School of Bible and Theology
Driving the entire program of Toccoa Falls College is its
heartbeat and purpose: "to glorify God through offering residential
programs that prepare men and women for lives of personal fulfillment and
Christian servant leadership to the church and all humanity." The
School of Bible and Theology is central to that overall purpose. It
serves the college by providing an essential element for lives of fulfillment
and service – thorough knowledge of the Bible and its doctrinal
teaching.
Our goal is that every student be equipped with a solid grasp of what the Bible
teaches, how it can be accurately interpreted, and how its truths can be
applied to one's own life as well as shared with others. For that reason, the SBT provides 30 credit
hours of biblical and theological studies that are considered core courses,
required of every student who graduates with a bachelor’s degree.
In addition, the SBT offers two majors, a Pastoral Ministries Major, and a Biblical Studies Major. These are especially designed for those who
anticipate full-time ministry careers of various types, including pastoring,
Bible teaching, evangelistic ministries, the chaplaincy, church planting, working
with para-church organizations, and other ministry vocations. Also, minors are available in Biblical
Languages, Biblical/Theological Studies, Greek, Hebrew, New Testament, Old
Testament, Pastoral Ministries, and Religion.
What’s so special about the School of Bible and Theology?
The students are special. The approximately 100 students who annually major within the School of Bible and Theology are considered special, because they feel summoned by the Lord to prepare for some form of ministry. Many demonstrate a serious dedication to the pastorate or some other area of professional Christian ministry. These are searching men and women – thirsting for truth and sifting through ideas to retain only truth. As serious students they seek an intelligent integration of truth and life. They are growing students. They are zealous, realizing that academic excellence is compatible with spiritual enthusiasm. They are “wanted” students, in demand by denominations, churches, and mission agencies.
The faculty is special. Academically astute, its professors are evangelical – giving unwavering allegiance to such historic Christian doctrines as the inerrancy and full authority of Scripture and Christ’s unique deity, substitutionary atonement, bodily resurrection, and literal return. The faculty is balanced and Christ-centered, avoiding provincialism and indoctrination techniques.
The faculty recognizes various viewpoints within evangelicalism and refuses to force all graduates into a single mold. Faculty members are well-trained in their fields in a wide variety of institutions. Bible/Theology professors received undergraduate education in at least eleven different colleges and collectively possess 31 graduate degrees from 17 different quality institutions. This is in bold contrast to Bible colleges that select all of their teachers from a few schools representing one narrow viewpoint. Our sixteen current full and part-time professors have authored several books and numerous articles, and participate in various professional societies. These select professors are forward-looking. In tune with today’s needs and anticipating needs of the 21st century, the faculty keeps aware of trends, but avoids fads.
The program is special because God’s Word is central in the curriculum. Available surveys, book studies, and specialized courses cover the whole Bible. Teachers emphasize actual biblical content as well as introductory matters. Theology is viewed as the Bible systemized against a background of historical and philosophical thought.
Stress is placed on application of Scripture to daily life and on methods of communicating truth to contemporary people. Students actively engage in church-related ministries. One of the most vital distinctives is the emphasis on the resources of God’s Spirit for Christ-filled living. Evangelism, worship, and edification are emphasized.
Possible career paths with a degree from SBT:
Ø Teach theology and Bible. You will need to go on to seminary for at least a master’s degree, but our program will prepare you for success at the seminary level.
Ø Evangelistic and Preaching ministries
Ø Pastor in a church ministry
Ø Chaplaincy in the armed forces or an institution such as a hospital (Seminary training required for Chaplaincy in the armed forces)
Ø Para-church ministries
Ø Research and writing about theological and spiritual issues
Ø Teacher of Biblical Languages
Ø Biblical Counseling (minor in counseling and then master’s degree in counseling)
Ø Teaching Sunday School or other local church ministries, even if you pursue a secular career
SBT Alumni: What are they doing now?
Ø Minister to street gangs and desperate people in a declining neighborhood of a city.
Ø Pastoring dynamic churches in a wide variety of denominations, as senior, associate, youth, and executive pastors.
Ø Teaching in colleges, universities, and seminaries.
Ø Presidents of Christian colleges.
Ø District Superintendents.
Ø Evangelist in Haiti.
Ø Missionary in Bangladesh.
Ø Officer in the Marine Core.
Ø Attending graduate programs of study.
Ø Serving as director of camp ministry.
Ø Founder and director of an urban outreach ministry.
Why is TFC’s SBT a good choice?
Ø We are committed to conservative, thoroughly evangelical theology.
Ø Within the conservative, evangelical sphere, our department has an excellent balance of theological viewpoints represented in the many different backgrounds of our professors.
Ø Most professors in our department have had years of pastoral or missionary experience.
Ø Professors have a genuine love for the Lord and for their students.
Ø We are non-compromising on the fundamentals of doctrine, holding to faith that affirms the inerrancy of Scripture.
Ø An atmosphere where tough questions are not discouraged but eagerly welcomed.
Ø District Superintendents report that SBT graduates are generally better prepared in Biblical and Doctrinal knowledge than many of those from other colleges.
Ø We have a 101 year history of preparing men and women who are serious about a call to serve Christ.
Ø While TFC retains the best features of a Bible college, we are more than that. Our Bible courses are offered in conjunction with a 39 credit-hour general education core that provides a Christian perspective in the liberal arts to complement our theological training.
Unique features of the SBT program:
Ø The area of Biblical Languages, offers up to four years of Greek and three years of Hebrew; equivalent to seminary level of proficiency in these languages. Some seminaries will accept this proficiency and admit a student to advance standing.
Ø Majors in the SBT program can take between 40 to 56 hours of Bible and Theology
Ø Pastoral ministries majors do a Pastoral internship, which is a summer of actual experience working in a local church situation with a senior pastor.
Ø Study Abroad in Europe in summer for a first-hand experience with the historical background in church and religion.
Ø We require a comprehensive senior exam that ensures our students are able to demonstrate a thorough Biblical and Theological knowledge, as well as the ability to articulate their personal beliefs. This also prepares students for ministry interviews and denominational accreditation/licensing.
Some specialized classes in the program:
Ø Classes that teach how to handle conflict in ministry situations.
Ø Preaching classes develop skills in the preparation and delivery of sermons.
Ø A course that culminates in writing a major theological paper sharpens students’ abilities to perform serious theological research and hones their writing skills.
Ø Classes in denominational distinctives helps prepare students for ordination requirements in their particular denominations (especially Baptist and C&MA).
Ø Senior capstone course required of all Bible & Theology majors. Critical Issues in Theology provides an opportunity for students to solidify their personal positions on key doctrinal matters.
If you would like more information, call Dr. David Reese, Director of the School of Bible and Theology at (706) 886-6831 extension 5279 or email him at dreese@tfc.edu.