TBC enjoys 'one of the best' quarters ever — now making plans for 2008

by AMY DAVIS
TENNESSEE BIBLE COLLEGE

COOKEVILLE — The finals have been taken, and the grades are in — which brings the 2007 fall quarter at Tennessee Bible College to a close.

Enjoying class at Tennessee Bible College are students Joshua Brown of Bowling Green, Ky., left, and Mark Day of Algood. Both are pursuing a bachelor's degree in religious education at TBC.

And, according to TBC President Malcolm Hill, it's been a good one.

"This has been one of the best quarters we've had, and our student body is superb," he said. "It's been a joy to be with them in the classroom and see the upbeat attitude they have."

Among those students were freshmen Andrea Beason of Monroe and Joshua Brown of Bowling Green, Ky., who say their first taste of TBC has left them eager for more.

Tennessee Bible College students, from left, Joshua Brown of Bowling Green, Ky.; Chris Thomas of Cookeville; Helen Wang of Wuhan, China; and Ray Tenpenny of McMinnville pay close attention as their instructor, TBC Vice President Glenn B. Ramsey, explains the lesson. Registration for the winter quarter is Jan. 3 from 10 a.m. to noon. Classes will be held Jan. 7 through March 28. For more information call (931)526-2616 or visit www.tn-biblecollege.edu.

"The quarter went really well," Beason said. "All the students were very nice, and also the teachers. Time went by really fast."

Brown said, "It was a very good experience, being my first quarter here. I was introduced to the teachers, how they present their material and what they require. I've learned quite a bit. I definitely have a lot more Bible knowledge than I started with. It's been great."

Both students joined a diverse group of Bible scholars upon enrolling at TBC — students from near and far, ranging in age from just out of high school to well past retirement.

"I think we had a really interesting mix of students this quarter," said David Hill, public relations director at TBC. "We had international students, men and women, as well as audit students, and I think it's made for real good participation."

Kerry Duke, dean of TBC, added, "I think the students have applied themselves very well. Their attitudes have been great. Their personalities have fit together and meshed real well. There has not been any conflict in the student body to speak of. So as far as their morale and education are concerned, I don't think it could have been any better."

Tennessee Bible College offers a bachelor's degree in religious education, master's and doctorate degrees in theology, as well as a two-year preaching diploma. The college, which is authorized by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, was founded in Cookeville in 1975 and specializes in Bible doctrine, evangelism and apologetics (the study of Christian evidences).

TBC provides Christian training for men and women, offering a large variety of courses in Bible interpretation, Christian counseling, church history, Bible languages, sermon preparation, evangelism, world religions and denominations, Christian evidences, plus extensive Bible textual studies. Several general education courses are offered as well, including English composition, psychology, history and geography.

It's just what Brown was looking for.

"My purpose for coming to Tennessee Bible College was to go into pulpit ministry, and I definitely need the knowledge of Bible scripture they provide here," he said. "Starting with that foundation is the best way to go into preaching."

He added, "Almost every day we had interesting discussions, especially in this quarter's textual class, which covered I and II Timothy and Titus. Just reading through the text alone and then going over it in class was very helpful and very useful. We not only learned what it actually teaches but also what people do with the text that is wrong and how to teach against that in a good and positive way."

Beason, who plans to go to TBC at least two years before pursuing a secular career in teaching, said the Bible knowledge has helped her as well.

"I've learned a lot more than I ever thought I could, just in this quarter, so it's been good," she said. "I can explain things better."

Beason comes to TBC from Pickett County High School, having received a Moral Excellence Scholarship. The full scholarship is offered to students in all Upper Cumberland area high schools. Other scholarship opportunities are available as well. TBC's president, Malcolm Hill, emphasizes that "no worthy student is turned away for lack of funds."

Beason added, "I was going to go to college anyway, but going to TBC first was probably the best thing I could ever do."

She'll also be able to transfer some of her Bible college credits, as TBC has agreements with several area colleges and universities, including Tennessee Tech University.

Beason and Brown seem to be the general run of the mill at TBC — serious, mature students with focus and drive. And that's what makes it all worth while to faculty members.

Kerry Duke said, "The biggest reward for me is seeing the interest in their faces and the eagerness they have to learn. They've got their priorities set. Learning about the Bible and God are most important to them right now, and they have either temporarily set aside their plans to get an education in a secular field or they have devoted themselves to being full-time workers in the church. So they know what they want to do."

Malcolm Hill added, "In the classes I've taught, I have been impressed with the desire of the students to improve their life. They have a desire to excel in righteousness and goodness, and that's what the school is all about — developing good citizens and good people in the Kingdom."

And the idea is catching on with area churches, businesses and other individuals, who see value in TBC's efforts.

"We continue to enjoy increased support by people beginning to recognize the work at TBC and place more confidence in it," David Hill said. "We're hearing more and more every day from individuals saying, 'We now understand what the school is about, and we appreciate what's going on there and want to help see it continue.'"

And now, as the year 2008 approaches, so does a new quarter at TBC, bringing with it a variety of course offerings.

Students Joshua Brown and Andrea Beason are ready — and they recommend others join the TBC family.

"The emphasis that is placed on the Bible and what it says definitely makes Tennessee Bible College stand out," Brown said. "And I think that's one of the best things about the school and the faculty here, is that they put a strong emphasis on the Scriptures so you're well grounded."

Courses being offered during the winter quarter, which is Jan. 7-March 28, are as follows:

Undergraduate

• English Composition II (Glenn Ramsey)
• Romans (Kerry Duke)
• Christianity and Contemporary Culture (staff)
• Principles of Christian Living (Malcolm Hill)
• Ancient Philosophy (D. Hill)
• Ephesians, Philipians, Colossians (M. Hill and Paul Wilmoth)
• Introduction to Christian Counseling (Ramsey)

Graduate

• Biblical doctrine of Prophecy (M. Hill)
• History of Theology (Duke)
• Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible (Ramsey)
• Advanced Hermeneutics (staff)

Registration is Thursday, Jan. 3, from 10 a.m. to noon.

"We're still looking for good students," David Hill said.

Malcolm Hill added, "Our desire at Tennessee Bible College is to increase in every way. We look forward to a great year in 2008, and the future has never been brighter."

For more information about TBC, call (931)526-2616, visit www.tn-biblecollege.edu or stop by the campus at 1616 McCulley Road, Cookeville.