‘Today Is a New Beginning’

The Moody School of the Bible is a unique educational enterprise resulting from a partnership between Moody Bible Institute and Theovision, a multifaceted ministry in Ghana started by Rev. Theo Asare.

“What makes this particularly special is that the education is totally oral,” said Dr. Gregg Quiggle, who retired in July 2023 as the D. L. Moody professor of Theology at Moody Theological Seminary. “Roughly 70 percent of the population in Africa is illiterate. That means even if the Scriptures are translated into local languages, they still need to be read.”

To address this critical need, Theovision has been recording the Bible in local African languages for more than 40 years. To date, they have completed 462 languages, with plans to record the Bible in every African language. Theovision distributes the oral Bibles by visiting rural villages and setting up Bible listening groups.

Over the years, Theovision saw the need to train illiterate Christian workers, especially leaders for the Bible listening groups.

“This is where Moody Bible Institute comes into the story,” Dr. Quiggle said. “For years Moody Radio broadcast a program known as Radio School of the Bible. Essentially Moody professors recorded their class lectures in a studio, and they were then broadcast in segments over the radio. In recent years, a group of those courses was selected and then translated into the local language.”

Students enrolled at the Moody School of the Bible receive lessons on solar-powered audio devices and take quizzes on their phones after listening to the questions. Students progress to the next class if they pass the exam. Two programs are offered, each one year in length. Students earn a certificate if they complete all coursework by the end of each year.