BIOS is seeking to transform the Snoqualmie Valley and beyond by empowering a diverse community of Christian women and men to live out their identity and purpose in Jesus Christ.
Our Vision
Our Mission
BIOS is a Christian apprenticeship community that exists to cultivate an environment where followers of Jesus can fully engage the mystery of God through education, formation and training.
Our Approach
Church-Based Theological Education
There is a gap in Christian education, formation, and training between Sunday School and Seminary. BIOS fills this gap through degree and certificate programs designed to train students in the tradition of early church leaders. Core biblical and theological training is priority in our program and the learning also assists with licensing and ordination processes in Christian & Missionary Alliance.
Learning-by-Doing
BIOS students engage in ministry practicums that are educational and experiential opportunities for growth in ministry skills in “learn-by-doing” environments. For C&MA district and national these residencies are meet the requirements for credentialing.
Non-Formal Learning
The common approach to higher education is a formal, grade-centered model, where students learn about a topic in a lecture-style environment and are then asked to recall and reflect upon that knowledge in the form of written exams and scholarly papers. One alternative to the formal model, is an informal approach without structure or design. Another approach, adopted by BIOS, is a non-formal model.
The non-formal approach to theological education takes place in the context of ministry, while character is built in the tradition of Paul’s mentoring relationship with Timothy. The BIOS model is biblically ordered learning that combines elements of formal and in-formal paradigms, along with hands-on training that prepares a student for immediate impact and influence.
Competency-Based
BIOS students receive letter grades according to the grading scale through a robust portfolio system allowing BIOS instructors and mentors to be able to evaluate multiple layers of evidences demonstrating competency in various areas of study.
Socratic Discussion Model
BIOS courses are built on Socratic methods designed to promote life-long learning and interactive discussion. Instructors are best described as facilitators of active listening, critical thinking, and inductive questioning.
What We Believe
About the Bible
We believe that the Holy Bible is God’s Word—the inspired, infallible, and authoritative source of Christian doctrine and precept.
References: 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21
About God
We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
References: Genesis 1:26; Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 3:16-17; Matthew 28:19
About Humanity
We believe that human beings were created in the image of God, but as the result of sin are lost and powerless to save themselves.
References: Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 2:7-3:19; Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12-21; Romans 6:23
About Jesus and Salvation
We believe that the only hope for people is to believe in Jesus Christ, the virgin-born Son of God, who died to take upon Himself the punishment for the sin of humanity. We believe further in the bodily resurrection of Jesus from the dead. It is by receiving Him as Lord that people are made spiritually alive. This begins a relationship with the living Savior.
References: John 1:12; John 3:3-7; John 5:24; Ephesians 2:8-10; Hebrews 9:11-28
About Eternity
We believe in the bodily resurrection of the saved and the lost, the eternal conscious existence of all people either in heaven or hell, and in divine judgments, rewards and punishments. We believe, as well, that Jesus Christ will return in person to earth in power and glory.
References: John 5:29; Acts 1:11; 1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58; 2 Corinthians 5:6-10; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 2 John 8; Revelation 19-20
About the Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells those who have received Christ for the purpose of enabling them to live righteous and godly lives. Both the gifts and fruit of the Spirit are a continuing part of God’s plan for His Church. It is God’s will that each believer be filled with the Holy Spirit.
References: Galatians 3:2; Galatians 5:22; Romans 8:5-9; Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; Ephesians 4:7-12; Ephesians 5:18
About the Church
We believe that the Church is the body of Christ and is composed of all those who, through belief in Christ, have been spiritually regenerated by the indwelling Holy Spirit. The mission of the Church is worldwide evangelism on the one hand, and the nurture and discipling of Christians on the other. We believe in the ordinances of baptism and The Lord’s Supper.
References: Matthew 28:18-20; Matthew 26:26-30; Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Romans 6:3-4
Crown College Reciprocity
As affiliates of the Christian & Missionary Alliance, Crown and BIOS share a long and rich heritage of raising up leaders for the local and international harvest, and commitment to bringing back the king, the Lord Jesus Christ. The physical location of Crown is just west of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and they have been preparing students for service and leadership in the world for over 100 years. Crown is ranked in the top-10 “Best Christian Colleges & Universities” by Christian Universities Online and consistently ranked among the “Best Midwest Regional Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report.
For those BIOS students who are completing a BIOS BMIN and wish to earn a regional, traditional, degree through Crown as well, they register directly with Crown as an online student.
Contact the Dean of Admissions for more guidance with our Crown College reciprocity.
WSAC Religious Exemption
The Washington Student Achievement Council has determined that Bible Institute of Seattle qualifies for religious exempt status from the Degree-Granting Institutions Act for the following program: Bachelor of Ministry (BMIN). The Council makes no evaluation of the administration, faculty, business practices, financial condition or quality of the offerings by this institution. Any person desiring information about the requirements of the act or the applicability of those requirements to the institution may contact the Council at P.O. Box 43430, Olympia, WA 98504-3430 or by email at degreeauthorization@wsac.wa.gov.
The credit bearing courses that comprise BIOS Certificate programs are also granted religious exemption from the authorization requirements of Chapter 28B.85 RCW.
The Bible Institute of Seattle (BIOS) offers affordable, high quality Christian education, formation, and training opportunities with options for advanced degrees.
Accreditation
BIOS is a independent ministry of Snoqualmie Valley Alliance (SVA) Church. The unique relationship between the institute and the local church is the basis for its physical presence. The strength and effectiveness of BIOS is the reflection of quality staff and curriculum. Currently, appropriate accreditation associations do not make sufficient provision for local church governed education (see below); thus BIOS has not pursued regional accreditation. However, we are committed to instructional and academic excellence and thus enjoy many of the benefits of accredited colleges.
Transfer Agreements
Currently, BIOS has a formal transfer agreement with Crown College so that students pursuing educational and career objectives beyond our Bachelor of Ministry have an avenue of direct acceptance. We are actively pursuing additional relationships with other Christian colleges and universities.
Students desiring to transfer the BMIN or certificate credits to other institutions are responsible for determining the requirements of the institutions and program to which they plan to transfer. BIOS supports our students toward successful transfer with all our available resources.
On-Line Students
BIOS courses are offered online as well as in person on location in Fall City, WA. If you are interested in applying as an online student, apply here.
International Students
Through our online offerings, international students are also welcome to study at BIOS. Non-native English speakers must also provide English proficiency through taking the TOEFL exam.
For BIOS, and many other good schools that seek to serve the adult learner population, the true measure of the quality of an education, and the institution itself, is the extensive experience and credentials of its faculty, the integrity of its courses and programs, and ultimately the ministry and professional achievements of its students and graduates.
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