And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
“How worthily our fathers thought of the ministry! And what wise provision they made for training men for it, when they set out the curriculum of their first theological seminary! This curriculum was framed with the express design that those who pursued it should come forth from it these five things: “a sound Biblical critic”; “a defender of the Christian faith”; “an able and sound divine”; “a useful preacher and faithful pastor”; and a man “qualified to exercise discipline and to take part in the government of the Church in all its judicatories.” A well-rounded minister this, one equal to the functions which belong to a minister of the New Testament order.”
B.B. Warfield, Selected Shorter Writings of B.B. Warfield
The standard academic award is the Master of Divinity degree. This program requires 3 years of full-time study, or 4-5 years of part-time study. The curriculum includes extensive instruction in the original languages of Scripture (Hebrew and Greek), as well as courses in exegetical theology (Old and New Testaments), systematic theology, pastoral theology and church history. Since we believe that the ministerial office is divinely appointed and involves matters of eternal life and death, these courses will be rigorous. Preparation will include preaching practicums in the classroom, in summer internships and in practical apprenticeships.
Doctoral studies are held in conjunction with Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary (PRTS) and will be conducted under the joint oversight of IRBS Theological Seminary and PRTS faculty.
Additional programs include a Master of Arts in Religion and several Non-Degree Programs. In these programs students will receive the same instruction as Master of Divinity students but without the practical preaching components.
Seminary professors and instructors must be academically qualified. Core faculty must have an unreserved commitment to The Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689. All faculty must have experience both as preachers of the Word of God and in the pastorate. An understanding of and appreciation for experimental Calvinism (Puritanism) are essential. Each instructor will meet established academic requirements for service in a graduate school. Faculty will be designated by rank: Lecturer, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Professor.
* IRBS Theological Seminary admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin.