New Brunswick Theological Seminary

Establishment and early history (1784–1810) Beginning in 1784, John Henry Livingston (1746–1825) ( pictured ) initially offered theological instruction to students at his home. The Dutch Reformed Synod of New York recognized that there was a shortage of adequately trained ministers to supply the church's congregations in the British American colonies. Young men had to journey to the Netherlands to pursue several years of theological studies at a Dutch university. [ 1 ] : p.2 ff. Church leaders sought to obtain the right to examine and ordain ministers in the colonies (later in the United States), and to operate a school to train them. [ 1 ] : p.2 ff. In 1766, several clergymen secured a charter from New Jersey's Royal Governor William Franklin for the creation of Queen's College, now Rutgers University , in New Brunswick, New Jersey "for the education of youth in the learned languages, liberal and useful arts and sciences, and especially in divinity; preparing them for the ministry and other good offices." [ 1 ] : p.13 [ 2 ] However, in these early years, the trustees of Queen's College and the Synod of New York disagreed on the purpose of the new institution. With uncertainty about the college's financial stability, the Synod desired to directly oversee the theological training of their ministerial candidates. However, the question of whether to open a seminary was delayed because of the ongoing hostilities of the American Revolution. [ 3 ] : p.82 After the war concluded, the Synod decided in 1784 that it was necessary to support the study of theology and recommenced the effort to establish a seminary. John Henry Livingston , a graduate of both Yale College (1762) in Connecticut and the University of Utrecht (1770) in the Netherlands, was appointed to be the Synod’s Professor of Sacred Theology and to organize theological education at Queen's College.

[ 3 ] : p.83 However, Queen's College did not provide Livingston a salary, compelling him to lecture on fees paid by the students directly. Livingston remained in New York overseeing a parish and instructing theology students through lectures given in his home. [ 3 ] : pp.83–84 In 1792, the Synod became aware that many students were prevented from pursuing their studies in the "commercial emporium of New York" because of the high cost of living and a lack of sufficient funds. To address this difficulty, the Synod decided to locate the seminary outside of the city. [ 3 ] : p.85 However, as Queen's College had severe financial difficulties and was forced to close by 1795, New Brunswick was not considered a viable option. In 1796, Livingston was directed by the Synod to relocate his theological classes to a small school in Flatbush (now in Queens , New York) where it remained for the next 14 years. [ 3 ] : p.85

An 1880 print of the seminary campus, depicting the Sage Library (left center), Hertzog Hall (center), and Suydam Hall (right center) New Brunswick Theological Seminary is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education . [ 11 ] [ 17 ] The seminary offers admission to students after the review of a submitted application accompanied by college transcripts and letters of recommendation. [ 18 ] It offers courses and programs leading to four degrees: the Master of Divinity (M.Div.), Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of Arts Theological Studies, and Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) degree; as well as certificates and training programs for lay church leaders seeking advanced courses in Theology, Bible studies, Church History, and Servant Leadership. [ 19 ] Students are able to register in classes or complete joint degree programs with Rutgers University, Princeton Theological Seminary (Presbyterian), Western Theological Seminary (Reformed), and the Wesley Theological Seminary (Methodist).

The seminary's library, the Gardner A. Sage Library (built 1873–1875) combines Romanesque and Victorian architecture. The Gardner A. Sage Library was built in 1873–1875 and was designed by nineteenth century German-American architect Detlef Lienau . Lienau combined the elements of a Romanesque fourth century basilica and a "Victorian bookhall" to create a space conducive to "the contemplation of God." [ 20 ] [ 21 ] [ 22 ] According to the seminary, the Sage Library's collection contains more than 150,000 books and 10,000 bound periodicals, spanning the topics of biblical studies, theology, Reformed Church studies, general church history and denominational history. [ 22 ] The collection includes many rare manuscripts and printed books dating as early as the fifteenth century. [ 22 ] The library maintains subscriptions for more than 300 periodicals. It is expanding its collection with the acquisition of books and materials on urban ministry and the religious experience of African-American and Asian immigrant communities. [ 23 ] The library houses the official archives of the Reformed Church in America and contains comprehensive resources regarding Dutch history, culture, and Dutch Colonial Studies . [ 22 ] [ 24 ] The seminary's collection is augmented by reciprocal borrowing rights with the Rutgers University library system (over 10.5 million holdings) and direct affiliations with the libraries at thirty other theological schools. [ 22 ] [ 23 ]