Temple Baptist Seminary upholds by the following
distinctives:
Theological Distinctives
1. Deep commitment to the principle that the
Scriptures, as given in the original autographs, are the infallible, inerrant,
verbally inspired, and authoritative Word of God.
2. Adherence to the Biblical, historical,
and fundamental doctrines
of the Christian faith.
3. Agreement with Baptist distinctives.
4. Complete accordance with the
grammatical-historical method of
interpretation of Scripture and with the premillennial perspective.
Academic Distinctives
1. A faculty with diverse academic backgrounds.
2. A faculty-student ratio that assures personal
attention.
3. A quality graduate-level training at an
affordable cost.
4. A curriculum designed to meet the needs of
secular college
graduates, as well as allow for advanced standing for Bible college graduates.
5. A plan of electives in conjunction with the
standard Seminary courses that allow the student to pursue his or her own vocational
ministerial objectives.
6. An instructional philosophy characterized by
Biblical integration.
Ministerial Distinctives
1. A balanced blend of practical ministerial
experience with academic excellence.
2. A ministerial internship program in coordination
with significant local ministries.
3. An active role in the extensive ministries of the
Seminary’s founding church, the Highland Park Baptist Church.
4. Emphasis on evangelism and missions.
Basic
Postulates
1. The educational philosophy of Temple Baptist
Seminary is based on the authority and reliability of the Bible, which is the
absolute standard for all matters of faith, truth, and practice.
2. The biblical foundations, as outlined in the
Statement of Faith,
constitute the basis for the institutional distinctives, which determine the purpose of
the Seminary.
Philosophical Tenets
1. Life-View
There are two opposing views of life: humanistic
(man-centered) and theistic (God-centered). Temple Baptist Seminary adheres resolutely to
the theistic life-view.
2. The Bible
The integration of the Bible in all that is
taught is essential for authentic Christian education.
3. God
The existence and self-revelation of the Triune
God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) is a necessary pre-supposition, and glorifying God is a
supreme task of Christian education.
4. Man
Man was created by God in His image; however,
this image was marred because of sin. Man can be born again through faith in the shed
blood of Jesus Christ.
5. Education
The Christian approach to education endeavors to
derive ultimate meaning from God. The humanistic approach to education derives ultimate
meaning of education from society. The watershed that distinguishes Christian philosophy
of education from others is the authority of the Bible and its normative application.
Truth, according to Christian philosophy,
retains an ultimate revelational aspect. Christian epistemology, while emphasizing
excellence in reasoning affirms the supernatural function of faith in knowing truth.
Christian education is the process of becoming like Christ "that the man of God may
be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Tim. 3:17).
