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{{Short description|Christian university near La Mirada, California, United States}}
{{Promotional|date=July 2022}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{Infobox university
| name                   = Biola University
| image                  = Biola_Seal.png
| image_upright          = .7
| former_name            = Bible Institute of Los Angeles (1908–1949)<br />Biola College (1949–1981)
| motto                  = ''Above All Give Glory to God''
| established            = {{Start date and age|1908|02|25|br=y}}
| type                   = [[Private university]]
| religious_affiliation  = [[Nondenominational Christianity|Nondenominational]] [[Evangelicalism]]
| academic_affiliations  = [[Council for Christian Colleges and Universities|CCCU]]
| endowment              = $154.6 million (2018)<ref>As of June 30, 2018. {{cite web |url=https://www.nacubo.org/-/media/Nacubo/Documents/research/2018-Endowment-Market-Values--Final.pdf |title=U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY 2017 to FY 2018 |publisher=National Association of College and University Business Officers and Commonfund Institute |year=2018 |access-date=June 29, 2019 |archive-date=June 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629165524/https://www.nacubo.org/-/media/Nacubo/Documents/research/2018-Endowment-Market-Values--Final.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
| president              = [[Barry H. Corey]]
| provost                = Matthew J. Hall
| faculty                = 475 {{citation needed|date=April 2020}}
| undergrad              = 3,596 (2022)
| postgrad               = 1,959 (2022)
| city                   = [[La Mirada, California|La Mirada]]
| state                  = California
| country                = United States
| campus                 = Suburban, {{cvt|96|acre}}
| coordinates            = {{Wikidatacoord|Q864450|region:US-CA_type:edu|display=inline,title}}
| sports_nickname        = [[Biola Eagles|Eagles]]
| website                = {{URL|biola.edu}}
| colors                 = Red, White, Black<br/>{{color box|#cc0000}}{{color box|#fff}}{{color box|#000}}
| athletics_affiliations = [[NCAA Division II]] – [[Pacific West Conference|PacWest]]
| logo                   = Biola_Logo.png
}}

'''Biola University''' ({{IPAc-en|b|aɪ|ˈ|oʊ|l|ə}}) is a [[Private university|private]], [[Nondenominational Christianity|nondenominational]], [[evangelical Christian]] university in [[La Mirada, California]]. It was founded in 1908 as the '''Bible Institute of Los Angeles''' as a center for biblical and missionary training. Its campus in [[downtown Los Angeles]] features iconic "Jesus Saves" signs and a 3,500-seat auditorium. In 1949, it became Biola College and later adopted the name Biola University in 1981. The school relocated to [[La Mirada, California]], in 1959 and has maintained a strong evangelical identity rooted in conservative theology, as reflected in its association with ''[[The Fundamentals|The Fundamentals: A Testimony to the Truth]]''.

Over the years, Biola expanded its academic offerings beyond biblical studies, adding multiple schools and graduate programs including the [[Talbot School of Theology|Talbot Theological Seminary]], Rosemead Graduate School of Professional Psychology, School of Intercultural Studies, Crowell School of Business, and School of Education. Today, Biola offers 47 undergraduate majors, over 150 professional fields of study and degrees ranging from B.A. to Ph.D., all integrated with [[Christian theology|Christian doctrine]].

Biola is also known for its conferences, centers, and athletics. It hosts annual events such as the Missions Conference and the Torrey Memorial Bible Conference and it became a notable venue for early [[intelligent design]] conferences. The university supports several academic centers, including the Center for Christian Thought and the Center for Christianity, Culture and the Arts. Athletically, the Biola Eagles compete in [[NCAA Division II]] within the [[Pacific West Conference]], fielding 18 varsity sports. Notable alumni include filmmaker [[Zach King]], U.S. Senate Majority Leader [[John Thune]], theologian [[Josh McDowell]], and apologist [[Nabeel Qureshi (author)|Nabeel Qureshi]].

== History ==
[[Image:Biola-1912-1916.jpg|thumb|Biola's former Los Angeles building: under construction (top) and complete in 1916 (bottom): It was demolished in 1988, after damage in [[1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake|a 1987 earthquake]].<ref name="Stargel"/>]]
Biola University was founded in 1908 as the Bible Institute of Los Angeles by [[Lyman Stewart]], president of the Union Oil Company of California;<ref>{{Cite news |last=Curwen |first=Thomas |date=June 10, 2022 |title=CRT, Trumpism and doubt roil Biola University. Is this the future of evangelical Christianity? |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-06-10/crt-trumpism-doubt-roil-biola-university |access-date=June 12, 2022 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US }}</ref> Thomas C. Horton, a [[Presbyterian]] minister and author; and Augustus B. Prichard, also a Presbyterian minister.<ref name="IHPE">William Jeynes and David W. Robinson (2012), ''International Handbook of Protestant Education'', Springer, {{ISBN|9400723865}}, [https://books.google.com/books?id=NIBlry_2oLQC p. 127.]</ref><ref>William Deverell and Greg Hise (2010), ''A Companion to Los Angeles'', Wiley, {{ISBN|1405171278}}, [https://books.google.com/books?id=_ek3WDQpWJcC p. 196.]</ref><ref name="When Streams Diverge">{{cite book |last=Draney |first=Daniel |title=When Streams Diverge: John Murdoch MacInnis and the Origins of Protestant Fundamentalism in Los Angeles |year=2008 |publisher=Paternoster |page=66 }}</ref>

In 1912, the institute appointed [[R. A. Torrey]] as dean, and in 1913 began construction on a building at the corner of Sixth and Hope St. in downtown Los Angeles, which included a 3,500-seat auditorium, two large [[neon sign]]s (added later) on top of the building proclaiming "Jesus Saves", and a [[carillon]] of 11 bells on which hymns were played three times each day.<ref name="Stargel">Cory Stargel and Sarah Stargel, ''Early Downtown Los Angeles'', Arcadia Publishing, 2009, {{ISBN|0738570036}}, [https://books.google.com/books?id=1XGVAdrVtbIC p. 36.]</ref><ref name="IHPE"/><ref name="RHB">Randall Herbert Balmer (2002), ''Encyclopedia of Evangelicalism'', Westminster John Knox Press, {{ISBN|978-0-664-22409-7}}, [https://books.google.com/books?id=syUupeVJOz4C pp. 68-70.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828130812/https://books.google.com/books?id=syUupeVJOz4C |date=August 28, 2024 }}</ref><ref>David Kipen (2011), ''Los Angeles in The 1930s: The WPA Guide to the City of Angels'', University of California Press, {{ISBN|978-0-520-26883-8}}, [https://books.google.com/books?id=aezmS52IavcC p. 159.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828130812/https://books.google.com/books?id=aezmS52IavcC |date=August 28, 2024 }}</ref> The early leaders wanted the institute to focus on training students in the Bible and [[Christian mission|mission]]s rather than the broad approach to [[Catechesis|Christian education]] typical of Christian [[liberal arts]] colleges. The institute offered a diploma after completion of a two-year curriculum. This model was based largely on the [[Moody Bible Institute]].<ref name=Brereton>{{cite book |last=Brereton |first=Virginia |title=Training God's Army:The American Bible School, 1880-1940 |year=1990 |publisher=Indiana University Press |pages=68, 103–105 }}</ref> Beginning in the 1920s, attempts were made to broaden the curriculum,<ref>{{cite book |last=Draney |first=Daniel |title=When Streams Diverge |year=2008 |pages=91–100 }}</ref> but it was not until 1949 that the institution took the name "Biola College" and in 1981 was renamed "Biola University". Biola re-located to La Mirada, California, in 1959.<ref name="Stargel"/><ref name="IHPE"/><ref name="RHB"/><ref>Hans Joachim Hillerbrand (2004) ''The Encyclopedia of Protestantism'', Volume 1, Routledge, {{ISBN|0415924723}}, [https://books.google.com/books?id=4bnvbTel4Y4C p. 388.]</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Schulz |first=Hal |date=February 18, 1968 |title=60th Anniversary Feb. 25: Biola Has Come a Long Way From Pool Hall Birth in 1908; College Shuns Debts, Sin and Federal Funds |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/155855786 |work=Los Angeles Times |location=Los Angeles, CA |access-date=December 16, 2024 |id={{ProQuest|155855786}} }}</ref>

The school has a tradition of conservative theology, documented in the 1917 four-volume version of ''[[The Fundamentals|The Fundamentals: A Testimony To The Truth]]''.<ref>Mal Couch (2000), ''The Fundamentals for the Twenty-First Century: Examining the Crucial Issues of the Christian Faith'', Kregel Academic, {{ISBN|0825423686}}, [https://books.google.com/books?id=-wxAbeThxyYC p. 16.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828130845/https://books.google.com/books?id=-wxAbeThxyYC |date=August 28, 2024 }}</ref><ref>George M. Marsden (1982), ''Fundamentalism and American Culture: The Shaping of Twentieth Century Evangelicalism, 1870-1925'', Oxford University Press, {{ISBN|0195030834}}, [https://books.google.com/books?id=9swPktfLJigC pp. 118-123.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828130845/https://books.google.com/books?id=9swPktfLJigC |date=August 28, 2024 }}</ref>

As of 1925, John Murdoch MacInnis was the school's second dean. He was a Presbyterian minister who had been an instructor at the school for about two years. MacInnis served as dean until his forced resignation on December 31, 1928. His administration had been turbulent.<ref>{{cite book |last=Marsden |first=George |title=Reforming Fundamentalism: Fuller Seminary and the New Evangelicalism |year=1987 |publisher=Eerdmans |pages=39–40, 87, 95 }}</ref> In 1927, Biola published a book by MacInnis entitled ''Peter the Fisherman Philosopher'', which became the focus of an intense national controversy in which MacInnis was accused by fundamentalists of advocating liberal theological positions.<ref>{{cite book |last=Williams |first=Robert |title=Chartered for His Glory: Biola University, 1908-1983 |year=1983 |publisher=Biola University |location=La Mirada, CA |pages=48–51 |display-authors=etal }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Fuller |first=Daniel P. |title=Give the Winds a Mighty Voice: The Story of Charles E. Fuller |url=https://archive.org/details/givewindsmightyv00full |url-access=registration |year=1972 |publisher=Word Books |location=Waco, TX |pages=[https://archive.org/details/givewindsmightyv00full/page/68 68–74] }}</ref> Eventually, MacInnis was forced to resign, and all remaining copies of the book, along with the printing plates, were destroyed.<ref>{{cite book |last=Draney |first=Daniel |title=When Streams Diverge |year=2008 |pages=200–211 }}</ref>

In 1929, [[Charles E. Fuller (Baptist minister)|Charles E. Fuller]] a businessman, evangelist, and graduate of Biola, was drafted as vice president to find a new dean and a president. Elbert McCreery and William P. White, both associated with Moody Bible Institute, were chosen to fill these posts.<ref>Tom Sitton and William Francis Deverell (2001), ''Metropolis in the Making: Los Angeles in the 1920s'', University of California Press, {{ISBN|0520226275}}, [https://books.google.com/books?id=b1jJtMXo1UEC pp. 238-243.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828130813/https://books.google.com/books?id=b1jJtMXo1UEC |date=August 28, 2024 }}</ref>

During the [[Great Depression]], the institute suffered serious financial difficulties.<ref name="RHB"/> In 1932, Louis T. Talbot, pastor of the Church of the Open Door, assumed the presidency and helped raise much-needed funds.<ref name="RHB"/> During the next two decades, Talbot concentrated efforts on academic programs as the school's mission.<ref name="RHB"/> [[Talbot School of Theology|Talbot Theological Seminary]] became Biola's first graduate school and in 1977, Biola acquired the graduate programs of Rosemead Graduate School of Professional Psychology and relocated them to the La Mirada campus.<ref name="RHB"/> Biola added a School of Intercultural Studies in 1983, through funds from the abandoned property of the [[Hunan Bible Institute]] in China,<ref>{{cite web |title=The Cook School of Intercultural Studies: Biola's Story |url=http://cook.biola.edu/about/history/ |access-date=March 21, 2014 |archive-date=February 27, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227023214/http://cook.biola.edu/about/history/ |url-status=live }}</ref> a School of Business in 1993,<ref name="RHB"/> and a School of Education in 2007.<ref>{{cite web |title=About the School of Education |url=http://education.biola.edu/about/ |access-date=March 21, 2014 |archive-date=August 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828130818/https://www.biola.edu/education |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Presidents===
* William P. White (1929–1932)
* Louis T. Talbot (1932–1935)
* Paul W. Rood (1935–1938)
* Louis T. Talbot (1938–1952)
* Samuel H. Sutherland (1952–1970)
* [[J. Richard Chase]] (1970–1982)
* [[Clyde Cook (educator)|Clyde Cook]] (1982–2007)
* [[Barry Corey]] (2007– )

== Conferences ==
[[Image:Jesus wall, Biola University.jpg|thumb|''The Word'', mural by [[Kent Twitchell]]]]
Biola holds two annual student conferences, the Missions Conference during the spring semester and the Torrey Memorial Bible Conference during the fall semester.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://biolamissionsconference.com/faq.html |title=FAQ |access-date=September 5, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140722141704/http://biolamissionsconference.com/faq.html |archive-date=July 22, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://studentlife.biola.edu/page_attachments/0000/1130/TorreyPamphlet2010.pdf |title=75th Torrey Conference 2010 |website=Studentlife.biola.edu |access-date=April 6, 2016 |archive-date=August 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828130813/http://studentlife.biola.edu/page_attachments/0000/1130/TorreyPamphlet2010.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Torrey Memorial Bible Conference is also a three-day conference dedicated to students' spiritual growth. Every year, a specific topic is chosen that is geared towards the typical college student's spiritual needs.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biola.edu/torrey-conference |title=Torrey Conference 2017 |website=Biola University |language=en-us |access-date=October 1, 2017 }}</ref>

The university also holds the Biola Media Conference, an event for Christian entertainment professionals to increase their skills.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.biola.edu/biola-media-conference|title=Biola Media Conference|website=Biola University|access-date=March 5, 2025}}</ref>

On November 16, 1996, the university hosted the first national conference on [[intelligent design]]. Later, Intervarsity Press published ''Mere Creation'',<ref>{{Cite book |title=Mere creation : science, faith & intelligent design |date=1998 |publisher=InterVarsity Press |others=William A. Dembski |isbn=0-8308-1515-5 |location=Downers Grove, Ill. |oclc=38959771 }}</ref> a collection of the papers presented at the conference. Subsequent intelligent-design conferences were held at the university in 2002 and 2004.<ref>{{cite web |title=Intelligent Design Theory and Biola |url=http://www.biola.edu/id/about/ |publisher=Biola University |access-date=September 5, 2014 |archive-date=August 31, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140831074737/http://www.biola.edu/id/about/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Since 2015, Biola requires students to attend five conference sessions and twenty chapel services per semester, or face a financial penalty.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://studentlife.biola.edu/campus-life/student-handbook/chapel-attendance |title=Student Handbook: Chapel Attendance |access-date=May 29, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005071441/http://studentlife.biola.edu/campus-life/student-handbook/chapel-attendance |archive-date=October 5, 2012 }}</ref>

==Center for Messianic Jewish Studies==
On October 8, 2007, Biola opened the [[Charles L. Feinberg]] Center for Messianic Jewish Studies in [[Manhattan]]. The center offers a master's degree in divinity in Messianic Jewish studies in cooperation with [[Chosen People Ministries]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.biola.edu/news/articles/2007/071008_manhattan.cfm |title=Biola Opens New Site in Manhattan « News & Events « Biola University |access-date=October 9, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011225143/http://biola.edu/news/articles/2007/071008_manhattan.cfm |archive-date=October 11, 2007 }}</ref>

==Academics==

===Schools===
{{Infobox US university ranking
| USNWR_NU = 236 (tie) of 394
| THE_WSJ = 501 (tie) of 600
| Forbes = 335 of 500
| Wamo_NU = 429 of 442
}}

Biola offers 47 undergraduate majors, 80 concentrations, and more than 150 professional fields of study. Degrees awarded include [[Bachelor of Arts|B.A.]], [[Bachelor of Science|B.S.]], [[Bachelor of Medicine|B.M.]], [[Bachelor of Fine Arts|B.F.A.]], [[Master of Arts|M.A.]], [[M.B.A.]], [[M.Div.]], [[Th.M.]], [[D.Min.]], [[D.Miss.]], [[Psy.D.]], [[Ed.D.]], and PhD. All are [[Higher education accreditation in the United States|institutionally]] and [[professional accreditation|professionally accredited]] and integrated with Christian doctrine.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.biola.edu/about/accreditation-affiliation/ |title=Accreditation and Affiliation – About – Biola University |website=Biola.edu |access-date=April 6, 2016 |archive-date=October 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010215518/https://www.biola.edu/about/accreditation-affiliation |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.biola.edu/about/mission/goals/ |title=University Outcomes – About – Biola University |website=Biola.edu |access-date=April 6, 2016 |archive-date=July 13, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713032043/http://www.biola.edu/about/mission/goals/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Biola University Lecture Hall.JPG|thumb|Lecture hall at Biola University in La Mirada, California]]
The schools are:
* Crowell School of Business
* Rosemead School of Psychology
* School of Fine Arts and Communication
* School of Humanities and Social Sciences
* School of Education
* Cook School of Intercultural Studies
* [[Talbot School of Theology]]
* School of Science, Technology and Health
* School of Cinema and Media Arts

Crowell School of Business is an undergraduate and graduate business school located in [[La Mirada, California]], at Biola University. In 1993, the school was established as the fifth school of Biola University. In 2005, the school was renamed the Crowell School of Business.

Crowell offers a [[Master of Business Administration]] (MBA) and a [[Master of Accountancy|Masters in Professional Accountancy]] (MPAcc), both of which can be obtained through a full-time or part-time schedule. Both programs are accredited through the [[Western Association of Schools and Colleges]]; the MBA program is also accredited by the [[Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs]]. The undergraduate program at Crowell offers majors in accounting and in business administration with emphasis in international business, management, marketing, marketing management and [[business analytics]]. The school offers a minor in business administration available to all undergraduates at Biola University. The undergraduate program boasts approximately four hundred students, making it the largest undergraduate program at Biola.{{citation needed|date=December 2018}}

The School of Education was established in 2007, originally started as the Education Department in 1952. It offers biblically integrated courses and programs that exist to train those who desire to make an impact as educators and administrators in public, private, homeschool, charter and international schools. At the undergraduate level, the School of Education is home to the elementary education, multidisciplinary majors and [[liberal studies]], which consistently rank among the most popular undergraduate majors at Biola. At the graduate level, the School of Education offers [[Master of Arts in Teaching]] and [[Master of Arts in Education]] programs.

All undergraduate students are required to take 30 units of Bible classes, regardless of their major.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.biola.edu/about/mission/ |title=Mission, Vision and Values |publisher=Biola University |access-date=October 14, 2013 }}</ref>

In its 2017 college rankings, ''[[U.S. News & World Report]]'' placed Biola in its "Best National Universities" category,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities |title=National University Rankings {{pipe}} Top National Universities {{pipe}} US News Best Colleges |publisher=Colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com |access-date=May 30, 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110521210513/http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities |archive-date=May 21, 2011 }}</ref> ranking Biola 159 out of 311 national universities.<ref>{{cite web |title=Biola University {{pipe}} Best College {{pipe}} US News |publisher=Colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com |date=January 14, 2013 |url=http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/biola-university-1122 |access-date=October 14, 2013 |archive-date=August 30, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110830175120/http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/biola-university-1122 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Biola was one of only two national universities in the [[Council for Christian Colleges and Universities]] (CCCU) to be included in the first tier.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Biola Again Ranks Among Nation's Best |journal=Biola Magazine |date=Fall 2013 |publisher=Biola University |url=http://magazine.biola.edu/article/13-fall/biola-again-ranks-among-nations-best/ |access-date=March 21, 2014 |archive-date=November 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129095858/http://magazine.biola.edu/article/13-fall/biola-again-ranks-among-nations-best/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2013, Biola was listed as one of nineteen "up-and-coming" national universities by ''U.S. News''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Biola Named to 'Up and Coming' List for Third Year |url=http://magazine.biola.edu/article/13-winter/biola-named-to-up-and-coming-list-for-third-year/ |work=Biola Magazine |date=December 31, 2012 |publisher=Biola University |access-date=March 21, 2014 |archive-date=November 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129102318/http://magazine.biola.edu/article/13-winter/biola-named-to-up-and-coming-list-for-third-year/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2017, [[Niche (company)|Niche]] ranked Biola as #33 of 364 best Christian colleges in America and #11 of 90 safest college campuses in California.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.niche.com/colleges/biola-university/ |title=Biola University |publisher=Niche |access-date=May 30, 2018 |archive-date=February 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180225114543/https://www.niche.com/colleges/biola-university/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Honors program===
[[Torrey Honors College]], formerly Torrey Honors Institute, is a classical literature [[great books]] program started by John Mark Reynolds in 1995<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.biola.edu/academics/torrey/faculty/profile.cfm?n=john_reynolds |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090412210449/http://www.biola.edu/academics/torrey/faculty/profile.cfm?n=john_reynolds |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 12, 2009 |title=Faculty Profiles « Torrey Honors Institute |publisher=Biola University |access-date=October 14, 2013 }}</ref> and named after [[Reuben Archer Torrey]].<ref name="About Torrey">{{cite web |url=http://www.biola.edu/academics/torrey/about/ |title=About Torrey Honors College |publisher=Biola University |access-date=October 14, 2013 |archive-date=October 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014172543/http://www.biola.edu/academics/torrey/about/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Classes in the department are used to meet most of the general education requirements at Biola University in four years; the program does not offer a major or minor. The Torrey Honors College is patterned after the [[University of Oxford|Oxford]] [[tutorial system]], employing reading, discussion, writing, mentoring, and lectures.<ref name="About Torrey"/>

== Student organizations ==
Biola has over 40 student organizations and clubs.

In May 2012, an underground [[LGBTQ people|LGBTQ]] community, calling themselves the Biola Queer Underground, launched a website in support of promoting dialogue and reconsideration of Biola's expulsion policy regarding homosexual behavior.<ref name="biolaunderground">{{cite web |url=http://biolaunderground.webs.com |title=biolaunderground.com |publisher=Biolaunderground.webs.com |date=June 21, 2013 |access-date=October 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120802152926/http://biolaunderground.webs.com/ |archive-date=August 2, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The covert group requested to be accepted as a facet of diversity within the campus, declaring that, despite traditional church teaching on homosexuality, they held similar Christian beliefs and values to the university.<ref name="biolaunderground" /> The website garnered national attention from the mainstream media.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/underground-gay-group-emerges-shaking-evangelical-christian-college-flna792221 |title=Underground gay group emerges, shaking Christian college – U.S. News |publisher=Usnews.nbcnews.com |date=May 24, 2012 |access-date=October 14, 2013 |archive-date=June 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240624002139/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/underground-gay-group-emerges-shaking-evangelical-christian-college-flna792221 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/24/biola-university-queer-underground-gay-group_n_1542741.html |title=Biola University's 'Queer Underground' Emerges, Rattling Evangelical Faculty And Student Body |publisher=Huffingtonpost.com |date=May 24, 2012 |access-date=October 14, 2013 |archive-date=November 25, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141125145415/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/24/biola-university-queer-underground-gay-group_n_1542741.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The Biola administration released a formal statement on their conservative Christian views on human sexuality shortly afterwards.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biola.edu/blogs/studentlife |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524155722/http://studentlife.biola.edu/spotlight-pages/biolas-statement-on-sexuality |url-status=dead |title=Student Life Blog |archive-date=May 24, 2013 |website=Student Life Blog – Biola University Blogs |access-date=December 19, 2022 }}</ref> Since 2013, The Dwelling, a university-sanctioned LGBTQ organization, has been established. It seeks to support LGBTQ students without endorsing same-sex marriage and related policies.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://studenthub.biola.edu/the-dwelling |title=The Dwelling |website=Biola.edu |date=August 29, 2018 |access-date=August 21, 2019 |archive-date=August 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190821040756/https://studenthub.biola.edu/the-dwelling |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Athletics ==
{{Main|Biola Eagles}}

The Biola athletic teams are called the [[Biola Eagles|Eagles]]. The university is a member of the [[NCAA Division II|Division II]] level of the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association]] (NCAA), primarily competing in the [[Pacific West Conference]] (PacWest) since the 2017–18 academic year; while its men's and women's swimming & diving teams compete in the [[Pacific Collegiate Swim and Dive Conference]] (PCSC).<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.pacificswimanddive.org/index.php |title=Pacific Collegiate Swim and Dive Conference |website=www.pacificswimanddive.org |access-date=July 15, 2022 |archive-date=July 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715033111/http://www.pacificswimanddive.org/index.php |url-status=live }}</ref> They were also a member of the [[National Christian College Athletic Association]] (NCCAA), primarily competing as an independent in the West Region of the Division I level. The Eagles previously competed in the [[Golden State Athletic Conference]] (GSAC) of the [[National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics]] (NAIA) from 1994–95 to 2016–17.

Biola competes in 18 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, soccer, swimming, tennis, track & field and water polo; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track & field, volleyball and water polo.<ref>{{cite web |title=Biola University Athletics Quick Facts & Coach Contacts |url=http://athletics.biola.edu/sports/2013/10/9/GEN_1009130456.aspx?tab=quickfacts |website=Biola University Athletics |access-date=June 14, 2014 |archive-date=August 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140809210905/http://athletics.biola.edu/sports/2013/10/9/GEN_1009130456.aspx?tab=quickfacts |url-status=live }}</ref> Former sports included men's golf and men's wrestling.

===Hall of Fame===
In 2012, Biola inducted three alumni into Inaugural Athletics Hall of Fame. The athletics department inducted [[Todd Worrell]] (baseball), Becky White (volleyball and women's basketball) and Wade Kirchmeyer (men's basketball). The school has since inducted 14 more alumni, including: Jim Blagg, [[Clyde Cook (educator)|Clyde Cook]], Musa Dogonyaro, Ronn Johnson, Natasha Miller, Ben Orr, Jessica Pistole, Rianne Schorel and [[Tim Worrell]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://athletics.biola.edu/sports/2012/7/24/hall-of-fame.aspx |title=Hall of Fame – Biola University |website=Biola University Athletics |access-date=May 30, 2018 |archive-date=August 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828131320/https://athletics.biola.edu/sports/2012/7/24/hall-of-fame.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Club sports===
Biola also has a club men's lacrosse team that competed in the [[Western Collegiate Lacrosse League|Western Collegiate Lacrosse League (WCLL)]] from 2001–2009, and has since competed in the [[Southwestern Lacrosse Conference]] (SLC). A club women's lacrosse team began competition in 2012 in the Western Women's Lacrosse League (WWLL). Biola also has a club men's rugby team that began playing in the SCRFU in 2013.

===Move to NCAA Division II===
On July 20, 2016, Biola University's application for membership into the NCAA Division II had been approved for the three-year membership process. The Eagles continued as an active member of the GSAC and the NAIA for the 2016–17 school year while completing Provisional Year One with the NCAA. In Provisional Year Two (2017–18), Biola joined the PacWest Conference and competed primarily against NCAA opponents. With successful completion of Provisional Year Three (2018–19) of the membership process, the Eagles will gain full, active NCAA D-II membership and become eligible to compete for NCAA Division II championships beginning as early as 2019–20.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Velasco |first1=Brenda |title=National Collegiate Athletics Association Approves Membership Application |date=July 20, 2016 |url=http://now.biola.edu/news/article/2016/jul/20/national-collegiate-athletics-association-approves/?_ga=1.83269332.315837326.1469050987 |access-date=July 20, 2016 |archive-date=August 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828131319/https://www.biola.edu/blogs/biola-news/2016/national-collegiate-athletics-association-approves |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Centers ==
Biola has four university centers:

* Center for Christian Thought
* Center for Christianity, Culture and the Arts
* Center for Marriage and Relationships
* Center for the Study of the Work and Ministry of the Holy Spirit Today

In 2012, the Biola University Center for Christian Thought (CCT) was launched, funded by a $3.03 million grant from the [[John Templeton Foundation]], the largest academic grant ever awarded to Biola University.<ref>{{cite web |last=Newell |first=Jason |title=John Templeton Foundation Awards $3 Million to Biola University |url=http://now.biola.edu/news/article/2012/jan/03/john-templeton-foundation-awards-3-million-biola-u/ |work=Biola Now |date=January 3, 2012 |access-date=March 19, 2014 |archive-date=March 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140320040334/http://now.biola.edu/news/article/2012/jan/03/john-templeton-foundation-awards-3-million-biola-u/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The CCT is a forum where leading Christian thinkers from around the world gather to research and discuss issues of significance to the academy, the church, and the broader culture.<ref>{{cite web |title=About the Center for Christian Thought |url=http://cct.biola.edu/about/ |access-date=March 19, 2014 |archive-date=April 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130424063729/http://cct.biola.edu/about/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2013, the Biola University Center for Christianity, Culture and the Arts (CCCA) was launched, funded with a grant from philanthropists Howard and Roberta Ahmanson's Fieldstead and Company.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bartlo |first=Jenna |title=Biola Launches New Center for Christianity, Culture and the Arts |url=http://now.biola.edu/news/article/2013/sep/23/biola-launches-new-center-christianity-culture-and/ |work=Biola Now |date=September 23, 2013 |access-date=March 19, 2014 |archive-date=March 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140320023639/http://now.biola.edu/news/article/2013/sep/23/biola-launches-new-center-christianity-culture-and/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The CCCA sponsors events and symposia, produces online resources and strives to facilitate thoughtful reflection on the interplay of Christian faith, the larger culture and the world of the arts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ccca.biola.edu/about/mission-vision/ |title=Mission & Vision {{pipe}} Biola University Center for Christianity, Culture and the Arts |website=Ccca.biola.edu |access-date=April 6, 2016 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304045338/http://ccca.biola.edu/about/mission-vision/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In October 2014, Biola launched the Center for Marriage and Relationships (CMR). The center exists to build and sustain healthy relationships and marriages in the church and broader culture.

In Fall of 2017, Biola launched the Center for the Study of the Work and Ministry of the Holy Spirit Today, funded by a $3 million donation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://now.biola.edu/news/article/2017/may/15/biola-university-launches-new-center-work-holy-spi/ |title=Biola University Launches New Center for Work of the Holy Spirit |first1=Biola University 13800 Biola Ave La |last1=Mirada |last2=Ca 90639 1-562-903-6000 |website=now.biola.edu |date=May 15, 2017 |access-date=May 30, 2018 |archive-date=September 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915084636/http://now.biola.edu/news/article/2017/may/15/biola-university-launches-new-center-work-holy-spi/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Located within Talbot School of Theology, the center is a 10-year initiative that provides resources for students and scholars.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.biola.edu/holy-spirit-center |title=Center for the Study of the Work and Ministry for the Holy Spirit Today |website=biola.edu/holy-spirit-center |access-date=May 30, 2018 |archive-date=September 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915121818/https://www.biola.edu/holy-spirit-center |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Publications ==
The university has been involved in the publication of the following magazines and academic journals:
* ''The King's Business'' was a monthly publication of Biola from 1910 to 1970. In the first decades of its publication, it was the leading journal for conservative Christianity and the early fundamentalist movement. In fact, ''[[The Fundamentals]]'' and ''The King's Business'' shared the same chief editor (R. A. Torrey) and were supported by the same "concerned laymen" (Lyman and Milton Stewart).<ref>{{cite web |author=The King's Business |url=http://open.biola.edu/collections/the-king-s-business/ |title=The King's Business {{pipe}} Open Biola |website=Open.biola.edu |access-date=April 6, 2016 |archive-date=July 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709095414/http://open.biola.edu/collections/the-king-s-business/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ''Philosophia Christi'' is a peer-reviewed journal published twice a year by the Evangelical Philosophical Society with the support of Biola University as a vehicle for the scholarly discussion of philosophy and philosophical issues in the fields of ethics, theology, and religion. The journal is indexed by The [[Philosopher's Information Center|Philosopher's Index]] and [[Religious and Theological Abstracts]].
* ''[[Journal of Psychology and Theology]]'' has as its purpose to communicate recent scholarly thinking on the interrelationships of psychological and theological concepts, and to consider the application of these concepts to a variety of professional settings. The major intent of the editor is to place before the evangelical community articles that have bearing on the nature of humankind from a Biblical perspective.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://journals.biola.edu/jpt/ |title=Journal of Psychology & Theology |website=Journals.biola.edu |access-date=April 6, 2016 |archive-date=September 14, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150914001200/http://journals.biola.edu/jpt |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ''Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care'' has as its purpose advancing the discussion of the theory and practice of Christian formation and soul care for the sake of the educational ministries of the church, Christian education, and other para-church organizations through scholarly publications that are rooted in Biblical exegesis, systematic theology, the history of Christian spirituality, philosophical analysis, psychological theory/research, spiritual theology, and Christian experience.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://journals.biola.edu/sfj/ |title=Journal of Spiritual Formation & Soul Care |website=Journals.biola.edu |access-date=April 6, 2016 |archive-date=September 25, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925132748/http://journals.biola.edu/sfj/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ''Christian Education Journal'' has as its purpose to strengthen the conception and practice of Christian education in church and para-church settings.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://journals.biola.edu/cej/ |title=Christian Education Journal |website=Journals.biola.edu |access-date=April 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140401100834/http://journals.biola.edu/cej/ |archive-date=April 1, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* ''Great Commission Research Journal'' is a peer-reviewed journal devoted to research and scholarly thinking on church growth.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://journals.biola.edu/gcr/ |title=Great Commission Research Journal |website=Journals.biola.edu |access-date=April 6, 2016 |archive-date=September 25, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925132844/http://journals.biola.edu/gcr/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* ''Biola Magazine'' is the official magazine of Biola University.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://magazine.biola.edu/ |title=Winter 2016 « Biola Magazine |website=Magazine.biola.edu |access-date=April 6, 2016 |archive-date=December 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191201092958/http://magazine.biola.edu/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ''Talbot Magazine'' is the official magazine of Talbot School of Theology.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.biola.edu/blogs/talbot-magazine |title=Talbot Magazine « Talbot School of Theology |website=biola.edu/blogs/talbot-magazine |access-date=May 30, 2018 |archive-date=August 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828203214/https://www.biola.edu/blogs/talbot-magazine |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ''The Chimes'' is Biola's student newspaper.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://chimes.biola.edu/ |title=The Chimes {{pipe}} Biola University |website=Chimes.biola.edu |access-date=April 6, 2016 |archive-date=April 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410153229/http://chimes.biola.edu/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ''The Point'' is a magazine produced by Biola's journalism program that won the 2008 Associated Collegiate Press Pacemaker Award, the highest honor for a collegiate magazine.<ref>{{cite web |last=Mitchell |first=Morgan |url=http://pointmag.biola.edu/ |title=The Point {{pipe}} Biola University |website=Pointmag.biola.edu |date=February 17, 2016 |access-date=April 6, 2016 |archive-date=August 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802095130/http://pointmag.biola.edu/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ''The Inkslinger'' is a student creative arts journal.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://biolainkslinger.com/ |title=Inkslinger {{pipe}} Biola's Literary Journal |website=Biolainkslinger.com |access-date=April 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304184847/http://biolainkslinger.com/ |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* ''The Bells'' is a humorous, fictitious news site created by and for Biola students.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thebellsnews.wordpress.com/ |title=The Bells : Biola's Other News Source |website=Thebellsnews.wordpress.com |access-date=April 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220101619/https://thebellsnews.wordpress.com/ |archive-date=February 20, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''The Bells'' is a satire similar to ''[[The Onion]]''.
* ''Open Biola'' is an online database allowing visitors from anywhere in the world to easily search, stream, download and share videos and other learning materials that engage academic topics from a Christian perspective.<ref>{{cite web |last=Newell |first=Jason |title=Free! |url=http://magazine.biola.edu/article/13-winter/free/ |work=Biola Magazine |date=December 31, 2012 |access-date=March 21, 2014 |archive-date=November 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129104400/http://magazine.biola.edu/article/13-winter/free/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Notable alumni==
{{Main|Category:Biola University alumni}}
* [[Steve Bridges]] (1986) – Comedian, impressionist, and actor
* [[Clyde Cook (educator)|Clyde Cook]] (1957) – Missionary, professor, and university president
* [[Scott Derrickson]] (1990) – Director, screenwriter and producer
* [[Sikhanyiso Dlamini]] (2010) – Princess of [[Eswatini]]
* [[Charles E. Fuller (Baptist minister)|Charles E. Fuller]] (1921) – Christian clergyman and radio evangelist
* [[Judith Hill]] (2006) – Singer-songwriter
* [[Dick Hillis]] (1932) – Missionary and missions executive
* [[Michael Horton (theologian)|Michael Horton]] (1985) – Theologian and academic
* [[JD Gunn]] (2022), Panamanian footballer
* [[Mark Joseph (producer)|Mark Joseph]] (1990) – Producer and author
* [[Kristina Karamo]] (2020) – Leader of the [[Michigan Republican Party]], former candidate for [[2022 Michigan Secretary of State election|2022 Michigan Secretary of State]]
* [[Zach King]] (2012) – Filmmaker and YouTube personality
* [[Josh McDowell]] (1971) – [[Christian apologetics|Christian apologist]], evangelist, and writer
* [[Harold A. Netland]] – Philosopher and academic
* [[Trevor Oaks]] – Professional baseball player
* [[Amanda Otto]] (2016) – Dog musher
* [[Nabeel Qureshi (author)|Nabeel Qureshi]] (2008) – Author and Christian apologist
* [[Cassie Randolph]] (2016) – Television personality and winner of ''[[The Bachelor (season 23)|The Bachelor]]''
* [[Tobin Sorenson]] (1980) – Mountain climber
* [[John Thune]] (1983) – [[Party leaders of the United States Senate|U.S. Senate Majority Leader]] since 2025, [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[United States Senate|U.S. Senator]] from [[South Dakota]] since 2005
* [[Larry Tieu]] (2007) – Professional basketball player
* [[Tim Worrell]] (1990) – Former professional baseball player
* [[Todd Worrell]] (1982) – Former professional baseball player
* [[Danny Yamashiro]] (1991) – Chaplain at [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]] ([[MIT]]), researcher on [[American presidents]] and [[childhood trauma]], and media talk show host

== Notable current and previous faculty ==
{{Main|Category:Biola University faculty}}
* [[Clinton E. Arnold]], New Testament scholar and Dean of Talbot School of Theology
* [[Christopher Castile]], Adjunct Professor of Political Science
* [[William Lane Craig]], Research Professor of Philosophy
* [[J. Vernon McGee]], Professor of Bible and Department Chair
* [[J. P. Moreland]], Distinguished Professor of Philosophy
* [[Scott B. Rae]], Old Testament scholar and Dean of the Faculty of Talbot School of Theology
* [[Bernard Ramm]], [[Baptist]] theologian and [[apologist]]
* [[Robert L. Saucy]], Distinguished Professor of Systematic Theology
* [[J. Warner Wallace]], Adjunct Professor of Apologetics

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{official website}}
* [https://athletics.biola.edu/ Athletics website]

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