Admissions

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Westminster Theological Seminary is offering a ThM-level degree course in association with the John Owen Centre for Theological Studies (JOCTS) of London Thelogical Seminary.

JOCTS has been established to promote evangelical scholarship of excellence for the good of the church and the advance of God's kingdom. Westminster is the doyen of intellectually rigorous Reformed seminaries worldwide, with over 700 students currently enrolled, and it has a proven track record of keeping faithfully to the historic Reformed faith. The modules for this ThM will be taught by visiting faculty members of Westminster and adjunct faculty members.

The purpose of the course is to increase the student's knowledge of a major field of theological learning - in this case that of the Reformed and Puritan periods - particularly through training and practice in the use of the methods and tools of theological research, and thus to further the student's preparation for pastoral or teaching ministry, or for more advanced graduate study. It is aimed especially at theology graduates, ministers and missionaries. Provision is made for those wishing to attend lectures without taking the degree.

Credentials for admission to the course will include a degree in theology or its educational equivalent, and evidence of knowledge of both Hebrew and NT Greek, as well as one other language relevant to theological study (e.g. Dutch, French, German, or Latin). An examination in this chosen language must be passed before the course's thesis can be submitted.

The course itself will consist of 6 taught modules, each of one week's duration, and the writing of a thesis. These 6 weeks will be spread over 53 weeks. The course can also be taken over 2 years.

Fees and accommodation:
The tuition and examination fees will be £3,750.

Accommodation if required will be available (single study bedrooms) during the teaching weeks. Residence at the John Owen Centre at other times is also possible subject to availability.

Library Resources

Master of Theology Course Curriculum 2006
Students are required to complete and pass the Theological Bibliography and Research Methodology course.

January 9-13, 2006: Scottish Covenant Theology,  Dr. Andrew McGowan
This course will follow the rise and development of Scottish covenant theology from Robert Rollock onwards, concentrating particularly on the seminal work of Thomas Boston. T.F. Torrance's views on covenant theology will be examined and a response offered. The nature of covenant theology will be spelled out in detail and the various internal disagreements (notably the Kline/Murray debate) will be examined in the light of the of the position taken by leading Scottish theologians.
    Andrew T.B. McGowan (B.D., S.T.M., Ph.D.) Principal, Highland Theological College, Dingwall; Pastoral ministry in Mallaig, Aberdeen and Glasgow, 1980-1994; Highland Theological College, 1994-.

April 10-13, 2006: History of Atonement, Dr. Garry J. Williams
An opportunity to engage first-hand with a selection of classic Reformed treatments of the doctrine of the Atonement. The course will involve extensive reading of primary texts from a range of Reformed theologians, including John Calvin, John Owen, Jonathan Edwards, and Charles Hodge, focusing particularly on their exposition and defense of penal substitution atonement. The course will examine the historical background of Reformed conceptions, their polemical function, their biblical basis, and their internal systematic coherence.
     Garry J. Williams (Ph.D.) Tutor in Church History and Doctrine, Oak Hill Theological College, London.

July 3-7, 2006: The Doctrine of the Church in Reformed Theology, Dr. A. Craig Troxel
This course seeks to familiarize students with ecclesiology in the Reformed tradition through readings in historical, biblical, and systematic theology (including John Calvin, John Owen, William Cunningham, James Bannerman, Charles Hodge, Herman Bavinck, G.C.Berkouwer, John Murray, Thomas E. Peck, Herman Ridderbos, Stuart Robinson, James Henley Thornwell, Gerhardus Vos, and Thomas Witherow).  Those who hold to Reformed convictions face the numerous challenges of sacramental, liberal, and emergent views of the church, as well as the ongoing need to speak meaningfully in an age in which so much of the church is infatuated with individualism, the parachurch, and "postmodernism."  This course seeks to equip students more fully with the ability to articulate—thoughtfully and winsomely—the conviction that "there is no ordinary possibility of salvation" outside of the church, and to defend the church's rightful claim to ordain "stewards of the mysteries of God" (1Cor 4.1), to exercise the "keys of the kingdom" (Mt 16.19), and to carry out her work as the "pillar and foundation of the truth" (1Tim 3.15).
     A. Craig Troxel (M.A.T.S., Ph.D.) Adjunct Professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster; Pastor, Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Glenside, Pennsylvania.

August 28-September 1, 2006: The Life and Thought of Martin Luther, Dr. Carl R. Trueman
The purpose of the course is to examine the life and teaching of Martin Luther through studying texts written by Luther and his contemporaries which illuminate the intellectual development and theological contribution of the German Reformer. Topics include the controversy over indulgences, the nature of justification, the dispute with Erasmus, the Marburg Colloquy, and the development of Lutheran theology in the 1530s and 1540s.
     Carl R. Trueman (M.A., Ph.D.) Professor of Church History and Historical Theology at Westminster; Lecturer in Theology, University of Nottingham, 1993-98; Senior Lecturer in Church History, University of Aberdeen, 1998-2001, Westminster Theological Seminary, 2001-.

September 4-8, 2006: The Life and Thought of Jonathan Edwards, Dr. Steve Nichols
The purpose of this course is to explore the life, thought, and legacy of Jonathan Edwards. Topics include a survey of his life, especially the Stockbridge years, an overview of his major treatises, and a close study of select sermons. Two particular areas of foci are Edwards's transatlantic associations and his thought on the task of ministry.
     Stephen J. Nichols (M.A.R., Ph.D.) Associate Professor of Historical Theology and Philosophy at Lancaster Bible College and Graduate School, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Master of Theology Course Curriculum 2005 (for reference)
Students are required to complete and pass the Theological Bibliography and Research Methodology course.

January 3-7, 2005: English Nonconformity - Dr. Robert Oliver

March 21-25, 2005: Calvin's Doctrine of the Holy Spirit - Dr. Sinclair B. Ferguson

July 4-8, 2005: The Life and Theology of Abraham Kuyper - Dr. McKendree Langley

August 29- September 2, 2005: The Doctrine of Salvation -- Dr. Lane G.Tipton

September 5-9, 2005: The Life and Theology of John Owen -- Dr. Carl R. Trueman


How to apply:

Applicants must submit their completed application form and supporting documents to the Director of JOCTS in London by October 31 for January entrance, January 15 for March or June entrance, and April 30 for August or September entrance.

Write to: The Director, John Owen Centre for Theological Study, LTS, 104 Hendon Lane, London N3 3SQ, UK. Telephone: 020-8346 7587.

E-mail to: johnowen@ltslondon.org, quoting Master of Theology (Westminster Theological Seminary Philadelphia, USA.) at The John Owen Centre for Theological Study.