Delta Epsilon Chi
The Honor Society of The Association for Biblical Higher Education
Purpose: To encourage and recognize students and graduates from among the accredited institutions of the Association for
Biblical Higher Education across North America who have distinguished themselves through:
The Origin of the name: Delta Epsilon Chi As part of Paul’s list of greetings in Romans 16:10, he references Apelles with this distinguished appellation: tested and approved in Christ (NIV). It reflects the same spirit expressed in Paul’s imperative to Timothy in II Timothy 2:15, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” Furthermore, the ethos of these institutions can still be described as academically respectable, evangelical, disciplined, and focused on spiritual and ministry formation. The three Greek words, approved in Christ, (dokimos en Xhristos) found in Romans 16:10, begin with the three Greek letters, Delta Epsilon Chi. Thus, the name of ABHE’s honor society. The English word most often translated approved, from the Greek word dokimos, includes the concept of being both tested or tried as well as approved. This root idea is expressed in the honor society criteria of Christian character, the foundation for spiritual leadership. In the Romans passage, dokimos is related to Christ – approved in Christ; in the II Timothy passage, it is related to God – approved unto God. Both expressions capture the heart of Christian character development that is at its core, Christ-likeness. Distinguished members of the Delta Epsilon Chi honor society are approved in Christ and unto God. In the Timothy passage, approval is specifically related to “rightly dividing the word of truth.” This is a distinctive outcome intended for every biblical higher education course of study and is the foundation for biblically grounded leadership, the tested and approved ability to lead others flowing from a godly life transformed by his Spirit and truly centered on the Word of God. The root word behind dokimos is dokeo, meaning to think, to reason, to judge. It is the presupposed capacity that fully engages the mind for both character formation and leadership service. In its broadest sense, this word describes the intellectual capacity and achievement that empowers a person with excellence of both the spirit and the mind in obedience to Christ and service to others. Thus as reflected in the name, selection for the Delta Epsilon Chi honor society is intended to encourage and recognize excellence in intellectual achievement, Christian character, and leadership ability – a life approved in Christ. |