CBTSeminary announces ThM program

Covenant Podcast

A New Degree Program at CBTSeminary

The Master of Theology (ThM) program is designed to deepen the student’s theological understanding to better serve in pastoral ministry, teaching, or further academic scholarship. Students have three tracks to choose from.

“This program will expand and deepen a student’s abilities in ministry by providing a focused opportunity in advanced biblical scholarship. Students are equipped for leadership in pastoral ministry and academia as they gain greater mastery in an area of study that is normally possible at the MDiv level. This program is an excellent choice for the student who is seeking further expertise in a specific area of study or seeking further preparation before a PhD program. Do you aspire to be part of the next generation of Pastor-Scholars? Come study with us!” -Sam Waldron, President, CBTSeminary.

Three Program Tracks

CBTSeminary is excited to offer the ThM degree in three program tracks. Each program track consists of 30 credit hours and each program track enables students to choose which route will best equip them for additional theological training.

Track option #1 ThM in Reformed Baptist Studies consists of 12 courses tailored to Confessional Baptist distinctives. Students in this track will study the following subjects: Biblical Theology, Theological Latin, Symbolics, Ecclesiology, Eschatology, Reformed Baptist Covenant Theology, Baptist Historical Theology, Law & Gospel in Pastoral Ministry, and Hyper-Calvinism & the Free Offer of the Gospel.

Track option #2 ThM in Reformed Baptist Studies (Thesis Option) consists of 10 courses that are likewise tailored to Confessional Baptist distinctives. The subjects of study for Track Option #2 are the same as Track Option #1. For this option, students will prepare a 100–150 page Thesis paper. The topic of this paper must be approved by the thesis advisor and defended (preferably) live in person in Owensboro, KY.

Track option #3 ThM in Reformed Baptist Studies (Research Option) includes Theological Latin I & II and four Research Classes. Students in this track option will be overseen by an academic advisor who assigns reading material related to the student’s area of specialization. After researching and writing on subjects assigned by the academic advisor, the student will prepare a 100-150 thesis.

Theological Latin

“We praise the Lord for His kindness in giving us the privilege of offering further study here at CBTS through our ThM program. It is especially designed for men in the ministry to have the opportunity to delve more deeply into a particular area of theological study. The program provides three possible tracks of study that enable MDiv graduates from CBTS and other schools to be further equipped for their service to Christ and His Church.

For each track, students are required to complete two classes in Theological Latin. I am thankful I had the opportunity to take Latin during my own MDiv studies and have benefited greatly from that study. Although not a Biblical Language, a facility in Latin is helpful to students for a number of reasons. First, students will be able to read portions of the Biblia Sacra Vulgata (The Latin Vulgate), an important translation used for much of church history. Second, students can gain a clearer understanding of the theological writings of voices from the past in Latin, such as Augustine in the Early Church period, John Calvin in the Reformation period, and John Owen in the Puritan era. Third, students will better understand theological terminology. Fourth, English and Spanish speakers will better understand their native language since both derive a significant percentage of their vocabulary from Latin. For these reasons and more, I encourage students to consider studying Theological Latin at CBTS!” -John Miller, Vice President, CBTSeminary.

Areas of Specialized Study

For students in Track Option #3 ThM in Reformed Baptist Studies (Research Option), the following areas of specialized study are offered: Systematic Theology, Historical Theology, Biblical Linguistics, Old Testament Studies, New Testament Studies, Christian Ethics, and Covenant Theology.

Program Start-Date

CBTS has begun accepting applications for the program and plans to add a rotation of Theological Latin beginning in the fall of 2023. You can apply here: https://cbtseminary.org/thm/

About CBTSeminary

The vision of CBTSeminary is to see the church of the Lord Jesus Christ strengthened and expanded worldwide to the end that Christ would be known, loved, and exalted. Its mission, therefore, is to help the church to prepare men to undertake the full range of pastoral responsibilities they will face in serving Christ and His kingdom and to equip Christians for effective service in the church. They do this work by providing rigorous academic training and facilitating extensive pastoral mentoring.

To learn more about Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary, visit CBTSeminary.org.