Cairn University: A Century of Christian Education
Cairn University, formerly known as Philadelphia Biblical University (PBU), stands as a private, non-profit Christian institution committed to providing biblically-minded, well-educated, and professionally competent men and women of character to serve Christ in the church, society, and the world. Located in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, its history is rooted in the early 20th-century Bible school movement, evolving over a century into a comprehensive university with diverse academic offerings.
Origins and Early Years
The genesis of Cairn University can be traced back to two Bible schools: the Bible Institute of Pennsylvania (BIOPA) and the Philadelphia School of the Bible (PSOB). On July 8, 1913, W. W. Rugh founded the "Bible Institute of Philadelphia" as an extension of the National Bible Institute of New York. Rugh, a former public school teacher, had spent years teaching Bible classes throughout eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Around the same time, C. I. Scofield and William L. Pettingill, prominent Bible teachers, were conducting a conference in the Philadelphia area. Prompted by requests to establish a permanent teaching institution, they co-founded "Philadelphia School of the Bible" on October 1, 1914. Both BIOPA and PSOB focused on training lay people in the Scriptures for service in the church and their communities.
C.I. Scofield and Premillennial Dispensationalism
Before delving further into the history of the Philadelphia School of the Bible, it's crucial to understand the background and influence of Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, one of its co-founders. Scofield's legacy is intertwined with the rise of premillennial dispensationalism, a theological view that gained prominence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
In 1909, Scofield published his Scofield Reference Bible, a groundbreaking work that included interpretive notes within the biblical text. This reference Bible, financially supported by Zionists, quickly gained popularity, selling 1.9 million copies within 30 years. While Scofield held many orthodox views, his reference Bible played a significant role in popularizing premillennial dispensationalism, which originated with John Nelson Darby in the early 1800s.
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Scofield's influence extended beyond his published work. The Philadelphia School of the Bible, co-founded with William Pettingill, served as a platform to reinforce and propagate his interpretations of the Bible to his students. Additionally, the publication of his reference Bible elevated his status as a sought-after Bible conference speaker.
Scofield's Life: Controversy and Transformation
Scofield's life was marked by both controversy and transformation. Born in 1843, he served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War before later moving to St. Louis and pursuing a career in law. He was elected to the state legislature in Kansas and later nominated as the US Attorney for the District of Kansas.
However, Scofield's life took a difficult turn when he was accused of forgery and served a brief jail sentence in St. Louis in 1879. According to his own biography, he had become a 'hard drinker' during this period of intense combat in courts and politics.
In 1879, a friend named Thomas McPheeters shared the faith and knowledge of Jesus Christ with Scofield, leading to a profound transformation in his life. In 1882, Scofield became the pastor of a small church in Dallas, which grew significantly under his leadership.
Despite his ministry success, Scofield's personal life remained complicated. His first wife divorced him in 1883, and he remarried shortly after. In 1895, he accepted an invitation to become the pastor of Northfield Congregational Church in Massachusetts, where he became acquainted with Dwight L. Moody.
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Scofield's biography, published in 1920, omits many of the controversial aspects of his life, raising questions about the accuracy and completeness of the account. Nevertheless, Scofield's impact on Christian theology and the Bible school movement remains undeniable.
The Moody Bible Institute
Dwight L. Moody, a prominent figure in the late 19th century, also played a significant role in the rise of premillennial dispensationalism. He established the Chicago Evangelization Society in 1886, which later became the Moody Bible Institute. Moody's institute, like Scofield's school, embraced premillennial dispensationalism and contributed to its spread throughout Christendom.
Moody's influence extended to Scofield as well. Scofield became a regular speaker at the annual Niagara Conference in Ontario, Canada, and he transferred his Comprehensive Bible Correspondence Course to the Moody Bible Institute in 1914.
Merger and Growth
In 1951, BIOPA and PSOB merged to become "Philadelphia Bible Institute" (PBI), located at the YWCA Building at 1800 Arch St. William A. Mierop from BIOPA was appointed president, and Clarence E. Mason, Jr. from PSOB, academic dean. PBI initially offered a three-year Bible diploma.
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 the school changed its name to "Philadelphia College of Bible". This marked a significant step in the institution's development, establishing it as a training ground for vocational ministry in the church and related organizations.
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Expansion and Accreditation
Philadelphia College of Bible strengthened its educational program by developing an academically rigorous core of biblical studies and liberal arts courses. In 1967, it attained accreditation from the Middle States Association, becoming one of the few Bible colleges in the nation to receive such regional accreditation.
The college further distinguished itself by adding the Bachelor of Music and the Bachelor of Social Work degrees, initiating a series of programs in various professional fields. This broadened the scope of the institution beyond traditional Bible colleges, preparing graduates for careers in fields beyond vocational ministry within the church.
Relocation and University Status
In 1979, the College relocated from Center City Philadelphia to a new campus in Langhorne Manor, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Bachelor degrees in Education and Business Administration were developed, as well as graduate-level programs in Biblical Studies, Counseling, Education, Educational Leadership and Administration, Organizational Leadership, and a Master of Divinity.
In 2000, the Commonwealth granted approval for university status, and the institution changed its name to become Philadelphia Biblical University (PBU). This reflected the institution's growth and expansion of academic programs. According to Dr. Babb, seeking university status was not related to a change in the academic curriculum per se. The label ‘university’ simply enables us to better communicate the broad scope of biblically-based academic programs available here.
Transition to Cairn University
In 2012, the University’s Board of Trustees voted to change the name of the institution to Cairn University. The name, it was explained, adopts the concept of memorials and trail markers, "Bearing witness [to God's faithfulness] and pointing the way". This change was made to overcome the perception that the University’s educational offerings were limited and had a narrow vocational focus.
Academic Innovation and Expansion
Under the leadership of President Todd J. Williams, the university has continued to expand its academic offerings. A Master of Business Administration degree was approved in 2010, and professional minors in Education, Music, Social Work, and Business were added in 2011.
In October 2011, the board of trustees voted to allow students the option to pursue a B.S. in Bible degree, a professional degree, or both concurrently. Prior to this decision, all undergraduate students were required to earn a B.S. in Bible, often requiring students to earn over 150 credit hours to earn a second professional degree.
Tuition and Costs
The cost of attendance at PBU for fulltime, undergraduate students varies depending on whether they are classified as on-campus, or commuter students. For on-campus undergraduate residents students, cost of attendance is US$29,163; and for commuters, US$20,688. For graduate students, cost of attendance for non-Bible programs is US$595.00 per credit hour; for Master of Divinity degree, US$475.00 per credit hour; and for Master of Science in Bible, US$475.00 per credit hour.
Athletics and Community Engagement
Cairn University student-athletes compete in twelve sports as the "Highlanders". The athletic program is affiliated with the United East Conference, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA).
The university is committed to engaging with the surrounding community. The campus is open to the public, and the university hosts various events, including artwork displays, theatrical and musical performances, lectures, and workshops. Students also participate in community service projects, such as donating food to local pantries, directing the homeless to shelters, and tutoring children.
Notable People
Cairn University has been home to several notable individuals, including:
- Allen C. Guelzo - Henry R. Emmanuel Lambert, Jr.
- George A.
- J. Dwight Pentecost - Taught in the institution from 1948 to 1955.
- Charles Caldwell Ryrie - Taught at Philadelphia College of Bible and served as president.
tags: #Philadelphia #Biblical #University #history
