Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary 2014-15 CATALOG
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Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary 2014-15 CATALOG 1 The Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Catalog and Student Handbook contain current information regarding our academic calendar, admissions, degree requirements, fees, regulations and course offerings. In view of the scope and significance of this information, it is important that everyone in the Gordon-Conwell educational process have a comprehensive knowledge of the contents of these two documents. When changes in the particulars of this catalog are introduced, it is the policy of the seminary to give such notice as will ensure adjustment without undue inconvenience. However, the right to make whatever changes may be deemed necessary at any time is specifically reserved. Gordon-Conwell does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, age, handicap, veteran status and national or ethnic origin. 2 Contents CATALOG 2014-15 GORDON-CONWELL THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY–CHARLOTTE 4 Introduction 4 History and Accreditation 5 President’s Message 6 Our Vision and Mission 9 Statement of Faith 10 Community Life Statement 11 Faculty 18 Adjuncts 19 Board of Trustees 21 Admissions 24 Tuition Charges 25 Financial Assistance 30 Degree Programs 34 Master of Divinity 43 Master of Arts in Christian Counseling 45 Master of Arts in Christian Leadership 46 Master of Arts in Christian Ministries 47 Master of Arts in Religion 49 Master of Arts (Academic) 53 Doctor of Ministry 53 Graduate Certificate Programs 57 Seminary Resources 58 The Robert C. Cooley Center for the Study of Early Christianity 58 The Harold John Ockenga Institute 63 Campus Ethos and Resources 68 Associated Study Opportunities 71 Course Descriptions 72 Division of Biblical Studies 81 Division of Christian Thought 88 Division of Practical Theology 3 HISTORY Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary has a rich heritage, spanning more than a century. The school’s roots are found in two institutions that have long provided evangelical leadership for the Christian Church in a variety of ministries. The Conwell School of Theology was founded in Philadelphia in 1884 by the Rev. Russell Conwell, a prominent Baptist minister. In 1889, out of a desire to equip “men and women in practical religious work...and to furnish them with a thoroughly biblical training,” the Boston Missionary Training School was founded by another prominent Baptist minister, the Rev. Adoniram J. Gordon. The Conwell School of Theology and Gordon Divinity School merged in 1969 through the efforts of philanthropist J. Howard Pew, Dr. Harold J. Ockenga and Dr. Billy Graham. Their vision was to “establish within a strong evangelical framework, an independent, interdenominational seminary.” The united schools became known as Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and Dr. Ockenga, the long-time pastor of Boston’s historic Park Street Church, became the institution’s first president and served until 1979. In 1981, Dr. Robert E. Cooley was inaugurated as the second president, and under his leadership, Gordon-Conwell strengthened its on-campus program, expanded seminary housing, and completed the campus learning complex, including the Chapel and a 41,000-square-foot Academic Center. During the 1991-92 academic year, the establishment of two branch campuses was formalized - the Boston campus and the Charlotte, North Carolina, campus. In February 2006, Gordon-Conwell launched its Jacksonville, Florida, extension site. Dr. Cooley currently serves as President Emeritus. Dr. Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., well-known biblical scholar, author, Bible teacher and preacher, served as the third president of the merged school from 1997-2006. Dr. James Emery White became the fourth president of Gordon-Conwell in July 2006. Dr. Haddon W. Robinson was named president in May 2007. In 2008, Dr. Dennis P. Hollinger was appointed Gordon- Conwell’s sixth president. Dr. Billy Graham continues his relationship with the school as Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Trustees. ACCREDITATION Gordon-Conwell operates under a charter of the Board of Higher Education of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The seminary is a member of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada. Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc. The seminary is certified by the United States Government for the training of veterans and the education of chaplains for military service and for the enrolling of foreign students. Degree program(s) of study offered by Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary—Charlotte has (have) been declared exempt from the requirements for licensure under provisions of North Carolina General Statutes (G.S.) 116-15(d) for exemption from licensure with respect to religious education. Exemption from licensure is not based upon any assessment of program quality under established licensing standards. 4 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Greetings from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary! Thank you for taking the time to learn about our school. Gordon-Conwell combines a rich tradition with cutting-edge educational innovation. Rooted in the gospel and God’s Word, the seminary seeks to develop Christian leaders who are thoughtful, globally aware, spiritually mature and ready for a broad array of ministries. What can you expect from Gordon-Conwell? You can anticipate being pushed to think in ways you never imagined, for the Church needs thinking Christians who can address our contexts from a Christian worldview. You will be prodded to deepen your walk with Christ, while looking outward to the needs of the world. You will meet professors and fellow students who may think differently about those parts of our faith that are secondary to the core. They will expand your own theological and spiritual horizons. You will find world-renowned professors who give themselves personally to your needs and concerns. You will be encouraged to have a passion for a world without Christ, while giving attention to the needs of the whole person and the whole of society. You will sometimes be nudged beyond your comfort zone to become prepared to serve Christ wherever He calls you. Whether you sense a leading to pastoral ministry, cross-cultural ministries, teaching ministries, counseling or as a lay person serving Christ in the marketplace, I encourage you to consider Gordon-Conwell, a seminary helping the Church to think and live. DENNIS HOLLINGER, PH.D. PRESIDENT & PR OFESSOR OF CHRISTIAN ETHICS 5 THE GORDON-CONWELL CHARLOTTE VISION The Charlotte campus desires to train men and women for ministry at home and abroad and to impart to them a biblically rich and culturally sensitive vision of ministry. Foundational to all of this is unswerving fidelity to Gordon-Conwell’s Mission Statement and to its classically evangelical Basis of Faith. The specific vision for the Charlotte campus is driven by three commitments: 1. The campus is to have a strong thrust toward the theological engagement of modern culture in its North American setting. How biblical truth relates to culture—theologically and practically— is an underlying concern in Charlotte’s education, for those serving Christ need to understand how Christian faith has been influenced by the culture as well as how it should seek to influence the culture. 2. The campus is to embrace fully the partnerships in ministry that helped launch it. This entails a concerted effort to involve the local church and local ministries in the educational experience of its students. An important aspect of the M.Div. degree at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary—Charlotte is the emphasis placed on mentored ministry and integrative seminars. In both of these ways, students are engaged in theological/practical integration, which is essential for a seminary education. 3. The campus employs the adult model of education and expects students to take significant responsibility in the shaping of their own educational experiences. The Charlotte program is designed to address the needs of students, many of whom are actively engaged in ministry. They may be full-time pastors, bi-vocational pastors or non-ordained staff with limited theological training. Students within a two-to-three hour radius of Charlotte will have access to quality contextualized theological education and hands-on training for parish ministry without leaving their employment or ministry for the duration of their studies. The Charlotte campus also offers a Master of Arts in Christian Ministries degree program in which 50% of the program can be taken fully online and the remaining 50% completed through a combination of online course work and intensive residency experience. 6 STATEMENT OF MISSION Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary is an educational institution serving the Lord and his Church. Its mission is to prepare men and women for ministry at home and abroad. The seminary undertakes this task as a training partner with the Church so that what is learned on campus may be complemented by the spiritual nurture and the exercise of ministry available through our mentoring programs in the Church. Those who work and study at Gordon-Conwell are united in the common belief that the abiding truth of God’s written Word and the centrality of Christ’s saving work are foundational to the seminary’s mission. These principles structure the seminary’s life and values, inform its curriculum and activities, and determine the evangelical perspective in which it sees its responsibilities in preparing students for ministry in the 21st century. Gordon-Conwell’s mission arises out of God’s redemptive work in this world effected in Jesus Christ, understood through the biblical Word and mediated by the Holy Spirit. As a theological seminary, it provides learning, resources and training through which men and women may acquire knowledge, gain skills and develop attitudes needed in Christ’s ministry. THE GORDON-CONWELL CHARLOTTE MISSION Article 1 To encourage students to become knowledgeable in God’s inerrant Word and competent in its interpretation, proclamation and application in the contemporary world. Because the teaching of God’s Word is indispensable to the well-being and vitality of God’s people, the seminary has a fundamental responsibility to encourage in students a love for Scripture.