View source for Dallas Theological Seminary

{{short description|Theological seminary in Dallas, Texas}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2025}}
{{Infobox university
| name                = Dallas Theological Seminary
| native_name         = 
| image          = Dallas Theological Seminary seal.svg
| image_size          = 
| caption             = 
| latin_name          = 
| motto               = Teach Truth. Love Well.
| established         = 1924
| type                = [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical]] [[seminary]]
| affiliation         = [[Non-denominational]]
| address             = 3909 Swiss Ave
| coordinates         = {{Coord|32.793611|-96.779997|type:edu|display=inline,title}}
| logo                = Dallas_Theological_Seminary_2024_Logo.png
| endowment           = 
| staff               = 
| faculty             = 89.55<ref name="ATSStats">{{ cite web | title=DTS Statistics| publisher=Association of Theological Schools | url=http://www.ats.edu/member-schools/dallas-theological-seminary| access-date = 1 December 2023}}</ref>
| president           = Mark Yarbrough
| provost             = 
| principal           = 
| rector              = 
| chancellor          = Mark Bailey
| vice_chancellor     = 
| dean                = 
| students            = 2,573<ref name="ATSStats"/>
| undergrad           = 
| postgrad            = 
| doctoral            = 
| profess             = 
| city                = [[Dallas, Texas]]
| country             = U.S.
| campus              = 
| colors              = {{Color box|#383568}} Indigo, {{Color box|#CEA97F}} Sandstone, {{Color box|#31261B}} Black Patina
| mascot              = 
| fightsong           = 
| other_name            = DTS
| affiliations        = 
| footnotes           = 
| website             = {{URL|www.dts.edu}}
}}

'''Dallas Theological Seminary''' ('''DTS''') is an [[evangelical]] [[theology|theological]] [[seminary]] in [[Dallas, Texas]]. It is known for popularizing the theological system of [[dispensationalism]]. DTS has campuses in [[Dallas]], [[Houston]], and [[Washington, D.C.]], as well as [[continuing education|extension sites]] in [[Atlanta]], [[Austin, Texas|Austin]], [[San Antonio]], [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]], Northwest [[Arkansas]], Europe, and [[Guatemala City|Guatemala]],  and a multilingual [[online education]] program. DTS is the largest non-denominational seminary accredited by the [[Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada|Association of Theological Schools]].

==History==
DTS was founded as '''Evangelical Theological College''' in 1924 by Rollin T. Chafer and his brother, [[Lewis Sperry Chafer]], who taught the first class of thirteen students, and [[William Henry Griffith Thomas]],<ref name="DTSLibrary">{{cite web | title=DTS Library| publisher=Dallas Theological Seminary | url=http://library.dts.edu/Pages/TL/Special/80th.shtml| access-date = 21 November 2012}}</ref> who was to have been the school's first theology professor but died before the first classes began.<ref>Randall Herbert Balmer, ''Encyclopedia of Evangelicalism: Revised and expanded edition'', Baylor University Press, USA, 2004, p. 202</ref> Their vision was a school where [[expository preaching|expository]] [[Bible]] preaching was taught simply, and under Chafers' leadership, DTS pioneered one of the first four-year degrees in theology, the [[Master of Theology]] (Th.M.). The present location of the school was purchased in 1926, and the [[Doctor of Theology]] (Th.D.) program was started in 1927.<ref name=dtsmile>[http://www.dts.edu/about/history/ DTS] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170507203037/http://www.dts.edu/about/history/ |date=2017-05-07 }} Historical Milestones.</ref> Chafer remained president until his death in 1952.

The seminary had a considerable influence in the [[Christian fundamentalism|fundamentalist]] movement by training students who established various [[Bible College]]s and independent fundamentalist churches in the southern United States.<ref>Samuel S. Hill, ''The New Encyclopedia of Southern Culture: Volume 1: Religion'', University of North Carolina Press, USA, 2006, p. 77</ref>

DTS has continually published a quarterly entitled ''[[Bibliotheca Sacra]]'' initially edited by Rollin T. Chafer since 1934. In 1983, a complete collection of articles was published as a book commemorating fifty years 
of the journal.<ref>[https://www.amazon.com/dp/0802404596/ Fifty Years of Bib Sac] listing at Amazon.com</ref>

[[John F. Walvoord]] took over as president in 1952 after Chafer's death in 1952. In 1974, DTS added a two-year [[Master of Arts]] (MA) program in biblical studies, and in 1982, a two-year program in Christian Education was begun. In addition to these, a [[Doctor of Ministry]] (D.Min.) program was opened in 1980. Walvoord retired as DTS president in 1986.<ref name=dtshist>[http://www.dts.edu/about/history/ DTS] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170507203037/http://www.dts.edu/about/history/ |date=2017-05-07 }} A Brief History.</ref>

From 1986 to 1994, Donald K. Campbell served as president of DTS. During his tenure, DTS opened a three-year MA program in Biblical Counseling and a two-year MA program in [[Biblical exegesis]] and [[linguistics]].<ref name=dtshist/>

[[Charles Swindoll|Chuck Swindoll]] served as president of the seminary from 1994 to 2001. Mark Bailey followed, serving as president from 2001 to 2020.<ref name="dtshist" /> Under Bailey's tenure, the seminary added a two-year MA program in media and communication, a two-year MA in Christian leadership, a Spanish D.Min. program, and a multi-lingual online education program. He was succeeded by Mark Yarbrough in 2020.

As of Spring 2014, DTS had over 15,000 alumni serving in various ministerial capacities in 97 countries worldwide.<ref name="DTSStats">{{cite web | title=DTS Statistics| publisher=Dallas Theological Seminary | url=http://www.dts.edu/about/statistics/| access-date = 28 July 2015}}</ref>

==Accreditation==
DTS was first [[Higher education accreditation in the United States|accredited]] in 1944 by the Board of Regents, State Education Department of the University of the State of New York of Albany.<ref>Hannah, John. An Uncommon Union: Dallas Theological Seminary and American Evangelicalism (Zondervan, 2009), page 130.</ref> After that institution stopped accrediting institutions outside of New York, DTS was accredited in 1969 by the [[Southern Association of Colleges and Schools]] and in 1994 by the [[Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada]].<ref name=dtscred>[http://www.dts.edu/about/accreditation/ DTS] Accreditation</ref>

The school is also a member of the [[Association of Christian Schools International]] (ACSI), the Evangelical Training Association (ETA), the [[Jerusalem University College]], and the Institute of Theological Studies (ITS).<ref name=dtscred/>

==Theology==
[[File:Chafer systhe.jpg|thumb|right|1993 reprint of Chafer's ''Systematic Theology'']]
DTS is known as a center of modern [[Dispensationalism|dispensational]] teaching<ref>[http://www.founders.org/FJ09/article1.html The Founders] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120731134636/http://www.founders.org/FJ09/article1.html |date=2012-07-31 }}. Summer 1992.</ref><ref>
[http://faculty.bbc.edu/rdecker/disp.htm Baptist Bible College] May 1999. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061209053150/http://faculty.bbc.edu/rdecker/disp.htm |date=December 9, 2006 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.tms.edu/tmsj/tmsj15e.pdf Second Blessing Models of Sanctification and Early Dallas Dispensationalism] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070207140218/http://www.tms.edu/tmsj/tmsj15e.pdf |date=2007-02-07 }}. The Master's Seminary Journal, Spring 2004.</ref><ref>[http://www.dallasobserver.com/2006-02-09/news/the-end-is-near/1 Dallas Observer] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728192524/http://www.dallasobserver.com/2006-02-09/news/the-end-is-near/1 |date=2012-07-28 }}. February 9, 2006</ref><ref>[http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/onsite/innovations.html Monergism.com] October 2005.</ref> due to Dr. Chafer's development of a [[systematic theology]] which approaches the Bible with a "[[premillennialism|premillennial]], dispensational interpretation of the Scriptures."<ref name="DTSLibrary"/> ''Systematic Theology'', his eight-volume work describing this approach, was first published in 1948 and is still a required textbook for some courses at DTS.<ref name="DTSLibrary"/>

Notable theological beliefs of the school include: premillennialism, dispensationalism, and [[Biblical inerrancy]]. The school considers itself [[non-denominational Christianity|non-denominational]] within [[Protestantism]], and offers classes in all 66 books of the [[Protestant Bible]].<ref name=dtscred/>

== Notable people ==
{{Very long|section|date=September 2024}}

In a 2009 study conducted by LifeWay Research, Protestant pastors named preachers who had most influenced them. Three DTS alumni were among the top ten: [[Chuck Swindoll]] ('63), founder of radio broadcast Insight for Living; [[David Jeremiah]] ('67), founder of Turning Point Radio and Television Ministries; and [[Andy Stanley]] ('85), founder of North Point Ministries.<ref>{{cite web|last=Phillips|first=Rob|title=LifeWay Research: Protestant pastors name Graham most influential living preacher|url=http://www.lifeway.com/article/170048/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120906181811/http://www.lifeway.com/article/170048/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-09-06|publisher=LifeWay Research}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Alumni Office |title=Top Ten Most Influential Living Preachers List includes Three DTS Alumni |url=https://alumni.dts.edu/publicposts/viewpost.aspx?PostID=13992 |publisher=DTS }}{{dead link|date=April 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Other notable people associated with the seminary include:

=== Alumni ===
*[[Gregory Beale]], former president of the [[Evangelical Theological Society]] and professor at Westminster Theological Seminary
*[[Darrell L. Bock]], New Testament Scholar
*[[Steve Breedlove]], bishop of the [[Anglican Church in North America]]
*[[Ted Budd]], [[United States Senate|United States Senator]] from [[North Carolina]]
*[[Charlie Camlin]], bishop of the [[Reformed Episcopal Church]]
*[[Michael J. Easley]], former president of [[Moody Bible Institute]]
*[[Tony Evans (pastor)|Tony Evans]], pastor and widely syndicated radio broadcaster
*[[Buist M. Fanning]], Biblical Scholar
*[[F. David Farnell]], professor of New Testament at [[The Master's Seminary]]
*[[Arnold Fruchtenbaum]], Messianic Jewish scholar and founder of Ariel Ministries
*[[John D. Hannah]], Church history Scholar
*[[Harold Hoehner]], New Testament scholar
*[[Chip Ingram]], pastor and orator, founder of Living on the Edge
*[[Robert Jeffress]], pastor of [[First Baptist Church (Dallas)|First Baptist Church]] in [[Dallas]], [[Texas]]
*[[David Jeremiah]], author, pastor of [[Shadow Mountain Community Church]]
*[[Howard Clark Kee]], American Bible scholar
*[[Mark Keough]], [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] member of the [[Texas House of Representatives]]
*[[Lawrence Khong]], senior pastor of [[Faith Community Baptist Church]]
*[[David Klingler]], former NFL player and current professor of Bible Exposition
*[[Peter Lillback]], president and professor of historical theology and church history at [[Westminster Theological Seminary]]
*[[Samuel L. Perry]], Professor of Sociology at the [[University of Oklahoma]]
*[[Hal Lindsey]], author of ''[[The Late, Great Planet Earth]]''
*[[Duane Litfin]], former president of [[Wheaton College (Illinois)|Wheaton College]]
*[[J. Vernon McGee]], founder of "Thru the Bible Radio Network" program
* [[Paul Mills]], current head men's basketball coach at [[Oral Roberts Golden Eagles men's basketball|Oral Roberts University]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/the-ncaa-tournaments-hoosiers-story-coachs-favorite-movie-comes-to-life-004443387.html |title=Oral Roberts' Sweet 16 run is coach's favorite movie come to life |first=Pete |last=Thamel |author-link=Pete Thamel |website=Yahoo Sports |date=March 25, 2021 |access-date=March 25, 2021}}</ref>
*[[Mark Nordstrom]], bishop of the [[Anglican Church in North America]]
*[[Paul Nyquist]], former president of [[Moody Bible Institute]]
*[[Scott O'Grady]], pilot whose story formed the basis for the film ''[[Behind Enemy Lines (2001 film)|Behind Enemy Lines]]''
*[[J. Dwight Pentecost]],  Bible Expositior
*[[Ernest Pickering]], former president of [[Central Baptist Theological Seminary of Minneapolis]]
*[[Jim Rayburn]], founder of [[Young Life]]
*[[Haddon Robinson]], former president at [[Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary]]
*[[Brian Rosner]], Principal of [[Ridley College (Melbourne)|Ridley College Melbourne]]<ref name="Ridley.CV">{{cite web| url = https://www.ridley.edu.au//wp-content/uploads/2019/08/CV_Brian-S-Rosner_2019final.pdf | title = Brian Steven Rosner | author-link= | date = 2019 | website = [[Ridley College (Melbourne)|Ridley College]] | access-date = 21 December 2023}}</ref> 
* [[Charles Caldwell Ryrie]], Systematic Theologian
*[[Priscilla Shirer]], author, motivational speaker, and actress
*[[Andy Stanley]], author, and pastor of [[North Point Community Church]]
*[[Ray Stedman]], evangelical Christian pastor, and author. 
*[[Joseph Stowell]], former president of [[Moody Bible Institute]], current president of [[Cornerstone University]]
*[[Chuck Swindoll]], author, pastor of [[Stonebriar Community Church]]
*[[Kenneth N. Taylor]], creator of [[The Living Bible]] and the founder of [[Tyndale House]]
*[[Robert Thieme]], author, pastor of Berachah Church, Houston, TX
*[[John Townsend (author)|John Townsend]], co-author of ''Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life''
*[[Merrill Unger]], Old Testament scholar and archeologist 
*[[Daniel B. Wallace]], New Testament textual critic 
*[[Bruce Waltke]],  Old Testament Scholar and a former professor at Westminster Theological Seminary
*[[John Walvoord]], Systematic Theologian
*[[Steven Waterhouse]], pastor and [[Bible]] teacher
*[[Bruce Wilkinson]], founder of [[Walk Thru the Bible]]

=== Current and former faculty ===
*[[Craig A. Blaising]], Professor of Systematic Theology, proponent of [[progressive dispensationalism]]
*[[Darrell L. Bock]], Senior Research Professor of New Testament
*[[Tony Evans (pastor)|Tony Evans]], Adjunct Professor
*[[Buist M. Fanning]], Professor of New Testament studies
*[[John D. Hannah]], Scholar of Reformation Theology
*[[Everett F. Harrison]], Professor of New Testament (deceased)
*[[Howard Hendricks]], Professor of Christian Education (deceased)
*[[Zane C. Hodges]] Scholar of Free Grace Theology (deceased)
*[[Harold Hoehner]], Distinguished Professor of New Testament Studies, (deceased) 
*[[Harry A. Ironside]], visiting lecturer from 1925-'43 (deceased)
*[[David Jeremiah]], Adjunct Professor
*[[David Klingler]], Associate Professor of Bible Exposition
*[[John MacArthur (American pastor)|John MacArthur]], Adjunct Professor
*[[J. Vernon McGee]], Professor of Bible Exposition
*[[Eugene H. Merrill (academic)|Eugene Merrill]], Distinguished Professor of Old Testament Studies (Emeritus)
*[[J. Dwight Pentecost]], Distinguished Professor of Bible Exposition (deceased)
*[[Haddon Robinson]], Professor of Homiletics
*[[Charles Caldwell Ryrie]] Professor of Systematic Theology (deceased)
*[[Charles Swindoll]], Professor
*[[Merrill Unger]], Professor of Old Testament Studies (deceased)
*[[Daniel B. Wallace]], Professor of New Testament Studies (prolific textual critic and Greek grammarian)
*[[Bruce Waltke]], Professor of Old Testament Studies
*[[John Walvoord]] President, Professor of Systematic Theology (deceased)
*[[Roy B. Zuck]], Professor of Bible Exposition (deceased)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://voice.dts.edu/article/roy-zuck-tribute/|title=A Tribute to Dr. Roy B. Zuck (1932–2013)|language=en-US|access-date=April 7, 2024|website=Dallas Theological Seminary}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.dts.edu/ Official website]

{{Dallas Theological Seminary|state=expanded}}
{{CCCU}}
{{Private colleges and universities in Texas}}
{{Tertiary education in Dallas-Fort Worth}}
{{Education in Dallas County, Texas}}
{{Religion in DFW}}
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[[Category:Dallas Theological Seminary| ]]
[[Category:Evangelicalism in Texas]]
[[Category:Evangelical universities and colleges in the United States]]
[[Category:Evangelical seminaries and theological colleges in the United States]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools]]
[[Category:Seminaries and theological colleges in Texas]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges in Dallas]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges established in 1924]]
[[Category:1924 establishments in Texas]]
[[Category:Council for Christian Colleges and Universities]]