Welcome to PVCA

Penn View Bible Institute is committed to the historic Christian faith and a philosophy of education based on that faith as it is revealed in the sacred Scriptures.

At Penn View we attempt not to dichotomize knowledge into the mutually exclusive categories “sacred” and “secular,” but rather to recognize that “all knowledge comes from God, and all knowledge points to God.” The Christian lives in a world which may (and ought to) be explored through serious study which has as its primary goal the glorification of the Creator through a life which reflects subjection to His will and devotion to His service.

The Word of God is the necessary foundation of a proper understanding of man and his world. Hence, there is an emphasis on Biblical studies at Penn View.

The opposite side of the coin is, however, that the Christian needs to be well rounded in his education. Since he is to minister in the real world, he cannot afford to be ignorant of that world in which he lives. Hence, there are general education courses in each program curriculum to provide the future Christian worker the awareness he will need to minister effectively.

Finally, professional courses are included to complete the program of study. These courses are designed to give the Christian worker the expertise he will need to minister in the position God has called him to fill.

For an institution to be effective in achieving its goals, those goals must be clearly stated and must be capable of measurement. At Penn View Bible Institute an earnest effort is made to assist each student to realize each of the following objectives in his life. We seek to help the student:

Spiritually

• to know Christ as personal Savior; to develop an ever more intimate relationship with Him,
• to cultivate a love for the Bible, the Word of God, as the source of our knowledge of salvation and as a
• guide for our living a holy life in this present world,
• to realize the value of total commitment of one’s life to Christ and to make that commitment,
• to develop a Christian character consistent with New Testament teaching,
• to learn how to discover the will of God for his life, and
• to discover an area of service in the church that will give purpose and direction to his life.

Socially

• to develop the social graces which are becoming to those who profess Christ as Savior and Lord,
• to become skillful in the cultivation of interpersonal relationships, and
• to become aware that he does not stand alone, but is a responsible member of several social structures: family, church, nation, and world.

Intellectually

• to obtain such knowledge in the area of general education as will prepare him for ministry in contemporary society,
• to achieve an understanding of basic Bible content and to develop an appreciation of the completeness and the adequacy of the written revelation,
• to arrive at an understanding of the basic doctrinal teachings of Scripture, and
• to achieve a level of proficiency in professional studies consonant with the beginning Christian worker.

Official Statement

Penn View is a quality school that trains pastors, missionaries, musicians, school teachers, children’s workers, and other Christian workers. Please note that Penn View does not offer degrees. The school is not a degree-granting institution in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Penn View Bible Institute does offer post-secondary education in a spiritual atmosphere, all in obedience to the commands of Scripture. The programs culminate in a Certificate for the one-year, and an Advanced Diploma for the four-year program. Our four-year Advanced Diploma is high quality postsecondary education, similar to that of other Bible schools. Whatever the nature of the award conferred upon the completion of studies, the objective remains academic excellence in the context of total devotion to God and dedicated service to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Penn View Christian Academy adheres to the historic Christian faith as expressed in the Wesleyan-Arminian position.

• The Bible, consisting of the sixty-six canonical books of the Old and New Testaments, is the plenarily inspired Word of God and is inerrant and infallible in the autographs.
• There is one God, eternally coexistent in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
• Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, died on the cross for the sins of mankind, was buried, and rose from the dead on the third day following. He ascended to heaven where He is presently seated at the right hand of God to make intercession for the believer. At a time known only to the Father, He will return in power and glory to receive His disciples and to judge the world.
• The Holy Spirit, third Person of the Trinity, is the operative Agent in the redemption of mankind. Likewise, He enables men to understand truth, imparts life to those who repent and believe, and abides as the Comforter of the children of God.
• Man was created by God in His own image. Through willful disobedience the first man fell from his original righteousness, incurring both physical and spiritual death. Thus sin came upon the whole human race.
• Salvation is by grace through faith in Christ, whose death alone was meritorious in securing salvation for men. Full salvation is received in two crisis experiences. Initially the one who truly repents of his sins and exercises faith in Christ is justified, thus being restored to a right relationship with God through Christ; regenerated, thus receiving new life and the ability to live above willful sin; and adopted, thus becoming a true child of God. Subsequently, the believer may by faith receive the fullness of the Spirit through which the heart is cleansed from all sin and the believer is empowered for effective service. This is sometimes termed entire sanctification. These relationships with God can only be maintained by a consistent walk of obedience and faith.
• At the second coming of Christ to the earth, there will be a resurrection of all men; of the saved to everlasting bliss in the presence of God, and of the unsaved to everlasting punishment.

Denominational Affiliation

Penn View Christian Academy is a division of God’s Missionary Church, Inc. In attitude, however, the school is non-sectarian, open to qualified young men and women of any denomination.