Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary
Encyclopedia
Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary is an independent Fundamental Baptist seminary
in Allen Park, Michigan
, operated in association with the Inter-City Baptist Church in Allen Park. The institution, which was established in 1976, enrolls men for graduate programs in preaching
and pastoral theology
, leading to the Master of Divinity (M.Div)
and Master of Theology (Th.M.)
degrees.
for legal authorization to grant the M.Div and Th.M. degree
s. The authorization was granted in March 1980 following state evaluation. The institution then changed its name to Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary and began awarding degrees in 1980. The institution's founder, Dr. William R. Rice, served as its head until his retirement in 1989, when he was succeeded by Dr. David M. Doran.
, but does not claim affiliation with any accreditation
organization. The Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth lists DBTS in its directory of institutions of higher education
operating in accordance with applicable state laws and conducting programs leading to a degree
. Maranatha Baptist Bible College
identifies DBTS as one of the two "recognized Fundamental Baptist seminaries" (the other is Central Baptist Theological Seminary
in Plymouth, Minnesota
, and Virginia Beach, Virginia
) whose graduates will be considered for faculty positions even though the institutions are not accredited by an accreditation organization belonging to the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.
," holding to a dispensational
approach to the Bible
and thus premillennial and pretribulational
in eschatology
. Additionally, it "is biblicist in theology and stands opposed to and engages in refutation of the charismatic movement
, Arminianism
, and hyper-Calvinism
."
The institution treats the original manuscripts of the Bible as the inerrant Word of God
, a position that places it in opposition to the King-James-Only Movement
. King-James-Only adherents have criticized DBTS (together with Bob Jones University
and other institutions, including Central Baptist Theological Seminary
) for playing an influential role in convincing some Independent Baptist groups to adopt modern Bible translations.
The Institute for Creation Research
lists DBTS as a "creationist college" that subscribes to the position that "God created all life forms according to the literal interpretation of the Biblical record (six-day creation, recent global flood)."
based on study of the Bible in the original languages. Accordingly, all degree candidates study Hebrew and Greek
in addition to exegesis
, Bible exposition, expository preaching, church history
, Baptist
history, pastoral theology, and church administration. Classes are conducted in a traditional on-campus
setting; no classes are available by distance education
. All students are required to engage in a weekly ministry in a local church.
In keeping with the belief that that "God ordained men to provide the spiritual leadership of the church in the preaching/pastoral function," the seminary does not award degrees to women, but does enroll women interested in taking courses for personal enrichment or vocational development. Also, DBTS' Seminary Wives' Institute offers the wives of current or former DBTS students a two-year series of weekly instructional sessions intended to prepare them to be "suitable helpers to their husbands both in the home and in the local church" by providing instruction in areas including homemaking, Biblical parenting
, public speaking
, church event planning
, counseling, evangelism
, and church planting
.
who also holds two master's degree
s from Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary and a D.Min. degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
, is pastor of the Inter-City Baptist Church and president of Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary. William W. Combs is the academic dean. Widely published theologian Rolland D. McCune
was formerly professor of systematic theology
and president of DBTS.
collection consists primarily of works relating to biblical interpretation and exegesis, theology, church history, and practical theology, including more than 40,000 monograph
s, reference works, dissertations, and bound volumes of periodicals. As of 2007, the library was stated to have subscriptions to about 270 print periodicals and about 100 electronic journal
s.
by Digento, which describes its publication as including "several of the best conservative, scholarly, evangelical journals in one easy-to-use CD". DBTS also hosts the annual Mid-America Conference on Preaching and the annual William R. Rice Lecture Series, which features presentations on current issues in Christianity. DBTS also is credited as the developer of a widely disseminated tract
entitled The Bridge to Eternal Life.
and as faculty members of bible college
s and seminaries
. Alumni include:
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...
in Allen Park, Michigan
Allen Park, Michigan
Allen Park is a city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the population was 28,210. The suburb of Detroit was recognized in Money Magazine's list of America's Best Small Cities. Allen Park is part of the collection of communities known as DownriverFord Motor...
, operated in association with the Inter-City Baptist Church in Allen Park. The institution, which was established in 1976, enrolls men for graduate programs in preaching
Preacher
Preacher is a term for someone who preaches sermons or gives homilies. A preacher is distinct from a theologian by focusing on the communication rather than the development of doctrine. Others see preaching and theology as being intertwined...
and pastoral theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
, leading to the Master of Divinity (M.Div)
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...
and Master of Theology (Th.M.)
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...
degrees.
History
The school was opened in September 1976 as Detroit Baptist Divinity School, with an initial enrollment of 30 students. In 1979 the institution applied to the Michigan Department of EducationMichigan Department of Education
Michigan Department of Education is a state agency of Michigan, in the United States. MDE oversees public school districts in the state. The agency is headquartered at 608 West Allegan Street in Lansing. The Department of Education is overseen by the State Board of Education. The Board of...
for legal authorization to grant the M.Div and Th.M. degree
Academic degree
An academic degree is a position and title within a college or university that is usually awarded in recognition of the recipient having either satisfactorily completed a prescribed course of study or having conducted a scholarly endeavour deemed worthy of his or her admission to the degree...
s. The authorization was granted in March 1980 following state evaluation. The institution then changed its name to Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary and began awarding degrees in 1980. The institution's founder, Dr. William R. Rice, served as its head until his retirement in 1989, when he was succeeded by Dr. David M. Doran.
Affiliations and approvals
DBTS is a member of the American Association of Christian Colleges and SeminariesAmerican Association of Christian Colleges and Seminaries
The American Association of Christian Colleges and Seminaries, Inc. is an organization of Bible colleges and Christian universities and seminaries in the continental United States and Puerto Rico...
, but does not claim affiliation with any accreditation
Educational accreditation
Educational accreditation is a type of quality assurance process under which services and operations of educational institutions or programs are evaluated by an external body to determine if applicable standards are met...
organization. The Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth lists DBTS in its directory of institutions of higher education
Higher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
operating in accordance with applicable state laws and conducting programs leading to a degree
Academic degree
An academic degree is a position and title within a college or university that is usually awarded in recognition of the recipient having either satisfactorily completed a prescribed course of study or having conducted a scholarly endeavour deemed worthy of his or her admission to the degree...
. Maranatha Baptist Bible College
Maranatha Baptist Bible College
Maranatha Baptist Bible College and Seminary is a Baptist college in Watertown, Wisconsin, offering a wide range of undergraduate degrees, including Bible, business management, accounting, office management, sport management, elementary and secondary teacher education, nursing, humanities, English,...
identifies DBTS as one of the two "recognized Fundamental Baptist seminaries" (the other is Central Baptist Theological Seminary
Central Baptist Theological Seminary
Central Baptist Theological Seminary is the name of several Baptist seminaries:*Central Baptist Theological Seminary of Kansas City, in Shawnee, Kansas, is a professional graduate school of theology affiliated with the American Baptist Churches U.S.A. and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship...
in Plymouth, Minnesota
Plymouth, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 65,894 people, 24,820 households, and 17,647 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,002.0 persons per square mile . There were 25,258 housing units at an average density of 767.4 per square mile...
, and Virginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia Beach is an independent city located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia, on the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay...
) whose graduates will be considered for faculty positions even though the institutions are not accredited by an accreditation organization belonging to the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.
Religious doctrine and educational philosophy
DBTS describes itself as fundamentalist, separatist and "unashamedly BaptistBaptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
," holding to a dispensational
Dispensation (period)
In certain religions, a dispensation is a distinctive arrangement or period in history that forms the framework through which God relates to mankind.-Protestant dispensations:...
approach to the Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
and thus premillennial and pretribulational
Dispensationalism
Dispensationalism is a nineteenth-century evangelical development based on a futurist biblical hermeneutic that sees a series of chronologically successive "dispensations" or periods in history in which God relates to human beings in different ways under different Biblical covenants.As a system,...
in eschatology
Eschatology
Eschatology is a part of theology, philosophy, and futurology concerned with what are believed to be the final events in history, or the ultimate destiny of humanity, commonly referred to as the end of the world or the World to Come...
. Additionally, it "is biblicist in theology and stands opposed to and engages in refutation of the charismatic movement
Charismatic movement
The term charismatic movement is used in varying senses to describe 20th century developments in various Christian denominations. It describes an ongoing international, cross-denominational/non-denominational Christian movement in which individual, historically mainstream congregations adopt...
, Arminianism
Arminianism
Arminianism is a school of soteriological thought within Protestant Christianity based on the theological ideas of the Dutch Reformed theologian Jacobus Arminius and his historic followers, the Remonstrants...
, and hyper-Calvinism
Calvinism
Calvinism is a Protestant theological system and an approach to the Christian life...
."
The institution treats the original manuscripts of the Bible as the inerrant Word of God
Biblical inerrancy
Biblical inerrancy is the doctrinal position that the Bible is accurate and totally free of error, that "Scripture in the original manuscripts does not affirm anything that is contrary to fact." Some equate inerrancy with infallibility; others do not.Conservative Christians generally believe that...
, a position that places it in opposition to the King-James-Only Movement
King-James-Only Movement
The "King James Only movement" advocates the superiority of the Authorized King James Version of the Protestant Bible. The topic increased in newsworthiness in 2011, the 400th anniversary of the translation's 1611 initial publication....
. King-James-Only adherents have criticized DBTS (together with Bob Jones University
Bob Jones University
Bob Jones University is a private, for-profit, non-denominational Protestant university in Greenville, South Carolina.The university was founded in 1927 by Bob Jones, Sr. , an evangelist and contemporary of Billy Sunday...
and other institutions, including Central Baptist Theological Seminary
Central Baptist Theological Seminary
Central Baptist Theological Seminary is the name of several Baptist seminaries:*Central Baptist Theological Seminary of Kansas City, in Shawnee, Kansas, is a professional graduate school of theology affiliated with the American Baptist Churches U.S.A. and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship...
) for playing an influential role in convincing some Independent Baptist groups to adopt modern Bible translations.
The Institute for Creation Research
Institute for Creation Research
The Institute for Creation Research is a Christian institution in Dallas, Texas that specializes in education, research, and media promotion of Creation Science and Biblical creationism. The ICR adopts the Bible as an inerrant and literal documentary of scientific and historical fact as well as...
lists DBTS as a "creationist college" that subscribes to the position that "God created all life forms according to the literal interpretation of the Biblical record (six-day creation, recent global flood)."
Program
The DBTS program emphasizes expository preachingExpository preaching
Expository preaching is a form of preaching that throws light upon the meaning of a particular text or passage of Scripture. As "throwing light," this term is more general than exegesis, which is used for more technical and grammatical exposition, a careful drawing out of the exact meaning of a...
based on study of the Bible in the original languages. Accordingly, all degree candidates study Hebrew and Greek
Koine Greek
Koine Greek is the universal dialect of the Greek language spoken throughout post-Classical antiquity , developing from the Attic dialect, with admixture of elements especially from Ionic....
in addition to exegesis
Exegesis
Exegesis is a critical explanation or interpretation of a text, especially a religious text. Traditionally the term was used primarily for exegesis of the Bible; however, in contemporary usage it has broadened to mean a critical explanation of any text, and the term "Biblical exegesis" is used...
, Bible exposition, expository preaching, church history
History of Christianity
The history of Christianity concerns the Christian religion, its followers and the Church with its various denominations, from the first century to the present. Christianity was founded in the 1st century by the followers of Jesus of Nazareth who they believed to be the Christ or chosen one of God...
, Baptist
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
history, pastoral theology, and church administration. Classes are conducted in a traditional on-campus
Campus
A campus is traditionally the land on which a college or university and related institutional buildings are situated. Usually a campus includes libraries, lecture halls, residence halls and park-like settings...
setting; no classes are available by distance education
Distance education
Distance education or distance learning is a field of education that focuses on teaching methods and technology with the aim of delivering teaching, often on an individual basis, to students who are not physically present in a traditional educational setting such as a classroom...
. All students are required to engage in a weekly ministry in a local church.
In keeping with the belief that that "God ordained men to provide the spiritual leadership of the church in the preaching/pastoral function," the seminary does not award degrees to women, but does enroll women interested in taking courses for personal enrichment or vocational development. Also, DBTS' Seminary Wives' Institute offers the wives of current or former DBTS students a two-year series of weekly instructional sessions intended to prepare them to be "suitable helpers to their husbands both in the home and in the local church" by providing instruction in areas including homemaking, Biblical parenting
Parenting
Parenting is the process of promoting and supporting the physical, emotional, social, and intellectual development of a child from infancy to adulthood...
, public speaking
Public speaking
Public speaking is the process of speaking to a group of people in a structured, deliberate manner intended to inform, influence, or entertain the listeners...
, church event planning
Event planning
Event planning is the process of planning a festival, ceremony, competition, party, or convention. Event planning includes budgeting, establishing dates and alternate dates, selecting and reserving the event site, acquiring permits, and coordinating transportation and parking...
, counseling, evangelism
Evangelism
Evangelism refers to the practice of relaying information about a particular set of beliefs to others who do not hold those beliefs. The term is often used in reference to Christianity....
, and church planting
Church planting
Church planting is a process that results in a new Christian church being established. It should be distinguished from church development, where a new service, new worship centre or fresh expression is created that is integrated into an already established congregation...
.
Faculty
According to DBTS, all nine members of the faculty hold earned doctoral degrees. Dr. David M. Doran, a graduate of Bob Jones UniversityBob Jones University
Bob Jones University is a private, for-profit, non-denominational Protestant university in Greenville, South Carolina.The university was founded in 1927 by Bob Jones, Sr. , an evangelist and contemporary of Billy Sunday...
who also holds two master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
s from Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary and a D.Min. degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School is an evangelical Christian seminary located in Deerfield, Illinois. TEDS is one of the largest seminaries in the world, enrolling more than 1,200 graduate students in professional and academic programs, including more than 150 in its PhD programs...
, is pastor of the Inter-City Baptist Church and president of Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary. William W. Combs is the academic dean. Widely published theologian Rolland D. McCune
Rolland D. McCune
Rolland D. McCune is an American theologian who is professor of Systematic Theology at the Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary in Allen Park, Michigan, where he previously was the President of the Seminary for ten years and then Dean of the Faculty for six years...
was formerly professor of systematic theology
Systematic theology
In the context of Christianity, systematic theology is a discipline of Christian theology that attempts to formulate an orderly, rational, and coherent account of the Christian faith and beliefs...
and president of DBTS.
Library
The DBTS libraryLibrary
In a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...
collection consists primarily of works relating to biblical interpretation and exegesis, theology, church history, and practical theology, including more than 40,000 monograph
Monograph
A monograph is a work of writing upon a single subject, usually by a single author.It is often a scholarly essay or learned treatise, and may be released in the manner of a book or journal article. It is by definition a single document that forms a complete text in itself...
s, reference works, dissertations, and bound volumes of periodicals. As of 2007, the library was stated to have subscriptions to about 270 print periodicals and about 100 electronic journal
Electronic journal
Electronic journals, also known as ejournals, e-journals, and electronic serials, are scholarly journals or intellectual magazines that can be accessed via electronic transmission. In practice, this means that they are usually published on the Web...
s.
Publications and outreach
Since 1996 the seminary has published the Detroit Baptist Seminary Journal, presenting "scholarly articles from a fundamentalist perspective." The journal is issued annually. The complete electronic text of the journal was selected for inclusion in The Theological Journal Library, published on CD-ROMCD-ROM
A CD-ROM is a pre-pressed compact disc that contains data accessible to, but not writable by, a computer for data storage and music playback. The 1985 “Yellow Book” standard developed by Sony and Philips adapted the format to hold any form of binary data....
by Digento, which describes its publication as including "several of the best conservative, scholarly, evangelical journals in one easy-to-use CD". DBTS also hosts the annual Mid-America Conference on Preaching and the annual William R. Rice Lecture Series, which features presentations on current issues in Christianity. DBTS also is credited as the developer of a widely disseminated tract
Tract (literature)
A tract is a literary work, and in current usage, usually religious in nature. The notion of what constitutes a tract has changed over time. By the early part of the 21st century, these meant small pamphlets used for religious and political purposes, though far more often the former. They are...
entitled The Bridge to Eternal Life.
Alumni
Graduates and former students of DBTS are well represented in the ministryChristian ministry
In Christianity, ministry is an activity carried out by Christians to express or spread their faith. 2003's Encyclopedia of Christianity defines it as "carrying forth Christ's mission in the world", indicating that it is "conferred on each Christian in baptism." It is performed by all Christians...
and as faculty members of bible college
Bible college
Bible colleges are institutions of higher education that specialize in biblical studies. Curriculum is Bible-based and differs from that of liberal arts colleges or research universities. Bible colleges generally exclude the study of philosophy, unlike seminaries and theological colleges...
s and seminaries
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...
. Alumni include:
- Daniel K. Davey, President and Professor of Practical Theology, Central Baptist Theological SeminaryCentral Baptist Theological SeminaryCentral Baptist Theological Seminary is the name of several Baptist seminaries:*Central Baptist Theological Seminary of Kansas City, in Shawnee, Kansas, is a professional graduate school of theology affiliated with the American Baptist Churches U.S.A. and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship...
of Virginia Beach, and Senior Pastor, Colonial Baptist Church, Virginia Beach, VirginiaVirginia Beach, VirginiaVirginia Beach is an independent city located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia, on the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay... - Stephen Davey, Founder and Senior Pastor, Colonial Baptist Church, and President of Shepherds Theological Seminary, Cary, North CarolinaCary, North CarolinaCary is a large town and suburb of Raleigh, North Carolina in Wake and Chatham counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina. Located almost entirely in Wake County, it is the second largest municipality in that county and the third largest municipality in The Triangle after Raleigh and Durham...
- David M. Doran, President and Professor of Pastoral Theology, Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary, and Senior Pastor, Inter-City Baptist Church