Asbury Theological Seminary

Asbury Theological Seminary is an evangelical, multi-denominational, graduate institution that offers a variety of master's degree and postgraduate degree programs through the schools of Biblical Interpretation and Proclamation, Theology and Formation, Practical Theology, World Mission 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^[2] and the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS).^[3]

History

Statue of John Wesley at ATS - Wilmore Campus

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 that 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.^[4]

Past Presidents of Asbury Seminary

1. Henry Clay Morrison (1923–1942)
2. J.C. McPheeters (1942–1962)
3. Frank Stanger (1962–1982)
4. David McKenna (1982–1994)
5. Maxie Dunnam (1994–2004)
6. Jeff Greenway (2004–2006)
7. Ellsworth Kalas (2006–2009)
8. Timothy Tennent (2009–present)

Identity

Asbury Theological Seminary is a multi-denominational, evangelical seminary serving nearly 100 different denominations. Rooted in the Wesleyan tradition, the seminary has a strong emphasis on the Bible, spiritual formation and discipleship.

Wesleyan heritage

Asbury Seminary has its roots firmly planted in rich Wesleyan soil. Its heritage can be loosely 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. A spirit of revival swept through England and across the Atlantic to America. Thousands came to know Christ through the ministry of circuit riders like Francis Asbury and Thomas Coke. A century after Asbury's final open-air sermon, Asbury Seminary was formed as an independent non-denominational seminary to carry on the passionate ministry of these Arminian forefathers.^[5]

Extended education

In addition to the main campus at Wilmore, the seminary offers courses at the Florida Dunnam Campus in Orlando, Florida, through online courses (Extended Learning), and a Memphis, TN extension site.

Asbury Theological Seminary offers the following degrees:

Graduate Degrees

• • Master of Divinity
  • M.A. [Biblical Studies]
  • M.A. [Theological Studies]
  • M.A. in Aging and Spirituality
  • M.A. in Christian Education
  • M.A. in Leadership
  • M.A. in Christian Ministries
  • M.A. [Intercultural Studies]
  • M.A. in Mental Health Counseling
  • M.A. in Pastoral Counseling
  • M.A. in Spiritual Formation
  • M.A. in Youth Ministry
  • M.A. in Marriage and Family Counseling

Post Graduate Degrees

• • Doctor of Ministry
  • Ph.D. [Biblical Studies]
  • Ph.D. [Intercultural Studies]
  • Th.M. [Biblical Studies]
  • Th.M. [Intercultural Studies]

Information services

Technology resources include video production services and an information commons. 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.

Accreditation

Asbury Theological Seminary is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award master's and doctoral degrees. It is an accredited member of The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada. 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.^[6]

Notable faculty

• Craig S. Keener, professor of New Testament, known for his expertise in Greco-Roman and Jewish sources.
• 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.
• Ben Witherington III, Jean R. Amos Professor of New Testament for Doctoral Studies and prolific author.

• Laurence Wood, professor of contemporary theology and Wesley Studies. His book, The Meaning of Pentecost: Rediscovering John Fletcher as John Wesley's Vindicator and Designated Successor, won the Book of the Year Award by the Wesleyan Theological Society.
• 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.
• Bill T. Arnold, Paul S. Amos Professor of Old Testament Studies, Director of Hebrew Studies and Distinguished Alumnus for Hebrew Union College.
• Christine Pohl, prominent ethicist, professor of Church in Society.
• Robert Stamps, Visiting Professor of Worship and Dean of Chapel. Expertise: Sacramental Theology.
• Stephen P. Stratton, Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling. Expertise: Counseling
• Michael L. Peterson, Professor of Philosophy of Religion, prolific author, and best known for Reason and Religious Belief (Oxford University Press);
• J. Steven O'Malley, John T. Seamands Professor of Methodist Holiness History, expertise in the history of Pietism and history of the Evangelical United Brethren.

Top denominations

There are over 93 denominations represented at Asbury Theological Seminary. The top 10 currently represented are listed below:^[7]

• United Methodist
• Nondenominational
• Nazarene
• Wesleyan
• Free Methodist
• Baptists
• African Methodist Episcopal Church
• Christian Missionary Alliance
• Korean Methodist
• Assemblies of God
• Episcopal/Anglican church

Notable alumni

• Jacob DeShazer, a member of the Doolittle Raid, prisoner of war in Japan, and then a missionary to Japan in the Free Methodist Church.
• Jim Garlow, pastor of Skyline Church in San Diego
• Alfred W. Gwinn, former United Methodist Bishop of the North Carolina Annual Conference
• Stephen Hance, Church of England priest and Dean of Derby Cathedral
• James W. Holsinger, M.Div., former chair of Board of Trustees, former member of the Board of Trustees, and nominated United States Surgeon General.
• David Seamands, United Methodist pastor and writer
• Ted Strickland (class of 1967), 68th Governor of Ohio and former member of the United States House of Representatives.
• David Toshio Tsumura, noted Christian scholar and author of New International Commentary on the Old Testament.

References

External links

• Asbury Theological Seminary
• Digital Repository of Asbury Theological Seminary

Coordinates: 37°51′44.34″N 84°39′39.56″W / 37.8623167°N 84.6609889°W / 37.8623167; -84.6609889