“In Spirit and in Truth” 2021-2022 Catalog “God is a Spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” John 4:24 Compliance Western Reformed Seminary admits students to its programs without regard to sex, race, nationality, or ethnic origin. Under religious exemption provided by the U.S. Department of Education, female students are offered alternative courses for a limited number of pastoral classes since WRS does not prepare women for ordination. “The Washington Student Achievement Council has determined that Western Reformed Seminary qualifies for religious exempt status from the Degree-Granting Institutions Act for the following programs: Bachelor of Divinity (B.D.); Bachelor of Religious Education (B.R.E); Master of Biblical Studies (M.B.S.); Master of Christian Ministry (M.C.M.); Master of Divinity (M.Div.); Master of Religious Education (M.R.E.); Master of Religious Studies (M.R.S.); and Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.). The Council makes no evaluation of the administration, faculty, business practices, financial condition or quality of the offerings by this institution. Any person desiring information about the requirements of the act or the applicability of those requirements to the institution may contact the Council at P.O. Box 43430, Olympia, WA 98504-3430 or by email at [email protected]. “This institution does not provide any commission, bonus, or other incentive payment based directly or indirectly on success in securing enrollments or financial aid to any persons or entities engaged in any student recruiting or admission activities or in making decisions regarding the award to student financial assistance. “The information contained in this publication is true and correct in content and policy and I am aware that the institution must comply with applicable statutes and regulations and that failure to comply may lead to suspension or withdrawal of programs by the WSAC/SAA and/or DVA.” This catalog is certified to be true and correct in content and policy as of the date of publication. Christopher K. Lensch Registrar Table of Contents Compliance 1 Table of Contents 2 A Word from the President 4 Mission of Western Reformed Seminary 4 Academic Calendar 5 General Information 6 Design and Purpose 6 Programs 7 Spiritual Life 8 Doctrinal Position 8 History 8 Library 9 Location 9 Recognition 9 Academic Information 11 Entrance Requirements 11 Enrollment Status 12 Full-time Students 12 Transfer Students 12 Special Students 12 Auditors 12 Foreign Students 13 Preliminary Tests 13 Academic Status 14 Grading 14 Drop-Add Deadline 14 Attendance 15 Academic Probation and Dismissal 15 Academic Requirement for Graduation 15 Pastoral Mentorship Program 16 Degree Programs and Curricula 17 Summary of Degree Programs 17 Three Year Programs 19 Master of Divinity 19 Bachelor of Divinity 19 M.Div./B.D. 3-Year Course Schedule (with Basic Greek already taken) 19 M.Div./B.D. 3-Year Course Schedule (with Basic Greek included) 20 M.Div./B.D. 4-Year Course Schedule (with Basic Greek included) 22 M.R.E./B.R.E. Course Schedules 23 Master of Religious Education 23 Bachelor of Religious Education 23 2 M.R.E./B.R.E. 3-Year Course Schedule (with Basic Greek already taken) 23 M.R.E./B.R.E. 3-Year Course Schedule (with Basic Greek included) 25 M.R.E./B.R.E. 4-Year Course Schedule (with Basic Greek included) 26 Two-Year Masters Programs 27 Summary of Requirements 28 Core Courses (required in all programs) 28 M.B.S. (Biblical Studies) Course Requirements 29 Old Testament Emphasis 29 New Testament Emphasis (Basis Greek already taken) 29 New Testament Emphasis (Basic Greek included) 29 M.T.S. (Theological Studies) Course Requirements 30 M.C.M. (Christian Ministry) Course Requirements 30 Church Ministry Emphasis 30 Biblical Counseling Emphasis 30 Missions Emphasis 31 Evening Master of Religious Studies 31 Course Descriptions 33 Division of Biblical Studies 34 Department of Old Testament 34 Department of New Testament 35 Interdepartmental Studies 39 Division of Theological and Historical Studies 39 Department of Systematic Theology 39 Department of Historical Theology 42 Division of Christian Ministry 44 Department of Church Ministry 44 Department of Biblical Counseling 46 Department of Missions 47 Financial Information 48 Student Expenses 48 Payment Arrangements 48 Refunds 49 Student Benefits 49 Anti-inflation Feature 49 Lifelong Academics 49 Spouse Bonus 49 Financial Aid 50 Veterans’ Benefits 50 Student Employment 50 Student Housing 50 Student Advising and Counseling 51 Personnel 52 Faculty 52 Administration and Staff 56 Board of Directors 56 Driving Directions 57 3 A Word from the President Dear Student of the Word, Today more than ever an accurate, balanced, and thorough knowledge of the Bible is necessary for you to help lead people to the Lord and strengthen believers in the church. Not only are cults and other groups with false teachings multiplying, but even in evangelical churches the gospel and the requirements of the Christian life are being watered down. The way to lead others in the truth is not primarily to be aware of the false ways, but to know the true teachings of the Bible, thoroughly and deeply, both with the mind and with the heart. This is the point of our seminary motto, “In Spirit and in Truth.” If the Lord is calling you to serve him as a minister, a missionary, or a local church teacher or leader, then you must prepare yourself with a theological education. There is no easy way to do this. It will require months and years of sacrifice and study. But be assured that God will uphold you and provide for you and bless you richly as you follow his will. As you peruse this catalog you will see the various programs of study. We are praying that one of them will be right for you. Open your heart to God’s leading. David asked, “Is there not a cause?” Certainly, the cause for Christ is as great today as it was for him. Yours in Christ’s service, Tito Lyro, President Mission of Western Reformed Seminary The mission of Western Reformed Seminary is to assist the church of Jesus Christ and in particular the Bible Presbyterian Church and other conservative Presbyterian and Reformed churches: ● By providing graduate education and training for their ministers, missionaries, lay leaders, and other Christian workers, to produce spiritually grounded, knowledgeable, capable, and dedicated servants of Christ. ● By providing leadership in these churches and among the public in understanding, declaring, and defending Reformed theology and its current application in the church and the world. 4 Academic Calendar 2021-2022 Fall Semester 2021 First Two Chapters of Thesis Due August 27 Registration August 27 Classes Commence August 30 Labor Day Recess (Office Closed) September 6 Drop-Add Deadline September 20 Midterm Exams October 18-22 Deadline to Drop Without Academic Penalty November 5 Veterans Day Recess (Office Closed) November 11 Thesis Rough Draft Due November 19 Thanksgiving Recess (Office Closed) November 25-26 Pre-registration December 6-10 Final Exams December 13-17 Christmas Break (Office Closed) December 24–January 1 Spring Semester 2022 Winter Counseling Class January 6-12 Registration January 21 Classes Commence January 24 Thesis Final Draft Due January 28 Drop-Add Deadline February 14 Presidents’ Day Recess (Office Closed) February 21 Final Thesis Approval March 11 Midterm Exams March 14-18 Spring Recess (Office Open through Apr 1) March 28–April 1 Deadline to Drop Without Academic Penalty April 8 Good Friday Recess (Office Closed) April 15 Thesis Topic Submission for New Writers April 22 Final Thesis Published for Previous Writers April 22 Pre-registration May 2-6 Final Exams May 9-13 PMP Summer Classes May 23–June 3 Thesis Syllabus Due June 10 5 General Information Design and Purpose History Library Location Recognition Design and Purpose Western Reformed Seminary trains Christian leaders in an atmosphere of devotion and scholarship. Established particularly to serve the Bible Presbyterian Church, WRS welcomes the opportunity of assisting students from other denominations in their preparation for fruitful Christian lives and ministries. With this in mind, the Seminary has developed several basic degree programs: the Master of Divinity, the Master of Religious Education, three two-year Masters programs, and the evening Master of Religious Studies. A Bachelor of Divinity degree is identical to the M.Div. program in curriculum and policy. 6 Programs The three-year degree programs offer a thorough study of biblical content, biblical languages, exegesis, systematic theology, church history, together with appropriate practical or professional studies: The Master of Divinity is the standard three-year course of preparation for the gospel ministry. The Bachelor of Divinity is identical to the M.Div. except that it is offered for students holding an Associate of Arts or its academic equivalent. The Master of Religious Education offers most of the same detailed academic content as the M.Div. but is adapted to lay members who are not preparing for the ordained ministry. The Bachelor of Religious Education is identical to the M.R.E. except that it is offered for students holding an Associate of Arts or its academic equivalent. The two-year master’s programs are designed for students who want a solid theological and biblical training within a two-year time span. These three programs are adapted to the student’s interest and calling: The Master of Biblical Studies will give the tools, including original languages, for exegeting the Bible, specializing either in Old Testament or in New Testament. The Master of Theological Studies will give a broad understanding of the teachings of the Bible and how Christian doctrine has crystallized through church history, specializing either in Systematic Theology or in Historical Theology.