Passing On The Faith: Theology, Faculty, and Curriculum at Virginia Theological Seminary

Pictured: Top; Dean Martha Horne, Dr. Barbara Hall. Bottom; The Rev. Dr. Allison St. Louis, Faculty in 1964,

Dean Felix Kloman

Pictured: Top; Dean Martha Horne, Dr. Barbara Hall. Bottom; The Rev. Dr. Allison St. Louis, Faculty in 1964,

Dean Felix Kloman

Passing On The Faith

Theology, Faculty, and CURRICULUM at Virginia Theological Seminary

Laying the Foundation

The Rev. William Wilmer and the Rev. Reuel Keith laid the institution's Theological bedrock in a way that some called "Evangelical SacramentarianisM."

Orignial Educational Building on Campus

Faculty in 1887

the early faculty established VTS on the Evangelical Anglican values of conversion, activism, biblicism, and crucicentrism.

they upheld the Church's Reformed, Protestant essence, with roots in moderate Calvinism, and in doing so contributed to the seminary's reputation as the evanglical seminary of the Episcopal Church.

the early faculty established VTS on the Evangelical Anglican values of conversion, activism, biblicism, and crucicentrism.

they upheld the Church's Reformed, Protestant essence, with roots in moderate Calvinism, and in doing so contributed to the seminary's reputation as the evanglical seminary of the Episcopal Church.

The Rev. William Wilmer

St. Paul’s, Alexandria

where the first seminarians were taught

St. Paul’s, Alexandria

where the first seminarians were taught

The Second GENERATION

The seminary's theology was challenged with arrival of The Rev. Dr. William Sparrow, who introduced an Armenian perspective to VTS.

Theology courses began to emphasize free will, in contrast to Calvin's predestination.

The Rev. Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin notes that this shift began the drift toward "liberal principles" at the Seminary.

The seminary's theology was challenged with arrival of The Rev. Dr. William Sparrow, who introduced an Armenian perspective to VTS.

Theology courses began to emphasize free will, in contrast to Calvin's predestination.

The Rev. Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin notes that this shift began the drift toward "liberal principles" at the Seminary.

The Rev. John J. McElhinney

Professor

The Rev. John J. McElhinney

Professor

Dean Cornelius Walker

The Rev. Kinloch Nelson

Professor

The Rev. Kinloch Nelson

Professor

The Antebellum Era saw the seminary produce Moderately Calvinistic Evangelical Churchmen.

the highest emphasis was placed on Biblical Inspiration, and philological-critical analysis was limited.

students were REQUIRED to master translating Hebrew and Greek into English.

The Antebellum Era saw the seminary produce Moderately Calvinistic Evangelical Churchmen.

the highest emphasis was placed on Biblical Inspiration, and philological-critical analysis was limited.

students were REQUIRED to master translating Hebrew and Greek into English.

THe Rev. James May

Professor

THe Rev. James May

Professor

Dean William Sparrow, first Dean of VTS

Dean Wallace Rollins

DiversifyING the curriculum

VTS stood out as a bastion of Conservatism compared to other seminaries, but the winds of change began to blow in the early 1900s.

The addition of sociology to Christian ethics marked a significant turning point, coinciding with the Rev. Berryman Green's appointment as a full professor in 1902.

VTS stood out as a bastion of Conservatism compared to other seminaries, but the winds of change began to blow in the early 1900s.

The addition of sociology to Christian ethics marked a significant turning point, coinciding with the Rev. Berryman Green's appointment as a full professor in 1902.

Dean Angus Crawford

Dean

Berryman Green

Dean

Berryman Green

the curriculum diversified with elective courses aimed to broaden students' perspectives and adapt to evolving church needs.

In 1919, the faculty formalized elective courses, allowing a more flexible education.

In 1923, Dean Green emphasized the institution's commitment to scholarly excellence while preserving its spiritual values.

the curriculum diversified with elective courses aimed to broaden students' perspectives and adapt to evolving church needs.

In 1919, the faculty formalized elective courses, allowing a more flexible education.

In 1923, Dean Green emphasized the institution's commitment to scholarly excellence while preserving its spiritual values.

Faculty in 1902

Faculty in 1926

Dean Jesse M. Trotter

Post-WWII Developments

Dr. Marion Kelleran,

the first female full-time professor

Dr. Marion Kelleran,

the first female full-time professor

In the 1960s, faculty members initiated discussions on curriculum reform. Courses expanded to include studies of theologians like St. Augustine, Luther, and Karl Barth.

the field education program was also revised to include theological reflection. This helped combine the theoretical with the practical.

In the 1960s, faculty members initiated discussions on curriculum reform. Courses expanded to include studies of theologians like St. Augustine, Luther, and Karl Barth.

the field education program was also revised to include theological reflection. This helped combine the theoretical with the practical.

Dean Stanley Brown-Serman

In the mid-20th Century. Seniors gained the opportunity to select two electives, encompassing diverse topics such as advanced Hebrew to cultural and religious issues.

Students were given more freedom in their studies, but VTS remained committed to essential ministry education and preserving the residential community identity.

The Rev. Dr. Albert T. Mollegen

speaking with Students

The Rev. Dr. Albert T. Mollegen

speaking with Students

Professors Marion Kelleran

and Marianne Micks, circa 1974

Professors Marion Kelleran

and Marianne Micks, circa 1974

The Rt. Rev. Gordon T. charlton, Jr.

Director of Field Education

The Rt. Rev. Gordon T. charlton, Jr.

Director of Field Education

Decades of Change

a new curriculum came in the 1970s. Notable additions included courses on the black religious experience, theology and popular culture, and Christian social ethics.

During the 1980s Many long serving professors entered retirement, including Dr. Marianne Micks in 1987 and Dr. Charles Price in 1989. As the 1990s began, VTS had a newer, more diverse faculty to guide it into the 21st Century.

The Rev. Dr. Charles Price Teaching at VTS

The 1980s saw a focus on mission and evangelism, coinciding in the establishment of a professorship in mission and world religions.

evangelism courses became required, reflecting efforts of the

Episcopal Church.

VTS expanded its offerings to include degrees in Theological Studies, Christian Education, and Anglican Studies.

The 1980s saw a focus on mission and evangelism, coinciding in the establishment of a professorship in mission and world religions.

evangelism courses became required, reflecting efforts of the

Episcopal Church.

VTS expanded its offerings to include degrees in Theological Studies, Christian Education, and Anglican Studies.

The Rev. Dr. Anthony “Tony” Lewis,

the first full-time african american professor

The Rev. Dr. Anthony “Tony” Lewis,

the first full-time african american professor

Faculty in 1984

preparing for the new millENNIUM

The Rev. Dr. William Strafford, Academic Dean and Vice President

VTS launched the Center for Anglican Communion Studies in 1998 to foster relationships within the global anglican communion trough research, conversations, and international gatherings.

The Rev. Dr. Murray Newman

Faculty in 1994

The Yale-trained faculty

The Rev. Dr. Marge McNaughton, Associate Dean of Students

the retirement of the Rev. dr. Murray L. Newman in 1996 marked a shift from

Union Seminary-trained teachers, who had been the core of post-WwII

VTS education.

The deans started

recruiting faculty with

Yale University training, aligning VTS with

"the Yale School,"

focusing on theological conversations within the Bible over historical-critical approaches.

the retirement of the Rev. dr. Murray L. Newman in 1996 marked a shift from

Union Seminary-trained teachers, who had been the core of post-WwII

VTS education.

The deans started

recruiting faculty with

Yale University training, aligning VTS with

"the Yale School,"

focusing on theological conversations within the Bible over historical-critical approaches.

The Rev. Dr. A. Katherine Grieb,

Director of the center for anglican communion studies

The Rev. Dr. A. Katherine Grieb,

Director of the center for anglican communion studies

The Rev. Dr. Richard Jones

Display based on VTS Histories by W.A.R. Goodwin, John Booty, and Robert Prichard.

Entering the

Third Century

Entering the

Third Century

the current curriculum is where the theoretical and the practical converge, preparing faithful leaders for tomorrow.

The facility equip seminarians for an ever changing world, and guide them into a lifelong dialogue with the rich diversity of voices in the church.

the current curriculum is where the theoretical and the practical converge, preparing faithful leaders for tomorrow.

The facility equip seminarians for an ever changing world, and guide them into a lifelong dialogue with the rich diversity of voices in the church.

The Rev. Dr. E. Ross Kane

The Rev. Dr. Katherine Sonderegger

The Rev. Dr. Judy Fentress-Williams,

the first African American female professor

The Rev. Dr. Judy Fentress-Williams,

the first African American female professor

Professors invite students to engage with texts and traditions with their full being, unlocking profound wisdom, and Technology is used to deepen the quality of student engagement, fostering a deeper knowledge that transcends meRE study.

The faculty is committed to practical faith-based education coupled with intellectual rigor that will carry VTS into another century.

Dr. Elisabeth Kimball with graduate at the 199th commencment

Academic Dean, Melody Knowles, leads faculty in applause for graduates

The Rev. Dr. Ruthanna Hooke, the first Openly LGBTQ+ Professor