Gulf Coast Bible Institute Online

GCBI curriculum consists of the courses of study needed to effectively equip the child of God for the service of God. We offer no courses that do not pertain to the Christian life. Thus, we leave such courses as math, science, psychology, literature, etc. to the "liberal arts" schools. These studies have their places within their own fields. Our field of study is the Word of God and centers around "the perfecting of the saints,...the work of the ministry,...the edifying of the body of Christ" (Ephesians 4:12).

GCBI does not require nor teach Hebrew and Greek. While we understand the benefits of studying these languages, we do not believe a child of God NEEDS to learn these languages in order to fulfill God's will for his life. We have the complete revelation of God in the English King James Bible (AV 1611). We do teach the student how to do Hebrew and Greek word studies. The student learns to appreciate God giving us, as English speaking people, the infallible, inerrant, Word of God.

The one course we do not offer, but believe the student should "brush up" on, is English grammar. The student should acquire a good textbook and learn the proper rules of grammar and effective writing. We recommend the Harbrace College Handbook by John C. Hodges, published by Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc. A copy can be found by searching the internet or your local bookstore. Preachers should especially develop and utilize their writing skills, since there is great power in the printed page. We need more doctrinally sound books and articles today, and less of the liberal, psychological, social writings we are getting from most "Christian" authors.

Courses given to prior graduates or transfer students of other institutions may vary from those listed on our website. We require certain courses be taught from our theological perspective in order to graduate from our school. Therefore, students may be given specified studies to meet our graduation requirements. In no way is this meant to be remedial, though a student may be required to take a course similar to one he has already taken.

Courses given to prior graduates or transfer students of other institutions may vary from those listed on our website. We require certain courses be taught from our theological perspective in order to graduate from our school. Therefore, students may be given specified studies to meet our graduation requirements. In no way is this meant to be remedial, though a student may be required to take a course similar to one he has already taken.

While our curriculum is primarily geared to the ministerial student, GCBI encourages both laymen and ladies to enroll in our school. Anyone who desires to know God's Word better will benefit. Where ministerial courses appear, other courses will be provided for the ladies, beneficial to them. Laymen are required to take all ministerial courses.

GCBI offers a special husband and wife program to perspective students in our Th.G. and B.B.S. programs at a reduced rate for the wife. Time spent studying the Word of God together, strengthens the marriage, the home, and ultimately the church. We provide ONE UNIT of materials (books and tapes) for the couple to share, with each turning in their own study guides for separate grading. They are free to study together and help each other through the program. To qualify for this program, the husband and wife must enroll at the same time for the same UNIT and continue along together.

GCBI does not bestow honorary degrees. While we believe a man who has accomplished great things for God should be honored, we consider a degree to be an academic credential which says the one who holds the degree has satisfactorily completed a prescribed course of study at the bestowing institution. Christian schools are the only institutions we know of which bestow honorary degrees. Certainly one would make a fast exit from his doctor's office if he saw the man's degree reading "Honorary Doctor of Medicine." Experience and education are two different disciplines of life, each having its own form of honors for those who excel.

We also see a gross unfairness in honorary degrees. Why does the man who has labored for ten years and built a membership of two thousand in a metropolitan area receive an honorary doctorate while the pastor of 35 sheep who has sweated and labored for God in the backwoods for forty years receives no recognition? Maybe not all schools have the wrong motives. However, the only reason we can see for such an unfair system of recognition (i.e. honoring the big and ignoring the small), is influence and students - in other words, I Timothy 6:10. Since we are not trying to influence, and since we only desire those students whom God sends to us, we bestow no honorary degrees.

GCBI does not offer academic credit for life or ministry experience. We realize that a man on the field for ten years knows a lot more about God's business than someone who has just graduated from college. However, as stated above, experience and education are two different disciplines of life. Our ministry is education. Hence, we give credit only for educational achievements pertaining to our field of study.