Ligonier Academy Undergraduate Bible College

Ligonier Academy undergraduate Bible College is set to open Fall 2011. I was recently able to interview Rev. Michael Morales about Ligonier Academy. Rev. Morales teaches for Ligonier Academy as Assistant Professor of Old Testament and Great Works, as well as Dean of Admissions (recruitment). He is a Teaching Elder in the PCA who, before coming to Ligonier, he taught for three years at an evangelical seminary.

What is the purpose of Ligonier Academy? Why does Ligonier Academy exist?

Ligonier Academy of Biblical and Theological Studies was founded to provide educational opportunities for Christians who recognize that the knowledge of God and the things of God is the mother of devotion and reformation, for Christians who recognize that the knowledge of their God and His holiness if foundational to lives and vocations that lead to the glory and enjoyment of God. Our vision for the Academy is that we will be a community of teaching and learning from which God’s people will emerge with a fuller knowledge of their God and of their gifts for service to Him. In short, we desire to provide an opportunity for Christians to study the riches of the historic Christian faith in a formal collegiate setting.

Why do you think it is necessary to start Ligonier Academy given that there are hundreds of Bible colleges and Christian Universities to choose from in America?

While there are indeed numerous Bible colleges in America that come from a dispensational and/or fundamentalist perspective, there is still an outstanding need for a particularly reformed Bible college, grounded in the five “solas” of the Reformation (salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, to the glory of God alone, as revealed in the Scriptures alone).

What type of students are you at Ligonier Academy trying to attract?

We are looking for students excited to engage in a rigorous theological education focusing on the study of Scripture, in the context of historic Christian orthodoxy.  While anyone may benefit from what we offer, our degree programs may be best suited for those preparing for graduate education (in seminary or otherwise), those desiring a solid foundation in biblical and theological studies before further undergraduate education, those completing an undergraduate education begun elsewhere, and individuals seeking personal enrichment and development.

What can a student do to prepare before attending Ligonier Academy?

Students seeking a basic orientation to Ligonier’s perspective on each of the four main areas of the curriculum may consider working through the Foundations of Faith course by R.C. Sproul for Theology, From Dust to Glory by R.C. Sproul for Biblical Studies, Invitation to the Classics by Louise Cowan and Os Guinness for the Great Works, and The 100 Most Important Events in Christian History by A.K. Curtis, R. Petersen, and J.S. Lang for Church History. However, these works are neither “prerequisites” to study at the Academy nor a reflection of the more rigorous coursework that will be involved in the undergraduate programs—again, these are merely suggested as a basic orientation.

What degrees are going to be offered at Ligonier Academy? Could you describe each of them in some detail?

The Academy offers two four-year Bachelor of Arts and one two-year Associate of Arts:

(1) Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies—focuses on the history and background of Scripture, the theology of Paul, and the original languages of Hebrew and Greek.

(2) Bachelor of Arts in Theological Studies—focuses on the history of theology, philosophy, and apologetics, and on the historic ecclesiastical language of Latin.

(3) Associate of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies—offers a foundation in Scripture and theology.

Who are the full-time and adjunct faculty members of Ligonier Academy?

The formation of the faculty is still underway but, led by Dr. Sproul, the fulltime faculty includes R. Fowler White and L. Michael Morales, while our adjunct faculty includes R. C. Sproul, Jr., Steven C. Adamson, and Keith A. Mathison, and our visiting faculty includes Paul Helm, Stephen J. Nichols, and W. Duncan Rankin.

What classes will Ligonier Academy be offering with R. C. Sproul?

In addition to leadership, R.C. Sproul will likely do guest lectures within various courses; for example, lectures on Melville’s Moby Dick in the Great Works course on 19^th century classics, on the Epistle to the Romans, and on justification in the Doctrine of Salvation course.

What is the cost per semester to attend Ligonier Academy?

Full-time tuition per semester (12-18 credit hours) costs $4,250.

Thanks Rev. Morales for your time in answering these questions about Ligonier Academy.