Theological Education
• The EAPC Educational System (EES)
The EAPC Educational System (EES) defines educational philosophy
as a set of beliefs about education derived through reflection.
The educational philosophy of EES is rooted in biblical theism.
The Bible as God's unique, inspired and infallible revelation
to man is a Christian's standard for faith and life. Likewise,
the Lord Jesus Christ as the Incarnate Word is the ultimate
author of all truth. The institution aims to educate the total
person for the glory of God. This education is centripetal,
centered in the Lord Jesus Christ, and centrifugal, radiating
from Him, the Center, to encompass diverse spheres of learning.
God reveals Himself not only in His Son and in scripture but
also in creation. Consequently, biblical and non-biblical subjects
are worth studying. Acquaintance with them equips the student
to understand himself, his society, other cultures, his natural
environment and the creator of all. Such understanding carries
the corresponding obligation to make an impact upon unregenerate
society as its salt and light. Integration is a key concept
at EES.
First, the Bible is integrated
with all other areas of study. Instead of adding biblical
and professional courses to a general education base, as is
commonly done, our system offers concurrent study of biblical,
professional and general education courses. This distinctive
aim of truly integrating the Bible with other areas of study
is one that all leaders endorse and strive to implement.
Second, Christian service emphases integrating
theory and practice.
Third, EES encourages the person learning
to integrate his personal ideas and values with those presented
through the system. The person’s mind is not a bank where
periodic deposits and withdrawals of information are made.
Rather, it is a beehive where pollen gathered from many fields
is transmuted into sweetness and light. This spirit of personal
inquiry and synthesis is reflected in the EES’s inductive
approach to Bible study whereby the student is guided to interpret
the Word for himself. As he seeks to make these integrations
on the personal and academic plane, the individual must recognize
the Holy Spirit as the ultimate teacher and the Bible as the
supreme authority. Indeed, a thorough knowledge of and a love
for God's word are prerequisites for any effective Christian
life and ministry. EES exists to nurture these qualities in
an atmosphere of faith, scholarship and caring.
To these ends, the EES provides an atmosphere
of worship and learning that tests and defines the true sense
of calling. EES is founded on Scripture and Christian tradition
so that faith and intellect mature hand in hand, and life-long
friendships can begin. And in the process, those learning
in the system form habits of discipleship to proclaim with
one voice the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ with unerring
conviction, courage, wisdom, and love.
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