Northeastern Theological Seminary

Northeastern Theological Seminary (NETS) was a conservative evangelical theological seminary located in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania.

History

NETS was founded in 1964 by Dr. Kenneth N. Taylor and other classmates from Dallas Theological Seminary. Their vision was a school where expository Bible preaching was taught. Taylor remained president until 1968.Dr. Mitchell Williams, himself a graduate, took over president after Taylor’s departure in 1968. In 1972, NETS added a two-year Master of Arts (MA) program in theology. Williams retired as NETS president in 1984.From 1984 to 1992, Dr. Wilber Master served as president of NETS. NETS graduate Dr. Abel Montgomery was then president of the school from 1992 to 2002. Since 2002, Dr. Craig Johansen has served as president.

In 2005 NETS found themselves a target of then State Senator Christopher Hughes. Hughes an avowed atheist had long sought to put an end to Christian Education in Pennsylvania. Hughes was quoted as saying, “The Educational System is a place for facts and science, not mythology and religious delusion.”Cite quote|date=March 2008 Hughes authored Pennsylvania Senate Bill, Act 2005-174 which would “repeal the degree granting authority of any institution in Pennsylvania which was not accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the Pennsylvania Department of Education." The measure failed. Hughes, undeterred, then filed a lawsuit with the Pennsylvania Superior Court. In June of 2007, NETS as well as many other Christian Schools in Pennsylvania was ordered to cease all operations by Pennsylvania Superior Court Order PA-1472-A-07-10-05. According to this order NETS was required to “cease all operations,” end all recruitment campaigns including the removing of any websites. However, the order also made provision to honor all degrees issued prior to the date of the ruling.

In August 2007 Dr. Montgomery announced that the Board of Regents had voted that due to the undue cost of litigation and the schools inability to raise the capitol for such a fight, NETS would disband and all property would be sold.

Accreditation

DTS was accredited in 1972 Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada.The school is also a member of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), the Evangelical Training Association (ETA), and the Institute of Theological Studies (ITS). NETS was also recognized by the Southern Baptist Convention as an affiliated school.

Theology

NETS was one of a few fundamental Dispensational schools. Due to Dr. Taylor’s background at Dallas Theological Seminary and his understanding of basic theological fundamentals. Notable theological beliefs of the school include: premillennialism, dispensationalism, and Biblical inerrancy. The school considered itself non-denominational although baptistic in it’s beliefs.

References