Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis

By Keith Watkins

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• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1578600928
• ISBN13: 9781578600922
• Release Date: June 2001
• Publisher: Clerisy Pr
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.5" x 0.8" x 6.5"

Customer Reviews

Never a golden age...

Keith Watkins caused some stir at the seminary by saying that there never has been a 'golden age' in the history of theological education in Indianapolis. It becomes an historical problem of perception whether or not people in a golden age can in fact perceive themselves to be in such a time, or if such times can only be recognised in hindsight. There are some who would liken the present age at the seminary to a golden age, and others not. Despite this, the seminary continues to do good service to the local community in training future ministers, and is beginning to make efforts toward attracting a wider audience beyond the narrow local confines.This being said, it is important for the seminary to know its own history. Watkins' book traces the pre-history of Christian Theological Seminary not only back to the Butler University School of Religion days, but also back to the environment of the Disciples of Christ in the 1800s and early 1900s looking to establish a centre of learning for the support of the church. This is a history of conflict both personal and theological, and any historian who writes of such (particularly when some of the major players are still alive to contest the depictions) is bound to undergo great critical scrutiny.As is necessary with any history, this rendering of the tale of CTS is necessarily selective. There are no deep, dark secrets revealed here. Watkins explores the nuts and bolts of the seminary working toward creating an identity, a process that continues under the present administration and faculty. The development of the architectural and artistic plan (the seminary is itself a work of modern art) is explored, as are the personalities behind both the design and the finance.This is a book for a specialised taste -- few outside the seminary will likely be greatly interested (although historians of Indianapolis and the Disciples generally may find it of some value too), but it does provide a record worth being preserved.