Philadelphia Biblical University, formerly called Philadelphia College of Bible, is a school located in Langhorne, Pennsylvania founded in 1913. In 2012, PBU adopted a new policy that allows students who are seeking a professional degree (e.g. Education, Business, Music, or Social Work) to not receive a B.S. in Bible. All students take over 30 credit hours of Bible. In addition, students may choose to 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.
[edit] History
[edit] 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.[2] 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.
Philadelphia Biblical University campus.
Over a year later, C. I. Scofield and William L. Pettingill co-founded[3] 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.
[edit] 1979-2007
W. Sherrill Babb's appointment coincided with the move from Center City, Philadelphia 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.
[edit] Notable alumni
[edit] Notable Faculty
- J. Dwight Pentecost - Taught at PBU from 1948-55. Currently at Dallas Theological Seminary. He has written a number of volumes including Things to Come and The Words and Works of Christ.
- Charles Caldwell Ryrie - Taught at PBU and served as President. A prolific author whose works include Dispensationalism, and Basic Theology.
- Timothy Shaw (composer) - Currently the Assistant Professor and Chair of Music Theory and Composition. He is currently pursuing his PhD in music theory.
- Nancy Pearcey - Was the professor of worldview studies at PBU before leaving to teach at Rivendell Sanctuary.
[edit] Athletics
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. [4]
[edit] Accreditation
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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Coordinates: 40°09′59″N 74°54′32″W / 40.1665°N 74.9089°W / 40.1665; -74.9089
