Westminster Theological Seminary
Encyclopedia
Westminster Theological Seminary is a Presbyterian and Reformed
Christian
graduate educational institution located in Glenside, Pennsylvania
, with a satellite location in London
.
was formed in 1929, largely under the leadership and funding of J. Gresham Machen. Though independent, it has long had a close relationship with the Orthodox Presbyterian Church
, which Machen helped found in 1936. The first president of the Seminary was Edmund Clowney
, who served from 1966 until 1984. He was followed by George Fuller and Samuel T. Logan. In 1982, the California
branch of Westminster became an independent institution, Westminster Seminary California
, and in 2009 the Dallas, Texas
branch was established as Redeemer Theological Seminary. The current president is Peter Lillback, who also serves as a professor of Historical Theology.
Westminster was accredited in 1986 by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada
and received accreditation in 1954 by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
.
On June 23, 2011, Middle States Commission on Higher Education passed an action to "accept the monitoring report and note the visit by the Commission's representatives. To remove the warning and reaffirm accreditation. To request a progress report due October 1, 2011 documenting the continued development and implementation of a comprehensive institutional strategic plan that links long-range planning to decision-making and budgeting processes (Standard 2). The next evaluation visit is now scheduled for 2013-2014."
and the Larger
and Shorter Catechism
s, the core doctrinal statements of many Presbyterian denominations.
The Seminary currently offers the following degrees: Master of Divinity
, several Master of Arts
variants, Master of Theology
, Doctor of Philosophy
, and Doctor of Ministry
.
Westminster publishes the semi-annual Westminster Theological Journal
.
Reformed churches
The Reformed churches are a group of Protestant denominations characterized by Calvinist doctrines. They are descended from the Swiss Reformation inaugurated by Huldrych Zwingli but developed more coherently by Martin Bucer, Heinrich Bullinger and especially John Calvin...
Christian
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
graduate educational institution located in Glenside, Pennsylvania
Glenside, Pennsylvania
Glenside is a census-designated place in Abington, Cheltenham, and Springfield townships, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 8,384 at the 2010 census...
, with a satellite location in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
History
The SeminarySeminary
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...
was formed in 1929, largely under the leadership and funding of J. Gresham Machen. Though independent, it has long had a close relationship with the Orthodox Presbyterian Church
Orthodox Presbyterian Church
The Orthodox Presbyterian Church is a conservative Presbyterian denomination located primarily in the United States. It was founded by conservative members of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America who strongly objected to the pervasive Modernist theology during the 1930s . Led...
, which Machen helped found in 1936. The first president of the Seminary was Edmund Clowney
Edmund Clowney
Edmund Prosper Clowney was a theologian, educator, and pastor. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he earned a Bachelor of Arts from Wheaton College in 1939, a Bachelor of Theology from Westminster Theological Seminary in 1942, a Master of Sacred Theology from Yale Divinity School in 1944, and a...
, who served from 1966 until 1984. He was followed by George Fuller and Samuel T. Logan. In 1982, the California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
branch of Westminster became an independent institution, Westminster Seminary California
Westminster Seminary California
Westminster Seminary California is a Reformed Christian graduate educational institution located 25 miles north of San Diego, California in Escondido. It was initially a branch campus of Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia until 1982 when it became fully independent...
, and in 2009 the Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
branch was established as Redeemer Theological Seminary. The current president is Peter Lillback, who also serves as a professor of Historical Theology.
Westminster was accredited in 1986 by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada
Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada
The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada is an organization of seminaries and other graduate schools of theology. ATS has its headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and has more than 250 member institutions...
and received accreditation in 1954 by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools is a voluntary, peer-based, non-profit association dedicated to educational excellence and improvement through peer evaluation and accreditation...
.
On June 23, 2011, Middle States Commission on Higher Education passed an action to "accept the monitoring report and note the visit by the Commission's representatives. To remove the warning and reaffirm accreditation. To request a progress report due October 1, 2011 documenting the continued development and implementation of a comprehensive institutional strategic plan that links long-range planning to decision-making and budgeting processes (Standard 2). The next evaluation visit is now scheduled for 2013-2014."
Academics
All trustees and faculty members are required to affirm their agreement with the theological perspective presented in the Westminster Confession of FaithWestminster Confession of Faith
The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith, in the Calvinist theological tradition. Although drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly, largely of the Church of England, it became and remains the 'subordinate standard' of doctrine in the Church of Scotland, and has been...
and the Larger
Westminster Larger Catechism
The Westminster Larger Catechism, along with the Westminster Shorter Catechism, is a central catechism of Calvinists in the English tradition throughout the world.- History :...
and Shorter Catechism
Westminster Shorter Catechism
The Westminster Shorter Catechism was written in the 1640s by English and Scottish divines. The assembly also produced the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Westminster Larger Catechism...
s, the core doctrinal statements of many Presbyterian denominations.
The Seminary currently offers the following degrees: Master of Divinity
Master of Divinity
In the academic study of theology, the Master of Divinity is the first professional degree of the pastoral profession in North America...
, several Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
variants, Master of Theology
Master of Theology
A Master of Theology is an advanced theological research degree offered by universities, divinity schools, and seminaries.-North America:In North America, the Master of Theology is considered by the Association of Theological Schools to be the minimum educational credential for teaching...
, Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
, and Doctor of Ministry
Doctor of Ministry
The Doctor of Ministry degree is, according to The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada , a doctoral level degree oriented toward ministerial leadership often in an area of applied theology, such as missions, evangelism, church leadership, pastoral psychology or the...
.
Westminster publishes the semi-annual Westminster Theological Journal
Westminster Theological Journal
Westminster Theological Journal is a theological journal published by Westminster Theological Seminary....
.