Steve Prost: A Military Chaplain Undertakes a PhD at TEDS
Jan 31, 2025
When choosing a seminary, prospective students need to know what they hope to gain from their experience and what each seminary offers. Ensuring that the student’s expectations and the seminary’s mission align is the first step toward a fruitful experience. In this article, I will discuss what makes a seminary unique and what one may want to consider about the seminary they attend, such as accreditation, faculty, theology, and community.
Even if a prospective student is certain about attending seminary, understanding the differences between the various types of theological schools and a seminary is essential. Seminaries ordinarily teach from a specific denominational tradition and theological context. For example, a Baptist seminary would teach Baptist doctrine, while a Presbyterian seminary would teach according to historic Presbyterian beliefs. Divinity schools are slightly different than seminaries because they provide a more rigorous approach to theological education and are often more broad in their theological perspective.
While many divinity schools (like Harvard or Princeton) are no longer affiliated with a particular faith, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School is distinct due to its commitment to gospel fidelity and academic rigor. Studying at TEDS provides students with a unique opportunity to learn from professors and classmates from a variety of evangelical perspectives who share a commitment to the centrality of Scripture. TEDS, affiliated with the EFCA, is a gift from the EFCA to the broader Evangelical Church for the work of Christ’s Kingdom in the world.
If you have a specific goal, such as becoming a minister or a Christian counselor, it is best to consult people in that field about which seminary or divinity school they recommend. A counseling organization may think one seminary will better equip you to serve alongside them better than others.
If you’re considering becoming ordained in a particular denomination, it can be helpful to consider the theological perspective of the seminary you select. By attending a broadly evangelical divinity school like TEDS, you will be exposed to the larger evangelical tradition and be equipped for faithful ministry in a variety of denominations.
However, other factors are important to consider, too, especially if you do not have a list of recommended schools.
Is the seminary an accredited institution? Being an accredited institution means that a seminary’s program meets the educational requirements established by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) or by another accrediting agency. Whether the school is accredited may indicate how valued a degree from them would be and the quality of the education.
What resources are available to students? Find out about libraries, access to academic journals, and which academic guidance and resources are available to students outside of the classroom. What kinds of degrees are offered at the seminary of interest? Do you qualify for any scholarships?
Who is on the faculty? Ask yourself if the professors have experience in the fields you are interested in pursuing. Professors make themselves available to their students, so you will likely have time to be mentored by them and personally speak with them for various reasons during and after your seminary career. Though a professor may be an expert in church history, his or her presence on one seminary’s faculty may not be as important for your goals as the language specialists at a different seminary.
One should consider the theological stance of a seminary to understand whether the seminary will teach from a perspective one affirms. Even seemingly minor points of theology impact the rest of our understanding of the Bible. If you are not certain where you stand theologically, it may be best to attend a seminary like Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, which hires professors from various traditions.
How does the campus community interact? You will be spending the next few years studying alongside members of the seminary community. It is important to assess shared values, the frequency and type of community events, and how well you feel you will fit in at a campus.
Numerous factors will inform which seminary you select. It is best to do careful research and ask questions before deciding. Going to the seminary that is right for you can help you reach your ministry goals.
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School offers various degrees in different fields, including bioethics, chaplaincy, theological studies, and several PhD programs. Prospective students interested in studying and applying the evangelical faith in many academic and practical contexts should consider applying. Visit TEDS’ program pages to learn more about their academic offerings.
Trinity has been entrusted with the Gospel since 1897, and every day we are called to live with purpose. In today’s ever-changing culture, TEDS immerses students in a community of biblical orthodoxy and practical living. The TEDS faculty is among the most widely published in evangelical academia and has deeply influenced the leaders shaping the present and future of evangelical Christianity across the globe.
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