Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Established | 1810 |
|---|---|
| Type | Christian |
| President | Jerry O'Neill |
| Location | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Campus | Urban |
| Affiliations | Reformed Presbyterian |
| Website | www.rpts.edu |
The Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary (RPTS) is a ministry of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America.
RPTS, as a Reformed seminary, maintains a belief in the inerrancy of the Bible and generally follows Calvinist tradition, including covenant theology. Founded in 1810, and thus the fifth-oldest seminary in the United States of America, The Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary (RPTS) expects to celebrate its 200th anniversary in 2010. It offers a conservative, classic Reformed theological education for students coming from the Pittsburgh area and around the world to study the Bible and prepare for the pastorate. Fully accredited, RPTS grants degrees in Master of Divinity and Master of Theological Studies; it also offers programs for a Diploma in Theology, and certificates for Training in Ministry, Missionary Training, and Servant of the Church.
Prior to 1856, the Seminary was located in the cities where the professors also served congregations as pastors. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, New Alexandria, Pennsylvania, Coldenham, New York, Northwood, Ohio, and Cincinnati, Ohio all served as centers for theological training. In 1856, the Seminary was removed to Allegheny (now North Side, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), where it continued until 1923.
In that year, the present building, "The Gables," formerly belonging to Durbin Horne, of the Horne's Department Store, was purchased in the Point Breeze area of the East End of Pittsburgh. The three-story brick mansion was completely renovated in 1960, and a chapel was added in commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the Seminary's founding. A two-story library wing was added in 1970, providing stacks, study carrels, and a library office/workroom. A climatized Rare Books Room was completed in commemoration of the Seminary's 175th Anniversary, and its history was published in 1985: "Spare No Exertions," by Dr. Robert M. Copeland. A major renovation of the Seminary building was accomplished in 1999-2000, providing more library, office, and classroom space, and central air-conditioning to meet the needs of our growing ministry.
The Department of Education of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania gave approval for the Seminary to grant the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree in 1973. The Association of Theological Schools (ATS) granted full accreditation to the Seminary in 1994. In 1998, the Seminary was re-accredited by ATS for another ten years and was also given approval by the State's Department of Education and ATS to grant the Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.) degree.
In recent years, the Seminary has forged relations with a number of seminaries in foreign countries, including the Kobe Theological Hall of Kobe, Japan, the Covenanter Theological Institute in Scotland, and several Presbyterian institutions in Korea.
