Catalogue 2008 Book - Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary

�AN INTRODUCTORY WORD�
iii
T
his little book in your hands
is in all likelihood your
first introduction to Austin
Presbyterian Theological Seminary. I
invite you, therefore, to leaf through its
pages carefully and thoughtfully. It will
tell you the distilled version, at least, of
our story—the logic of our curriculum,
the courses offered, the basic data of
our degree programs and of our faculty
and administration and trustees. It will
give you rudimentary details about our
policies and scholarships and student
life. It will show you a few pictures,
too—generally of this place and its
people when we’re all scrubbed up and
on our best behavior. All of this can be
useful to you.
I hope, though, that this catalogue is just an appetizer, and that you will decide to go
deeper in your investigation of Austin Seminary as the context for your theological
education. There is so much about us, after all, that cannot be experienced in these
pages. These pages will tell you next to nothing about the thrill of engaging this or
that faculty member in an hours-long conversation about a topic or project that
intrigues you. These pages will not bring to life the spiritual richness of worship
in Shelton Chapel, or the liveliness of our community when gathered at table in
McCord Center, or the zaniness that often surrounds our annual football game with
the students from the neighboring Episcopal seminary. These pages will not say
much about the great academic, cultural, and social opportunities afforded by our
location literally across the street from one of the United States’ largest and fi nest
universities, and in an exciting and vibrant capital city—one of the most compelling
cities in the country. Remember: this catalogue is just an appetizer. Read it well, and
then, for the main course, come experience Austin Seminary in person.
We are educating new generations of pastors, educators, and leaders for the church.
Are you interested in being one of them?
Theodore J. Wardlaw
President