EVANGELICAL THEOLOGICAL HIGHER EDUCATION: PAST COMMITMENTS, PRESENT REALITIES, AND FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS

Abstract

This article examines significant changes taking place in international higher education and their implications for evangelical theological higher education. The paper is divided into 3 parts: (a) past commitments, (b) present realities, and (c) future considerations. The first section includes a brief examination of several historical commitments noteworthy in evangelical theological education, regardless of cultural setting. Section two gives limited attention to several current realities relative to the church and the international higher education community that should cause theological educators to evaluate their respective missions and programs. The third section on future considerations or implications receives the most attention. Knowing that significant changes are taking place, an agenda for renewal is considered that gives attention to theological, missiological, and pedagogical issues while focusing on 10 core values, or priorities, that should be characteristic of evangelical theological education: (a) cultural appropriateness, (b) church focus, (c) theological grounding, (d) servant leadership, (e) Christian worldview, (f) community life, (g) academic excellence, (h) educational creativity, (i) outcomes assessment, and (j) a cooperative spirit.

Acknowledgments

This article is an adaptation of a paper presented at a plenary session of the 13^th Triennial Consultation of the International Council for Evangelical Theological Education at the Wycliff Centre in High Wycombe, United Kingdom, August 18–22, 2003.