Introduction
Asbury Seminary was founded in 1923 "to prepare and send forth a well-trained, sanctified, Spirit-filled, evangelistic ministry" to spread scriptural holiness around the world. Over eighty years later, Asbury has continued to hold to our intended goal upon which we were founded and provide holistic ministerial preparation as an interdenominational institution.
Committed to a vital evangelical Christian faith, Asbury Seminary is rooted in the Wesleyan-Arminian theological tradition which stresses the free grace of God in two ways: First, the grace of God is free in all - not dependent on merit nor on works. Second, the grace of God is free for all - all may be saved. Christ died for the whole world. People are lost, then, not because they cannot be saved, but because they will not be saved.
The Christian faith rests on the personal self-revelation of God in Jesus Christ. Therefore, the Asbury Seminary philosophy of education begins with the Christian faith which centers in God, as revealed inthe person of the Lord Jesus Christ and as witnessed in the Holy Scriptures by the Holy Spirit.
In general, a theological seminary is an institution of higher learning composed of scholarly teachers,leaders and students dedicated to the truth. In the search for truth, Asbury Seminary faculty affirms: Scripture, reason, experience and tradition. While Asbury Seminary stands within the Wesleyan tradition and holds to a clearly defined statement of faith, the faculty commits to academic freedom. Central to all academic work are two commitments: the first to Jesus Christ as Sovereign Lord and the second to the pursuit of truth as a corporate and personal vocation.
Asbury Seminary takes the position that God calls to His ministry men and women renewed by faith in Christ and set apart for Christian service by a divine call. Asbury Seminary is committed to preparing its students for this vocation through:
- Providing an environment of spiritual education that results in personal spiritual formation
- Encouraging a holistic approach to ministry and ministerial preparation
- Providing a theological education of academic excellence and professional preparation
Total current enrollment exceeds 1,600 students, representing over 90 denominations and 38 countries. Alumni of the Seminary serve around the world in 66 foreign countries, more than 137 denominations all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and in almost every time zone.
On its Kentucky campus, Asbury offers a variety of degrees, including the Master of Arts, Master of Divinity, Master of Theology, Doctor of Missiology, Doctor of Ministry and Doctor of Philosophy in Intercultural Studies, Biblical Studies and Evangelization. Located on the Kentucky campus are the Beeson Pastor program and the Beeson international leaders, in-ministry program.
The Florida campus is accredited to offer the Master of Divinity and the Master of Arts in Christian Ministry, Counseling and Pastoral Counseling degrees. Also located on the Florida campus is the Latino/Latina Studies Program (LLSP), a three-year curriculum designed to provide theological education in Spanish and from a Hispanic perspective; areas of specialization include theology, pastoral studies, missions and evangelism, leadership and worship.
Classes through our Virtual campus allow students to earn one-half of the Master of Arts or two-thirds of the Master of Divinity degree on-line.