Eastern Mennonite School - Shenandoah Yearbook (Harrisonburg, VA)

Page 13 text:

Chester K. Lehman Bible Menno J. Brunk Bible, New Testament Greek Stanley Shenk Bible, Church History Clarence Fretz Christian Education, Practical Theology Bible and Philosophy In this department Eastern Mennonite College is laying foundations for all of life. Education is incomplete without the training which gives the student a broad outlook on all of life. In philosophy he receives much help in making a logical and safe approach to life's major problems. But basic information he needs. Putting Biblical studies first, the college student is able to approach all other studies with a mind well prepared to discern not only what is true and right, but what is of most value. This department includes the direct study of the Bible by inductive method that un- covers rich stores in this treasury of truth. Help is given in the systematizing of Biblical truth, in buttressing it with external and internal evidences, in applying it to current issues and to personal conduct, and in using it in all forms of Christian work. Church music, missions, and other related subjects further develop Christian perspective and practice. Every student is required to take some subjects in this department. Many specialize in it altogether. A number who are studying liberal arts endeavor to integrate a strong Biblical core into their program of studies. On every hand, we find a truth-seeking student body echoing the convictions of those founders who adopted as the school motto the fundamental verity, [ H] THY WORD IS TRUTH. —Clarence Fretz.

Page 12 text:

The Bible School First among the departments o£ Eastern Mennonite College, the Bible School seeks to satisfy a wide range of interests and needs. A minimum of two hours per week of Bible is a requirement in every curricu- lum. For students who do not desire to complete the high school, a practical course of two years is provided consisting of a wide range of courses in book studies, church history and missions, Christian education, English, and music. College Bible curriculums offer two, four, and six years of study, the last two leading to the Bachelor of Religious Education and Bachelor of Theology degrees respectively. These curriculums recognize direct study of the Bible as fundamental to a theological curriculum. Biblical interpretation is an art requiring the highest powers of the intellect, purity of heart and motives, and Floly Spirit illumination. In harmony with historic Mennonitism, theology must be thoroughly Biblical. The study of church history should lead one to appreciate the efforts of former Christians to exemplify the faith and life of the Apostolic Church. Practical theology recognizes that the science of teaching and preaching must become a perfected art. The College It is with no small sense of satisfaction that Eastern Mennonite College launches forward into a new epoch of her history. With state accreditation achieved, there is no room, however, for the feeling that the Col- lege has arrived. Never dare that vicious self-satisfaction gain acceptance. There are larger and worthier goals to which the College should aspire. While we must look to the acquisition of material facilities, such as adequate dormitories, library, laboratories, and gymnasium, of far greater importance is the mainte- nance of high scholastic and spiritual standings. It should never be possible to make unfavorable com- parisons between this and other institutions with reference to quality of instruction and to the intellectual attainments required of students. Of still greater concern is the spiritual as manifested in an evangelical teaching of the Bible, including a vigorous evangelistic emphasis, a vital personal Christian experience, and an unstinting loyalty to Christ and His church. The call for a college education becomes pertinent to a Christian in view of an increasing appreci- ation of the worth to a Christian of knowledge and of the demands upon him for making the strongest possible Christian impact upon the world. We should seek to have every legitimate vocation and profession manned by Christians who are first witnesses of Christ and second the most proficient in their respective callings. The College seeks to aid in the preparation of men and women for some of these worthy callings in life, such as teaching, nursing, medicine, not to speak of others in which a general education is essen- tial. The curriculum is being broadened as rapidly as possible. The chief addition for 1948-49 is the set- ting up of a full department in home economics. It is hoped that before long it will be possible to conduct college courses in philosophy, business, and agriculture as well as to increase the offering in art, music, sociology, economics, and psychology. —Chester K. Lehman.

Page 14 text:

Dorothy C. Kemrer Ernest G. Gehman Ruth M. (Mrs.) Brackbill Latin. New Testament Greek German English J. Mark Stauffer Hubert Pellman Margaret Martin Music English Art, Physical Education Language, Literature, and Fine Arts The instructors in this department believe that an inner life, born of God and depend- ent on Him for its growth and sustenance, is of first importance for everyone. Keeping this in mind, they believe that the proper study of language, literature, art, and music confers some valuable personal and professional benefits. The Christian who has a speak- ing acquaintance with the noblest in these areas of expression can intelligently meet educated people of the world in a more satisfactory way than if he were ignorant of the standard body of knowledge of this kind. Besides, he finds in these fields attitudes and ideals that he can incorporate into his life to make him not more cultured in a worldly sense but more refined and noble in his character. The Word is studied as the paragon of literature as well as the source of all spiritual life, the direct revelation of God to man, and the supreme authority in all matters on which it speaks. Recognizing it as such, the instructors test the purposes and content of all their courses by it and teach according to its evaluation of the materials that make up their areas of study. [15] —Hubert Pellman.