Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary (“PRTS”) today announced the appointment of Dr. Tom Schwanda as Scholar-in-Residence.

Dr. Joel R. Beeke, President of Puritan Reformed, comments, “I am pleased and honored to announce that Dr. Schwanda, professor emeritus of Wheaton College Graduate School, has accepted the appointment of Scholar-in-Residence. Dr. Schwanda’s research and writing has been largely focused on Puritanism and Puritan piety and spirituality. The newly established scholar-in-residence program enhances the engagement with the doctoral student community, research, and publication and will be greatly valued at Puritan Reformed. I trust that, by God’s grace, this appointment of Dr. Schwanda solidifies the position of Puritan Reformed for biblical, Reformed, experiential, and practical theological education.” Dr. Schwanda serves on the editorial board for the Studies in Puritanism and Piety journal, and Senior Fellow for Christian Spirituality for the C.S. Lewis Institute, an international discipleship ministry centered in Washington DC.

Begun in 1994, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary is now an accredited educational institution for MA, MDiv, ThM, DMin, and PhD degrees. Its mission is to prepare students worldwide to serve Christ and His church through biblical, experiential, and practical ministry.  With campuses in Grand Rapids, Europe (London), Middle East (Alexandria), Asia (Taiwan), Africa (Pretoria), and Latin America (Sao Paulo), the seminary numbers more than 250 students, has twelve professors, twenty globally renowned scholars as adjunct faculty, and a support staff of twelve.

The In Trust Center for Theological Schools Awarded a Grant of $15,000

Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary was awarded a matching grant of $15,000 from The In Trust Center for Theological Schools. The funds for the In Trust Center Resource Grant are supported by the Lilly Endowment, one of the world’s largest private philanthropic foundations.

The grant will enable Puritan Reformed to engage the services of the Grand Valley State University’s Applied Computer Institute (ACI) to engage a new and innovative educational materials delivery system designed for digital native students. This new system will serve our students and their needs better by providing digital solutions and delivery systems for our classes, syllabi, and assessments. The seminary will provide matching funds to accomplish the project.

This new system will allow students located all over the world to get information and class materials on their cell phones, tablets, and computers. Students are consuming education differently than in years past. They want to use digital methods to learn without the need for printers and paper. Notes are taken digitally, and lectures can be digitally recorded making paper, pens, and pencils no longer a necessity in the classroom. This shift will make our seminary more responsive and better serve the needs of our students.

Working with the Applied Computer Institute (ACI) located at Grand Valley State University, Puritan Reformed will update course offerings, syllabi, and reading assignments so that digitally native students will be equipped to use digital methods for their education at the seminary. Testing and assessments will also be designed to be managed digitally.

“We are extremely grateful to The In Trust Center for Theological Schools for providing the funding for Puritan Reformed to enhance our educational delivery to include digital native offerings. The harnessing of technology to further God’s kingdom is exciting and the collaboration with Applied Computer Institute gives us the technical expertise needed for this state-of-the-art educational solution,” stated Dr. Jonathon Beeke, Academic Dean.

About The In Trust Center for Theological Schools

The In Trust Center for Theological Schools is a membership organization of over 230 seminaries, theological schools, and nonprofit educational institutions that have a mission of education or forming students for ministry or related scholarship.  More information about the In Trust Center’s programs and initiatives can be found on its website.

About Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary (https://prts.edu)

Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary founded in 1995, offers an accredited education for MA, MABC, MDiv, ThM, DMin, and PhD degrees. Its mission is to prepare students worldwide to serve Christ and His church through biblical, Reformed, experiential, and practical ministry. With campuses in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Europe (London), the Middle East (Alexandria), Asia (Taiwan), Africa (Pretoria), and Latin America (Sao Paulo), the seminary has more than 250 students.

Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary has received a grant of $1,000,000 from Lilly Endowment Inc. to help establish the Collaborative Church Embedded Ministry Education Model program.

The Collaborative Church Embedded Ministry Education Model program is being funded through Lilly Endowment’s Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative. It is a three-phase initiative designed to help theological schools across the United States and Canada as they prioritize and respond to the most pressing challenges they face as they prepare pastoral leaders for Christian congregations both now and into the future.

The overarching goal of this collaborative program will be to equip pastors and ministry leaders in rural and urban inner-city environments by providing them with a robust theological education that allows them to remain in their local context and be supported by pastoral mentors.  The result of this program will be to reduce the seminary graduate’s acclimation time to their relevant ministry setting and increase the retention rate of pastors in ministry.

“We are extremely grateful to Lilly Endowment for providing the funding for Puritan Reformed to expand our robust education offerings to include embedded church leaders and pastors.  The collaboration with other like-minded Reformed seminaries will further the reach and help develop a program that reflects diversity in denominational backgrounds, racially, economically as well as in languages with the goal of better serving Christ and His church,” stated Dr. Jerry Bilkes, Director of MDiv Degree Program.

Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary is one of 105 theological schools receiving phase two grants. Together they represent the broad diversity of Christianity in the U.S. and Canada. The schools are affiliated with evangelical, mainline Protestant, nondenominational, Pentecostal, Orthodox, Catholic, Black church, Latino, Asian-American and historic peace church traditions (e.g., Church of the Brethren, Mennonite, Quakers).

“Theological schools have long played a pivotal role in preparing pastoral leaders for churches,” said Christopher L. Coble, the Endowment’s vice president for religion. “Today, these schools find themselves in a period of rapid and profound change.  Through the Pathways Initiative, theological schools will take deliberate steps to address the challenges they have identified in ways that make the most sense to them.  We believe that their efforts are critical to ensuring that Christian congregations continue to have a steady stream of pastoral leaders who are well-prepared to lead the churches of tomorrow.”

The Pathways Initiative is part of Lilly Endowment’s wider efforts to strengthen theological schools and other religious institutions and networks that prepare pastoral leaders to ensure that a diverse array of Christian congregations are guided by a steady stream of wise, faithful, and well-prepared leaders.

About Lilly Endowment Inc.

Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly, Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. Although the gifts of stock remain a financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion and maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana. A primary aim of its grantmaking in religion is to deepen the religious lives of Christians, principally by supporting efforts that enhance congregational vitality and strengthen the leadership of Christian communities. The Endowment values the broad diversity of Christian traditions and endeavors to support them in a wide variety of contexts. The Endowment also seeks to foster public understanding about religion by encouraging fair, accurate and balanced portrayals of the positive and negative effects of religion on the world and lifting up the contributions that people of all faiths make to our greater civic well-being.

About Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary (https://prts.edu)

Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary founded in 1995, offers an accredited education for MA, MABC, MDiv, ThM, DMin, and PhD degrees. Its mission is to prepare students worldwide to serve Christ and His church through biblical, Reformed, experiential, and practical ministry. With campuses in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Europe (London, Middle East (Alexandria), Asia (Taiwan), Africa (Pretoria), and Latin America (Sao Paulo), the seminary has more than 250 students.

Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary announces the appointment of Dr. David Noe as Beza Scholar-in-Residence for Greek and Latin.  Dr. Joel R. Beeke, President of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary commented, “I am pleased and honored to announce that Dr. David Noe has accepted the appointment of Scholar-in-Residence. I trust that, by God’s grace, this appointment of Dr. Noe solidifies the position of Puritan Reformed for biblical, Reformed, experiential, and practical theological education.”

Dr. Noe’s knowledge and expertise will complement our current faculty well and expands our offerings in early modern Reformed theology, his current research focus.  Dr. Noe is also skilled in translating theological and philosophical texts from the 16th and 17th centuries, and the continuing development of spoken Greek and Latin fluency and pedagogical strategies. Dr. Noe will be teaching Latin I and Greek I for the Fall semester.

The newly established scholar-in-residence program enhances the engagement with our doctoral student community. The appointment of Dr. Noe will enhance the research endeavors at Puritan Reformed, as well as expand our publishing opportunities, and will be greatly valued at Puritan Reformed.

Dr. Noe is a pastor of Reformation Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  His practical experience as a pastor and teacher combined with his scholarly work, research, and translations will provide Puritan Reformed students with a great resource and professor.

About Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary (https://prts.edu)

Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary founded in 1995, offers an accredited education for MA, MABC, MDiv, ThM, DMin, and PhD degrees. Its mission is to prepare students worldwide to serve Christ and His church through biblical, Reformed, experiential, and practical ministry. With campuses in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Europe (London), Middle East (Alexandria), Asia (Taiwan), Africa (Pretoria), and Latin America (Sao Paulo), the seminary has more than 250 students.

PRTS is excited to announce its new Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling (MABC) degree program. This program is designed to serve the church with biblical, Reformed, and experiential counselors who teach and model the wisdom of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Program Distinctives:

• Committed to the Scriptures
• Creedal and Confessionally Reformed
• Grounded in Systematic Theology
• Informed by Biblical Theology
• Drawing on Biblical Examples of Counseling
• Experiential Emphasis
• Hands-on Approach

The MABC degree program requires a total of 62 credit hours and can be completed in two years.

“There is a great need in our churches for pastors and ministry leaders who understand the effects of the Fall on individuals and on our social order, and who can pastorally care for the souls of men and women in a way that biblically brings about restoration, redemption and transformation, both with God and with one another. I believe this new MABC program will train such counselors.”

– Dr. Mark Kelderman, Dean of Students and Spiritual Formation, as well as Instructor in Pastoral Theology

For more information visit http://www.prts.edu/curriculum/master-of-arts-biblical-counseling

Saturday, October 22, 2021 was a historic moment in the strategic cooperation of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary (PRTS) and Martin Bucer Seminary Brazil (MBS); on this day the first five students graduated from the accredited ThM degree program in Brazil.

These graduates were able to complete their studies in three years while remaining in their ministry context of teaching, preaching, and pastoring throughout their country. Both the faculty of PRTS and MBS Brazil participated in the ThM program. Dr. Jonas Madureira of MBS Brazil commented, “The accredited program offers quality education with academic integrity from an international perspective of scholarship within a Brazilian context.” Dr. Jonathon Beeke of PRTS commented, “Teaching at the Brazil ‘campus’ is a delightful experience, and contributes to the international, multicultural dimension of the program. The program is academically and spiritually enriching to both students and instructors.”

The growing ThM program in Brazil contributes to the lowering cost of education; students remain in their ministry context and have full access to all the library e-resources supporting the ThM degree program.

PRESS RELEASE: Dr. Victor Emma-Adamah appointed at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary as Visiting Professor

CONTACT: Dr. Joel R. Beeke, President, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary

For immediate release: September 10, 2021

Grand Rapids, MI—Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary (“PRTS”) today announced the appointment of Dr. Emma-Adamah as Visiting Professor in Philosophical Theology.

Joel R. Beeke, President of PRTS comments, “I am pleased to announce that Dr. Victor Emma-Adamah (Univ. of Cambridge) has accepted an appointment to the position of Visiting Professor in Philosophical Theology for the academic year 2021-22 at PRTS. His teaching includes, ‘Issues in Contemporary Theology,’ as well as other courses in theology and philosophy. Dr. Emma-Adamah’s exposure to international research, teaching, and writing, commencing in Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, South Africa, and continued in the United Kingdom with Professor Catherine Pickstock, and Professor Douglas Hedley at the Faculty of Divinity at the University of Cambridge, as well as his acquaintance with both the European and American academia contributes to a healthy diversification of our faculty. We are grateful that he is enthusiastically putting his research, writing, and teaching skills into action in the service of the academy and church.” He and his wife Dr. Catherine (Katie) Broboske were married several weeks ago. Please pray for a blessing on his teaching at PRTS.

Begun in 1994, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary is now an accredited educational institution for MA, MDiv, ThM, DMin, and PhD degrees. Its mission is to prepare students worldwide to serve Christ and His church through biblical, experiential, and practical ministry. With campuses in Grand Rapids, Europe (London), Middle East (Alexandria), Asia (Taiwan), Africa (Pretoria), and Latin America (Sao Paulo), the seminary numbers more than 200 students, has twelve professors, twenty globally renowned scholars as adjunct faculty, and a support staff of fourteen.

PRESS RELEASE: Dr. Maarten Kuivenhoven appointed at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary as Professor of Biblical Studies

CONTACT: Dr. Joel R. Beeke, President, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary

For immediate release: August 9, 2021

Grand Rapids, MI—Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary (“PRTS”) today announced the appointment of Dr. Maarten Kuivenhoven as Professor of Biblical Studies.

Joel R. Beeke, President of PRTS comments, “I am pleased to announce that Dr. Maarten Kuivenhoven has accepted the appointment to the position of Professor of Biblical Studies. Dr. Kuivenhoven will assume his new role on August 1, 2022. Presently, he serves as a pastor of the Heritage Reformed Congregation, in Grand Rapids. He graduated from Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary and was ordained to gospel ministry in February 2010. Since then, he has served the Heritage Reformed Congregation of Grand Rapids while continuing his studies and completed his doctoral dissertation on the interpretation of the Messianic Psalms in the Reformation, and post-Reformation focusing on the commentaries of Wolfgang Musculus, William Ames, Johannes Cocceius and Matthew Henry (Calvin Theological Seminary, 2020). He and his wife Jennifer are blessed with five children: Gwyneth, Justus, Judah, Jared, and Silas. I am truly grateful for the support of the Heritage Reformed Church of Burgessville, Ontario calling Maarten to this position, as decided at the last Heritage Reformed Synod in June. I trust that, by God’s grace, this appointment of Dr. Kuivenhoven solidifies the position of PRTS for biblical, Reformed, experiential, and practical theological education.”

Begun in 1994, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary is now an accredited educational institution for MA, MDiv, ThM, DMin, and PhD degrees. Its mission is to prepare students worldwide to serve Christ and His church through biblical, experiential, and practical ministry.  With campuses in Grand Rapids, Europe (London), Middle East (Alexandria), Asia (Taiwan), Africa (Pretoria), and Latin America (Saō Paulo), the seminary numbers more than 200 students, has twelve full-time professors, twenty globally renowned scholars as adjunct faculty, and a support staff of fourteen.

PRESS RELEASE: Dr. David H. Kranendonk Appointed at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary as Assistant Dean of Students and Professor of Theology

CONTACT: Dr. Joel R. Beeke, President, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary

For immediate release: August 9, 2021

Grand Rapids, MI—Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary (“PRTS”) today announced the appointment of Dr. David H. Kranendonk as Assistant Dean of Students and Professor of Theology.

Joel R. Beeke, President of PRTS comments, “I am pleased to announce that Dr. David Kranendonk has accepted the appointment to the position of Assistant Dean of Students and Professor of Theology. Dr. Kranendonk will assume his new role effective immediately. He is the author of Paul Bayne’s Pastoral Teaching of Predestination (2021), Teaching Predestination: Elnathan Parr and Pastoral Ministry in Early Stuart England (2011), and Vital Balance. The Pursuit of Professors J.J. van der Schuit, G. Wisse, and L.H. van der Meiden (2006). He has served various congregations of the Free Reformed Churches of North America and is involved in various mission boards supporting theological education. David holds degrees from Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary (MDiv, 2003), Calvin Theological Seminary (ThM, 2008), and the Theological University Apeldoorn, The Netherlands (PhD, 2021). He is married to Elly, and they have seven children. I am truly grateful to the Free Reformed Churches supporting his appointment, which is greatly valued at PRTS. I trust that, by God’s grace, this appointment of Dr. Kranendonk solidifies the position of PRTS for biblical, Reformed, experiential, and practical theological education.”

Begun in 1994, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary is now an accredited educational institution for MA, MDiv, ThM, DMin, and PhD degrees. Its mission is to prepare students worldwide to serve Christ and His church through biblical, experiential, and practical ministry.  With campuses in Grand Rapids, Europe (London), Middle East (Alexandria), Asia (Taiwan), Africa (Pretoria), and Latin America (Saō Paulo), the seminary numbers more than 200 students, has twelve full-time professors, twenty globally renowned scholars as adjunct faculty, and a support staff of fourteen.

Grand Rapids, MI—Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary (“PRTS”) today announced the appointment of Dr. Bruce P. Baugus as Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics.

Joel R. Beeke, President of PRTS comments, “I am pleased to announce that Dr. Bruce P. Baugus has accepted the appointment to the position of Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics. Dr. Baugus will assume his new role on August 1, 2022. He is the author of Reformed Moral Theology (forthcoming) and China’s Reforming Churches: Mission, Polity, and Ministry in the Next Christendom, as well as numerous chapters, articles, papers, and reviews. He also frequently contributes to reformation21.org and Tabletalk. He is currently serving as interim senior pastor (PCA) and is involved in the global development of Reformed theological education and regularly teaches overseas and around the country. Born in Easton, Maryland, Bruce holds degrees from Penn State (BS in geography, 1996), Southern Seminary (MDiv, 1999), and Calvin Theological Seminary (PhD, philosophical theology, 2009). He is married to Tricia, and they have two sons. I am truly grateful to Reformed Theological Seminary (Jackson, MS, “RTS”) for his thirteen years of service there, which is greatly valued at PRTS. I trust that, by God’s grace, this appointment of Dr. Baugus solidifies the position of PRTS for biblical, Reformed, experiential, and practical theological education.”

Ligon Duncan of RTS comments, “We are deeply grateful for the years of dedicated service by Dr. Baugus at RTS, and thankful for the fitting appointment that he accepted at PRTS. RTS aims to provide a stellar education that challenges our students intellectually and produces servants of godly character—a vision shared by PRTS and Dr. Baugus. I wish him much fruitfulness in his last year at RTS and in his new ministry at PRTS, commencing in August of 2022.”

Begun in 1994, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary is now an accredited educational institution for MA, MDiv, ThM, DMin, and PhD degrees. Its mission is to prepare students worldwide to serve Christ and His church through biblical, experiential, and practical ministry.  With campuses in Grand Rapids, Europe (London), Middle East (Alexandria), Asia (Taiwan), Africa (Pretoria), and Latin America (São Paulo), the seminary numbers more than 200 students, has twelve professors, twenty globally renowned scholars as adjunct faculty, and a support staff of fourteen.

RTS opened its doors in 1966 for resident studies in Jackson, Mississippi. Since that time RTS has grown to nine degree-granting campuses: Jackson, MS; Orlando, FL; Charlotte, NC; Washington DC; Atlanta, GA; Houston, TX; Dallas, TX; New York, NY; São Paulo, Brazil; and Global Education (U.S. and International).

CONTACT:

Dr. Joel R. Beeke, President, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary
Dr. J. Ligon Duncan III, Chancellor & CEO, Reformed Theological Seminary