Asbury Theological Seminary

Asbury Theological Seminary is a Christian Wesleyan seminary in the historical Methodist tradition located in Wilmore, Kentucky. It is the largest seminary of the Wesleyan-Holiness movement. It is known for its advocacy of egalitarianism, giving equal status for men and women in ministerial roles and for ordination. It is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS).

History

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Statue of John Wesley at ATS - Wilmore Campus

Asbury Theological Seminary was founded in Wilmore, Kentucky, in 1923 by its first president, Henry Clay Morrison, who was at the time the president of Asbury College. In 1940, Asbury Seminary separated from the college in order to satisfy accreditation requirements. Because of the proximity of the two schools (across the street), similar names, and common theological heritage, many people confuse the relationship between the college and the seminary. While they are separate institutions, the schools maintain a collegial relationship that benefits both communities.

Asbury Seminary has had eight presidents since its founding. In December 2023, the seminary announced that Timothy C. Tennent, the eighth president, would transition out of the presidency to be a Professor of World Christianity. In February 2024, the seminary launched a search process for the next president. In May 2024, The Board of Trustees named David J. Gyertson interim president starting July 1, 2024. In March 2025, the Board of Trustees elected David F. Watson as the next president effective July 1, 2025.

Presidents

1. Henry Clay Morrison (1923–1942)
2. J.C. McPheeters (1942–1962)
3. Frank Stanger (1962–1982)
4. David McKenna (1982–1994)
5. Maxie Dunnam (1994–2004)
6. Jeff Greenway (2004–2006)
7. Ellsworth Kalas (2006–2009)
8. Timothy Tennent (2009–2024)
9. [Interim] David Gyertson (2024 – June 30, 2025)
10. David F. Watson (takes office July 1, 2025)

Extended education

In addition to the main campus at Wilmore, the seminary offers courses through online learning and extension sites in Memphis, Tenn., Tulsa, Okla., Colorado Springs, Colo., Tampa, Fla. and Orlando, Fla.

Accreditation

Asbury Theological Seminary is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award master's and doctoral degrees. It is an accredited member of The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada. Asbury Theological Seminary does not, within the context of its religious principles, heritage, mission, and goals, discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, physical impairment, or gender in the administration of its admission policies, educational policies, scholarship, and loan programs, athletic or other school-administered programs. The seminary is authorized under federal law to enroll nonimmigrant alien students.

Academic Schools

Asbury Theological Seminary has four academic schools.

• School of Biblical Interpretation
• E. Stanley Jones School of World Mission and Evangelism
• School of Theology & Formation
• School of Counseling

Notable faculty

• Bill T. Arnold — Paul S. Amos Professor of Old Testament Interpretation, editor of biblical commentary series, including the New International Commentary on the Old Testament (NICOT)
• Kenneth J. Collins — professor of Historical Theology and Wesley Studies
• Craig S. Keener — professor of New Testament, known for his expertise in Greco-Roman and Jewish sources
• John N. Oswalt — visiting distinguished professor of the Old Testament, involved with the NIV and NLT Bible translations, author of a major commentary on Isaiah
• Ben Witherington III — Jean R. Amos Professor of New Testament for Doctoral Studies, and prolific author

Notable alumni

• Jacob DeShazer, a member of the Doolittle Raid, a prisoner of war in Japan, and then a missionary to Japan in the Free Methodist Church
• Darryl Fitzwater, bishop of the Missionary Diocese of All Saints in the Anglican Church in North America
• Jim Garlow, pastor of Skyline Church in San Diego
• Alfred W. Gwinn, former United Methodist Bishop of the North Carolina Annual Conference
• Stephen Hance, Church of England priest and Dean of Derby Cathedral
• Joe Hilley, (class of 1984), New York Times bestselling author
• James W. Holsinger, M.Div., former chair of Board of Trustees, former member of the Board of Trustees, and nominated United States Surgeon General
• Marshall MacClellan, D.Min., suffragan bishop of the Jurisdiction of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy in the Anglican Church in North America
• David Seamands, United Methodist pastor and writer
• Ted Strickland (class of 1967), 68th Governor of Ohio and former member of the United States House of Representatives.

External links

• Official website