Canada Christian College
Encyclopedia
Canada Christian College and School of Graduate Theological Studies is an evangelical Christian
college located in Toronto
, Ontario
, Canada
. Its president since 1993 has been Charles McVety
, son of founder Elmer S. McVety. It claims to have had "over 3000" graduates since its founding.
In 1982, the Ontario Ministry of Education revoked the right of Canada Christian College to grant degrees. The College issued degrees under the authority of their Manitoba
charter until 1999. Charles McVety took over leadership of the college in 1993. In 1998, the Ontario government ordered the College to cease and desist operations. McVety claimed that his response was to "[tell] them to take a long walk on a short pier and get lost." In 1999, Frank Klees
introduced a successful motion in the Ontario legislature granting degree granting authority to the college.
for its plans to have a "Jewish studies" department which, it was alleged, would teaching classes meant to train students to convert Jews to Christianity. Bernie Farber
of the CJC said of the college "We will take on any group whose aim is to destroy Judaism, philosophically, spiritually or directly." Rev. Malvern Jacobs and Rev. Edward Brotsky were the dean and vice-dean of the new department and were described as messianic Jews
. Jacobs later served as dean of Canada Christian College.
In 1998, in response to concerns by the Canadian Jewish Congress, Canada Christian College closed its Jewish Studies Department and dropped classes aimed at training Christians to covert Jews. McVety told Canadian Jewish News
at the time "We want to make it very clear that the Canada Christian College does not approve of or engage in any process to convert Jews to Christianity." In 2003, McVety joined with B'nai Brith to participate in its countermissionary campaign and voiced his opposition to groups such as Jews for Jesus
."As a committed Christian I support the idea of preaching Christianity, but preaching Christianity under the guise of Judaism to those who are in fact seeking Judaism, is plainly wrong," said McVety.
In 2004, Frank Dimant
, executive vice-president of B'nai Brith Canada
, was appointed the Chair of the newly inaugurated Department of Modern Israel Studies.
, an anti-Islam politician who has called for the banning of the Koran.
Charles McVety
, president of the Canada Christian College, said,
The Toronto Muslim community rejected the above comment, stating they had no intention of any hostile takeover. The North American Muslim Foundation said that "Wilders and his allies" will only heighten religious and cultural tensions. Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations
also expressed concern at the remarks made by McVety, and asked politicians to condemn Wilders' anti-Muslim views.
Several evangelical leaders have received degrees from the college including: John Hagee
, T.D. Jakes, Jack Van Impe
and Robert McGhee
.
Evangelicalism
Evangelicalism is a Protestant Christian movement which began in Great Britain in the 1730s and gained popularity in the United States during the series of Great Awakenings of the 18th and 19th century.Its key commitments are:...
college located in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Its president since 1993 has been Charles McVety
Charles McVety
Charles H. McVety is a Canadian evangelical Christian leader. He has been the president of Canada Christian College in Toronto since 1993, and he is also the current president of Canada Family Action Coalition. He is perhaps best known for campaigning to repeal the law legalizing same-sex...
, son of founder Elmer S. McVety. It claims to have had "over 3000" graduates since its founding.
Programs
Canada Christian College's mission is to educate and empower students with the skills, knowledge and spiritual foundation required to become effective ministers of the gospel and to achieve personal and business success. It offers Undergraduate, Graduate and Post-Graduate Degree Programs. It offers programs in Spanish; Korean Theological Studies; English as a Second Language (ESL) and Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL).History
The College was founded in 1967 under the name Richmond College as a Christian arts college. In 1974, the institution launched a theology program with the name "Canada Christian College". Non-theological programs of the college were discontinued in 1981.In 1982, the Ontario Ministry of Education revoked the right of Canada Christian College to grant degrees. The College issued degrees under the authority of their Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
charter until 1999. Charles McVety took over leadership of the college in 1993. In 1998, the Ontario government ordered the College to cease and desist operations. McVety claimed that his response was to "[tell] them to take a long walk on a short pier and get lost." In 1999, Frank Klees
Frank Klees
Frank Klees is a Canadian politician and the Progressive Conservative member of Provincial Parliament for the riding of Newmarket—Aurora north of Toronto. He was a candidate in the 2009 Progressive Conservative leadership election placing second behind victor Tim Hudak.-Early life:Klees was born...
introduced a successful motion in the Ontario legislature granting degree granting authority to the college.
Relations with the Jewish community
In 1991, the College was the subject of complaints by the Canadian Jewish CongressCanadian Jewish Congress
The Canadian Jewish Congress was one of the main lobby groups for the Jewish community in the country, although it often competed with the more conservative B'nai Brith Canada in that regard. At its dissolution, the president of the CJC was Mark Freiman. Its past co-presidents were Sylvain Abitbol...
for its plans to have a "Jewish studies" department which, it was alleged, would teaching classes meant to train students to convert Jews to Christianity. Bernie Farber
Bernie Farber
Bernie M. Farber is the former chief executive officer of the Canadian Jewish Congress and a social activist. He has testified before the Canadian courts as an expert witness on hate crime....
of the CJC said of the college "We will take on any group whose aim is to destroy Judaism, philosophically, spiritually or directly." Rev. Malvern Jacobs and Rev. Edward Brotsky were the dean and vice-dean of the new department and were described as messianic Jews
Messianic Judaism
Messianic Judaism is a syncretic religious movement that arose in the 1960s and 70s. It blends evangelical Christian theology with elements of Jewish terminology and ritual....
. Jacobs later served as dean of Canada Christian College.
In 1998, in response to concerns by the Canadian Jewish Congress, Canada Christian College closed its Jewish Studies Department and dropped classes aimed at training Christians to covert Jews. McVety told Canadian Jewish News
Canadian Jewish News
The Canadian Jewish News is a weekly, English-language tabloid-sized newspaper serving Canada's Jewish community. Though independent, the newspaper has been, since 1971, owned by a group of Jewish leaders involved with Canadian Jewish Congress...
at the time "We want to make it very clear that the Canada Christian College does not approve of or engage in any process to convert Jews to Christianity." In 2003, McVety joined with B'nai Brith to participate in its countermissionary campaign and voiced his opposition to groups such as Jews for Jesus
Jews for Jesus
Jews for Jesus is a conservative, Christian evangelical organization that focuses on the conversion of Jews to Christianity. Its members consider themselves to be Jews – either as defined by Jewish law, or as according to the view of Jews for Jesus. Jews for Jesus defines “Jewish” in terms of...
."As a committed Christian I support the idea of preaching Christianity, but preaching Christianity under the guise of Judaism to those who are in fact seeking Judaism, is plainly wrong," said McVety.
In 2004, Frank Dimant
Frank Dimant
Frank Dimant is Executive Vice President of B'nai Brith Canada and CEO of the organization’s Institute for International Affairs and the League for Human Rights. He is the publisher of The Jewish Tribune....
, executive vice-president of B'nai Brith Canada
B'nai Brith Canada
B'nai Brith Canada is the Canadian section of B'nai Brith . It was founded in 1875 and is the country's oldest Jewish service organization.-Members:...
, was appointed the Chair of the newly inaugurated Department of Modern Israel Studies.
Relations with the Muslim community
In 2011, Canada Christian College invited and hosted Geert WildersGeert Wilders
Geert Wilders is a Dutch right-wing politician and leader of the Party for Freedom , the third-largest political party in the Netherlands. He is the Parliamentary group leader of his party in the Dutch House of Representatives...
, an anti-Islam politician who has called for the banning of the Koran.
Charles McVety
Charles McVety
Charles H. McVety is a Canadian evangelical Christian leader. He has been the president of Canada Christian College in Toronto since 1993, and he is also the current president of Canada Family Action Coalition. He is perhaps best known for campaigning to repeal the law legalizing same-sex...
, president of the Canada Christian College, said,
Islam is not just a religion, it’s a political and cultural system as well and we know that Christians, Jews and Hindus don’t have the same mandate for a hostile takeover.
The Toronto Muslim community rejected the above comment, stating they had no intention of any hostile takeover. The North American Muslim Foundation said that "Wilders and his allies" will only heighten religious and cultural tensions. Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations
Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations
The Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations is a national Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization in Canada. CAIR-CAN is an Ottawa-based, nonprofit organization with a grassroots membership...
also expressed concern at the remarks made by McVety, and asked politicians to condemn Wilders' anti-Muslim views.
Status
The College is an accredited Private Degree granting institution listed by the Ontario Ministry of Education.Several evangelical leaders have received degrees from the college including: John Hagee
John Hagee
John Charles Hagee is an American founder and senior pastor of Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, Texas, a non-denominational charismatic megachurch with more than 19,000 active members...
, T.D. Jakes, Jack Van Impe
Jack Van Impe
Jack Leo Van Impe is a televangelist who is known for his half-hour weekly television series Jack Van Impe Presents, an eschatological commentary on the news of the week through his interpretation of the Bible...
and Robert McGhee
Robert McGhee (minister)
Robert McGhee was a prominent Church of Scotland minister who championed the evangelical movement in Scotland throughout the second half of the 20th century. He was a signatory of the Manila Manifesto and was nominated for the position of Moderator several times...
.
See also
- List of evangelical seminaries and theological colleges
- Ontario Student Assistance ProgramOntario Student Assistance ProgramThe Ontario Student Assistance Program is a financial aid program delivered by the government of Ontario, Canada, for post-secondary education students...
- Higher education in OntarioHigher education in OntarioHigher education in Ontario includes postsecondary education and skills training regulated by the Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities and provided by universities, colleges of applied arts and technology, and private career colleges. The current minister is Glen Murray who assumed the...