Mission Statement

History and Mission of NWTS
Northwest Theological Seminary (NWTS) is a graduate level institution of education formally organized on September 15, 2000 in Lynnwood, Washington. The organizational meeting was the culmination of a concerted effort to bring a new Reformed theological seminary to the Pacific Northwest in order to educate laypersons and ministerial candidates in the effective analysis and use of the Scriptures. The specific emphases of Northwest Theological Seminary would be biblical theology in the tradition of Geerhardus Vos; presuppositional apologetics in the tradition of Cornelius Van Til; and orthodox confessionalism in the classic Calvinistic tradition. After a year of prayer and preparation by the Board of Directors, faculty, staff, students and numerous supporters, Northwest Theological Seminary opened its doors at the facilities of Lynnwood Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Lynnwood, Washington on September 4, 2001.

The education of Northwest Theological Seminary is built on the following principles: the inerrancy of the Bible, the centrality of Christ, the biblical-theological method of teaching the Word of God, the presuppositional apologetics of Cornelius Van Til, the orthodox confessionalism of the classical Calvinistic tradition; and Reformed presbyterianism. Our doctrine is firmly founded in the Bible and classic (orthodox) Presbyterian canons (the Westminster Standards and the Three Forms of Unity).

Northwest Theological Seminary offers two programs of study: the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) and the Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.). The M.Div. is a 3-year program which equips qualified men pursuing ordination with the necessary preaching and teaching skills and knowledge to begin their ministry. This program is distinctively focused on the Scriptural basis and methods of effective preaching as well as all aspects of the pastorate such as teaching, counseling, church management and conflict resolution. Along with these distinct aspects of pastoral training, M.Div. students are required to learn methodology of Scriptural analysis and exegesis in the original languages, church history and biblical and systematic theology.

The M.T.S. is a 2–year program which presents a rigorous curriculum covering all aspects of Scriptural analysis and exegetical work in the original languages as well as church history, and biblical and systematic theology. Students in this degree program will be prepared for teaching the Bible at many different levels in Christian and biblical education.

Northwest Theological Seminary also offers classes on an Audit basis. Auditors may take classes without academic credit for a nominal one-time fee. Ministers and laypersons who would like to learn more about the Scriptures, Presbyterian church history, Greek and Hebrew (as pertains to Biblical analysis) and other spiritually enriching classes are able to take NWTS classes on this audit basis. We encourage the community to come and learn more about the Word of God through this method.

Northwest Theological Seminary is a 501(c)(3) federally tax-exempt educational institution for religious education. NWTS is licensed to operate in Washington state as a theological seminary and authorized to confer the Master of Divinity and Master of Theological Studies degrees by the Washington State Higher Education Coordinating Board.