Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith & Culture

Biola's Commitment to Biblical Truth: A Conversation with President Corey

Dec 5, 2025

In this engaging discussion, Barry H. Corey, the eighth president of Biola University, shares insights from his 16 years of leadership. He tackles the challenges of staying true to Biola's biblical mission amid a polarized culture. Corey emphasizes the importance of intentional course corrections to prevent mission drift and the rigorous hiring processes that align faculty with theological convictions. He also discusses responses to critiques since the COVID-19 era and the role of critical theories in education, underscoring a commitment to both scholarship and biblical truth.

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INSIGHT

Rising Missional Momentum

Biola is experiencing a strong missional year with rising enrollment and renewed interest in Scripture among Gen Z.
Barry Corey cites growth in biblical studies, largest Talbot incoming class, and increased Bible sales as evidence of mission vitality.

ANECDOTE

Student Standing For Convictions

Corey told the story of freshman Reese Eckert refusing to stand on a podium when a trans woman athlete was honored.
He uses the example to illustrate students who stand for convictions about protecting women's sports.

INSIGHT

Institutions Drift Without Vigilance

Institutions naturally drift away from Christ-centeredness unless leaders intentionally course-correct.
Corey emphasizes vigilance, referencing founders' five core convictions as a compass for course corrections.

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Is Biola University staying true to its biblical mission? In this candid episode of the Think Biblically podcast, Biola University President Dr. Barry H. Corey joins hosts Dr. Sean McDowell, associate professor of Christian apologetics, and Dr. Scott Rae, senior advisor to the president for university mission and professor of philosophy and Christian ethics, for a conversation about the pressures facing Christian universities and what it takes to stay faithful in an increasingly hostile culture.

With nearly two decades of presidential leadership behind him, Dr. Corey reflects on Biola’s unwavering 117-year mission, the challenges of guiding a university in a polarized world, and his vision for raising up a generation that holds firmly to biblical truth while embodying the winsome fragrance of Christ.

Together, they address some of today’s most important questions facing Christian institutions, including:

Has Biola experienced mission drift?
How has the university course-corrected over the years?
What role do critical theories play in higher education today?
How are hiring practices shaped by theological conviction?

Whether you’re a Biola student, alumnus, parent, or someone following the future of Christian universities, this episode offers clarity, transparency, and hope rooted in biblical conviction.

Further Reading:

Biola University Theological Positions
Articles of Faith (included in the Red Book)
Statement of Biblical Principles
Principles of Free Expression and Diversity of Thought

About President Corey

Barry H. Corey is the eighth president of Biola University. Since assuming the role in 2007, Corey has led Biola into its second century with the launch of an ambitious 10‐year university plan, completing the largest fundraising campaign in Biola’s history by exceeding its $180 million goal, creating four new academic schools and embarking on a major university transformation journey to position Biola to flourish for decades to come. He has done this while honoring the mission of the university and its unique contribution to the landscape of higher education.

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Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California.

Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically.

To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu.