2014-2015 Catalog
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2014-2015 Catalog Palmer Theological Seminary The Seminary of Eastern University 588 North Gulph Road, King of Prussia, PA 19406 (610) 896-5000 (800) 220-3287 FAX (610) 649-3834 www.palmerseminary.edu Catalog Volume LXIV July 2014 Contents Academic Calendar………………………………………………………………………………………………3 Invitation to Preparation……………………………………………………………………………………4 Mission Statement…………………………………………………………………………………………………5 Doctrinal Basis………………………………………………………………………………………………………6 History and Relationships……………………………………………………………………………………7 The Seminary Community……………………………………………………………………………………9 Admissions……………………………………………………………………………………………………………12 Finances………………………………………………………………………………………………………………12 Overview of the Curricula/Degree Programs………………………………………………13 Statement of Educational Effectiveness……………………………………………………………13 Master of Divinity (M.Div.)………………………………………………………………………………14 Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.)……………………………………………………………16 Dual Degree Masters Programs………………………………………………………………………19 Other Educational Opportunities……………………………………………………………………21 Educational Policies and Procedures………………………………………………………………23 Course Descriptions……………………………………………………………………………………………29 Biblical Studies………………………………………………………………………………………………29 Christian Heritage and Mission…………………………………………………………………………34 Christian Counseling………………………………………………………………………………………40 Denominational Courses…………………………………………………………………………………41 Integrative Courses…………………………………………………………………………………………42 Practice of Ministry……………………………………………………………………………………………46 Spiritual Formation and Character……………………………………………………………………54 Supervised Fieldwork………………………………………………………………………………………57 Theology and Ethics…………………………………………………………………………………………58 Those Who Serve at the Seminary…………………………………………………………………68 Faculty……………………………………………………………………………………………………………68 Staff/Administration…………………………………………………………………………………………70 Seminary Committee of the University Board of Trustees…………………………………74 Index……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………75 2 Seminary Academic Calendar 2014-2015 FALL SEMESTER 2014 August 25 Classes Begin September 1 Labor Day – No Classes (Seminary Office Holiday) 2 Last Day to Add Fall Semester Classes 8 Last Day to Drop Fall Semester Classes October 11-17 (Saturday-Friday) Reading Week – No Classes October 20- Registration for January Term & Spring Semester 2015 November 7 November 25-30 Thanksgiving Recess – No Classes (Seminary Office Holiday) December 1 Last Day to Withdraw from Fall Semester Classes 3 Last Day to Submit Fall Semester Extension Requests 6 Last Day of Classes 8-13 Finals Week 24-31 Christmas Break (Seminary Offices Closed) JANUARY TERM 2015 January 1-2 New Year’s Day Holiday Period (Seminary Holiday) 5-16 Masters and Doctoral Intensives 6 Fall 2014 Semester Grades Due from Faculty 19 Martin Luther King Day (Seminary Office Holiday) SPRING SEMESTER 2015 January 24 (Saturday) Classes Begin February 2 Last Day to Add Spring Semester Classes 9 Last Day to Drop Spring Semester Classes March 7-13 (Saturday-Friday) Reading Week March 30- Easter Recess April 5 April 3 Good Friday (Seminary Office Holiday) 5 Easter Sunday April 13- Registration for 2015 Summer Term & Fall Semester May 1 May 1 Senior Coursework due 1 Last Day to Withdraw from Spring Semester Classes 4 Last Day to Submit Spring Semester Extension Requests 8 Last Day of Classes 9-15 Finals Week 16 Commencement 25 Memorial Day (Seminary Office Holiday) SUMMER TERM 2015 June 1-26 Masters Classes, Mission Institute & Continuing Education 5 Spring 2015 Semester Grades Due from Faculty 8-19 Doctoral Intensives July 4 Independence Day (Seminary Office Holiday on Friday, July 3) July 6-24 Masters Classes 3 Invitation to Preparation The Whole Gospel for the Whole World through Whole Persons – this is the motto of Palmer Seminary. As a lived reality, our motto translates to practical theological education in a diverse community, which is rooted in the faithfulness of God, salvation through Jesus Christ, and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. In all our programs, we strive to train workers for God’s kingdom, people who find integration between head and heart, theory and praxis, ideal and reality. Diversity is one of Palmer’s most treasured distinctives. Whether in our classrooms, administrative hallways, or faculty offices, we sometimes seem more different from one another than alike. But it is in authentic community that our differences find their God-intended expression. It is more than a photograph with different people standing in the same room. It cannot be reduced to a quota to be met for political correctness. Diversity delves into what lies beneath the surface, and finds meaning and growth only in the context of shared lives. At Palmer, diversity is not an obligation; it is an attraction. People are first drawn to Palmer because of its diversity. Then students, faculty, and staff grow to love Palmer precisely because of the joys and struggles experienced in living and learning together as a diverse community. When the rubber hits the road, diversity inevitably brings out the best and the worst in us. We are challenged to walk the talk. We learn to love one another because of, as well as in spite of, our differences. This is what Christian discipleship and witness are all about. If this picture that I have just painted makes you a little excited and a little nervous at the same time, this is a good thing. As Jesus told his first disciples in the Gospel of John, “Come and see,” I am inviting you to follow your curiosity and God’s prompting. He may open doors that you never thought you would go through. Edwin D. Aponte, Ph.D. Dean and Chief Executive Administrator Palmer Theological Seminary 4 Mission Statement Palmer Theological Seminary’s motto is “The Whole Gospel for the Whole World through Whole Persons.” THE WHOLE GOSPEL Palmer Theological Seminary’s theological position affirms the Bible as uniquely inspired and the authoritative revelation of God’s nature and purposes for humanity. Commitment to that revelation, fully expressed in Jesus Christ, calls for the preparation of persons for ministry who are faithful to all parts and implications of the Gospel. A curriculum faithful to the whole gospel prepares persons who: have a thorough knowledge of the content of the Bible are able to interpret and communicate the message of the Bible in a way that is faithful and addresses contemporary life are committed to both the individual and social dimensions of the biblical message affirm the Gospel’s proclamation of the forgiveness of sin, the reconciliation of human beings to God and each other, and the gift of eternal life, through Jesus Christ. FOR THE WHOLE WORLD Palmer Theological Seminary is committed to the preparation of persons for Christ’s ministry in the Church throughout the world in a variety of forms and institutions, with strong emphasis on ministry in and through local churches, in both the American Baptist and other denominations. Recognizing that the Gospel expresses God’s love for the whole world, Palmer Theological Seminary seeks to prepare persons who: are able to lead individuals to faith in Jesus Christ have a passion for a ministry concerned with the spiritual, emotional, intellectual, and physical needs of people are articulate and empowered expounders of Biblical truth in relation to all areas of human life are skilled in assisting God’s people toward a loving, serving and transforming presence in the world are sensitive to the various cultural situations in which people live, and are able to relate the Gospel’s saving and freeing power to the needs of persons and institutions in those settings are equipped to lead the Church-through preaching and teaching, caring and counseling, evangelizing and serving-in dynamic growth and mission. THROUGH WHOLE PERSONS Palmer Theological Seminary seeks to equip persons for Christian ministry who view that ministry as divine vocation, know themselves to be called by God, and are committed to grow toward wholeness in their relationship with God, self, others, and their world. Palmer Theological Seminary is committed to assist persons toward: an awareness of their own brokenness and dependence upon God the development of a spirit of openness toward others in the global body of Christ, beginning with an appreciation of that body’s expression in Palmer Theological Seminary’s diverse Christian community a disciplined devotional life, bearing fruit in a vital, growing, contagious faith regular participation in worship and fellowship which supports faith, expands vision, furthers intimacy in relation with God and others, and increases awareness of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. 5 Doctrinal Basis Section 1 We believe that the Bible, composed of Old and New Testaments, is inspired by God and serves as the rule of faith and practice, being the authoritative witness to the truth of God embodied in Jesus Christ. We believe in one God eternally existing as Three Persons. o We believe in God the Creator, author of all life and our salvation. We believe that God created human beings, male and female, in the image of God as an expression of God’s eternal love, to live in God’s perfect will. As such, human beings are called to be faithful stewards of God’s creation and to live in relations with God, each other, and the created world. o We believe in God the Spirit, Lord and giver of life, who reveals Jesus Christ to human beings to transform them through conversion and sanctification to full humanity as willed by the Creator. o We believe that Jesus Christ