“Extending the knowledge of the glory of God in Christ until that knowledge covers the earth as the waters cover the sea” from Westminster’s Mission Statement WESTMINSTER THEOLOGICAL SeMINARY ACADEMIC CATALOG 2009-2010 {From the President} am delighted to introduce you to Westminster Theological Philadelphia Campus Seminary as we celebrate our 80th Anniversary! I trust that Mailing address: the following pages will provide the information you need to P.O. Box 27009 I Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19118 consider thoughtfully and prayerfully if God would have you study here at Westminster. Street address: We are a thriving community of professors and students seek- 2960 West Church Road ing to understand the meaning of Scripture and to apply it to Glenside, Pennsylvania 19038 all areas of life. That’s why we have three emphases. First, we (215) 887-5511 believe that Reformed theology, as defined by the Westminster (800) 373-0119 Fax (215) 887-5404 Standards, most accurately represents the teachings of Scripture; therefore, we are unashamedly committed to historic, Reformed Christianity. www.wts.edu Second, proper interpretation of Scripture requires careful scholarship; therefore, we are solidly committed to academic excellence and a hermeneutic that is informed by that Extension Campus & Programs of Study infallible Word from God. Third, genuine and effective gospel service requires a heart of Texas Campus love and devotion to Christ; therefore, we are deeply committed to spiritual formation. Redeemer Theological Seminary With these emphases at the core, we offer a variety of degree programs to train men Two Turtle Creek Building for ordained ministry and men and women for gospel service. Our graduates serve all 3838 Oak Lawn Avenue, Suite 200 over the world as pastors, professors, missionaries, counselors, doctors, translators, Dallas, Texas 75219 writers, church planters, and in many other capacities. As a community we are grateful (214) 528-8600 Fax (214) 373-0907 for the privilege of being used by God in the training of these men and women who are now “extending the knowledge of the glory of God in Christ until that knowledge covers New York City Program the earth as the waters cover the sea.” Mailing address: I invite you to join our more than 700 current students from around the globe, as well City Seminary of New York as our alumni who are serving in over 40 countries. We would love to help prepare you P.O. Box 1858 New York, New York 10026 for a life of Christian service! Street address: Sincerely in His grace, 2204 Frederick Douglass Boulevard New York, New York 10026 (212) 749-2717 2009–2010 Peter A. Lillback, President London Program John Owen Centre for Theological Study 104 Hendon Lane London N3 3SQ, UK Tel. 020-8346 7587 {Academic Catalog 2009-2010} TABLE OF COntEntS About Westminster .................................................................. 4 Knowledge of the English Bible ............................................... 46 Our Mission .............................................................................. 4 Theological Writing Standards ................................................. 46 Core Values.............................................................................. 4 Transfer of Credit .................................................................... 47 Our Curriculum ......................................................................... 5 Auditing ................................................................................. 47 History and Government ........................................................... 5 Independent Study Courses .................................................... 48 Growing in Grace at Westminster .............................................. 6 Certificate in Christian Studies ............................................... 48 The Honor System .................................................................... 7 Certificate in Biblical and Urban Studies.................................. 48 Accreditation ............................................................................ 8 Distance Learning and the Institute of Theological Studies ...... 49 Location and Facilities .............................................................. 8 Campus Map ............................................................................ 9 Degree Programs ................................................................... 51 Distinctive Academic Resources ............................................. 11 Requirements for the M.Div. and M.A.R. Degrees .................... 51 Affiliated Institutions .............................................................. 15 Placement in Greek and Hebrew ............................................. 52 Administration ........................................................................ 16 Master of Divinity ................................................................... 54 Board of Trustees .................................................................. 17 Master of Arts in Religion ....................................................... 64 Master of Arts ........................................................................ 70 Student Life ........................................................................... 18 Master of Theology ..................................................................74 Residence .............................................................................. 18 Doctor of Ministry ................................................................... 78 Student Organizations ............................................................ 21 Doctor of Philosophy ............................................................... 87 Westminster Bookstore .......................................................... 21 Course Descriptions .............................................................. 95 Faculty .................................................................................. 22 Financial Information ........................................................... 140 Academic Information ............................................................ 37 Tuition and Special Fees ....................................................... 140 General Requirements for Admission to All Programs .............. 37 Financial Aid ......................................................................... 143 Non-Native English Speakers .................................................. 38 International Students ............................................................ 39 Academic Calendar .............................................................. 156 Registrar’s Office ................................................................... 41 Academic Standing ................................................................. 41 Directions ............................................................................ 160 Students’ Rights of Privacy and Access to Records.................. 45 Special Students .................................................................... 46 Index ................................................................................... 161 WESTMINSTER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY This catalog is a statement of the policies, personnel, programs, and financial arrangements of Westminster Theological Seminary as projected by the responsible authorities of the Seminary. The Seminary reserves the right to make altera- tions without prior notice, in accordance with the Seminary’s institutional needs and academic purposes. {About Westminster} Our Mission Westminster Theological Seminary exists to “extend the knowledge of the glory of God in Christ until that knowledge covers the earth as the waters cover the sea” (see Habakkuk 2:14). We offer graduate- level theological education at our Philadelphia and Texas campuses and through programs of study in New York City and London. Our specific mission is to support the church in its mandate to equip the saints for ministry. We pursue this mission in three ways. First, we seek to form men for ordained gospel ministry as pastors, teachers, evangelists, missionaries, and other tasks specified by the church. Second, we seek to train men and women to serve Christ in kingdom ministries other than those that require ordina- tion. Third, we seek to serve as a center for Christian research and scholarship and to communicate the fruits of our labors to the church and the world. Core Values In the pursuit of our mission, we hold to the following core values: • The triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is worthy of the worship of all people in all places of his dominion, and this fact must be the fundamental motive for every human activity. • Scripture, as the “very Word of God written,” is absolutely authoritative and without error. • Reformed orthodoxy, as informed by the system of doctrine contained in the Westminster Standards, represents faithfully and accurately what Scripture teaches. 2009–2010 • Biblical theology (in the tradition of Geerhardus Vos) and pre- suppositional apologetics (in the tradition of Cornelius Van Til) are among the crucial methods to be used in interpreting and 4 {About Westminster} applying the teaching of Scripture and in developing a biblical • Church history, which records the history of God’s dealings with worldview. his people after the close of the apostolic age; • A learned ministry set in the lifestyle of humble and “holy affec- • Homiletics, church government, liturgics, pastoral theology, tion” for Jesus