Criswell College
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Criswell College is a Christian college in Dallas, Texas. Previously known as The Criswell Center for Biblical Studies and later Criswell Bible Institute, the college is named after its founder, Dr. W.A. Criswell, long-time pastor of the First Baptist Church of Dallas (of which it was a part before becoming independent).
The first classes began on January 12, 1971. The college has over 400 students from more than 30 states and 30 countries. The college offers diplomas, A.A., B.A., M.A. and M.Div. degrees.
Criswell College is not formally affiliated with any denomination, despite being originally operated by a Southern Baptist Convention affiliated church. However, its doctrinal stance is generally conservative-leaning. The North Texas Baptist Association (NTBA), a group of conservative Southern Baptist churches in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex area, provides a pastoral scholarship fund for the college.
Criswell College is know for its emphasis on sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and for training students to teach and preach the Bible. They put an emphasis on evangelism, Biblical inerrancy, and viewing academic disciplines through a Christian worldview.
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[edit] Presidents
Dr. Jerry A. Johnson was elected the sixth President of Criswell College on December 5, 2003. He was graduated from Criswell College in 1986, receiving the Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies degree. In 1997, he received a Master of Arts in Historical and Theological Studies from Conservative Baptist Seminary in Denver, Colorado, and in 2003, he received his Ph.D. in Christian Ethics from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
[edit] Degrees
Criswell offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in the subjects of:
- Biblical Studies
- Counseling
- Evangelism and Missions
- Humanities
- Pastoral Ministry
- Philosophy
- Worship Leadership
- Youth Ministry
Master of Arts in the subjects of:
- Christian Leadership
- Counseling
- Jewish Studies
- Ministry
- Theological and Biblical Studies
And a Master of Divinity (M.Div) degree
[edit] Academics
Criswell College is considered highly educational for the following reasons:
- A high PhD-to-student ratio
- A well-trained and experienced faculty from respected institutions including: Yale, Wheaton, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Dallas Theological Seminary, The University of Texas, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, etc.
- A requirement of intense theological study
- A requirement for students to learn the Biblical languages
- A status of fully accredited with the regional accrediting agency (SACS)
[edit] KCBI
President Jerry A. Johnson has his own radio program on KCBI (one of the college's owned radio stations) called Jerry Johnson Live, with aims of presenting a Christian worldview on ethical and political issues.
[edit] Pasche Institute
The Pasche Institute was started by Prof. Jim R. Sibley and Dr. Todd Bradley as a Master of Arts degree program for Jewish studies. Prof. Sibley was named the first director of the Pasche Institute in 2006. Jewish courses are also offered in the undergraduate and M.Div programs.
[edit] Faculty and alumni works
Dr. W.A. Criswell
- Why I Preach the Bible Is Literally True
- Criswell's Guidebook For Pastors
- Standing on the Promises: The Autobiography of W. A. Criswell
Dr. Daniel L. Akin
- A Theology for the Church (Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2007) ISBN 080542640X. General Editor
- God on Sex: The Creator's Ideas About Love, Intimacy, and Marriage (Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2003) ISBN 0805425969.
Richard Wells & Boyd Luter
- Inspired Preaching
Steven Zarlengo
- Daughter of Zion: Jerusalem's Past, Present, and Future. (Dallas: Joseph Publishing, 2007).
[edit] Notable alumni
- Dr. Daniel L. Akin; President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
- Dr. Jerry Johnson; President of Criswell College
- Dr. Ergun Caner; President of Liberty Seminary
- Dan Dumas; Vice President of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
- Tony Nolan; vocational evangelist
