About Us Distinctives
Our Philosophy
All CTS instructors are loyal to our distinctives, have academic credentials in their areas of expertise, and are involved in on-going local church ministries as pastors, teachers, elders, deacons, evangelists, or administrators. We expect the instructors to serve as role models to our students, who are also expected to maintain active ties with the local churches.
Furthermore, we believe that exegesis is an art, as well as a science. One acquires the basic tools during academic training, but becoming proficient in their use is a lifelong process. It is our objective to provide students with thorough understanding of the foundational tools, as well as initial guidance in their application. Graduates then will have a lifetime to develop their skill and to master the art of exegesis.
A believer receives spiritual gifts at the time of spiritual birth. Yet Moses did not begin his ministry until he was 80 years old, and Paul did not start his first missionary journey until about 10 years after his conversion. We should infer from these examples that a few years of preparation enable one to bear more fruit. Redeem the time, for God uses prepared men and women!
CTS encourages women to take classes and to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. This follows the pattern of the Lord Himself, who encouraged women to sit under His teaching--something revolutionary in His day. It is our conviction, however, based on Christ's example and passages like 1 Timothy 2:11-15, that in the church no woman is to exercise authority over men, regardless of how knowledgeable and capable she may be. This, we believe, is God's design. We do not, therefore, ordain or promote women to ministry roles that place them in authority over men. In all other roles, they may and should serve in keeping with the gifts, callings, and training God has granted them.
God created male and female as ontologically equal yet distinct and complementary entities (Genesis 1 and 2); however, geographical, racial, and linguistic differences that arose later are incidental to the creative order. Our philosophical framework echoes these truths. Therefore, we hire as faculty and accept into our training program those who honor gender distinctions as designed by God but recognize no functional distinctions based on geography, race, or language. Accordingly, throughout our training program, we do not discriminate for or against people groups but evaluate individuals according to their personal merits and achievements.
We view every student at CTS as an individual and provide all assistance he or she may need. We have found that students, even those who post top grades in college, sometimes struggle in a seminary setting. We are here to help: our instructors see themselves as shepherds, as well as teachers.
The seminary's faculty and staff are accountable to the Governing Board, consisting mostly of pastors--men who have proven themselves in the front lines of the ministry. These men have the best grasp of what ministry is and what it requires. Thus, we have a national Governing Board that provides overall direction for the seminary.
Literal Hermeneutics
We adopt a consistent, literal (historical, grammatical, and rhetorical) hermeneutic in every portion of Scripture.
Emphasis on Greek and Hebrew Exegesis
We share the deep conviction that teaching the Word of God itself builds believers int he faith for fruitful service. Therefore, Greek and Hebrew exegesis is foundational to our school's educational program.
Dispensational Theology
As a result of our literal hermeneutic, we are dispensational; i.e., we believe that Israel and the Church are distinct entities and that God's purpose in history is doxological.
The Sufficiency of Scriptures
We believe in the complete adequacy of Scripture, for in it God has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness. We hold, therefore, that the Word of God by itself is sufficient to prepare a person for a lifetime of effective ministry.
The Freeness of God's Grace
We hold fast to free grace--the view that God saves mankind by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone. No works before, during, or after the moment of initial faith in Christ contribute anything to the free gift of forgiveness and eternal life that one receives through faith in Jesus Christ. The absence of good works during or after the moment of faith subtracts nothing from one's eternal position in Christ. However, good works determine whether one will receive eternal rewards.
