Asbury Theological Seminary
Encyclopedia
Asbury Theological Seminary is a multi-denominational, graduate institution that offers a variety of master degree and postgraduate degree programs through the schools of Biblical Interpretation and Proclamation, Theology and Formation, Practical Theology, World Missions and Evangelism, and Postgraduate Studies. The main campus is located in Wilmore, Kentucky
, near Lexington
.
Asbury Theological Seminary is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
and the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada
(ATS). In addition, the Seminary is approved by The University Senate of The United Methodist Church.
Asbury Theological Seminary was founded in Wilmore, Kentucky in 1923 by its first president, Henry Clay Morrison
, who was at the time the president of Asbury College
. In 1940, Asbury Seminary separated from the college in order to satisfy accreditation requirements. Because of the proximity of the two schools (across the street), similar name, and common theological heritage, many people confuse the relationship between the College and the Seminary. While they are separate institutions, the schools maintain a collegial relationship which benefits both communities. The current president of Asbury Seminary is Dr. Timothy Tennent
, Ph.D., who has served as the eighth President since July 1, 2009.
Past Presidents of Asbury Seminary:
, the seminary offers courses at the Florida Dunnam campus in Orlando, Florida
, through online courses (Extended Learning), and the ACE Extension (Asbury Cluster Education).
Asbury Theological Seminary offers the following degrees:
. The Information Commons is housed in the B.L. Fisher Library and contains Windows
-based computers and Macintosh computers for students. There is also a student video editing bay. The Information Commons is a member of the American Theological Library Association and has 420,000 holdings. The Wilmore campus is fully covered by wireless networking. In addition, there are facilities for simulcasting meetings and classes between campuses by video teleconference.
Wilmore, Kentucky
Wilmore is a city in Jessamine County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 6,134 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Lexington–Fayette Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, near Lexington
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
.
Asbury Theological Seminary is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is one of the six regional accreditation organizations recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation...
and 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...
(ATS). In addition, the Seminary is approved by The University Senate of The United Methodist Church.
History
Henry Clay Morrison
Not to be confused with Henry Clay Morrison , a Methodist bishop from Tennessee.Henry Clay Morrison was a Methodist evangelist, editor, and president of Asbury College....
, who was at the time the president of Asbury College
Asbury College
Asbury University, formerly Asbury College, is a Christian liberal arts institution located in Wilmore, Kentucky. Although it is a nondenominational school, the college's foundation stems from a Wesleyan-Holiness tradition. The school offers 50 majors across 17 departments. Primarily a four-year...
. In 1940, Asbury Seminary separated from the college in order to satisfy accreditation requirements. Because of the proximity of the two schools (across the street), similar name, and common theological heritage, many people confuse the relationship between the College and the Seminary. While they are separate institutions, the schools maintain a collegial relationship which benefits both communities. The current president of Asbury Seminary is Dr. Timothy Tennent
Timothy Tennent
Timothy C. Tennent is the president of Asbury Theological Seminary.-Education:Tennent's education includes a B.A. from Oral Roberts University, an M.Div. from Gordon Conwell , a Th.M. from Princeton Theological Seminary , and a Ph.D...
, Ph.D., who has served as the eighth President since July 1, 2009.
Past Presidents of Asbury Seminary:
- 1. Henry Clay Morrison (Founding to 1942)
- 2. J.C. McPheeters (1942 to 1962)
- 3. Frank Stanger (1962 to 1982)
- 4. David McKenna (1982 to 1994)
- 5. Maxie Dunnam (1994 to 2004)
- 6. Jeff Greenway (2004 to 2006)
- 7. Ellsworth KalasEllsworth KalasJ. Ellsworth Kalas is the former president and a current professor of Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. He also served as pastor for 38 years in the Wisconsin and Ohio Conferences of the United Methodist Church and was associated for 5 years with the World Methodist...
(2006 to 2009) - 8. Timothy Tennent (2009 to Present)
Identity and mission statement
Asbury Theological Seminary is a community called to prepare theologically educated, sanctified, Spirit-filled men and women to evangelize and to spread scriptural holiness throughout the world through the love of Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit and to the glory of God the Father.Wesleyan Heritage
Asbury Seminary has its roots firmly planted in rich Methodist soil. Its heritage can be traced back to May 24, 1738, when a young Anglican priest and Oxford don felt his heart "strangely warmed" during a prayer meeting in northern London. At that moment, John Wesley's life was forever changed and Methodism was born. A spirit of revival swept through England and across the Atlantic to America. Thousands came to know Christ through the ministry of Methodist circuit riders like Francis Asbury and Thomas Coke. A century after Asbury's final open-air sermon, Asbury Seminary was formed to carry on the passionate ministry of its Methodist forefathers.Extended Education
In addition to the main campus at WilmoreWilmore, Kentucky
Wilmore is a city in Jessamine County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 6,134 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Lexington–Fayette Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, the seminary offers courses at the Florida Dunnam campus in Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
, through online courses (Extended Learning), and the ACE Extension (Asbury Cluster Education).
Asbury Theological Seminary offers the following degrees:
- Master of Divinity
- Master of Arts (Academic) — Biblical Studies; Theological Studies
- Master of Arts (Professional) — Christian Education; Christian Leadership; Christian Ministries; Counseling; Intercultural Studies; Marriage and Family Counseling; Mental Health Counseling; Pastoral Counseling; World Missions and Evangelism; Youth Ministry
- Master of Theology — Biblical Studies; World Mission and Evangelism
- Doctor of Ministry — Beeson Pastor; Beeson International Leaders; In-Ministry
- Doctor of Philosophy — Biblical Studies; Evangelization Studies; Intercultural Studies
- Doctor of Missiology
Information services
Technology resources include video production services and an information commonsInformation commons
An Information Commons is an information system, such as a physical library or online community, that exists to produce, conserve, and preserve information for current and future generations. Wikipedia could be considered to be an information commons to the extent that it produces and preserves...
. The Information Commons is housed in the B.L. Fisher Library and contains Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
-based computers and Macintosh computers for students. There is also a student video editing bay. The Information Commons is a member of the American Theological Library Association and has 420,000 holdings. The Wilmore campus is fully covered by wireless networking. In addition, there are facilities for simulcasting meetings and classes between campuses by video teleconference.
Accreditation
Asbury Theological Seminary is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award masters and doctoral degrees. It is an accredited member of The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (Asbury Seminary) and is approved by The University Senate of The United Methodist Church. Asbury Theological Seminary does not, within the context of its religious principles, its heritage, its mission and its goals, discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, physical impairment or gender in administration of its admission policies, educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic or other school-administered programs. The seminary is authorized under federal law to enroll nonimmigrant alien students.Notable faculty
- Ben Witherington IIIBen Witherington IIIBen Witherington III is an American evangelical Biblical scholar, and professor of New Testament Studies.Witherington is Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky.-Education:...
, Jean R. Amos Professor of New Testament for Doctoral Studies and prolific author. - Craig Keener, professor of New Testament, known for his expertise in Greco-Roman and Jewish sources.
- David Bauer, Ralph Waldo Beeson Professor of Inductive Biblical Studies and dean of the School of Biblical Interpretation and Proclamation, known for his expertise in inductive Bible study and the Gospel of Matthew.
- Ellsworth KalasEllsworth KalasJ. Ellsworth Kalas is the former president and a current professor of Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. He also served as pastor for 38 years in the Wisconsin and Ohio Conferences of the United Methodist Church and was associated for 5 years with the World Methodist...
, former president and senior professor of preaching and prolific author. - Bill T. Arnold, Paul S. Amos Professor of Old Testament Studies, Director of Hebrew Studies and Distinguished Alumnus for Hebrew Union College
- John N. Oswalt, visiting distinguished professor of Old Testament, involved with the NIV and NLT Bible translations and author of a major commentary on Isaiah.
- Christine Pohl, prominent ethicist, professor of Church in Society.
Top Denominations
There are over 93 denominations represented at Asbury Theological Seminary. The top 10 currently represented are listed below:- United Methodist
- Non-Denominational
- Nazarene
- Wesleyan
- Free Methodist
- Baptist
- African American Episcopal
- Christian Missionary Alliance
- Korean Methodist
- Assemblies of God
Notable alumni
- Alfred W. GwinnAlfred W. GwinnAlfred Wesley Gwinn, Jr. is the current residing bishop of the North Carolina Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. He has held the office of Bishop of North Carolina since 2004...
, United Methodist Bishop of the North Carolina Annual ConferenceNorth Carolina Annual ConferenceThe North Carolina Conference is an Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. This conference serves the eastern half of the state of North Carolina, with its administrative offices and the office of the bishop located in Raleigh, North Carolina. It is part of the Southeastern... - Ted StricklandTed StricklandTheodore "Ted" Strickland was the 68th Governor of Ohio, serving from 2007 to 2011. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served in the United States House of Representatives, representing ....
(class of 1967), previous Governor of Ohio and former member of the United State House of Representatives. - James W. HolsingerJames W. HolsingerJames Wilson Holsinger, Jr., is an American physician. A former major general in the U.S. Army Reserve , he has worked primarily in public health for over thirty years. He served as the Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Health from 1990 to 1993, during the administrations of George H. W....
, M.Div., former chair of Board of Trustees, former member of the Board of Trustees, and nominated United States Surgeon GeneralSurgeon General of the United StatesThe Surgeon General of the United States is the operational head of the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and thus the leading spokesperson on matters of public health in the federal government...
. - Jacob DeShazerJacob DeShazerJacob Daniel DeShazer participated in the Doolittle Raid as a staff sergeant and later became a missionary in Japan.-Early years:...
, a member of the Doolittle RaidDoolittle RaidThe Doolittle Raid, on 18 April 1942, was the first air raid by the United States to strike the Japanese Home Islands during World War II. By demonstrating that Japan itself was vulnerable to American air attack, it provided a vital morale boost and opportunity for U.S. retaliation after the...
, Prisoner of warPrisoner of warA prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...
in Japan, and then a missionary to Japan in the Free Methodist Church. - David Toshio TsumuraDavid Toshio Tsumurais a Japanese linguist, Old Testament scholar, Dean of Faculty and professor of Old Testament professor of Japan Bible Seminary. His degrees are M.Div., M.A., Ph.D. He is a chairman of the Tokyo Museum of Biblical Archaeology, and editor of Exegetica: Studies in Biblical Exegesis and chairman of...
, noted Christian scholar and author of New International Commentary on the Old Testament. - David SeamandsDavid SeamandsDr. David Seamands, author and leader in evangelical renewal movements within the United Methodist Church was born in India to Methodist missionary parents and spent much of his boyhood there. He graduated from Asbury College, Drew Theological Seminary and the Hartford Seminary Foundation. He also...
, United Methodist pastor and writer - Allen Hood, M. Div., Associate Director of the International House of PrayerInternational House of PrayerThe International House of Prayer is an evangelical charismatic Christian missions organization based in Kansas City and Grandview, Missouri that focuses on prayer, worship, and evangelism....
in Kansas City, MissouriKansas City, MissouriKansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
.