Academic

Purpose Statement

It is the purpose of Southern Evangelical Seminary to develop competent Christian leadership and service through quality graduate programs. Central to this purpose is the provision of a biblical basis and an academic understanding of our commitment to Christ. This education will enable the learner to fulfill his or her personal and professional goals as a Christian leader and as an active citizen in the society in which we live. The infallibility and inerrancy of the Scriptures, the importance of the Church, and the ability to communicate and defend the Christian Faith are fundamental elements to this purpose.

The purpose of Southern Evangelical Seminary will be carried out in keeping with the following precepts:

Education Based on the Inerrant and Infallible Word of God: Although many other texts and reference materials will be used in classes, the final authority will be the Bible which we hold to be God’s written revelation of His will and direction for life and service.
Graduate-Level Education: Courses at Southern Evangelical Seminary lead to various graduate degrees with majors in Church Ministry, Apologetics and Counter-cult Ministry, and related subjects. Southern Evangelical Seminary also provides for persons desiring this type of training but not qualifying for the graduate degrees through certificates in the appropriate fields which may be granted upon the completion of the prescribed study programs.
For Both Men and Women: Since various ministries of the Church include both men and women, Southern Evangelical Seminary encourages both to prepare for Christian service.
Church-Relatedness: One of the unique aspects of Southern Evangelical Seminary is that its program is implemented in relationship to the local church. Students are encouraged to work with local churches. A field experience program is provided for those preparing for church-related ministries.
Relevance to the Contemporary World: Since students will minister in a complex and changing world, Southern Evangelical Seminary endeavors to relate instruction to contemporary society.

Objectives

To increase the student’s understanding of the Bible and of the doctrines of the historic Christian faith.
To help the student develop an ability to defend the Bible and the doctrines of the historic Christian faith.
To help the student develop a Christian worldview that recognizes all truth as God’s truth.
To increase the student’s ability to understand and evaluate contemporary theological and moral issues from a biblical perspective.
To help the student mature in relationship with God by Bible study, prayer, and worship.
To increase the student’s awareness of and involvement in evangelism and world missions.
To help train students for church-related, counter-cult, and apologetic ministry.

Philosophy of Education

Southern Evangelical Seminary believes that the one, infinitely wise, personal, triune God is the source of all truth. This truth is manifest in both general revelation (Ps. 19:1-6; Rom. 1:19-20) and special revelation of Scripture (John 10:35; 2 Tim. 3:16-17).

As persons created in God’s image (Gen. 1:27; Jas. 3:9), redeemed from sin by His Son’s death and bodily resurrection (Luke 24:38-39; 1 Cor. 15:1-6), renewed in His image (Col. 3:10), and taught by His Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 2:13-14), we are capable of understanding God’s truth and sharing His love (2 Cor. 5:14-15) with a world that is otherwise in darkness (2 Cor. 4:34), error (John 8:32), and evil (Rom. 5:12; 1 John 2:16-17).

As a Christian educational institution, we endeavor to discover, disseminate, and defend the truth and love God has revealed (1 Pet. 3:15; John 13:34-35). We believe this is best accomplished in an atmosphere where students are offered a Bible-based, Christ-centered (2 Cor. 10:5), and God-honoring education (1 Cor. 10:31); where teacher and learner endeavor to know both the truth and the times (1 Chr. 12:32; Phil. 2:14-15), both the message and the milieu in which it is proclaimed.

In order to achieve our goal, we provide an educational opportunity where the Christian worldview is both a framework for thinking and a dynamic for living. To accomplish this, students should be taught not only to think correctly but also to pray fervently and to live uprightly (Jas. 5:16; Deut. 6:4-9; Mark 12:29-31). This occurs most effectively when both instructor and student relate properly to God and to one another through Christ, in view of His imminent return (Acts 1:7-8; 1 Thess. 4:13-18).