BISA Spring Open Day 2025

BISA’s founding history

In the 1920’s certain Church ministers in Cape Town were concerned with the loose commitment to the gospel in the theological departments of the day. At that time there were no Bible Colleges in South Africa and theological education was only available in the universities.

These men partnered to endow a theological professorship at one of the South African universities. Their wish was frustrated, but because of the prevailing liberal theology they were determined to establish a college where the doctrines of the Bible would be taught.

In 1923, they founded the Bible Institute of South Africa. The campus was initially in Mowbray, Cape Town and provided high quality academic training to equip men and women for the challenge of the 20^th century.   In 2025, the Bible Institute of South Africa will be 102 years old.

Just before World War II the Institute moved to Kalk Bay where the campus buildings bear the names of our great patrons, Marsh, Douglas, Daintree and Kingon

Throughout its history BISA has been inter-denominational (as in not specifically linked to any church denomination) with students admitted from across the world. It is common to have several nations and languages represented on campus.

BISA has trained men and women for leadership in many Independent churches as well as South African denominations.  Over the years the Bible Institute has trained hundreds of senior Church and Mission Leaders as well as College and School Principals and Lecturers. 

BISA’s philosophy of education

We believe the Bible to be God’s trustworthy and authoritative Word and place it at the centre of our curriculum and training. Our method of study and teaching employs the historic Protestant and Reformational hermeneutic in the interpretation of the Bible.

Our concern is more than just imparting knowledge; it is to take that knowledge and use it to develop the skills and character that our students need to be effective in life and ministry.

Our goal is to help each student develop a biblical world-and-life view. We strive to help each student to think creatively and critically about the various issues they will face in life and service, and to do so in a way that is God-honouring and respectful of others.

At the Bible Institute we seek to model Christian faith, love, fellowship, witness, team-work and submission to the Lordship of Christ in every area of our lives, always with a desire to glorify God in our teaching, learning and service.

We seek faculty who are evangelical in their theology and who model the truths they teach. They must be skilled educators and employ a variety of teaching methods that encourage our values.

We recognize our necessary dependence on God’s grace and the enabling and direction of the Holy Spirit in all we do. Prayer plays a big part in our activities.