Stance on Diversity

This statement expresses how Erskine Theological Seminary & School of Biblical Studies values, defines, and demonstrates “diversity within its mission, history, constituency, and theological commitments” (ATS Standards of Accreditation, 2020, 1.5).

History

Founded in 1837, Erskine Theological Seminary was established by the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARP) to train candidates for ministerial service. Throughout the latter half of the twentieth century, the seminary expanded its academic offerings to broaden the diversity of our student body. First, the seminary introduced new degrees beyond the traditional ministerial studies. Then, in 1980, the Seminary began offering courses outside of Due West. In 1985, following the expansion of Bowie Divinity Hall, the Board of Trustees broadened the institution’s mission to serve the larger Evangelical community and to accommodate commuting students. Since that time, students from many other churches – Presbyterian, Baptist, AME, Methodist, Pentecostal, and non-denominational – have joined students from the ARP Church to receive training for ministry.

In the early 2000s, Erskine Seminary collaborated with the U.S. Military to provide advanced training for chaplains from various denominations. The adoption of online education further enhanced accessibility, enabling students worldwide to engage in theological studies from their own location. In 2024, Erskine Theological Seminary & School of Biblical Studies (ETS-SBS) inaugurated the Global Theological Diploma, extending its educational reach to countries such as Rwanda, Pakistan, and Mexico.

Theology

The mission of God in Christ calls for the gathering of a unified yet diverse Church. Those who follow Jesus Christ are entrusted with this mission. The Church and all its constituent parts must be committed to the worldwide diversity of people to whom we are sent and with whom we are joined together in Christ for the ministry of the gospel. Erskine Theological Seminary & School of Biblical Studies upholds this calling and mission as it serves Christ within his Church.

The New Testament testifies to this mission to and with diverse people. The arrival of Jesus Christ was herald by wise men from the east (Matt. 2:1-12). Jesus began his public ministry in “Galilee of the gentiles,” fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy (Isa. 9:1-2; Matt. 4:12-17). As he went throughout Galilee “teaching in the synagogue and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people” (Matt. 4:23; 9:35), he extended his ministry also to the gentiles (e.g., Matt. 8:5-13; 15:21-28). When he had completed his earthly mission and was raised from the dead, Jesus commissioned his apostles to make disciples of all the nations (Matt. 28:18-20). On the Day of Pentecost, God gathered believers from all nations (Acts 2:5-11), reinforcing the call to proclaim repentance and the forgiveness of sins to all the nations (Luke 24:47).

A commitment to unity in love and mission must be grounded in fidelity to the truth of Jesus Christ as revealed in Scripture. Jesus said, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32). As a theological institution within the Reformed tradition and an agency of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, ETS-SBS honors and upholds its confessional standards. Our goal is to find the ways in which we can labor together in Christ while respecting the ways in which we differ. This goal echoes Paul’s prayer that “the God of endurance and encouragement” would grant us “to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together [we] may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” and “welcome one another as Christ has welcomed [us], for the glory of God” (Rom. 15:5-7).

Erskine Seminary remains committed to the mission which we were first given, preparing ministers for the ARP, while we welcome and rejoice in our larger mission of serving the whole Church of Jesus Christ. We seek to labor with Christ in building his worldwide Church, drawn from all the nations, in order that it might be presented to him holy and without blemish (Eph. 5:27).

Values

ETS-SBS values diversity in the following ways. First, we value theological diversity. As the denominational seminary and school of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, we are rooted in a gracious Reformed theology. As recipients of God’s grace, we hold this conviction humbly and respectfully engage with those who interpret the Bible differently. We have students from over thirty denominations, and we celebrate our bond of love with brothers and sisters in Christ from various Christian traditions.

Second, we value racial diversity. We have had the privilege of welcoming students from historically diverse churches and denominations, including Black churches within the Methodist and Baptist traditions, as well as Hispanic and Korean churches. The student body continues to reflect a diverse makeup of students from various races and ethnicities.

Third, we value global theological education. Our master’s degrees, Doctor of Ministry degree, and Global Diploma in Theology & Christian Leadership provide theological education in a variety of contexts throughout the world, including Africa, Latin America, and Asia.

Fourth, we value and welcome both male and female students. We believe everyone benefits from theological education. Erskine has enjoyed training women and men for Christian service. (For more on Erskine’s position on gender and sexuality, see the Erskine College and Theological Seminary Statement of Biblical Distinctives.)

Fifth, we value diversity in age. Our students range in age from those who are traditionally college-aged to mid-career to those who are well into retirement. Some students are pursuing ministry for their main vocation and others come to it as a second career. We are grateful for the opportunity to equip all students to become lifelong learners in theological education.

Finally, Erskine Seminary rejoices in the heavenly vision of “a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb” (Rev. 7:9).