Northwest Theological Seminary
Encyclopedia
Northwest Theological Seminary is a theological seminary in the Reformed Christian tradition located in Lynnwood, Washington
.
. There had long been a desire to bring a Reformed theological seminary to the Pacific Northwest
that would ably train men for gospel ministry. Northwest Theological Seminary was charged with emphasizing biblical theology
in the tradition of Geerhardus Vos
, presuppositional apologetics
in the tradition of Cornelius Van Til
, and orthodox confessionalism in the classic Calvinistic tradition. After a year of prayer and preparation by the board of directors, faculty, staff, students and numerous supporters, Northwest opened its doors at Lynnwood Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Lynnwood, Washington on September 4, 2001.
(M.Div.) and the Master of Theological Studies
(M.T.S.). The seminary publishes its own journal Kerux: The Journal of Northwest Theological Seminary that prints biblical-theological material in the Reformed/Calvinistic tradition.
Lynnwood, Washington
Lynnwood is a city in Snohomish County, Washington, United States. The population was 35,836 at the 2010 census, making it the fourth largest in Snohomish County and twenty-ninth largest in Washington State. The city is a mix of urban, suburban, small city, crossroads and bedroom community to many...
.
Founding
Northwest Theological Seminary was founded in 2000 in Lynnwood, WashingtonLynnwood, Washington
Lynnwood is a city in Snohomish County, Washington, United States. The population was 35,836 at the 2010 census, making it the fourth largest in Snohomish County and twenty-ninth largest in Washington State. The city is a mix of urban, suburban, small city, crossroads and bedroom community to many...
. There had long been a desire to bring a Reformed theological seminary to the Pacific Northwest
Pacific Northwest
The Pacific Northwest is a region in northwestern North America, bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west and, loosely, by the Rocky Mountains on the east. Definitions of the region vary and there is no commonly agreed upon boundary, even among Pacific Northwesterners. A common concept of the...
that would ably train men for gospel ministry. Northwest Theological Seminary was charged with emphasizing biblical theology
Biblical Theology
Biblical theology is a discipline within Christian theology which studies the Bible from the perspective of understanding the progressive history of God revealing Himself to humanity following the Fall and throughout the Old Testament and New Testament...
in the tradition of Geerhardus Vos
Geerhardus Vos
Geerhardus Johannes Vos was an American Calvinist theologian and one of the most distinguished representatives of the Princeton Theology. He is sometimes called the father of Reformed Biblical Theology.-Biography:...
, presuppositional apologetics
Presuppositional apologetics
In Christian theology, presuppositionalism is a school of apologetics that presumes Christian faith is the only basis for rational thought. It presupposes that the Bible is divine revelation and claims to expose flaws in other worldviews...
in the tradition of Cornelius Van Til
Cornelius Van Til
Cornelius Van Til , born in Grootegast, the Netherlands, was a Christian philosopher, Reformed theologian, and presuppositional apologist.-Biography:...
, and orthodox confessionalism in the classic Calvinistic tradition. After a year of prayer and preparation by the board of directors, faculty, staff, students and numerous supporters, Northwest opened its doors at Lynnwood Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Lynnwood, Washington on September 4, 2001.
Distinctives
The education of Northwest Theological Seminary is built on the following principles: the inerrancy of the Bible, the centrality of Christ, the biblical-theological method of teaching the Word of God, the presuppositional apologetics of Cornelius Van Til, the orthodox confessionalism of the classical Calvinistic tradition, and Reformed presbyterianism. The seminary's doctrine is firmly founded in the Bible and classic (orthodox) Presbyterian canons (the Westminster Standards and the Three Forms of Unity).Academics
Northwest Theological Seminary offers two programs of study: the Master of DivinityMaster of Divinity
In the academic study of theology, the Master of Divinity is the first professional degree of the pastoral profession in North America...
(M.Div.) and the Master of Theological Studies
Master of Theological Studies
A Master of Theological Studies is a general academic degree that gives students an introduction to advanced theological studies. The M.T.S usually requires two years of program study to complete. The Latin equivalent for M.T.S...
(M.T.S.). The seminary publishes its own journal Kerux: The Journal of Northwest Theological Seminary that prints biblical-theological material in the Reformed/Calvinistic tradition.
Master of Divinity
The M.Div. is a 3-year program that equips qualified men pursuing ordination with the necessary preaching and teaching skills and knowledge to begin their ministry. M.Div. students are required to learn methodology of Scriptural analysis and exegesis in the original languages, church history and biblical and systematic theology.Master of Theological Studies
The M.T.S. is a 2–year program that presents a curriculum covering many aspects of scriptural analysis and exegetical work in the original languages as well as church history, and biblical and systematic theology.Buildings
NWTS is somewhat unusual in comparison to most seminaries. The institution does not own any buildings, and has no plans to build. NWTS does not have a standard "business model." It does not seek any kind of accreditation but measures itself only on the basis of what it sees as its biblical mission.Enrollment
Northwest Theological Seminary's enrollment is intentionally limited so it can provide ministerial candidates with "one on one" mentoring.External links
- Northwest Theological Seminary Official website
- Kerux: The Journal of Northwest Theological Seminary Official website and web-archive