Report of the Diversity Study Committee appointed by the Faculty
2007-8
March 7, 2008
Context and Purpose:
Early in 2007 the faculty of Westminster Seminary California
appointed a special study committee to examine issues of
demographic diversity (race, ethnicity, gender) within the
context of the seminary’s confessional commitment to the
inerrancy and authority of the Bible as the Word of God written,
and to the confessional statements of Reformation and
post-Reformation Calvinism (Heidelberg Catechism, Belgic
Confession, Canons of Dort, Westminster Confession and
Catechism) as articulating the teaching of the Scriptures.
Serving on the committee were three faculty members (Dr. Dennis
Johnson, Rev. Joel Kim, Mrs. Elizabeth Park), two members of the
seminary’s constituency (Mrs. Cathy Chappell, Rev. Ken Jones),
and one student (Mrs. Christa Walker). The committee produced a
three-part report that outlined a biblical and theological case
for diversity in Reformed theological and ministerial education,
examined specific issues entailed in addressing both ethnic and
gender diversity within the WSC community, and made observations
regarding present policies and practice with recommendations for
future action items to be considered by the faculty,
administration, and board of trustees. Although the final
section, which focused on “diversity in action” both as
presently practiced and as recommended for the future, was
drafted as an internal planning document, the faculty has
determined that the first two sections of the report would be of
help and interest to our students, our entire campus community,
and our wider constituency. Therefore the faculty has approved
the posting of this edited version of the Diversity Study
Committee’s final report in the “Westminster Writings” section
of www.wscal.edu.
Contents
I. Introduction
II. The Case for Diversity in
Reformed Theological and Ministerial Education
A. Diversity in Biblical
Perspective
1. Diversity and
Creation
2. Diversity and
Sin
3. Diversity,
Redemption, and
Reconciliation
4. Diversity and
the People of
God
B. Diversity in Societal
Perspective
C. Diversity in
Institutional
Perspective
III. Diversity and Theological
Education
A. The Goal of
Theological
Education
B. The Importance of
Ethnic Diversity in Theological
Education
C. The Importance of
Gender Diversity in Theological
Education D. Concluding
Observations on Diversity and Theological
Education
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