About Sangre de Cristo Seminary

Our strength is in-depth Bible study (exegesis), learning the Biblical languages (Hebrew and Greek). To see an example of the exegetical process we use at SDCS click here.
We do a careful study of systematic theology with the underlying exegesis as the basis.
We are small, and intimate (7-14 students).
Costs are kept low. We want our students to leave with little or no debt if at all possible.
We are located in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of Colorado. This is a beautiful, majestic range of mountains.

Pictures of the area and seminary can be seen under the "Contact SDCS" link.

Sangre de Cristo School for Biblical Studies was incorporated in 1976 as a non-profit institution. The school was first conceived and operated as a summer school from 1976 through 1978. In 1979 a full seminary program was begun with a somewhat unique schedule compared to traditional seminaries.

Mission: “The purpose of Sangre de Cristo Seminary is to glorify God by preparing students to serve in various aspects of Christian service, with an emphasis on being effective teachers and preachers of God’s Word, with exegetical and communication skills.”

The motto and scriptural foundation of the curriculum for Sangre de Cristo Seminary is found within Colossians 1:25, “To fully minister the word of God.”

Vision: “Sangre de Cristo Seminary seeks to identify promising students to prepare them for, and to entrust them to, effective ministry of the Word of God in the Kingdom of our Lord.”

Summer

During the summer a full semester's work is offered. Because of our cool summers in the shadow of Horn Peak and other spectacular peaks, we can attract some outstanding visiting professors who combine teaching with a vacation for their families. Each teacher comes for one or two weeks, and teaches a concentrated course in the area of their expertise.

Below is a list of visiting teachers from past summers.

Dr. Robert L. Alden	Rev. Arthur Ames	Rev. Bruce Backensto
Dr. Craig Blomberg	Dr. Gordon H. Clark	Dr. E. Clark Copeland
Dr. David C. Cotton	Dr. Ralph R. Covell	Dr. D. Ralph Davis
Dr. Bruce A. Demarest	Rev. Garrett DeWeese	Rev. Raymond E. Feeck
Dr. Elizabeth C. George	Dr. Thomas M. Gregory	Rev. Clark H. Harbach
Rev. Theodore Hard	Dr. Richard A. Hertel	Bishop Theophilus J. Herter
Rev. and Mrs. John Hunt	Dr. David C. Jones	Rev. Russell Kent
Dr. Simon Kistemaker	Dr. Henry Krabbendam	Dr. and Mrs. Robert Leivers
Rev. J. Bruce Martin	Rev. Paul Martin	Dr. Reginald McClelland
Rev. Gene W. Mullen	Dr. C. W. Powell	Dr. Robert J. Ream
Rev. Merrit Rector	Rev. Ronald Shaw	Dr. William Shell
Dr. Alvin R. Sneller	Rev. John F. Soper	Dr. Wayne R. Spear
Rev. Randy L. Steele	Dr. Robert D. Stuart	Dr. Stan R. Tyvoll
Rev. Robert O. Wahl	Dr. John Zens

Fall

During the falls we have a full semester with resident professors giving particular attention to the Biblical Languages, Exegesis, Practice Teaching, Preaching and Worship, Bible Survey, Homiletics and Hermeneutics.

Spring Studies

From January through May, courses in Greek Exegesis, Hebrew Exegesis and Student Teaching or Preaching are required for two years. One year a student takes Greek Exegesis and Student Teaching or Preaching, and another year Hebrew Exegesis and Student Teaching or Preaching. This program is thoroughly explained to students during the fall semesters. By doing this, it is our hope to connect the formal study with practical experience. These courses are given in residence with the provision that students may choose to take them off campus. However, if a student is a veteran and receiving VA educational benefits for education, he must be in residence in order to receive VA benefits for these courses.

EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS

The Seminary offers the Master of Divinity Degree, Master of Arts in Exegetical Theology Degree and the Diploma in Biblical Studies. The Colorado Commission on Higher Education approves each of these programs.

The Seminary is a member of the Association of Reformed Theological Seminaries (ARTS). Full Accreditation was granted in November 2003.

Sangre de Cristo Seminary is approved by the Colorado State Approving Agency for Veterans' benefits.

Graduates of the Seminary have earned advanced standing for post-graduate studies in a number of seminaries and universities. Graduates have also qualified for service in the chaplaincy of the United States Armed forces

DOCTRINAL POSITION

The doctrinal position of Sangre de Cristo Seminary follows the historic tradition of the Protestant Reformation. This School is based upon the premise that the Scriptures are TRUE and without error in their original form. Biblical Christianity dictates the philosophy of education of the school. We believe that Jesus Christ is the Lord and Savior of the world and that apart from faith in His atoning work there is no redemption. The doctrinal statements as stated below are the basic presuppositions which shall dominate the classroom. At all times the Scriptures are the authority for whatever is being taught. The Scriptures are to be regarded as true , they are to be reverenced , and they are to be obeyed . Reading the Scriptures, prayers and singing hymns and psalms are a regular part of seminary life.

We believe the doctrines of the Scriptures as stated in the three ancient statements: The Apostles' Creed, The Nicene Creed, and the Creed of Chalcedon . We also hold to those doctrines which are common to the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion, The Westminster Confession of Faith, The Heidelberg Catechism, The Canons of Dort and The Philadelphia Confession of Faith. Copies of these may be found on the Reserve Shelf of the School's Library. A student at Sangre de Cristo Seminary is not required to take a specific position on church government, form of baptism, or the sequence of events at Christ’s Second Coming, in order to pass a course or to graduate from this School.

PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVE

The purpose of Sangre de Cristo Seminary (School for Biblical Studies) is to glorify God by preparing students to serve in various aspects of Christian service with an emphasis on being effective teachers and preachers of God's Word with exegetical and communication skills.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Sangre de Cristo Seminary is governed by a Board of Directors which meets at least once each year to observe how the school is functioning and to determine school policies. The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors meets as needed to conduct additional business between Board meetings.

· J. Wyatt George (President): Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, West Frankfort, Ill.. M. Div., Covenant Theological Seminary; B. A. Covenant College. Organizing Pastor, Businessman.

· Martin Brutosky : Businessman. B. A., Pennsylvania State University; M. Div., Reformed Episcopal Seminary. Pastoral and business experience.

· Steve L. Cloyd ( Secretary): Owner, Cloyd Contractors, Westcliffe, CO. MAET student, Sangre de Cristo Seminary; International Bible College; Great Commission School of Theology; Pastor of Youth and Christian Education.

· Mary Crumpacker (Board Member Emeritus): Retired French Professor, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN. Ph. D., M. A., University of Chicago; B. A., Butler University. Author.

· D. James Johnson: Vice President, Sangre de Cristo Seminary - Director, Horn Creek Conference Center, Westcliffe, CO. Teaches English Bible and Ethics. D.Min.(candidate), Denver Seminary; M.Div., Sangre de Cristo Seminary; M.B.A., University of Phoenix; B.S., University of Florida. Church pastoring experience.

· Ron Kruis: Dean of Students, Sangre de Cristo Seminary. Teaches Beginning Greek and OT/NT Survey classes. M.Div., Sangre de Cristo Seminary; M.A.C., New Mexico State University; B.A., Dordt College. Church pastoring experience.

· Wallace Lundquist: Retired judge and attorney, Florence, CO. L.L.D., B. A., Denver University.

· Kelly J. Moore: Captain, U. S. Army Chaplain, Okinawa, Japan. M. Div ., Sangre de Cristo Seminary; B. A., Ft . Hays State University.

· Andrew S. Zeller: President, Sangre de Cristo Seminary, Army Reserve Chaplain. D. Min., Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary; Th. M., Covenant Theological Seminary; M. Div., Sangre de Cristo Seminary; B. A., Covenant College. C.P.E. Advanced Status. Pastoral experience.

· Dwight F. Zeller: Director Emeritus, Sangre de Cristo Seminary, Westcliffe, CO. D. Min., Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary; Th. M., Chicago Graduate School of Theology; M. Div., Memphis Theological Seminary; B. A., Bob Jones University. Pastoral experience, retired Navy Chaplain.

ACCREDITATION

In order to guarantee complete freedom for Sangre de Cristo Seminary to operate under the Lord of the Church, without any secular influences, the Seminary does not plan to apply for accreditation with any of the secular accrediting agencies. The Seminary is committed to operating with academic and administrative standards equal to or higher than those set by accrediting agencies. These accreditation agencies are the usual means by which a school is recognized by the Federal Department of Education. Schools that do not seek this recognition may not be eligible for federal scholarships or grants or for the deferment of federal scholarships accepted for previous education.

After reviewing the academic programs of Sangre de Cristo Seminary many other seminaries and churches have recognized our M. Div. curriculum as being in compliance with their own standards. Given this, it is the conviction of the Seminary that as our graduates receive acceptance with the Church, this is the ultimate accreditation for a seminary.

This conviction has led Sangre de Cristo Seminary to pursue membership with the Association of Reformed Theological Seminaries (ARTS). ARTS is committed to serving the church through seminaries and is independent of secular accrediting agencies and the Federal Department of Education. Sangre de Cristo Seminary earned full accreditation in November 2003..

TAX & INCORPORATION STATUS

Sangre de Cristo School for Biblical Studies (Sangre de Cristo Seminary - trade name) is incorporated in the State of Colorado as a non-profit corporation. It has also been approved by the Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt organization for contributions.