View source for Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary

'''Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary''' is an [[independent Baptist]] [[seminary]] in [[Allen Park, Michigan]], operated in association with the Inter-City Baptist Church in Allen Park. The institution, which was established in 1976, enrolls men for [[graduate education|graduate]] programs in [[preacher|preaching]] and pastoral [[theology]], leading to the [[Master of Divinity|Master of Divinity (M.Div)]] and [[Master of Theology|Master of Theology (Th.M.)]] degrees.

==History==
The school was opened in September 1976 as Detroit Baptist Divinity School, with an initial enrollment of 30 students. In 1979 the institution applied to the [[Michigan Department of Education]] for legal authorization to grant the M.Div and Th.M. [[academic degree|degree]]s. The authorization was granted in March 1980 following state evaluation. The institution then changed its name to Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary and began awarding degrees in 1980. The institution's founder, Dr. William R. Rice, served as its head until his retirement in 1989, when he was succeeded by Dr. David M. Doran.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://dbts.edu/history/ |access-date=2024-07-27 |website=Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Affiliations and approvals==
{{Baptist}}DBTS does not claim affiliation with any [[educational accreditation|accreditation]] organization. The Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth lists DBTS in its directory of institutions of [[higher education]] operating in accordance with applicable state laws and conducting programs leading to a [[academic degree|degree]].<ref>[http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdcd/2007_Higher_Ed__187076_7.pdf Directory of Michigan Institutions of Higher Education], Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth, February 2007</ref> [[Maranatha Baptist University]] identifies DBTS as one of the two "recognized Baptist seminaries" (the other is [[Central Baptist Theological Seminary of Minneapolis|Central Baptist Theological Seminary]] in [[Plymouth, Minnesota]], and Virginia Beach, Virginia) whose graduates will be considered for faculty positions even though the institutions are not accredited by an accreditation organization belonging to the [[Council on Higher Education Accreditation]].<ref>Maranatha Baptist University website (accessed November 15, 2007)</ref>

==Religious doctrine and educational philosophy==
DBTS describes itself as "unashamedly [[Baptist]]," holding to a [[Dispensation (period)|dispensational]] approach to the [[Bible]] and thus [[premillennial]] and [[dispensationalism|pretribulational]] in [[eschatology]]. Additionally, it "is biblicist in theology and stands opposed to and engages in refutation of the [[charismatic movement]], [[Arminianism]], and hyper-[[Calvinism]]."<ref name="Purpose" />

The institution treats the original manuscripts of the Bible as the [[Biblical inerrancy|inerrant Word of God]],<ref>[http://www.dbts.edu/pdf/shortarticles/statement.pdf DBTS Statement] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080625060549/http://www.dbts.edu/pdf/shortarticles/statement.pdf |date=2008-06-25 }} on Bible translation issues, November 1996</ref> a position that places it in opposition to the [[King-James-Only Movement]]. King-James-Only adherents have criticized DBTS (together with [[Bob Jones University]] and other institutions, including [[Central Baptist Theological Seminary of Minneapolis|Central Baptist Theological Seminary]]) for playing an influential role in convincing some Independent Baptist groups to adopt modern Bible translations.<ref name="NASV" /><ref>A 2001 article in Way of Life Literature’s Fundamental Baptist Information Service, "[http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/fbf-modernvers.html Fundamental Baptist Fellowship Committed to Modern Versions] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041224003804/http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/fbf-modernvers.html |date=2004-12-24 }}", characterized Bob Jones University, DBTS, and Central Baptist Theological Seminary as having "turned their guns on the defenders of the KJV." However, an [http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/combs-review.html April 2001 review] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080113103810/http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/combs-review.html |date=2008-01-13 }} by Dr. Thomas M. Strouse, also published by the Way of Life Literature’s Fundamental Baptist Information Service , of the article "The Preservation of Scripture", by William W. Combs of DBTS, describes the Combs article as "a significant service for fundamental Baptists in the arena of bibliology" that "has enunciated once and for all the bibliological watershed for fundamentalists: what does the Bible attest to its own preservation?"</ref><ref>[http://www.biblefortoday.org/idx_comments.htm Pastor's Comments] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071214221542/http://www.biblefortoday.org/idx_comments.htm |date=2007-12-14 }} on "The Importance of Bible Preservation" and "Would-Be Pastors Attempt To Change Churches from the King James Bible", by Pastor D. A. Waite, Th.D., Ph.D., naming DBTS as one of "four leading Fundamentalist schools" that "either deny or re-define Bible preservation." March 13 and May 1, 2005.</ref><ref>[http://www.deanburgonsociety.org/DBS_Society/next_meeting.htm The Dean Burgon Society website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011163229/http://www.deanburgonsociety.org/DBS_Society/next_meeting.htm |date=2007-10-11 }} (accessed October 18, 2007), names DBTS as one of seven fundamentalist institutions accused of propagating "distortions on Bible versions."</ref>

The [[Institute for Creation Research]] lists DBTS as a "[[creationist]] college" that subscribes to the position that "God created all life forms according to the literal interpretation of the Biblical record (six-day creation, recent global flood)."<ref>[http://www.icr.org/article/115/  Creationist Colleges], by Henry Morris, Institute for Creation Research website (accessed December 7, 2007)</ref>

==Program==
The DBTS program emphasizes [[expository preaching]] based on study of the Bible in the original languages.<ref name="Purpose" /> Accordingly, all degree candidates study [[Hebrew]] and [[Koine Greek|Greek]] in addition to [[exegesis]], Bible exposition, expository preaching, [[History of Christianity|church history]], [[Baptist]] history, pastoral theology, and church administration. Classes are conducted in a traditional on-[[campus]] setting; no classes are available by [[distance education]].<ref>"Catalog," [http://www.dbts.edu/catalog/ DBTS] website (accessed October 13, 2007)</ref> All students are encouraged to engage in a weekly ministry in a local church.<ref name="Purpose">"Creed" on DBTS website (accessed October 13, 2007)</ref>

In keeping with the belief that "God ordained men to provide the spiritual leadership of the church in the preaching/pastoral function," the seminary does not award degrees to women, but does enroll women interested in taking courses for personal enrichment or vocational development.<ref name="Catalog">{{Cite web |title=Catalog |url=https://dbts.edu/catalog/ |access-date=2024-07-27 |website=Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary |language=en-US}}</ref> Also, DBTS Seminary Wives' Institute offers the wives of current or former DBTS students a two-year series of weekly instructional sessions so they can ably assist their husbands in ministry<ref name="Catalog"/>

==Faculty==
According to DBTS, all nine members of the faculty hold earned [[doctoral degree]]s.<ref name="Faculty">{{Cite web |title=Faculty |url=https://dbts.edu/faculty/ |access-date=2024-07-27 |website=Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary |language=en-US}}</ref> Dr. David M. Doran, a graduate of [[Bob Jones University]]<ref name="NASV">"[http://www.wholesomewords.org/resources/fbfbjunasv.html FBF, BJU and the NASV]" by Stephen Ross, October 2001, published on ''Wholesome Words'' website (accessed October 13, 2007)</ref> who also holds two [[master's degree]]s from Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary and a D.Min. degree from [[Trinity Evangelical Divinity School]],<ref name="Faculty"/> is pastor of the Inter-City Baptist Church and president of Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary. Benjamin Edwards is the Dean.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Leadership |url=https://dbts.edu/leadership/ |access-date=2024-07-27 |website=Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary |language=en-US}}</ref> [[Rolland D. McCune]] was formerly professor of [[systematic theology]] and president of DBTS.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dbts.edu/faculty/|title=Faculty|last=|first=|date=|website=|publisher=|access-date=April 18, 2016}}</ref>

==Library==
The DBTS [[library]] collection consists primarily of works relating to biblical interpretation and exegesis, theology, church history, and practical theology, including more than 40,000 [[monograph]]s, reference works, [[dissertation]]s, and bound volumes of [[periodical]]s. As of 2007, the library was stated to have [[subscription]]s to about 270 print periodicals and about 100 [[electronic journal]]s.<ref name="Faculty"/>

==Publications and outreach==
Since 1996 the seminary has published the ''Detroit Baptist Seminary Journal'', presenting scholarly articles based on biblical truths. The journal is issued annually.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Detroit Baptist Seminary Journal |url=https://dbts.edu/journal/ |access-date=2024-07-27 |website=Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary |language=en-US}}</ref> The complete electronic text of the journal was selected for inclusion in ''[[The Theological Journal Library]]'', published on [[CD-ROM]] by [[Galaxie Software]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Welcome {{!}} Galaxie Software |url=https://www.galaxie.com/ |access-date=2024-07-27 |website=www.galaxie.com}}</ref> DBTS also hosts the annual Mid-America Conference on Preaching and the annual William R. Rice Lecture Series, which features presentations on current issues in Christianity.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MACP |url=https://dbts.edu/macp/ |access-date=2024-07-27 |website=Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Rice Lecture Series |url=https://dbts.edu/rice/ |access-date=2024-07-27 |website=Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary |language=en-US}}</ref> DBTS also is credited as the developer of a widely disseminated [[tract (literature)|tract]] entitled ''The Bridge to Eternal Life''.<ref>Available in six languages from [http://www.majestic-media.com/ Majestic Media], also disseminated in variant forms by churches and ministries.[http://images.mychurchesimages.com/3866/pdf/Britxt.pdf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080625060549/http://images.mychurchesimages.com/3866/pdf/Britxt.pdf|date=2008-06-25}} [http://www.cometocalvary.org/thebridge/index.html][http://www.jimberg.com/bridge-tract.php] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071018200613/http://jimberg.com/bridge-tract.php|date=2007-10-18}}</ref>

==Alumni==
Graduates and former students of DBTS are well represented{{Citation needed|date=April 2011}} in the [[Christian ministry|ministry]] and as faculty members of [[bible college]]s and [[seminary|seminaries]]. Alumni include:

* Daniel K. Davey, President and Professor of Practical Theology, Central Baptist Theological Seminary of Virginia Beach, and Senior Pastor, Colonial Baptist Church, [[Virginia Beach, Virginia]]<ref>[http://www.baptistseminary.edu/fpweb/Faculty.htm  Seminary Faculty and Administration] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008144731/http://www.baptistseminary.edu/fpweb/Faculty.htm |date=2007-10-08 }}, Central Baptist Theological Seminary of Virginia Beach website (accessed December 7, 2007) and [http://www.cbvb.org/Staff.htm CBC Pastoral Staff] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060821012550/http://www.cbvb.org/Staff.htm |date=2006-08-21 }}, Colonial Baptist Church website (accessed December 7, 2007)</ref>
* Stephen Davey, Founder and Senior Pastor, The Shepherd's Church,  and President of [[Shepherds Theological Seminary]], [[Cary, North Carolina]]<ref>"[http://www.colonial.org/staff.html Our Pastors]" and "[http://www.colonial.org/ourpastor.html Our Pastor]," Colonial Baptist Church (accessed December 7, 2007) and  "[http://www.shepherdsseminary.org/pages/htmlos/0012.1.781252650120579478 Faculty]," Shepherds Theological Seminary website (accessed December 7, 2007)</ref>
* David M. Doran, President and Professor of Pastoral Theology, Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary, and Senior Pastor, Inter-City Baptist Church <ref>{{Cite web |title=Dr. David Doran |url=https://dbts.edu/faculty-doran/ |access-date=2024-07-27 |website=Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary |language=en-US}}</ref>

==References==

[[Category:Universities and colleges in Wayne County, Michigan]]
[[Category:Seminaries and theological colleges in Michigan]]
[[Category:Baptist Christianity in Michigan]]
[[Category:Independent Baptist seminaries and theological colleges in the United States]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges established in 1976]]
[[Category:Unaccredited Christian universities and colleges in the United States]]
[[Category:1976 establishments in Michigan]]