Asbury Theological Seminary

History

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.

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 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. The official Statement of Faith includes an affirmation regarding the Bible as being "without error in all it affirms."

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.

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:

Master of Divinity (including specialization in Church Planting)

Master of Arts (Academic) – Biblical Studies; Theological Studies; Intercultural Studies

Master of Arts (Professional) – Aging and Spirituality; Christian Education; Leadership; Christian Ministries; Marriage and Family Counseling; Mental Health Counseling; Pastoral Counseling; Spiritual Formation; Youth Ministry

Master of Theology – Biblical Studies; Intercultural Studies

Doctor of Ministry – Beeson Pastor; Beeson International Leaders; In-Ministry

Doctor of Philosophy – Biblical Studies; 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.

Notable faculty

Craig Keener, professor of New Testament, known for his expertise in Greco-Roman and Jewish sources.

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.

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.

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:

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

Alfred W. Gwinn, former United Methodist Bishop of the North Carolina Annual Conference

Ted Strickland (class of 1967), 68th Governor of Ohio and former member of the United States House of Representatives.

James W. Holsinger, M.Div., former chair of Board of Trustees, former member of the Board of Trustees, and nominated United States Surgeon General.

Jacob DeShazer, a member of the Doolittle Raid, prisoner of war in Japan, and then a missionary to Japan in the Free Methodist Church.

David Toshio Tsumura, noted Christian scholar and author of New International Commentary on the Old Testament.

David Seamands, United Methodist pastor and writer

Allen Hood, M. Div., Associate Director of the International House of Prayer and President of IHOP University in Kansas City, Missouri.

Jim Garlow, pastor of Skyline Church in San Diego