A Program of Theology Matters
The Institute for Theological Education
Equipping the next generation of ministers for Presbyterian and other Christian congregations through biblical, confessionally Reformed instruction.
What We Do
Theology grounded in Scripture, formed for ministry
The Institute for Theological Education seeks to provide theological instruction that is biblical and from the mainstream of the Reformed tradition. Its primary purpose is to equip the next generation of ministers for Presbyterian and other Christian congregations.
Theology Matters seeks to equip and encourage Presbyterians and other Christian leaders through theology that is reformed according to God’s Word. The Institute carries that mission into the classroom and the parish, with two complementary commitments:
Educates
Candidates for ministry through classes on the Bible, historic Reformed theology, and church history.
Mentors
Candidates in a congregational setting in the practice of preaching, leading worship, pastoral care, and polity.
What We Form
Six commitments at the heart of the work
The Institute identifies, recruits, and educates pastors for Presbyterian and other Christian congregations who are formed for:
Preaching
Preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, the good news that in Christ crucified and risen, God has reconciled the world to himself.
2 Timothy 4:1–5
Worship
Leading faithful worship of God, in spirit and in truth, ordered around the reading and proclamation of Word and the right administration of Sacrament.
John 4:23–24
Teaching
Teaching the historic faith of the church, grounded in Scripture and confessed across the centuries in the catholic creeds and the Reformed confessions.
2 Timothy 3:16–17
Caring
Caring for the men, women, and children entrusted to their pastoral care, in seasons of joy, sorrow, and the ordinary days between.
1 Peter 5:2–4
Building
Building up congregations in faith, hope, and love, that the body of Christ may grow into maturity in every part.
Ephesians 4:11–16
Leading
Leading in missions, both local and global, that the gospel of Jesus Christ may be heard, believed, and lived among all peoples.
Matthew 28:18–20
What We Offer
Three pathways into Reformed theology
M.A. in Reformed Theology
A 36-hour Master of Arts in Reformed Theology in partnership with the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary, accredited by the Association of Theological Schools.
Read about the M.A.Continuing Education
Educational seminars and retreats for pastors, elders, teachers, and other congregational leaders who want to keep growing in theological depth.
Inquire about a seminarAdult Education
Courses, lectures, and seminars open to anyone interested, whether for academic credit, a certificate in theological studies, or as auditors.
Inquire about courses
Master of Arts Program
A degree built by pastor-scholars
Theology Matters and the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary have established a new Master of Arts program in Reformed Theology committed to the teaching of the Old and New Testaments, the classic texts valued by the Reformed tradition, and congregational ministry.
Teachers in this program are pastor-scholars whose knowledge has been tested in both academic and congregational settings.
The M.A. in Reformed Theology is a fully accredited, 36-hour degree offered in a hybrid format that includes both in-person and online instruction. The degree offers a pathway for those preparing for ordained or non-ordained leadership positions in the church, for those already serving in leadership positions (including pastors and commissioned lay pastors transferring into a Presbyterian denomination), and for advanced lay teachers.
The M.A. also provides a basic education for those pursuing graduate study in theology, philosophy, church history, and biblical studies. A central goal is to help raise up a new generation of ministers, especially for congregations in the Reformed-Presbyterian tradition.
Format
Hybrid: in-person and online
Credit hours
36-hour accredited M.A.
Partner
University of Dubuque Theological Seminary
Accreditation
Association of Theological Schools
Curriculum
Available courses
The M.A. curriculum balances foundations in Scripture and Reformed theology with elective study in church history, preaching, worship, and the major theologians of the tradition.
Required Courses
- Required Introduction to the Reformed Tradition
- Required Interpretation of the Old Testament in the Reformed Tradition
- Required Interpretation of the New Testament in the Reformed Tradition
- Required Reformed Theology I
- Required Reformed Theology II
- Required Capstone Project in Reformed Theology
Elective Courses
- Elective Early and Medieval Church History
- Elective Reformation and Modern Church History
- Elective Presbyterian History and Confessions
- Elective American Puritanism through Edwards
- Elective The Theology of Augustine
- Elective The Theology of John Calvin
- Elective The Theology of Karl Barth
- Elective The Theology of T.F. Torrance
- Elective Leading Christian Worship
- Elective Foundations of Preaching
- Elective The Psalms in Christian Worship
- Elective Preaching from the Old Testament
- Elective Preaching from the New Testament
- Elective Proclaiming the Word
- Elective Expository Preaching
- Elective Worship in the Reformed Tradition
Our teachers possess
- Academic experience.Theological knowledge proven in a rigorous academic setting.
- Pastoral focus.A deep commitment to the church that has been tested in pastoral ministry.
Faculty and Fellows
Pastor-scholars across the tradition
A roster of working pastors, seminary professors, and church leaders, each formed in academic study and tested in the practice of ministry.
The University of Chicago. Patristics.
Senior Pastor Emeritus, First Presbyterian Church, San Diego, California. Board Member, Theology Matters.
Stephanie L. Black, Ph.D.
University of Surrey Roehampton. New Testament.
Missionary and Education Specialist, Nairobi, Kenya and Richmond, Virginia.
Princeton Theological Seminary. Theology.
Managing Editor, Theology Matters. E.J. Rice Professor of Reformed Theology and Director of the Institute for Theological Education. Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.
Bryan Burton, Ph.D.
University of Belfast. Theology.
Pastor of Hope Community Church, Lakeland, Florida.
Princeton University. Christian Ethics.
Retired Director of Yale University Divinity School Library. Associate Pastor, Oakmont Presbyterian Church, Oakmont, Pennsylvania.
Emory University. Old Testament.
Senior Professor of Old Testament and Dean Emeritus, Fuller Theological Seminary. Houston, Texas.
Fuller Theological Seminary. New Testament.
Professor Emeritus of Theology, Whitworth University. Spokane, Washington.
The University of Chicago. Theology and Historical Theology.
Retired Executive Director, Foundation for Reformed Theology. Vice President, Theology Matters. Richmond, Virginia.
University of Aberdeen. New Testament.
Pastor of Warrenton Presbyterian Church, Abbeville, South Carolina.
Duke University. Church History.
Professor of Church History, University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. Dubuque, Iowa.
University of Virginia. Patristics.
Lead Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado.
University of St. Andrews. Systematic and Historical Theology.
Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology, Western Theological Seminary. Holland, Michigan.
University of St. Andrews. Theology and Patristics.
Chairman of the Board, Presbyterian Heritage Center. Montreat, North Carolina.
Fuller Theological Seminary. Theology and Culture.
Pastor of Acton Community Presbyterian Church. President, Theology Matters. Acton, California.
Instruction
Hosted at Providence Presbyterian Church
Courses are delivered through a combination of in-person and online class instruction. In-person instruction is hosted at Providence Presbyterian Church, where students gather alongside the working ministry of a Reformed congregation.
Scholarships
Support for those called to study
We seek to provide scholarship assistance to the best qualified students we can find: students who have faith in Jesus Christ, desire to be his disciples, and seek to understand God’s Word; who exhibit intellectual and moral courage; who are spiritually curious and eager to learn; who hold a solid bachelor’s degree and a strong academic record, a serious work ethic, a recommendation from a teacher and a pastor or church leader, and a growing sense of call.
If that describes you, or someone you know, we would like to hear from you.
How to apply
Download the inquiry formComplete the form and email it to [email protected] for consideration. We will follow up by email.
Thank you for your interest in the Institute.