Recommended Reading
From Amazon.com: "Christians should evaluate philosophy by biblical criteria. This will shed greater light on the developments in the history of philosophy and better prepare us for the intellectual challenges of our time. The fall of Adam brought intellectual as well as moral corruption on the human race, and the effects of the fall can be seen in the work of philosophers, most of whom try to understand the world autonomously through reasoning apart from God's revelation. Some philosophers have appealed to God's revelation, but their work has often been compromised with the wisdom of the world. Revelation should inform reason, and not the other way round. In the past, even Christian theology was corrupted by the movement toward intellectual autonomy, creating the tradition of liberalism, which has unhappily dominated academic theology down to the present day. But there is hope a new generation of Christian thinkers take God's Word seriously. Frame's unique new contribution augments that process."
If you purchase from one of our Amazon.com links, we receive a small commission that helps support this site and does not cost you any extra.
Westminster Theological Seminary
Westminster Theological Seminary Quick Facts
Denominational Affiliation
Non-Denominational/Reformed
Founded
1929
Theological Orientation
Conservative
Degrees Offered
MDiv; MA; ThM; PhD
Number of Students
c. 617
Tuition Costs for 2019 - 2020
$590/hr (MDiv); $3,620/course (ThM; PhD)
Location
Glenside, PA
School URL
wts.edu
Introduction to Westminster Theological Seminary
The history of Westminster Theological Seminary is necessarily tied to the history of Princeton Seminary in the early 20th century. While Princeton had long been associated with so-called "Princeton Theology," a Reformed, evangelical, yet academically rigorous approach that called for a high view of scripture and the transformative nature of the Christian life, the early 20th century saw many in Princeton Seminary embrace a more modernist view of the Bible.
Westminster Seminary was founded by former Princeton professors, including Robert Dick Wilson, Cornelius Van Til, and J. Gresham Machen, intending to honor the spirit of Princeton theologians such as Archibald Alexander, Charles Hodge, J. A. Alexander, and B. B. Warfield. To this day, Westminster Seminary expects faculty and trustees alike to adhere, not unsurprisingly, to the Westminster Confession of Faith as well as the Larger and Shorter Catechisms. Westminster takes its orthodox, Reformed heritage very seriously and seeks to apply it to every facet of its academic programs.
Academic Life
Westminster currently offers the MDiv (with emphases available in Pastoral Ministry, Counseling, and Urban Ministries, MA (emphases in Religion, Counseling, and Urban Ministries), ThM (emphases in Old Testament, New Testament, church history, systematic theology, and apologetics), DMin (emphases in pastoral ministry, pastoral counseling, and urban missions, and PhD (emphases in historical and theological studies or hermeneutics and biblical interpretation). Certificate programs in Christian Studies or Biblical and Urban Studies are also available.
Westminster expects its graduates to be proficient in a wide array of theological disciplines, including biblical content, hermeneutics, apologetics, systematic and biblical theology, church history, and practical theology.
Student Life
On campus, Westminster students have access to The Carriage House, a place for good conversations, small groups, and a good cheap cup of coffee. Numerous student fellowship groups are also available, including the African-American Student Fellowship, Chinese Student Fellowship, Korean Student Fellowship, Missions Fellowship, and Women’s Student Fellowship, among others.
Though the offerings for recreation at Westminster's relatively small campus are limited, the school itself borders the great city of Philadelphia, known for its excellent cuisine, museums, and nightlife. New York City is also just a little hour away by car or train, providing ample opportunities for everything from inner-city ministry to great pizza!
Housing
Westminster offers very limited on-campus housing for its students (13 rooms - space for 5 women and 9 men total), so most students will have to locate housing off-campus. The costs in the Philadelphia region vary greatly depending on location, size, and other amenities. The seminary also provides assistance in helping students find safe, affordable housing.
Financial Aid
Westminster offers a number of need-based and merit-based grants and scholarships to assist with tuition. The seminary also provides assistance in helping students locate outside scholarship assistance. Furthermore, the seminary participates in federal loan programs, including the Direct Unsubsidized Loan and Graduate PLUS Loan. There are also many job opportunities at area churches available.
Location
Review Westminster Theological Seminary
Share Your Seminary Experiences!
Did you attend or are you attending this school? Please help future students by sharing your experiences, pro and con. Thanks!
