is a borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,622 at the 2010 census.The name "Langhorne" is used broadly to describe the majority of surrounding Middletown Township, which for the most part uses Langhorne's zip code of 19047...
founded in 1913. Every undergraduate student graduates with a Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
. In addition, students may work towards a dual degree, such as Business, Education, Music, and Social Work. There is also a Graduate School which offers Master of Science
Master of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
degrees as well as a Master of Divinity
Master of Divinity
In the academic study of theology, the Master of Divinity is the first professional degree of the pastoral profession in North America...
degree. On January 1, 2008, former President W. Sherrill Babb became the university's first chancellor and former provost Todd J. Williams was elevated as the university's fifth president.
Origins
The university is the result of the merger of two Bible schools: the Bible Institute of Pennsylvania and Philadelphia School of the Bible. On July 8, 1913, W. W. Rugh founded the National Bible Institute of Philadelphia. After teaching public school in his earlier days, Rugh spent several years walking a circuit to teach Bible classes throughout eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Originally an extension of the National Bible Institute of New York, the Philadelphia branch became independent of the New York school on October 8, 1921, and changed its name to Bible Institute of Pennsylvania.Over a year later, C. I. Scofield
Cyrus Scofield
Cyrus Ingerson Scofield was an American theologian, minister, and writer whose best-selling annotated Bible popularized dispensationalism among fundamentalist Christians.-Youth:...
and William L. Pettingill co-founded Philadelphia School of the Bible on October 1, 1914. Both men were leading Bible teachers of their day, in which Scofield was known internationally for his Bible teaching and his work on the Scofield Reference Bible
Scofield Reference Bible
The Scofield Reference Bible is a widely circulated study Bible edited and annotated by the American Bible student Cyrus I. Scofield, that popularized dispensationalism at the beginning of the 20th century...
. One year later, Scofield became the first president and Pettingill was the first dean of Philadelphia School of the Bible.
Thirty-seven years later, in 1951, the schools merged to become Philadelphia Bible Institute, offering a three-year Bible diploma. At the time of the merger, William A. Mierop was appointed president and Clarence E. Mason, Jr., academic dean. By 1958, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania granted the institute approval to offer a four-year program leading to the bachelor of science in Bible degree, and then changed its name to Philadelphia College of Bible.
Since the merge the school has had five presidents: William A. Mierop, 1951 to 1956; Charles C. Ryrie
Charles Caldwell Ryrie
Charles Caldwell Ryrie is a Christian writer and theologian who served as professor of systematic theology and dean of doctoral studies at Dallas Theological Seminary and as president and professor at what is now Philadelphia Biblical University...
, 1958 to 1962; Douglas B. MacCorkle, 1963 to 1977; and W. Sherrill Babb, 1979 to 2007. Todd Williams became the University's fifth president January 1, 2008.
1979-2007
W. Sherrill Babb's appointment coincided with the move from Center City, PhiladelphiaCenter City, Philadelphia
Center City, or Downtown Philadelphia includes the central business district and central neighborhoods of the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. As of 2005, its population of over 88,000 made it the third most populous downtown in the United States, after New York City's and Chicago's...
to the new campus in Langhorne Manor. Under his leadership, in 2000, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania granted the college approval to become a university. Degrees offered have increased from three to eleven; six Graduate programs have been implemented; four extension campuses have been established; and student enrollment, faculty, and facility space have more than doubled.
Notable alumni
- Duane LitfinDuane LitfinA. Duane Litfin was the seventh president of Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. He holds an undergraduate degree in biblical studies and a master's degree in theology from Philadelphia Biblical University . His two doctoral degrees are from Purdue University and Oxford...
- Past-President of Wheaton College. - Allen C. GuelzoAllen C. GuelzoAllen Carl Guelzo is the Henry R. Luce III Professor of the Civil War Era at Gettysburg College, where he serves as Director of the Civil War Era Studies Program.Guelzo was born in Yokohama, Japan...
- Henry R. Luce III Professor of the Civil War Era at Gettysburg CollegeGettysburg CollegeGettysburg College is a private four-year liberal arts college founded in 1832, in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, United States, adjacent to the famous battlefield. Its athletic teams are nicknamed the Bullets. Gettysburg College has about 2,700 students, with roughly equal numbers of men and women... - Alan R. Crippen II - Founder and President of the John Jay Institute for Faith, Society & Law.
- Robert C. GageRobert C. GageRobert Clifford "Bob" Gage is a Baptist minister and Christian author, who in 2000 became the pastor of the historic First Baptist Church in the City of New York at Broadway and West 79th Street. He resigned from the position effective September 9, 2007.Gage was born in Beverly, Massachusetts to...
- Christian author, pastor of the First Baptist Church in the City of New YorkFirst Baptist Church in the City of New YorkThe First Baptist Church in the City of New York is a Christian congregation based in a sanctuary built in 1891 at the intersection of Broadway and West 79th Street in the Upper West Side of Manhattan, New York at the 79th Street subway station...
. Gage received his bachelor of scienceBachelor of ScienceA Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree from PBU in 1964. - Paul S. Jones - Music Director & Organist at Tenth Presbyterian ChurchTenth Presbyterian ChurchTenth Presbyterian Church is a congregation of approximately 1,500 members located in downtown Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Tenth is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church in America , a denomination in the Reformed or Calvinist tradition.-History:...
in Philadelphia. - Dr. Crawford Loritts - Pastor, Author, Speaker. Loritts received his bachelor of science in Bible degree from PBU in 1972.
- Stephen J. Nichols - Research Professor of Christianity and Culture at Lancaster Bible College and author of numerous books.
- Timothy Shaw (composer)Timothy Shaw (composer)Timothy Shaw is a composer who has written many sacred choral pieces, as well as keyboard and instrumental music. He was born in Keene, New Hampshire, and is Assistant Professor and Chair of Music Theory and Composition at Philadelphia Biblical University. He is published by Augsburg Fortress,...
- Shaw received his Bachelor of Music degree from PBU in 1999 and his Master of MusicMaster of MusicThe Master of Music is the first graduate degree in Music awarded by universities and music conservatories. The M.Mus. combines advanced studies in an applied area of specialization with graduate-level academic study in subjects such as music history, music theory, or music pedagogy...
degree from Temple UniversityTemple UniversityTemple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...
in 2003. - Stewart and Eunice (Knapp) Snook - Author and founders of the International College of Bible and Missions (Johannesburg, South Africa).
- Martin SsempaMartin SsempaMartin Ssempa is an Ugandan pastor and activist, founder of the Makerere Community Church. He rejects separation of church and state, opposes the usage of condoms to prevent HIV contraction and supports abstinence plus fidelity education in the fight against sexual diseases...
- controversial Ugandan pastor and AIDS activist - Trip LeeTrip LeeWilliam Lee Barefield III, better known by his stage name, "Trip Lee", is an American Christian rapper who is signed to Reach Records and has recorded both independently and as a founding member of the 116 Clique. Originally from Dallas, Texas, he now resides in Washington D.C.. He first gained...
- Christian hip hop artist associated with the 116 Clique116 CliqueThe 116 Clique is a Hip Hop and Christian Rap group from Dallas, Texas signed to Reach Records. It consists mainly of Reach Records' artists and several on other labels. The 116 Clique is named after the Bible verse Romans 1:16... - Dan Schlegel- Outstanding athlete and scholar.
Notable Faculty
- J. Dwight PentecostJ. Dwight PentecostJ. Dwight Pentecost is a Christian theologian best known for his book Things to Come.He currently is Distinguished Professor of Bible Exposition, Emeritus, at Dallas Theological Seminary, one of only two so honored. He holds a B.A. from Hampden-Sydney College and Th.M. and Th.D. degrees from...
- Taught at PBU from 1948-55. Currently at Dallas Theological SeminaryDallas Theological SeminaryDallas Theological Seminary is an evangelical theological seminary located in Dallas, Texas. It is known for popularizing the theological system known as Dispensationalism...
. He has written a number of volumes including Things to Come and The Words and Works of Christ. - Charles Caldwell RyrieCharles Caldwell RyrieCharles Caldwell Ryrie is a Christian writer and theologian who served as professor of systematic theology and dean of doctoral studies at Dallas Theological Seminary and as president and professor at what is now Philadelphia Biblical University...
- Taught at PBU and served as President. A prolific author whose works include Dispensationalism, and Basic Theology. - Timothy Shaw (composer)Timothy Shaw (composer)Timothy Shaw is a composer who has written many sacred choral pieces, as well as keyboard and instrumental music. He was born in Keene, New Hampshire, and is Assistant Professor and Chair of Music Theory and Composition at Philadelphia Biblical University. He is published by Augsburg Fortress,...
- Currently the Assistant Professor and Chair of Music Theory and Composition. He is currently pursuing his PhD in music theory. - Nancy PearceyNancy PearceyNancy Randolph Pearcey is an American evangelical author on the Christian worldview.-Career:Pearcey was the Francis A. Schaeffer Scholar for several years at the World Journalism Institute. In September 2007, Pearcey was named Scholar for Worldview Studies at the Center for University Studies at...
- Was the professor of worldview studies at PBU before leaving to teach at Rivendell Sanctuary.
Athletics
Accreditation
- The Middle States Commission On Higher Education
- The Association for Biblical Higher Education
- The Association of Christian Schools International
- The National Association of Schools of Music
- The Council for Higher Education Accreditation
- Council on Social Work Education
- The International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education
External links
- Philadelphia Biblical University website