Reformed Theological Seminary

Reformed Theological Seminary is a theological seminary in the Reformed theological tradition with campuses in multiple locations in the United States. Founded by conservatives in the Southern Presbyterian Church, the Presbyterian Church in the United States in 1966, it serves primarily students from more conservative branches of the Presbyterian and Reformed tradition.

Reformed Theological Seminary
MottoA mind for truth. A heart for God.
TypePrivate
Established1966
AffiliationProtestant, evangelical
ChancellorLigon Duncan
ProvostRobert Cara
Students1,059
Location
Original Campus, Jackson
,
Mississippi
,
United States
CampusMultiple campus locations
Websitewww.rts.edu

Founding

In 1966, conservatives from the Southern Presbyterian Church, the Presbyterian Church in the United States, concerned about the increasing influence of liberalism and neo-orthodoxy in the denomination's seminaries and pulpits, established Reformed Theological Seminary, independent from the PCUS, along "Old School" Presbyterian lines, to educate ministers.[1] RTS has largely served the Presbyterian Church in America since that denomination's founding in 1973, then later the Evangelical Presbyterian Church and the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church and in more recent years serves a large population of students from Reformed Baptist and Independent churches.

Leadership

RTS is governed by a Board of Trustees exercising oversight through its administration. RTS is led by its Executive Committee, the Chancellor of the RTS system and through the respective campus presidents.[2] Ligon Duncan is Chancellor and CEO.[3]

Academics

RTS maintains an institutional belief in the inerrancy of the Bible and follows the Reformed tradition, including Covenant Theology.[4]

Programs of study

RTS's institutional focus is on training students (especially in its Presbyterian and Reformed branches) to be pastors, missionaries, educators, and Christian counselors. RTS offers Doctor of Ministry, Master of Divinity, and Master of Arts degrees in several subjects.[5] Through its Global program, RTS offers a Master of Arts - Religion (MAR) degree, Master of Arts - Biblical studies degree (MABS), and a Master of Arts - Theological Studies (MATS).[6] The degrees can be earned completely online.

RTS, including its global campus, is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada[7] and by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.[8]

RTS also provides course recordings on iTunes U free of charge.[9]

Faculty

RTS has had many notable faculty over the years. R.C. Sproul, John Frame, Roger Nicole, Ronald H. Nash, Steve Brown, Douglas F. Kelly, Richard L. Pratt, Jr., Michael J. Kruger, Bruce Waltke, and Willem A. VanGemeren.

In April 2010, Bruce Waltke offered to resign his professorship at Reformed Theological Seminary because of controversy over a video made by The BioLogos Foundation where he discussed his positive views on evolution.[10][11] Waltke wrote in a letter that he finds no fault with the administration of RTS on the matter.[12]

Campuses

RTS has campus locations in Jackson, Mississippi; Orlando, Florida; Charlotte, North Carolina; Atlanta, Georgia; Washington, D.C.; as well as its Global Campus.[13] RTS also has extension sites in New York City as well as Dallas and Houston in Texas.[14]

RTS's Washington, D.C. campus is a member of the Washington Theological Consortium.[15]

RTS's global campus traces its origins to the Orlando campus, from which distance education was first offered for RTS students in the early 1990s.[16] In 1998, the Global campus official launched as a separate "campus".[16] The global campus eventually became the first online seminary to offer accredited degrees.

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References
  1. D.G. Hart & John Muether Seeking a Better Country: 300 Years of American Presbyterianism (P&R Publishing, 2007) pg. 235
  2. "Reformed Theological Seminary". Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada. Retrieved 6 February 2012.
  3. RTS Appoints Pastor-Theologian as New Chancellor
  4. "RTS Statement of Beliefs". Retrieved December 19, 2010.
  5. "Degree programs". Reformed Theological Seminary. Retrieved 2012-01-16.
  6. "RTS Global Degree Program". Reformed Theological Seminary. Retrieved February 20, 2012.
  7. "Association of Theological Schools - Member Detail". Retrieved February 20, 2012.
  8. "Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools - Member Detail". Retrieved February 20, 2012.
  9. "RTS on iTunes U". Reformed Theological Seminary. Retrieved February 20, 2012.
  10. Jaschik, Scott (2010-04-09). "Evangelical Scholar Forced Out After Endorsing Evolution". USA Today.
  11. "On Theistic Evolution and Professor Waltke's Resignation".
  12. "Updates from Waltke and from RTS".
  13. "RTS Campuses Near You". Reformed Theological Seminary. Retrieved 2012-01-17.
  14. "Reformed Theological Seminary Opens an Extension Campus in Houston". Christian News Wire. Retrieved 6 February 2012.
  15. "Member Institutions". Washington Theological Consortium. Retrieved 2009-09-01.
  16. "History of RTS Global". Reformed Theological Seminary. Retrieved 6 February 2012.

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