Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary
Encyclopedia
The Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary (SDATS) is the seminary
located at Andrews University
in Michigan
, the Seventh-day Adventist Church
's flagship university. Since 1970 the SDATS has been accredited by the Association of Theological Schools.
) curriculum. By the 1910s Arthur G. Daniells began to make calls for more ministerial education. These attempts were not realized until the beginning of the "Advanced Bible Training School" on the campus of Pacific Union College
in 1934. The fledgling Seminary moved to the campus of Washington Missionary College (now Washington Adventist University) in 1937 and renamed the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary.
Presidents
Deans
Seminary
A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of secondary or post-secondary education for educating students in theology, generally to prepare them for ordination as clergy or for other ministry...
located at Andrews University
Andrews University
Andrews University is a Seventh-day Adventist university in Berrien Springs, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1874 as Battle Creek College in Battle Creek, Michigan, it was the first higher education facility started by Seventh-day Adventists, and is the flagship university of the Seventh-day...
in Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, the Seventh-day Adventist Church
Seventh-day Adventist Church
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a Protestant Christian denomination distinguished by its observance of Saturday, the original seventh day of the Judeo-Christian week, as the Sabbath, and by its emphasis on the imminent second coming of Jesus Christ...
's flagship university. Since 1970 the SDATS has been accredited by the Association of Theological Schools.
History
The earliest ministerial education in the Seventh-day Adventist Church was simple conversion of ministers from other denominations and an apprentice-type of arrangement where aspiring ministers worked along those of more experience. Later, ministerial institutes were incorporated into the Battle Creek College (now Andrews UniversityAndrews University
Andrews University is a Seventh-day Adventist university in Berrien Springs, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1874 as Battle Creek College in Battle Creek, Michigan, it was the first higher education facility started by Seventh-day Adventists, and is the flagship university of the Seventh-day...
) curriculum. By the 1910s Arthur G. Daniells began to make calls for more ministerial education. These attempts were not realized until the beginning of the "Advanced Bible Training School" on the campus of Pacific Union College
Pacific Union College
Pacific Union College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college located in Angwin, California, United States. It is the only four-year college in Napa County, California....
in 1934. The fledgling Seminary moved to the campus of Washington Missionary College (now Washington Adventist University) in 1937 and renamed the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary.
Organization
The Seminary consists of seven departments: Christian Ministry, Church History, Discipleship and Religious Education, New Testament, Old Testament, Theology and Christian Philosophy, and World Mission. A number of study centers and institutes are also attached to the Seminary: Center for Youth Evangelism (CYE), North American Division Evangelism Institute (NADEI), Institute for Jewish-Christian Study, Institute of Archaeology, the Institute of World Mission, Christian Leadership Center, and the Greek Manuscript Research Center.Enrollment
In 1961 the Seminary had an enrollment of 129. By 2007 the Seminary's enrollment had increased to 768 students. The Seminary offers professional and academic programs. Professional programs include the Master of Divinity, the MA in Pastoral Ministry, the MA in Youth and Young Adult Ministry, and the Doctor of Ministry. Academic programs include the MA (Religion), the MA (Religious Education), the Doctor of Philosophy (Religion), the Doctor of Philosophy (Religious Education), the Doctor of Philosophy (Biblical and Ancient Near Eastern Archaeology), and the Doctor of Theology. Three of these programs are offered at various sites in the U.S. and overseas (MA (Religion), MA in Pastoral Ministry, and the DMin). As of 2010, its total enrollment is over 1200 students.Horn Archeological Museum
In 1970 the Seminary opened up an archeological museum. The core collection of several hundred items came from Siegfried H. Horn and other donors. The museum was named in honor of Dr. Horn in 1979.Presidents and Deans
The Advanced Bible School (1934-1937) was the forerunner of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary. In addition, the SDA Theological Seminary became part of Potomac University from 1957-1960, which in 1960 merged to become Andrews University.Presidents
- Milton E. KernMilton E. KernMilton Early Kern was a Seventh-day Adventist educator and youth leader.He attended Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska. From 1900 to 1904 Kern was head of the Bible and history departments at Union College. His success in working for Adventist young people led to a position as secretary of the...
(1934-1943) - Denton E. RebokDenton E. RebokDenton Edward Rebok was a Seventh-day Adventist educator and administrator. Born in Pennsylvania, he served the denomination for 44 years. He spent 23 years as a missionary in China...
(1943-1951) - Vernon Edwards Hendershot (1951-1952)
- Ernest D. Dick (1952-1959)
Deans
- Charles E. Weniger (1959)
- William Gordon Campbell Murdoch (1959-1973)
- Siegfried H. Horn (1973-1976)
- Thomas H. Blincoe (1976-1981)
- Gerhard F. Hasel (1981-1988)
- Raoul Dederen (1988-1991 --Acting)
- Werner K. Vyhmeister (1991-2000)
- John K. McVay (2000-2006)
- Denis Fortin (2006-present)
See also
- Andrews UniversityAndrews UniversityAndrews University is a Seventh-day Adventist university in Berrien Springs, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1874 as Battle Creek College in Battle Creek, Michigan, it was the first higher education facility started by Seventh-day Adventists, and is the flagship university of the Seventh-day...
- Andrews University Seminary StudiesAndrews University Seminary StudiesAndrews University Seminary Studies is a refereed scholarly Christian journal published by the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University. It is issued twice a year from Berrien Springs, MI. The journal was founded in 1963 and currently has a circulation of 600 copies...
- Seventh-day Adventist ChurchSeventh-day Adventist ChurchThe Seventh-day Adventist Church is a Protestant Christian denomination distinguished by its observance of Saturday, the original seventh day of the Judeo-Christian week, as the Sabbath, and by its emphasis on the imminent second coming of Jesus Christ...
- List of Seventh-day Adventist hospitals
- List of Seventh-day Adventist medical schools
- List of Seventh-day Adventist secondary schools
- List of Seventh-day Adventist colleges and universities