Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
Encyclopedia
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, founded in 1794, is a graduate theological institution associated with the Presbyterian Church USA. It is located in the East Liberty
neighborhood of Pittsburgh
, Pennsylvania
, USA
and houses one of the largest theological libraries in the nation. It is among the more conservative-leaning seminaries in the mainline Presbyterian church, both in faculty and student body.
) and Western Theological Seminary (Presbyterian Church USA), led to the formation of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in 1959.
The history of the Pittsburgh-Xenia Theological Seminary began with the founding of Service Seminary (Associate Theological Seminary in the town of Service, Beaver County, PA) in 1792 by the Associate Presbytery of Pennsylvania. Prior to that time, the Presbytery was dependent on a supply of ministers sent from Scotland. The Rev. John Anderson
, D.D., was elected as the first teacher of divinity and the school began with an enrollment of six students. Service Seminary moved several times, from Service to Canonsburg, PA, then to Xenia, Ohio where it became Xenia Theological Seminary. This occurred in the 1850s and was prompted by a desire to locate nearer to the growing population in the midwest. The Rev. Joseph Kyle joined the faculty in 1900 (leaving 4th U.P. Church in Allegheny, PA). In approximately 1914 Kyle was appointed president. In 1920 the trustees determined to move the seminary to St. Louis, MO, also to be nearer to potential students in the plains states. In 1921 the Rev. Dr. Kyle died unexpectedly. This loss of leadership at a crucial transition period created problems for the fledgling institution and it never really took root. In 1930 it merged with a seminary that was founded in Pittsburgh in 1825 and together they formed the Pittsburgh-Xenia Theological Seminary. This institution was later augmented by the resources of Newburgh Seminary, founded in New York City in 1805 by John Mitchell Mason.
Western Theological Seminary, the other branch of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary's pre-1959 history, began with the establishment of classical academies in Washington, PA, the first in 1785 by Joseph Smith and another in 1787 by John McMillan. Out of these academies, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church USA created Western Seminary. It was indeed a western seminary in 1825, furnishing a ministry for the rapidly opening frontier territories along the Ohio River.
Since the 1959 consolidation, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary has been located on the former Pittsburgh-Xenia Seminary campus in the Highland Park/East Liberty section of Pittsburgh.
, and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
. The seminary has scholars in all major fields of theological inquiry, and offers language training in Greek and Hebrew. The following degrees are offered by the institution:
The seminary also cooperates with other institutions within the Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education
to offer combined degree programs, including;
In addition, the seminary works in cooperation with the University of Pittsburgh to offer a Doctor of Philosophy
degree through the university.
, dedicated to Pittsburgh Theological Seminary by Barth's son, Markus Barth, a faculty member from 1963-1972. Many of the books and periodicals in the collection were made possible by a $15 million gift from wealthy banker and businessman Thomas Clinton
.
The seminary is very involved in Biblical archaeology
, and sponsors the Zeitah Excavations in Israel at Tel Zayit. The excavation was founded under the direction of Professor Ron E. Tappy, Professor of Bible and Archaeology and director of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary’s James L. Kelso Bible Lands Museum. The excavation began in 1999 with a 55 member international team of experts and volunteers. Most finds during the first year of excavation were dated to the Middle Ages, the time of the Ottoman Empire and crusades. During June and July 2000, the project concentrated on the Iron Age II (Old Testament period) levels lying directly beneath on the acropolis. The project is aimed at clarifying our knowledge of life in local town settings in ancient Israel.
The MUI offers several degree and certificate programs. Students matriculating in either the MDiv or MA programs of PTS may earn a Graduate Certificate in Urban Ministry. Students may also work towards a DMin with a concentration in Urban Ministry. The MUI has also operated the Christian Leadership Certificate (CLC) program to offer quality theological education to people serving in community ministry who may not have the academic resources to pursue Masters or Doctorate level studies. The CLC program was offered in partnership with Geneva College
so that students could transfer the credits they earned in the CLC program toward Bachelor level credits in further pursuit of higher education.
The MUI also coordinates the Urban Church Network (UCN), a working association of more than 85 congregations and community organizations throughout Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. The UCN's churches, community agencies, and educational institutions covenant with PTS and the MUI to address in a holistic fashion the social, environmental, and spiritual realities that affect the quality of life in the city, especially in soio-economically challenged communities.
http://www.mui-pts.org/
WMI has a Seminary Focus in order to prepare seminary students to become pastors with a larger Christian worldview and a passion for mission. WMI works to train world Christian pastors to lead the church missionally and inter-culturally. WMI hosts missionaries, national church leaders and scholars on campus throughout the year.
, however, over 20 denominations are represented at the seminary. Over 380 students are enrolled in programs at PTS, and are instructed by more than 20 full-time faculty members.
Several student groups and organizations are present at the seminary. Groups that have remained consistently year after year include The Association of Women at Seminary (AWS), African-American Student Fellowship (NIA), The Evangelical Student Fellowship (ESF), the International Student Association, the Peace & Justice Fellowship, the Preaching Association, the Seminary Choir, and a number of denominational fellowships.
Prominent graduates include:
East Liberty (Pittsburgh)
East Liberty is a culturally diverse neighborhood in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania's East End. It is bordered by Highland Park, Morningside, Stanton Heights, Garfield, Friendship, Shadyside and Larimer, and is represented on by Patrick Dowd...
neighborhood of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and houses one of the largest theological libraries in the nation. It is among the more conservative-leaning seminaries in the mainline Presbyterian church, both in faculty and student body.
History
The consolidation of two previously separate institutions, Pittsburgh-Xenia Theological Seminary (United Presbyterian Church of North AmericaUnited Presbyterian Church of North America
The United Presbyterian Church of North America was an American Presbyterian denomination that existed for exactly one hundred years. It was formed on May 26, 1858 by the union of the Northern branch of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church with the Associate Presbyterian Church at a...
) and Western Theological Seminary (Presbyterian Church USA), led to the formation of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in 1959.
The history of the Pittsburgh-Xenia Theological Seminary began with the founding of Service Seminary (Associate Theological Seminary in the town of Service, Beaver County, PA) in 1792 by the Associate Presbytery of Pennsylvania. Prior to that time, the Presbytery was dependent on a supply of ministers sent from Scotland. The Rev. John Anderson
John Anderson (theologian)
John Anderson was a Presbyterian theologian.He was born in the far north of England, by the River Tweed. He was brought up as a member of the Church of Scotland and became a pastor. He sailed to the United States in June 1783, studied for four years, and was ordained in Philadelphia 31 October 1788...
, D.D., was elected as the first teacher of divinity and the school began with an enrollment of six students. Service Seminary moved several times, from Service to Canonsburg, PA, then to Xenia, Ohio where it became Xenia Theological Seminary. This occurred in the 1850s and was prompted by a desire to locate nearer to the growing population in the midwest. The Rev. Joseph Kyle joined the faculty in 1900 (leaving 4th U.P. Church in Allegheny, PA). In approximately 1914 Kyle was appointed president. In 1920 the trustees determined to move the seminary to St. Louis, MO, also to be nearer to potential students in the plains states. In 1921 the Rev. Dr. Kyle died unexpectedly. This loss of leadership at a crucial transition period created problems for the fledgling institution and it never really took root. In 1930 it merged with a seminary that was founded in Pittsburgh in 1825 and together they formed the Pittsburgh-Xenia Theological Seminary. This institution was later augmented by the resources of Newburgh Seminary, founded in New York City in 1805 by John Mitchell Mason.
Western Theological Seminary, the other branch of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary's pre-1959 history, began with the establishment of classical academies in Washington, PA, the first in 1785 by Joseph Smith and another in 1787 by John McMillan. Out of these academies, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church USA created Western Seminary. It was indeed a western seminary in 1825, furnishing a ministry for the rapidly opening frontier territories along the Ohio River.
Since the 1959 consolidation, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary has been located on the former Pittsburgh-Xenia Seminary campus in the Highland Park/East Liberty section of Pittsburgh.
Academics
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and CanadaAssociation 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 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...
. The seminary has scholars in all major fields of theological inquiry, and offers language training in Greek and Hebrew. The following degrees are offered by the institution:
- Master of DivinityMaster of DivinityIn the academic study of theology, the Master of Divinity is the first professional degree of the pastoral profession in North America...
(M.Div) - Master of ArtsMaster 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...
(M.A.) - Master of Arts in ReligionReligionReligion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
(M.A.R., International) - Master of Sacred TheologyMaster of Sacred TheologyThe Master of Sacred Theology is a second-level graduate degree for those who wish to pursue a year of more advanced coursework focusing on a particular discipline....
(S.T.M) - Doctor of MinistryDoctor of MinistryThe 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...
(D.Min)
The seminary also cooperates with other institutions within the Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education
Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education
The Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education is a consortium of colleges and universities in the Pittsburgh metro area. The organization exists to allow the schools and their students to take advantage of each others resources and to facilitate sharing them....
to offer combined degree programs, including;
- Master of Divinity/Juris DoctorJuris DoctorJuris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
(Duquesne UniversityDuquesne UniversityDuquesne University of the Holy Spirit is a private Catholic university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded by members of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, Duquesne first opened its doors as the Pittsburgh Catholic College of the Holy Ghost in October 1878 with an enrollment of...
) - Master of Divinity/Master of Social WorkMaster of Social WorkThe Master of Social Work is a master's degree in social workand especiality of sociology.- United States :In the United States, MSW degrees must be received from a graduate school that has been approved by the Council on Social Work Education...
(University of PittsburghUniversity of PittsburghThe University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
) - Master of Divinity/Master of ScienceMaster of ScienceA Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
in Public PolicyPublic policyPublic policy as government action is generally the principled guide to action taken by the administrative or executive branches of the state with regard to a class of issues in a manner consistent with law and institutional customs. In general, the foundation is the pertinent national and...
and Management (Carnegie Mellon UniversityCarnegie Mellon UniversityCarnegie Mellon University is a private research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States....
)
In addition, the seminary works in cooperation with the University of Pittsburgh to offer a 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...
degree through the university.
Clifford E. Barbour Library
The Clifford E. Barbour Library http://www.barbourlibrary.org is the most important theological resource in Western Pennsylvania. Its 370,000 items, 195,000 titles, and more than 1,000 periodical subscriptions make it one of the largest stand-alone theological libraries in the United States. The library is located in a three story building of American Colonial design, dedicated in 1964. The library houses several valuable collections, including the John M. Mason Memorial Collection, which consists of many rare theological works dating from the Reformation. On display in the Hansen Reading Room are the desk and chair of Karl BarthKarl Barth
Karl Barth was a Swiss Reformed theologian whom critics hold to be among the most important Christian thinkers of the 20th century; Pope Pius XII described him as the most important theologian since Thomas Aquinas...
, dedicated to Pittsburgh Theological Seminary by Barth's son, Markus Barth, a faculty member from 1963-1972. Many of the books and periodicals in the collection were made possible by a $15 million gift from wealthy banker and businessman Thomas Clinton
Thomas Clinton
Thomas "Tom" Clinton was a businessman and religious leader instrumental in the formation of the Presbyterian Church .-Early life:...
.
Kelso Bible Lands Museum
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is home to the Kelso Bible Lands Museum. The museum is home to a collection of ancient Near Eastern and Palestinian pottery and artifacts brought together by travelers and archeologists over the past 60 years. Many exhibits resulted from the eight excavations of which the seminary has been a part.The seminary is very involved in Biblical archaeology
Biblical archaeology
For the movement associated with William F. Albright and also known as biblical archaeology, see Biblical archaeology school. For the interpretation of biblical archaeology in relation to biblical historicity, see The Bible and history....
, and sponsors the Zeitah Excavations in Israel at Tel Zayit. The excavation was founded under the direction of Professor Ron E. Tappy, Professor of Bible and Archaeology and director of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary’s James L. Kelso Bible Lands Museum. The excavation began in 1999 with a 55 member international team of experts and volunteers. Most finds during the first year of excavation were dated to the Middle Ages, the time of the Ottoman Empire and crusades. During June and July 2000, the project concentrated on the Iron Age II (Old Testament period) levels lying directly beneath on the acropolis. The project is aimed at clarifying our knowledge of life in local town settings in ancient Israel.
Metro-Urban Institute
The Metro-Urban Institute At Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (MUI) was founded in 1991 as a program of religious leadership development for an increasingly urbanized society. By combining the theory and practice of collaborative community ministry into a program of urban theological education, the MUI prepares students for excellence in any context of ministry. This is done through a focus on public issues affecting the urban environment. Trusting in God as revealed through the Jesus Christ of the Holy Scriptures, the MUI encourages interfaith and interdisciplinary approaches to solving social problems and reconciling human beings to God and to one another. Theological education in this context is both theoretical and practical, seeking to encourage compassionate ministries of justice, service, and advocacy in order to promote systemic change that improves the quality of life within the city, and especially for "the least of these" (Matthew 25:31-40)The MUI offers several degree and certificate programs. Students matriculating in either the MDiv or MA programs of PTS may earn a Graduate Certificate in Urban Ministry. Students may also work towards a DMin with a concentration in Urban Ministry. The MUI has also operated the Christian Leadership Certificate (CLC) program to offer quality theological education to people serving in community ministry who may not have the academic resources to pursue Masters or Doctorate level studies. The CLC program was offered in partnership with Geneva College
Geneva College
Geneva College is a Christian liberal arts college in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, United States, north of Pittsburgh. Founded in 1848, in Northwood, Ohio, the college moved to its present location in 1880, where it continues to educate a student body of about 1400 traditional undergraduates in...
so that students could transfer the credits they earned in the CLC program toward Bachelor level credits in further pursuit of higher education.
The MUI also coordinates the Urban Church Network (UCN), a working association of more than 85 congregations and community organizations throughout Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. The UCN's churches, community agencies, and educational institutions covenant with PTS and the MUI to address in a holistic fashion the social, environmental, and spiritual realities that affect the quality of life in the city, especially in soio-economically challenged communities.
http://www.mui-pts.org/
World Mission Initiative
World Mission Initiative (WMI) is an additional program at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. World Mission Initiative is a fellowship of Presbyterians dedicated to: developing mission vision, nurturing missionary vocation, and cultivating missional congregations. Visit the WMI Website at www.worldmissioninitiative.org. http://www.worldmissioninitiative.orgWMI has a Seminary Focus in order to prepare seminary students to become pastors with a larger Christian worldview and a passion for mission. WMI works to train world Christian pastors to lead the church missionally and inter-culturally. WMI hosts missionaries, national church leaders and scholars on campus throughout the year.
Summer Youth Institute
The seminary sponsors the Summer Youth Institute (SYI), which provides young people a Christian community where they can be challenged to move beyond their comfort zone in order to grow in faith, engage in academic theological study, explore ministry as a vocation, and learn about Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. All SYI participants receive full scholarships that cover room, board and tuition.Student body and organizations
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA)Presbyterian Church (USA)
The Presbyterian Church , or PC, is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination in the United States. Part of the Reformed tradition, it is the largest Presbyterian denomination in the U.S...
, however, over 20 denominations are represented at the seminary. Over 380 students are enrolled in programs at PTS, and are instructed by more than 20 full-time faculty members.
Several student groups and organizations are present at the seminary. Groups that have remained consistently year after year include The Association of Women at Seminary (AWS), African-American Student Fellowship (NIA), The Evangelical Student Fellowship (ESF), the International Student Association, the Peace & Justice Fellowship, the Preaching Association, the Seminary Choir, and a number of denominational fellowships.
Faculty and alumni
Prominent faculty have included:- Dale AllisonDale AllisonDale C. Allison is a Christian theologian who currently serves as Errett M. Grable Professor of New Testament Exegesis and Early Christianity at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Prior to joining Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in 1997, Allison served on the faculties of Texas Christian University...
- Archibald Alexander HodgeArchibald Alexander HodgeArchibald Alexander Hodge , an American Presbyterian leader, was the principal of Princeton Seminary between 1878 and 1886...
- Andrew PurvesAndrew PurvesAndrew Purves is a Christian theologian in the Reformed tradition through the Church of Scotland . He holds the Chair in Reformed Theology at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary....
- Marjorie Hewitt SuchockiMarjorie Hewitt SuchockiMarjorie Hewitt Suchocki is an author and United Methodist professor emerita of theology at Claremont School of Theology. She is also co-director of the at Claremont....
- Benjamin Breckinridge WarfieldBenjamin Breckinridge WarfieldBenjamin Breckinridge Warfield was professor of theology at Princeton Seminary from 1887 to 1921. Some conservative Presbyterians consider him to be the last of the great Princeton theologians before the split in 1929 that formed Westminster Seminary and the Orthodox Presbyterian Church.-Early...
- Robert Dick WilsonRobert Dick WilsonRobert Dick Wilson was an American linguist and Presbyterian scholar who devoted his life to prove the reliability of the Hebrew Bible...
- John GerstnerJohn GerstnerJohn H. Gerstner was a Professor of Church History at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and Knox Theological Seminary and an authority on the life and theology of Jonathan Edwards....
- Robert Gagnon
Prominent graduates include:
- Charles William KerrCharles William KerrCharles William Kerr was a Moderator of the General Assembly for the Presbyterian Church in the United States, as well as the longtime pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Tulsa, Oklahoma, the second largest Presbyterian church in the United States...
, first permanent Protestant Christian minister of Tulsa, OklahomaTulsa, OklahomaTulsa is the second-largest city in the state of Oklahoma and 46th-largest city in the United States. With a population of 391,906 as of the 2010 census, it is the principal municipality of the Tulsa Metropolitan Area, a region with 937,478 residents in the MSA and 988,454 in the CSA. Tulsa's...
. - Fred "Mister" Rogers
- R. C. SproulR. C. SproulRobert Charles Sproul, is a prominent American Calvinist theologian, author, and pastor of the Reformed tradition...
- John A. DallesJohn A. DallesJohn A. Dalles is a clergyman and hymnwriter who was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A graduate of Penn State, Lancaster Theological Seminary and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary , he is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church...
- Thomas K. ChadwickThomas K. ChadwickThomas K. Chadwick is retired officer in the United States Navy and Chaplain of the United States Coast Guard.-Biography:A native of Ohio, Chadwick is an ordained Presbyterian minister. Chadwick is a graduate of Ohio University, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and Pepperdine University...