Is Florida College a "Preacher's School"?

It is not a “preacher’s school.” The charge has been made, but it is, quite simply, not accurate or based on good investigation. In terms of biblical studies, our only goal is to faithfully teach the word of God – which would be my goal if I taught Bible classes in a donut house. We teach it the same way to both men and women. If a young man thinks that he can benefit by this in preparing to preach, then I certainly would encourage that – just as I would if I were doing any other work anywhere else. But our purpose is not to train up FC preachers or replace any local congregation. As in any area of life, or in any work, we would encourage and try to help those who want to preach. But then, we encourage and try to help anyone, male and female, to live by and teach God’s word in whatever context they choose to live their lives.

There are young men who come to Florida College who want to preach, but the presence of these men does not mean this is a preacher’s school (there are young men who want to preach who go to state universities, but that doesn’t make the university, which also teaches courses in religion and, sometimes, biblial studies, a preacher’s school). This is simply the efforts of individual Christians who want to help provide a healthy education, which includes the Bible. The fact that we teach courses in biblical studies does not make us a preacher’s school any more than brethren meeting on a regularly basis at their local diner to have a Bible study makes them a preacher’s school. Our having “biblical studies” reflects the belief that the Bible is a major cornerstone of education; and so it is integrated into all facets of our studies. How can we think otherwise?

It is difficult for me to understand those who argue that the Bible cannot be taught in this fashion (i.e., a college is not authorized to teach the Bible). Think about it. They are essentially saying, “You are not allowed to teach the Bible under those conditions.” No authority to teach the Bible? Pray tell me, under what conditions are we ever NOT authorized to teach the Bible? Call it a college, and the Bible is off limits? Does tuition and credits make the Bible off limits? I don’t know of ANY circumstance or situation in which we are not authorized by God to teach His word. I’ll teach it in a home, a donut house, or a college. We offer an educational service; how can we be of much help in that if the Bible is not a part of this?

We work from the principle that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (Prov. 1:7). If education is going to mean anything, it needs to start with God. An education that would not incorporate God’s word would be deficient. I’d like to see someone who believes in God’s word deny that. The college is not here to compete with the church or the home, just as a paper or website is not geared toward competing with the church or home. It amazes me that some will fuss about the existence of the school as competing with the church, and they’ll turn right around and write for a paper or design a website from which to voice their opinions (notably not on par with Scripture). The principle is the same. If the college competes with the church, so does the website or paper. If the college doesn’t have a right to exist, neither does the paper or website. They stand or fall together.

I read in someone’s bio, a man apparently opposed to Florida College’s existence, who advertised that he did not go to Florida College and was not trained by the wisdom of men (as if they are the same). Thinking that I understood what he was trying to say, it was a bit surprising that just a few sentences later he was said to have received a Bachelors degree from a secular university. I suppose that doesn’t represent the wisdom of men. Who is he kidding? Anytime someone teaches, explains, writes, etc. in an effort to preach the Bible, it is the same principle at work. He and every other preacher does the same thing as any teacher at the school. It is the wisdom of men when one does not see his own inconsistencies. I know I’ve been guilty, too. But sometimes those inconsistencies are just too glaring to overlook.

Florida College is not a preacher’s school. It is fine if young men who want to preach attend; we encourage all to spread the gospel in whatever capacity they can. But our goal is not to infiltrate churches with “our” preachers. I saw one accusation in which the argument was made that there are a bunch of churches who won’t hire a preacher unless he has a degree at Florida College (as if FC would endorse such thinking). What is missing, of course, are any real examples of churches requiring that. I would ask simply this: name the church or churches that require a degree from FC and I will personally contact whoever believes that and discuss the error of that thinking. A man can preach without going to college. But if he thinks he can benefit by a more formal education, then we believe Florida College can be of service.

-- Doy Moyer