The Biblical Seminary of the Philippines (BSOP) was established on June 15, 1957 as the Bible Institute of the Philippines (BIOP), following a year of intense prayer and seeking the Lord's guidance. In obedience to the Great Commission of our Lord (Matthew 28:18-20), the Seminary was established to prepare and equip dedicated Christians for ministry in the Filipino-Chinese churches. It is one of the earliest seminary in the Philippines & Asia that attracts dedicated youth all over Asia.

In 1963, BIOP transferred to its present campus in Karuhatan, Valenzuela, Bulacan. The newly erected school buildings were set in a quiet and serene environment, away from the bustle of the metropolis.

Due to the growth of Filipino-Chinese churches in recent years, as well as the impracticality of relying on Christian workers coming from abroad, the need to train Filipino-Chinese men and women has increased tremendously. In 1975, the Board of Trustees decided to upgrade the academic level of BIOP to a seminary, changing the name to BSOP. BSOP offered two masters programs (MBS and MCS) and one undergraduate program (BTh). BSOP's training focused on the three areas of spiritual maturity, biblical knowledge and practical ministry.

In 1990, the old MBS, MCE, and MCS degree programs were upgraded to the Master of Divinity program with majors in Biblical Studies, Christian Education and Christian Studies. The Master of Divinity program with three majors was granted full recognition by the Department of Education (DECS) and also by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in 1992.

In addition to training matriculated students in degree and certificate programs, BSOP also trains lay people through a variety of special programs. These include CMTC, TEE, conference ministry, and special summer classes in provincial churches. More recently, BSOP has provided special modules for Christian day-school teachers and staff, accredited by CHED/PRC for continuing professional education.

Since 1957, BSOP has graduated more than 400 students. Well over a thousand lay people have been trained in non-academic programs for ministry. Together, they are now serving in the Philippines, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Taiwan, Australia, Canada and the United states.

Related Articles

"The Recent 25 Years of BSOP," by Dr. Joseph Shao.

"The First Twenty Years of BSOP," by Elder Henry Co.

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Historical Highlights

1957 Bible Institute of the Philippines was founded with Ms. Ruth Britain as acting president.

1959 First Chinese president Mr. Hsueh Yu Kwong assumed leadership.

1962 Construction work started at new location in Valenzuela, Bulacan.

1963 BIOP transferred to present location in Karuhatan, Bulacan.

1970 Second phase of campus development; construction of basketball court and garage. Rev. Raymond Frame and Rev. Franklin Lee consecutively served as acting presidents.

1975 BIOP renamed BSOP; Master of Biblical Studies and Christian Studies offered under second president Dr Denny Ma.

1977 Construction of library and women’s dormitory began. The faculty development program was started to prepare local leadership for BSOP.

1981 Third president Dr. Paul Lee Tan assumed leadership. Master of Christian Education degree offered.

1984 Construction of library annex , president’s apartment, audio-visual room, and men’s dormitory annex. Rev. Peter Au served as acting president.

1988 Purchase of extension lot, consisting of three duplex apartments from Send International Mission. Fourth president Rev. Wesley Shao assumed leadership.

1990 Fifth president Dr. Joseph Shao was installed. Rev. Wesley Shao was honored as president emeritus. Permit granted by the Department of Education, Culture, and Sports (DECS) to offer Master of Divinity degree (MBS, MCE. MCS upgraded to MDiv BS, MDiv CE, MDiv CS).

1992 Commission on Higher Education (CHED) recognized and accredited BSOP as a graduate institution granting the Master of Divinity degree.

1994 Asian Theological Association (ATA) accredited BSOP as a graduate institution granting the Master of Divinity degree.

1994 BSOP became a member of the Asian Graduate School of Theology (AGST), a consortium of seven seminaries in Metro Manila.

1998 Phase I of the campus rebuilding project , providing new dormitories, faculty apartments, and dining facilities, is completed. The New Dormitory building was dedicated on November 22 during the Thanksgiving Week celebration.

1998 BSOP received a permit to operate the Master of Christian Education (MACE) program for Christian day-school teachers.

1999 BSOP was accredited as a Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Provider by the Philippine Regulation Commission.

1999 BSOP headed the AGST’s (Asia Graduate School of Theology) Th.M. in Old Testament program with Dr. Joseph Shao as the Program Director.

2000 ATA re-accredited our Master of Divinity program and our Diploma in Christian Ministry.

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