Asbury Theological Seminary is a Christian seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky based in the historical Wesleyan Methodist tradition. It is the largest seminary of the Wesleyan-Holiness movement. It is known for its advocacy of egalitarianism, giving equal status for men and women in ministerial roles and for ordination. It is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS).
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History
Asbury Theological Seminary was founded in Wilmore, Kentucky, in 1923 by its first president, Holiness Methodist evangelist Henry Clay Morrison, who was at the time the president of Asbury College. In 1940, Asbury Seminary separated from the college in order to satisfy accreditation requirements. Because of the proximity of the two schools (across the street), similar names, and common theological heritage, many people confuse the relationship between the college and the seminary. While they are separate institutions, the schools maintain a collegial relationship.
Asbury Seminary has had nine presidents since its founding. In December 2023, the seminary announced that Timothy C. Tennent, the eighth president, would transition out of the presidency to be a Professor of World Christianity. In May 2024, the seminary's board of trustees named David J. Gyertson interim president starting July 1, 2024. The following year, the board elected David F. Watson as the next president effective July 1, 2025.
Academics
The seminary is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award master's and doctoral degrees. It is also accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada and a member of Association for Biblical Higher Education.
Asbury Theological Seminary has four academic schools:
School of Biblical Interpretation
E. Stanley Jones School of World Mission and Evangelism
School of Theology & Formation
School of Counseling
In addition to the main campus in Wilmore, the seminary also offers courses through online learning and extension sites in Memphis, Tennessee, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Tampa, Florida, and Orlando, Florida.
Notable faculty
Bill T. Arnold — Paul S. Amos Professor of Old Testament Interpretation, editor of biblical commentary series, including the New International Commentary on the Old Testament (NICOT)
Kenneth J. Collins — professor of Historical Theology and Wesley Studies
Craig S. Keener — professor of New Testament, known for his expertise in Greco-Roman and Jewish sources
John N. Oswalt — visiting distinguished professor of the Old Testament, involved with the NIV and NLT Bible translations, author of a major commentary on Isaiah
Ben Witherington III — Jean R. Amos Professor of New Testament for Doctoral Studies, and prolific author
Notable alumni
Jacob DeShazer, a member of the Doolittle Raid, a prisoner of war in Japan, and then a missionary to Japan in the Free Methodist Church
Darryl Fitzwater, bishop of the Missionary Diocese of All Saints in the Anglican Church in North America
Jim Garlow, pastor of Skyline Church in San Diego
Alfred W. Gwinn, former United Methodist Bishop of the North Carolina Annual Conference
Stephen Hance, Anglican minister and Dean of Toronto Cathedral
Joe Hilley, (class of 1984), New York Times bestselling author
James W. Holsinger, M.Div., former chair of Board of Trustees, former member of the Board of Trustees, and nominated United States Surgeon General
Marshall MacClellan, D.Min., suffragan bishop of the Jurisdiction of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy
David Seamands, United Methodist pastor and writer
Ted Strickland (class of 1967), 68th Governor of Ohio and former member of the United States House of Representatives.