Trinity College (Florida)
Encyclopedia
Trinity College is a evangelical interdenominational Bible college
(established 1932) located in New Port Richey
in Pasco County
, Florida
. It is a private college.
The institution was founded as Florida Bible Institute in Temple Terrace by Dr. William T. Watson, a fundamentalist tent preacher from North Carolina
and pastor of a large Christian and Missionary Alliance
church in St. Petersburg
. The name was changed to Trinity College of Florida in 1947.
An important characteristic of the College has always been its distinctly interdenominational nature. At Trinity students from a wide variety of church backgrounds have the opportunity to study various interpretations of the Bible in an atmosphere of respect. In a world where interdenominational cooperation among evangelicals is increasingly vital, Trinity College of Florida believes that this type of education best serves its students as they prepare to live and serve more effectively.
The College's most famous alumnus is Billy Graham
, who graduated from the College in 1940 and became one of the great evangelists in the history of the church. Jimmy G. Tharpe
(1930–2008), founder of Louisiana Baptist University
in Shreveport
, Louisiana
, received bachelor of arts
and Master of Arts
degrees from Trinity in the 1950s.
The goals for achieving this mission are:
Trinity College believes that the Bible should be at the heart and core of all training and is the standard for evaluating all claims to knowledge. The Bible, as the inspired Word of God, is instrumental in thoroughly equipping God’s servants for ministry. This philosophy is reflected in the wide range of Bible and theology courses offered. The College believes that the Bible is the only framework within which a consistent, effective, and productive worldview, life-style, and life of service to God and humanity can be maintained.
(SACS).
Bible college
Bible colleges are institutions of higher education that specialize in biblical studies. Curriculum is Bible-based and differs from that of liberal arts colleges or research universities. Bible colleges generally exclude the study of philosophy, unlike seminaries and theological colleges...
(established 1932) located in New Port Richey
New Port Richey, Florida
New Port Richey is a city in Pasco County, Florida, United States. It is a suburban city included in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area...
in Pasco County
Pasco County, Florida
Pasco County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 344,765. The July 1, 2007 census estimate according to the U.S. Census Bureau for the county is 462,715. Its county seat is Dade City, Florida which is in the northeast part of the county - somewhat...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. It is a private college.
The institution was founded as Florida Bible Institute in Temple Terrace by Dr. William T. Watson, a fundamentalist tent preacher from North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
and pastor of a large Christian and Missionary Alliance
Christian and Missionary Alliance
The Christian and Missionary Alliance is an evangelical Protestant denomination within Christianity.Founded by Rev. Albert Benjamin Simpson in 1887, the Christian & Missionary Alliance did not start off as a denomination, but rather began as two distinct parachurch organizations: The Christian...
church in St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. It is known as a vacation destination for both American and foreign tourists. As of 2008, the population estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau is 245,314, making St...
. The name was changed to Trinity College of Florida in 1947.
An important characteristic of the College has always been its distinctly interdenominational nature. At Trinity students from a wide variety of church backgrounds have the opportunity to study various interpretations of the Bible in an atmosphere of respect. In a world where interdenominational cooperation among evangelicals is increasingly vital, Trinity College of Florida believes that this type of education best serves its students as they prepare to live and serve more effectively.
The College's most famous alumnus is Billy Graham
Billy Graham
William Franklin "Billy" Graham, Jr. is an American evangelical Christian evangelist. As of April 25, 2010, when he met with Barack Obama, Graham has spent personal time with twelve United States Presidents dating back to Harry S. Truman, and is number seven on Gallup's list of admired people for...
, who graduated from the College in 1940 and became one of the great evangelists in the history of the church. Jimmy G. Tharpe
Jimmy G. Tharpe
Jimmy Gid Tharpe, Sr. , was an Independent Baptist clergyman in Shreveport, Louisiana, who founded the unaccredited theologically conservative Louisiana Baptist University and Theological Seminary, originally established in 1973 as Baptist Christian University...
(1930–2008), founder of Louisiana Baptist University
Louisiana Baptist University
Louisiana Baptist University is an accredited theologically conservative Christian university, founded in 1973, located at 6301 Westport Avenue in Shreveport, Louisiana....
in Shreveport
Shreveport, Louisiana
Shreveport is the third largest city in Louisiana. It is the principal city of the fourth largest metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana and is the 109th-largest city in the United States....
, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, received bachelor of arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
and Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
degrees from Trinity in the 1950s.
Mission
The mission of Trinity College is to equip men and women for Christian service to the church and all humanity through effective Biblical, Professional and General Education leading to associate and baccalaureate degrees.The goals for achieving this mission are:
- Spiritual - to orient, motivate, and lead students to Christian maturity and spiritual depth;
- Academic - to provide an understanding of the Bible as the basis for Christian life and thought within the context of the College statement of faith and to introduce students to the Western intellectual tradition;
- Intellectual - to develop in students the ability for critical analysis and to motivate in them a desire for continuing intellectual pursuits;
- Professional - to produce graduates competent for Christian service to humanity in the areas of their individual choices.
Trinity College believes that the Bible should be at the heart and core of all training and is the standard for evaluating all claims to knowledge. The Bible, as the inspired Word of God, is instrumental in thoroughly equipping God’s servants for ministry. This philosophy is reflected in the wide range of Bible and theology courses offered. The College believes that the Bible is the only framework within which a consistent, effective, and productive worldview, life-style, and life of service to God and humanity can be maintained.
Accreditation
The College was initially accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Association for Biblical Higher Education in 1996. It is not regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and SchoolsSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is one of the six regional accreditation organizations recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation...
(SACS).