Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary - Educational Distinctives

Educational Distinctives

1. The seminary employs what it calls the "Academy Model" of instruction, a significant aspect of which is expressed in the following statement:

"Since the Church is the Christ-ordained means for the spiritual growth of God’s people, the Seminary believes it can best serve as an arm of the Church. As an academy closely related to the local church, the Seminary can assist students’ growth in grace. The Seminary does not view itself as having any ecclesiastical authority over the personal life of the student. That falls under the jurisdiction of the church. This is not to suggest that the Seminary will not be deeply involved in assisting men to grow in grace, but it is the recognition that this growth is properly under the pastoral care of the church. Every student is expected to be a member or at least an associate member of a local church, so that when there are pastoral needs for the students, the governing bodies of the church may be informed”.

2. The school's philosophy of instruction is spelled out in the following words from its catalog:

“The Seminary primarily prepares men for the gospel ministry through the Divinity Program, but offers other opportunities for study also. The Master of Arts is offered to those who are neither ordained nor seeking ordination but who desire a general biblical and theological education. The Master of Ministry for Ruling Elders is for ordained Ruling Elders seeking further education and other men approved by their church leadership. All Programs emphasize personal piety, knowledge of the Word, and application of the Word.

“Personal Piety: Without personal piety study is futile. The Seminary expects students to have daily devotions and family worship, led by the head of the household. Such tools as M’Cheyne’s Calendar of Daily Readings and the 1647 Directory for Family Worship of the Church of Scotland are given to the students to encourage them in these exercises of piety.

“Knowledge of the Word: All instruction in the Seminary is based on the conviction that the Bible is the infallible Word of God. Since the curriculum is to ground the student firmly in the Word, the study of the Bible in the original languages is central to all instruction. In the M.Div. program, the student is trained in the grammar of Biblical Greek and Hebrew, and is expected to be proficient in these languages upon completion of the program. M.A. and M.M.R.E. (master of ministry for ruling elders) degree candidates are not expected to learn these languages as part of their program of study, but they can expect that what they are taught reflects the use of them. In addition, the Seminary expects the student to read through a translation of the Bible each year.

“Application of the Word: It is the desire of the Seminary not only to produce knowledgeable and godly men, but men of action and discernment. Since the Scriptures are ‘profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work,’ the curriculum shows students how to apply the Word of God. There is special emphasis on how to recognize, avoid, and remedy whims and fads that often sweep through the church to its detriment.”

3. Greenville Seminary maintains a close faculty-student relationships for the purpose of mentoring. Each student is assigned to a faculty advisor. The seminary is committed to capping its enrollment at 100 students to maintain these relationships.

4. The seminary works with a number of denominations and congregations to provide local- and foreign-mission internships.