Pensacola Christian College

IMO, PCC is a "kinder, gentler" HAC. My observation concerning PCC is from a distance and through the words of some who have attended, as well as from attending myself a Christian educators conference there quite a few years ago. I have an MEd from HAC.

I think that PCC is much more academically credible and rigorous than HAC and is perhaps not as "authoritarian" in controlling all aspects of students' lives. Nevertheless, it seems that their rules, again IMO, are unnecessarily rigid.

I think that Superdave's insight would carry more weight than mine because it seems that he has a more direct view.

Bill

 

Retroactive

Although both HAC and PCC are authoritarian and hierarchal in structure, they are much different in philosophy and approach. There are as many differences as similarities.

 

In addition to a common background of Biblical Fundamentalism, the two schools are both authoritarian and hierarchal in structure. However, these similarities are superficial and common to many religious institutions. For example, BJU, Armstrongism (Worldwide Church of God under the late Herbert W. Armstrong) and the Mormon Church are definitely authoritarian and hierarchal institutions but the similarities end there. In other words, these two traits, authoritarian and hierarchal, are shared by diverse organizations.

HAC was the alter ego of Jack Hyles. Hyles had certain views and practices unique to himself. It was almost a personality cultic following based on the charisma and person of the leader. At PCC, Arlin and Beka Horton are the big guns. Whereas they are definitely the ones calling every shot, they have nothing like the charisma and personality of Jack Hyles. Beka is a fairly effective speaker but she is smooth and low key. Arlin is a very poor public speaker. He has absolutely no platform presence and he cannot move an audience. Using notes, he can barely stammer through a brief welcome. His speaking preference is Q&A. He is, however, an organizational guru. Everything is based on organization and efficiency. One of Arlin’s favorite books was Up the Organization by Townsend. He hires sharp, bright, young folks who do his bidding and he believes strongly in competition..

The early PCC was modeled pretty much on BJU. The early leaders (the Hortons, Godwin, & Baker) and the faculty were BJU grads. Thus, there was a BJU philosophical bend. They differed from BJU in that they bought heavily into Traditional education. They researched and read the Traditional educational texts of the late 1800’s. Max Rafferty was an early influence. Samuel Blumenfeld is a more recent one. For a while, they bought wholesale into Bill Gothard but I think they have distanced themselves from association with him in more recent years. On the other hand, HAC was all Jack Hyles and his off the cuff interpretation of anything and everything. The HAC philosophy was what Jack said so please take note.

HAC runs on hype and enthusiasm whereas PCC is a well-oiled and geared machine. PCC depends on solid appearance and organization but HAC is all energy. PCC excels at a studied practical approach to life. HAC goes for the gusto. PCC has a very Victorian flavor and outlook. At HAC, there is Christian myth and story behind every action. PCC points out how reasonable and practical their Christianity is. Perhaps the contrast is emotion-driven enthusiastic faith versus the practical outworking and application of a Christian philosophy.

Doctrinally, PCC would not agree with the so-called Hyles heresies or doctrinal aberrations. PCC is Fundamentalist and orthodox in doctrine with a fairly Baptistic slant. Their Traditional educational views include a lot of classical humanism.

 

In addition to paidagogos' well-done analysis (unless I missed it), PCC is much more academic than HAC. At least that's my perspective after earning an M.Ed. from HAC and having attended teacher workshops at PCC, many, many moons ago (as in 25+ years).

Bill

 

Yes! You are exactly right. However, a word may be added about PCC's academics. They are more factual or knowledge based rather than conceptual. Their standards and expectations are high but they teach facts over theories. It is more accured knowledge and culture than research and problem-solving. We may say their method is more deductive than inductive.

We can see the difference between the two major Christian school textbook publishers--A Beka (PCC) and BJUP (BJU). A Beka is very concrete, practical and factual which fits best in the elementary grades where children have little conceptual development. On the other hand, BJUP is best in high school because of their conceptual approach where kids are developing reasoning and judgment skills in preparation for college.