Criswell College
| Criswell College | |
|---|---|
| Criswell College | |
 |
|
| Established | 1971 |
| Type | Private |
| Religious affiliation | Southern Baptists of Texas Convention |
| Endowment | 27 million |
| Budget | 6.2 Million |
| President | Jerry Johnson |
| Location | Dallas, Texas, USA 32°47′35″N 96°46′37″W / 32.793°N 96.777°WCoordinates: 32°47′35″N 96°46′37″W / 32.793°N 96.777°W |
| Campus | Urban/Suburban |
| Former names | Criswell Center for Biblical Studies |
| Colors | Red, Green, Blue, Yellow |
| Website | www.criswell.edu |
Criswell College is a Christian college and divinity school in Old East Dallas, Texas. Criswell College's stated objective is to train students to teach and preach the Bible with emphasis on evangelism, the original languages, and biblical inerrancy.[1]
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History [edit]
The first classes began on January 12, 1971. It was previously known as “Criswell Bible Institute” and later as “Criswell Center for Biblical Studies”; the college is named after its founder, W. A. Criswell, long-time dispensationalist[2] pastor of the First Baptist Church of Dallas. Dr. James Bryant was the founding Dean.
Affiliated with the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention since 2003,[3] the college has over 300 students from more than 30 states and 30 countries.[citation needed] The college offers Diplomas, Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts and Master of Divinity degrees.
Presidents [edit]
Past presidents include H. Leo Eddleman, Paige Patterson, Richard Melick, and Richard Wells. The current president is Jerry A. Johnson.
Curriculum [edit]
Criswell offers both bachelor's and master's degrees, including a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies, several Master of Arts programs, a Master of Divinity, and a fully-online Master of Arts in Christian Studies.[4][5]
In 2012, the Board of Trustees approved plans for an expansion of the undergraduate curriculum and relocation.[6]
Accreditation [edit]
In 1985, Criswell was first accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).[7]
In June 2007, the college was placed on probation for one year.[8]
In December 2010, the college was denied reaffirmation and given a warning for one year to make improvements in areas including in educational programs, effectiveness, administration, and general education compentencies.[9]
The school is currently fully accredited with a renewal date of 2020.
Controversies [edit]
School president Jerry Johnson resigned from the school in 2008 citing "philosophical differences with the chancellor and trustee leadership about the future of Criswell College."[10][11] He returned in 2010[12] after the school separated from First Baptist Church of Dallas despite a 2008 resolution forbidding selling of the school for at least five years.[13]
Pasche Institute [edit]
The Pasche Institute was started by Jim R. Sibley and Todd Bradley as a Master of Arts degree program for Jewish studies. Sibley was named the first director of the Pasche Institute in 2006. Jewish courses are also offered in the undergraduate and Master of Divinity programs.
Notable Alumni [edit]
- Daniel Akin - President, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and author
- David Allen - Dean of Theology, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and author
- Everett Berry - Associate Professor of Theology, Criswell College
- Dan Dumas - Vice President, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
- K. P. Yohannan - President, Gospel for Asia and author
References [edit]
- ^ Unknown. "Our Values".
- ^ W. A. Criswell. "THE RISING OF ISRAEL".
- ^ Jerry Pierce (2011). "Criswell College renews SBTC affiliation". Southern Baptist Texan. Retrieved 2012-01-07.
- ^ http://www.criswell.edu/current_students/academics/academic_programs/
- ^ http://www.criswell.edu/ma_in_christian_studies/
- ^ http://www.criswell.edu/rebirth
- ^ "Criswell College". Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. 2011. Retrieved 2011-04-14.
- ^ "Accrediting association reprimands Criswell College due to finances". Associated Baptist Press. July 5, 2007. Retrieved 2012-01-07.
- ^ "Questions Regarding Status of Criswell College". Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. December 10, 2010. Retrieved 2012-01-05.
- ^ "Criswell president Jerry Johnson resigns". Baptist Press. August 6, 2008. Retrieved 2011-09-14.
- ^ "Criswell College officially separates". Baptist Press. August 6, 2008. Retrieved 2011-09-14.
- ^ "EDUCATION DIGEST: Johnson elected Criswell president; Wright at Union; Campbellsville; Calif. Baptist; Baptist College of Fla.; NOBTS". Baptist Press. November 10, 2010. Retrieved 2011-09-14.
- ^ "Texas Faith Blog". Dallas Morning News. May 22, 2008. Retrieved 2012-04-14.
