Tennessee Bible College anticipates a fall quarter that will surpass the surrounding autumn foliage in its vibrancy.
Highlights include courses that will challenge a diverse student body and an annual benefit dinner—with an international twist—that will reunite TBC friends. Randy Bybee will be teaching Creation and Evolution, while TBC’s Jason Gann, Registrar, and Kerry Duke, Vice President, will be teaching a TBC After Dark course on Thessalonians and a homeschool class on Greek, respectively. The quarter begins Sept. 11.
“The Creation/Evolution course considers methodically and systematically the biblical teaching of creation in contrast to the scientific claims of evolution,” Bybee said. “Students will be exposed to presuppositions, logic and their place in the interpretation of scientific evidence. It is expected that students will become better equipped to defend the Bible doctrine of creation.”
Bybee said the study of origins is important for many reasons, but the chief reason is that evolution opposes the Bible.
“Evolution is a significant challenge to faith in God and in the Bible for many people,” he said. “Scientists in general are highly respected and perceived as intelligent. If scientists overwhelmingly accept evolution as the final doctrine of origins, many people are easily led to conclude that the Bible as presented is not trustworthy on this topic. If the Bible is not reliable on this topic, could it be that such is the case for other topics as well?”
Gann is optimistic as he prepares for the next TBC After Dark class—I and II Thessalonians—following a successful start early this year. The first two courses in the series were Apologetics (winter) and Ministry (spring).
“We began with a good group of students, and it proved to be our largest on-campus class in the spring quarter,” he said.
TBC After Dark is geared toward students with busy day-time work schedules who prefer an on-campus setting.
“The way the class is structured has been well received by students who hunger and thirst after righteousness and who want to grow in their works as preachers, teachers and other Christian workers,” Gann said. “I believe that in these classes we are also seeing future preachers, teachers, deacons and elders.”
The course on Thessalonians is being offered on Mondays at 6 p.m.
“We will be learning about the second coming of Christ, the Christian work ethic, preaching, church discipline and the Holy Spirit,” Gann said.
As for the Greek class for homeschoolers, 14 students are enrolled and ready to learn along with their parents.
“We have had practice sessions to get ready for the actual class,” Duke said, “It is quite a change to have grade school and high school students on our campus. They have definitely energized all of us!”
Duke said students will learn key Greek words, phrases and verses in the New Testament.
“I am very excited about this class,” he said. “Not many preachers and teachers—even those who have been to preacher training schools or Christian colleges—had the opportunity to study this subject at such a young age.”
Then on Nov. 17, the college’s annual Friends of TBC Benefit Dinner will be held at 6 p.m. at the Leslie Town Centre in Cookeville—and guests will be treated to an international presence.
“This is one night every year when our faculty get to visit and reconnect with our school’s cherished supporters,” TBC’s public relations coordinator Mallory Huddleston said, noting that details about this year’s special theme will be revealed at the dinner. “Proceeds help fund the college and its mission works.”
Everyone is invited, and tickets may be purchased here.
-Amy Davis, TBC Correspondent
