I began my Christian journey at a small independent, nonprofit and interdenominational school called Transylvania Bible School. Transylvania was nestled comfortably in the tranquil woods of a small Western Pennsylvania village known as Freeport. The Bible School was small but intimate, and sparsely populated by people who quickly became so much more than their roles as staff and faculty normally would entail. They were family. We fought, argued, cried, laughed, studied, ate and literally lived together there at that sacred place. It was a good, good place. It is where I found a firm foundation which has in the long term proven to be stronger than any thing with which I have thus far been challenged. Yes, Transylvania Bible School – as academically unaccredited as it was and still is – had a seriously profound spiritual effect upon me.
The school is no longer known by its original name. No, the powers that be thought the program might be more marketable if it was tagged with the moniker “Biblical Life Institute.” They are probably correct. A huge sandstone building, set back in dark Western Pennsylvanian woods, wearing a name that immediately and universally sends synapses chasing after Count Dracula, would unarguably benefit from a name change. So, Biblical Life Institute it is.
The name may have changed, but I’m glad to see the foundation and program has not changed at all. I somehow tracked down a website for the Institute. It is an amazing leap for the school to actually have an online presence! Seriously, they do things a bit differently there. The world has not intruded so much into the place, and that’s more than fine with those living there. They actually spent years trying to keep it out. So, while they have indeed stretched a bit and joined the rest of us in the technologically advanced world, their’s is a presence which is clearly characterized by and dedicated to a time when authentically important and eternal things were the priority. The classical Christian message and it subsequent program is the obvious priority of the school.
An example, taken from the school’s website, which by the way is obviously not a technological or design marvel by any stretch of the imagination, is the “Faith Formula,” which I heard, witnessed, celebrated and lived during the years I lived, studied, worked and grew in that community (1994 – 1998):
The school was built and operates on the faith formula: 1. Pray a definite prayer for a definite need, meet definite conditions peculiar to that need, exercise definite faith for that need, and God will answer with a definite answer. 2. The promises of God in the whole Bible, of which Philippians 4:19, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus,” is the basic promise. 3. “Faith without works is dead.” (James 2:26). Having seen the need, then prayed, and then seized the promise of God, we immediately get off our knees and start in the direction we prayed, always finding God supplying as we go.
The school’s Faith Formula is an awesome reminder of God’s providential and sustaining role in the Christian’s life. I have been studying for some time now. I left Transylvania and all the credits I earned there (they did not transfer) to earn a Middle States Accredited B.A. in Theological Studies and a Middle States Accredited M.Div. So, I have the superior credentials I desired and sought. Most of my most important Christian and practical life lessons, however, were learned at that small, unaccredited bible school in the woods of Western Pennsylvania. I have a firm foundation. It was forged in real-time.
So, the lesson is a simple one: try not to miss the incredibly huge life lessons that are so often present in life’s most humble situations. It is there – and perhaps only there – that you’ll discover life changing truth.
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