Northern Seminary

Northern Seminary

Former names	Northern Baptist Theological Seminary
Type	Private seminary
Established	1913 (1913)
Religious affiliation	American Baptist Churches USA
Academic affiliation	Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada
President	Ingrid Faro (interim)
Academic staff	28 (2024) [2]
Postgraduates	297 (2020)[1]
Location	Lisle, Illinois, United States 41°48′33″N 88°03′22″W / 41.80914070°N 88.05609720°W / 41.80914070; -88.05609720
Campus	Online/hybrid
Website	www.seminary.edu

Northern Seminary is a private Baptist seminary in Lisle, Illinois. Historically known as Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, it is affiliated with the American Baptist Churches USA.

History

The Seminary was founded in 1913 by the Second Baptist Church of Chicago named as Northern Baptist Theological Seminary as a theologically conservative alternative within the framework of its association with the American Baptist Churches USA.^[3][4] In 1920 a collegiate department was founded, and the American Baptist Churches became a seminary partner.^[5] In 1963, it moved to Lombard, Illinois.^[6] In 2004, it was renamed Northern Seminary.^[5] In 2017, it moved to Lisle, Illinois.^[7]

It is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada.

On March 13, 2023, the president, William D. Shiell, resigned from his position amid controversy.^[8] After several interim presidents, Joy J. Moore officially became the president of Northern Seminary on December 1, 2024.^[9] On January 2, 2026, Moore and the Board of Trustees mutually agreed that she would resign from the position of president of the seminary.^[10][11] Ingrid Faro was named interim president.^[10]

Presidents

No.	Name	Term	Ref
1	John Marvin Dean	1913–1918	[12][13]
2	George W. Taft	1918–1936	[12]
3	William Law Ferguson	1936–1938	[14][15]
4	Charles W. Koller	1938–1961	[16][17][14]
5	Benjamin P. Browne[a]	1960–1964	[18][19][20]
6	Bryan F. Archibald	1965–1975	[19][21]
7	William R. Myers Sr.	1975–1988	[22][12]
8	Ian M. Chapman	1988–2001	[12]
9	Charles W. Moore	2001–2006	[12][23]
–	John F. Kirn[b]	2006–2008	[12][23]
10	Alistair Brown	2008–2016	[24][12]
11	William D. Shiell	2016–2023	[25]
–	John C. Bowling[b]	2023	[8][26][27]
–	Karen Walker Freeburg[b]	2023–2024	[28][29]
12	Joy J. Moore	2024–2026	[30][9]
–	Ingrid Faro[b]	2026–present	[10][11]

1. Browne served as interim president during Koller's sabbatical during his last year.^[18]
2. Served as interim president

Notable people

Alumni

• David Breese, evangelist, author, and radio broadcaster
• Millard Erickson, 20th-century theologian and author
• Clay Evans (pastor), 20th-century African-American evangelical pastor
• Derwin Gray, professional football player and pastor
• Carl Henry, founder and first editor of Christianity Today
• Torrey Johnson, first president of Youth for Christ
• Stephen R. Lawhead, fiction writer
• Tara Beth Leach, pastor and author
• John Osteen, first pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas
• Kenneth N. Taylor, creator of The Living Bible paraphrase and founder of Tyndale House publishers
• Warren W. Wiersbe, author, teacher, and minister for Moody Church and Back to the Bible
• Gideon B. Williamson, general superintendent in the Church of the Nazarene
• Mildred Bangs Wynkoop, Wesleyan-Holiness preacher, evangelist, and theologian

Faculty

• Lynn H. Cohick, former provost, dean of academic affairs and professor of New Testament
• Harold Lindsell, former professor
• Scot McKnight, former Julius R. Mantey chair of New Testament
• Joy J. Moore, former president of Northern Seminary
• Robert E. Webber, former Myers Professor of Ministry

References

1. "Northern Baptist Theological Seminary". Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
2. "Northern Seminary Faculty Page". Northern Seminary. November 14, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
3. Garrett, James Leo (2009). Baptist theology: a four-century study (1st ed.). Macon, GA: Mercer University Press. p. 330. ISBN 9780881461299. OCLC 223853668.
4. Trammel, Madison (2024-09-15). "Retooling Seminary". Christianity Today. Archived from the original on September 15, 2024. Retrieved 2025-02-21.
5. Publishers, Praeger (2010). American universities and colleges (19th ed.). Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger. p. 356. doi:10.5040/9798400612398. ISBN 978-0-3133-6609-3. OCLC 475446482.
6. Goldsborough, Bob; Kimberly, James (August 22, 2021) [July 10, 2007]. "Lombard Seminary May Sell Land". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on February 21, 2025. Retrieved February 21, 2025.
7. Wilson, Marie (September 22, 2017). "Lombard seeking ways to spur redevelopment around Yorktown, Butterfield Road". Daily Herald. Archived from the original on September 22, 2017.
8. Souder-Philyaw, Elizabeth (March 13, 2023). "Shiell resigns as Northern Seminary president". Baptist News. Archived from the original on March 14, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
9. Wingfield, Mark (November 20, 2024). "Northern Seminary names new president". Baptist News Global. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
10. Smietana, Bob (January 2, 2026). "Joy Moore steps down as Northern Seminary president after months of confusion over status". Religion News Service. Retrieved January 2, 2026.
11. Northern Seminary Board of Trustees (January 2, 2026). "Joint Statement from Northern Seminary Board and Dr. Joy Moore" (PDF). Northern Seminary. Retrieved January 2, 2026.
12. "History: Northern Seminary was founded in 1913 with the purpose of training leaders for the Church". Northern Seminary. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
13. Norton, W. B. (September 16, 1917). "News of the Religious World". Chicago Tribune. p. 7-10. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
14. Evans, John (May 22, 1938). "20th Birthday of Lutheran Merger Noted". Chicago Tribune. p. 3-1. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
15. "Dr. Ferguson Will Speak Sunday at Baptist Church". Bureau County Tribune. January 22, 1937. p. 7. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
16. "Seminary President Added To Covina Winter Faculty". Pomona Progress-Bulletin. June 25, 1960. p. 3. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
17. "A Chicago Professor To Be Here For Speech". Kansas City Star. September 16, 1961. p. 1. Retrieved August 7, 2025. Dr. Koller... began his permanent retirement this year.
18. Philbrick, Richard (July 2, 1960). "Religious News Notes". Chicago Tribune. p. 10F. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
19. "North Baptist Seminary to Get New Head". Chicago Tribune. November 25, 1964. p. 2-6. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
20. "Ministers Plan Reformation Day Service". Alton Evening Telegraph. October 26, 1962. p. 8. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
21. "500 Are Expected To Attend Baptist Meet in Galesburg". Galesburg Register-Mail. March 20, 1974. p. 8. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
22. Goldsborough, Bob (June 11, 2018). "Pastor 'was the epitome of the Christian gentleman'". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
23. Babcox, Emilie (2008). "Changing scenes". In Trust Magazine.
24. Dilday, Robert (June 16, 2015). "President of Northern Seminary to resign next year". Baptist News Global. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
25. Dilday, Robert (January 29, 2016). "Florida pastor named president of Northern Seminary". Baptist News Global. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
26. "Northern Seminary Appoints Rev. Dr. John C. Bowling as Acting President". Country Herald. March 7, 2023. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
27. Wingfield, Mark (February 27, 2023). "Northern Seminary names acting president". Baptist News Global. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
28. "Rev. Dr. Karen Walker Freeburg Named Acting President of Northern Seminary". Northern Seminary. April 28, 2023. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
29. Wingfield, Mark (April 25, 2023). "Northern Seminary names another acting president". Baptist News Global. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
30. "Joy J. Moore Named 13th President of Northern Seminary". Luther Seminary. November 19, 2024. Retrieved August 7, 2025.

External links

• Official website