Reason #1. Theological Orthodoxy
The proper emphasis in theological education is ORTHODOXY (meaning "correct teaching"). Heidelberg Theological Seminary (HTS) is committed to the Bible as the infallible and inerrant word of God, and to the Three Forms of Unity (the Heidelberg Catechism, Belgic Confession of Faith, and the Canons of Dordt) as being accurate summaries of the true teachings of the Bible. These creeds do not declare teachings that are peripheral to biblical Christianity, but are lists and summaries of the teachings that are central to real Christianity (Westminster Standards are held as parallel Reformed creeds).
Heidelberg Theological Seminary is so named to reinforce the fact that historic Reformed and Presbyterian creeds determine the curriculum and the content of classroom teaching.
Reason #2. Theological Responsibility
Teaching of the Bible often comes in conflict with philosophical and religious ideas of an unbelieving world. At these points, the Bible calls Christians to be the "salt of the earth," by holding to biblical teaching, while rejecting the ungodly ideas of the world as "the leaven of unrighteousness."
Christians have often taken a number of unpopular stands against the ideas and practices of the world. These stands include the creation of the heavens and earth in six days, male leadership in family and church, abortion as infanticide, and sanctity of marriage. In these and a vast majority of similar issues, the Christian Church has been correct in its understanding and teaching of Scripture.
Heidelberg Theological Seminary is committed to biblical standards of application of God's laws in human conduct, and teaches them as a better way of life compared to the ungodly ways of the unbelieving world. This holds true for biblical counsel as the answer to human problems.
Reason #3. Ecclesiastical Responsibility
Heidelberg Theological Seminary is firmly bound to the idea that theological education is the business of the Church (1 Tim. 2:2), local as well as broader, but seeks to be subservient to the church. Therefore, our Board bound the seminary to labor under the direct supervision of the ruling council of the elders of Zion Reformed Church of Menno, South Dakota, a congregation of the Reformed Church in the United States (RCUS).The RCUS is a long time (273 years) conservative Reformed denomination in North America. Connection with a local board of elders provides:
1) Direct local oversight of our finances, activities and teaching; and
2) An opportunity for students to serve in an actual church situation.
Reason #4. Concept of Pastoral Training
A competent seminary provides three critical parts in its educational curriculum:
1. Graduate school quality academic standards,
2. Vocational technical training in ministry, and
3. Advanced catechization to help students grow into mature Christian men able to lead in the Church of Jesus
Christ in accordance with the requirements of 1 Timothy 3.
Professors at Heidelberg Theological Seminary are men who excelled at academically sound seminaries during their training, and demonstrated sound abilities as scholars. Dr. Warren Embree and Dr. Robert Grossmann, the founding professors, are both graduates of thoroughly Reformed and academically sound theological seminaries. They subsequently pursued graduate degrees after graduating from seminary.
Heidelberg Theological Seminary professors are required to experience lengthy and successful pastoral assignments including a great zeal for the preaching ministry. By example, the first two professors of the seminary enjoy a combined total of 55 years of pastoral experience and extensive teaching experience in college and seminary settings.
As a part in catechizing students into mature Christian men, HTS professors must exemplify such behavior and teach the principles of Christian manhood. Teaching at Heidelberg Theological Seminary emphasizes pastoral, manly and leadership by using biblical examples of such living standards. Traits of courage and self-sacrifice are taught to students by biblical example and numerous instances observed in the experience of HTS professors.
Reason #5. Training to Preach
Apostle Paul declares Christ sent him "not to baptize, but to preach the gospel ... lest the cross of Christ should become vain" (1 Cor. 1:17). Central emphasis in a competent theological education must be how to preach this doctrine. Professors must be excellent preachers and know how to inculcate an organized and sound method of exegeting biblical text and sermon preparation. Every theology and New and Old Testament course is taught with a view of enabling students to preach the riches of biblical text before him.
At Heidelberg Theological Seminary hermeneutics and homiletics courses present step-by-step methods of exegesis and sermon preparation. Graduates are encouraged to develop and improve upon methods they have been taught while being closely mentored in these critical areas of the preaching ministry.
Reason #6. Location and Cost
The items of location and cost are closely related. Institutional costs at Heidelberg Seminary are carefully managed as faithful stewards of the Lord's funding. The current facility is located in Vermillion, South Dakota, a small community of 10,000 inhabitants located near the campus of the University of South Dakota. During the summer of 2010, the seminary is being co-located with Trinity Reformed Church as a part of their expansion project in Sioux Falls, SD.
Tuition costs are less than average for seminaries in the U.S.
Reason #7. Practical Class Schedule
Classes at Heidelberg Theological Seminary are conducted from 8-11 a.m. Mondays through Thursdays and lead to a M.Div. degree in four years. This schedule allows students to consider a part-time job for funding support (if required) and include time for family and seminary work. Heidelberg Seminary provides the training excellence of larger institutions in a reasonable package to meet needs of students married or unmarried and students with families.
