Fuller Theological Seminary
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| Fuller Theological Seminary | |
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| Established: | 1947 |
| Type: | Seminary |
| President: | Richard Mouw |
| Location: | Pasadena, CA, USA |
| Campus: | Urban, |
| Website: | www.fuller.edu |
Fuller Theological Seminary, located in Pasadena, California, is the largest multi-denominational seminary in the world. A leading Christian theological institution known for its academic rigor and ethnic and denominational diversity, Fuller has over 4300 students from over 67 countries and 108 denominations.[1]
Through its three schools (Theology, Psychology, Intercultural Studies) and the Horner Center for Lifelong Learning, the seminary offers university-style education leading to 13 different degrees accredited by the Association of Theological Schools[1] and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
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[edit] History
Fuller Theological Seminary was founded in 1947 by Charles E. Fuller, a well-known radio evangelist, Harold Ockenga, pastor of Park Street Church in Boston, Carl F. H. Henry, Wilbur Moorehead Smith and Harold Lindsell. It was the first academic institution to be founded by the neo-evangelical movement. It began with the theological vision of reforming fundamentalism from its anti-intellectual and socially isolationist stance of the 1920-40 era. The founders envisaged that the seminary would become the Caltech of Christian scholarship.
Most of the earliest faculty held to theologically and socially conservative views, which later gave way to more progressive (liberal) thinking in the 1960s and 1970s. There were tensions in the late 1950s and early 1960s as some of the conservative faculty members—such as Carl F. H. Henry, Harold Lindsell, Wilbur Moorehead Smith and Gleason Archer; became uncomfortable with staff and students who did not agree with total biblical inerrancy. These tensions are discussed at length in George Marsden's well-known historical account of the seminary and its place in the rise of neo-evangelicalism. Since the 1970s, Fuller has gone through significant transformation and is influential today as a progressive evangelical institution with strong commitment to scholarship and training of Christian leaders, as well as to social justice and mission.
In 2006 the seminary received attention regarding Nancey Murphy, a religious scholar at Fuller. Murphy claimed she faced a campaign to get her fired after she expressed her view that intelligent design was not only poor theology, but "so stupid, I don't want to give them my time."[2] Murphy, who believes in evolution, said that one of the founding members of the intelligent design movement, Phillip E. Johnson, called a trustee in an attempt to get her fired.[3] Johnson admits calling the trustee, but denies being for any action taken against her.[4]
[edit] Theology and academics
Fuller is welcoming both to the evangelical conservative and the theologically liberal. The faculty consists of a variety of Christian scholars with equally diverse backgrounds. Students and professors often hold diametrically opposing views and vehemently debate a wide range of religious and ethical issues, yet remain committed to their Christian camaraderie. Fuller's diverse student body and ecumenical persuasion are among its chief strengths. It is also frequently at the center of debate among religious and secular intellectuals on issues ranging from politics, religion, science and culture. Fuller instructors have been cited as seeking ways out of the conservative/liberal debate: "We need to be the voice of a third way that flows out of biblical values, instead of buying into the political ideology of either the right or the left." [5]. Currently, Fuller reports that faculty and students come from over 150 Christian denominations representing a wide variety of theological viewpoints [6].
[edit] Extended education
In addition to its main campus in Pasadena, Fuller Theological Seminary offers classes at several extension sites located in the western United States:
- Fuller Northwest (Seattle)
- Fuller Northern California (Bay Area and Sacramento)
- Fuller Southern California Fuller Southern California
- Fuller Southwest (Phoenix)
- Fuller Colorado SpringsFuller Colorado (Colorado Springs)
- Fuller Texas (Houston)
Fuller Theological Seminary also offers a full range of distance learning courses, and now offers a Master of Arts in Global Leadership. This degree combines two on-campus cohort seminars with online distance learning courses, and is earned primarily online.
[edit] Notable alumni and faculty members
Fuller Theological Seminary has numerous notable alumni and faculty. See People associated with Fuller Theological Seminary for more information.
[edit] Trivia
In the movie, Minority Report, character Danny Witwer, played by Colin Farrell, noted that he had attended Fuller Seminary for three years before joining the Attorney General's office as a representative.
[edit] Bibliography
- George M. Marsden, Reforming Fundamentalism: Fuller Seminary and the New Evangelicalism (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1987).
[edit] References
- ^ Fuller Theological Seminary
- ^ "Eden and Evolution", Washington Post, February 5, 2006. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
- ^ "Eden and Evolution", Washington Post, February 5, 2006. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
- ^ "Eden and Evolution", Washington Post, February 5, 2006. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
- ^ The Seattle Times: Local News: Religious moderates finding their voice
- ^ Fuller Online 2005-06 Catalog
