Introducing the
Evangelical Theological Seminary
Nothing is more fascinating to maturing Christian than “holding fast the
faithful word” (Titus 1:9) which is the “Word of Life” (Phil.2:16).
Perhaps at no time in the history of Christianity has there been so much
devaluation of the Word of God and consequently its authority, inspiration and
inerrancy as it is today. Also perhaps there is no other time in the history of
mankind when so much is attempted constantly by groups of faithful men and women
of God all around the globe who have set apart themselves, to strengthen and
encourage faithfulness and commitment to the Bible as it is today. The primary
purpose of Evangelical Theological Seminary is to join hands with
these, especially in the area of training those who are called to minister the
Word to those who seek its instruction and exhortation and desire to “declare
His glory among the nations…” (Psalm 96:3).
To accomplish this task the Evangelical Theological Seminary prepares
faithful men who are capable to minister to others for various church related
ministries at the master’s level of biblical, theological, and ministerial
instruction. The Evangelical Theological Seminary curriculum, therefore
is absolutely Bible-centered and is developed from the perspective of
evangelical, premillennial, dispensational theology as set forth in the
Doctrinal Statement.
The objective of theological training at the Seminary level is must be
centered on the purpose of God in giving “gifts to men, for the equipping of the
saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ”
(Eph.4:12). This makes it imperative that a Word-centered training system has
to be broad-based to include every type of “body” related ministry.
Thus we have purposed with God to establish the believer in the Word of God
and also to work with men, women, institutions, missions, and churches that are
likeminded to “contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints,”
so that together we may prepare the harvesters who have not only the zeal for
God but also the knowledge of the Word (Rom.10:2). Hence our oft repeated
emphasis “evangelism with scholarship.”
It is our trust and hope that those who are established in the faith of the
Living and Written Word will be effective instruments in the hand of God to
reach the unreached world for Christ and help the growth of Christ-honoring, and
Bible believing churches all around the globe.
In the initial year the strategy of ACA was to provide graduate level courses
at extension centers throughout India. It also encouraged students to
start Bible study fellowships to transfer the knowledge to others and to
organize churches.
Till 1982, the main aim was to provide training for as many students as
possible, even if they did not desire to acquire a degree. More than 300
students took various courses during this period. However, we felt the
need for a residential seminary so that we may offer the degree programs of
Masters of Theology (for all graduates), Master of Sacred Theology (for B.D.
graduates) and M.B.S. (for students who opt for curriculum without biblical
languages).
In 1983, ACA rented some facilities in Bangalore and started the residential
seminary with 6 students. The first batch of 12 students graduates in
December 1986. The land for a permanent campus was bought in 1985 at Hosur,
Tamilnadu. Due to the unexpected death of Dr. Isaac John in 1986, the
development of the campus property was delayed until 1988.
Dr. Joy M. George succeeded Dr. John as the President of ACA. The work
on the Seminary building with space for classrooms, offices and library was
started in 1989 and completed in 1991. ACA moved into the new campus in
August 1991.
The Lord miraculously provided funds for a new van for the transportation of
staff and faculty who were commuting from Bangalore as we had no housing
facilities on campus. The food was cooked in a tent and the office space
was used as student dormitory until the cafeteria building was finished the
following year and the student dormitory in 1992.
In the Silver Jubilee year of 2001, more than 300 men have graduated from ACA
with the Master of Theology degree and 8 women from the Master of Biblical
Studies degree. A number of eminent teachers from the USA have served as
visiting faculty. |
