Whitefield College of the Bible
| Motto | Endued to Stand |
|---|---|
| Type | Independent |
| Established | 1981 |
| Affiliation | Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster |
| President | Ian Paisley |
| Principal | Timothy Nelson |
| Location | Belfast , County Antrim , Northern Ireland |
| Colors | Navy and Red |
Whitefield College of the Bible is an independent theological college located in Banbridge, County Down, Northern Ireland.[1] It is operated by the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster. The college currently holds lectures in Martyrs Memorial Free Presbyterian Church in Belfast. The college has no association with any governmental education system and holds independent status.[2]
About the college
The college was named after the 18th century Christian Evangelist, George Whitefield.[3] The college was formally opened on 3 October 1981 by Bob Jones, chancellor of Bob Jones University, South Carolina, United States, after receiving the key from the president of the college Reverend Ian Paisley.[4]
In 2021, the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster announced they would be opening a new theological college in Tandragee, County Armagh to supplement Whitefield College's training of Presbyterian ministers.[5] Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council granted planning permission for the construction of the extension in 2023.[2]
Branches
Aside of the main campus being in Northern Ireland, Whitefield has branches of the college in Greenville, South Carolina, United States (formerly sharing the same name but was later renamed the Geneva Reformed Seminary) and Toronto, Ontario, Canada.[6]
Courses
Whitefield offers a 4-year course which is compulsory for entry into the ministry of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster.[1] It comprises
- Missionary principles
- Cults
- English
- Systematic theology
- Pastoral theology
- Bible survey
- Christian ethics
- Personal Evangelism and Christian doctrine
- Homiletics
- Exegesis
- Hermeneutics
- Historical theology
- Greek (2-year)
- Hebrew (1-year)
Whitefield also offers a 2-year basic course for Christian workers and those preparing for the mission field. It is the same as the above but without Hebrew language and systematic theology.[1][3]
References
- ^ a b c Bruce, Steve (2007). Paisley. Oxford University Press. pp. 145–146. ISBN 9780191535826.
- ^ a b McKenna, Micheal (1 July 2023). "Free Presbyterian Church given go-ahead to build Bible Training College in Tandragee". Armagh I. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
- ^ a b Burden, Richard (22 April 2023). "Tandragee in line for Bible College". Ulster Gazette. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
- ^ "Opening Ceremony of Whitefield College of the Bible". SermonAudio. 3 October 1981. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
- ^ McKenna, Micheal (19 November 2021). "Free Presbyterian Church aims to build new Bible Training College in Tandragee". Armagh I. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
- ^ Richardson, Norman (1998). A Tapestry of Beliefs: Christian Traditions in Northern Ireland. Blackstaff Press. p. 125. ISBN 9780856406331.