Sangre de Cristo Seminary
and
School for Biblical Studies
Sangre de Cristo Seminary and School for Biblical Studies provides a Bible-based Christ-centered education to prepare students to faithfully minister God's Word in the historic tradition of the Protestant Reformation. The School's location at 9000 feet in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of Colorado provides a wonderful atmosphere for study, worship and ministry. Sangre de Cristo is Spanish for Blood of Christ. When the Spanish Conquistadors saw the red glow of the rising sun against these mountains they were reminded of Jesus Christ's atoning work by shedding His blood. It is because of Christ's work that we study to know His Gospel and to effectively communicate it to others. We welcome those who plan on full-time professional ministry, as well as those who desire to study for personal growth, to join us to better know Christ and His Word.
Sangre de Cristo School for Biblical Studies was incorporated in 1976 as non-profit institution. The school was first conceived and operated as a summer school from 1976 through 1978. In 1979 a full seminary program was begun with a somewhat unique schedule than that of traditional seminaries.
During the summer a full semester's work is offered. Because of our cool summers in the shadow of Horn Peak and other spectacular peaks, we can attract some outstanding professors who combine teaching with a vacation for their families. Each teacher comes for one or two weeks, and teaches a concentrated course in the area of his or her expertise. Below is a list of teachers from past summers.
| Dr. Gordon H. Clark | Rev. Robert O. Wahl |
| Bishop Theophilus J. Herter | Dr. Robert J. Ream |
| Dr. David C. Cotten | Dr. Dwight F. Zeller |
| Dr. Robert L. Alden | Dr. Simon J. Kistemaker |
| Rev. Raymond E. Feeck | Dr.Alvin R. Sneller |
| Rev. Merrit Rector | Dr. David C. Jones |
| Rev. Clark H. Harbach | Bishop Leonard W. Riches |
| Dr. and Mrs. Robert Leivers | Mrs. Lois A. Zeller |
| Rev. Gene W. Mullen | Dr. E. Clark Copeland |
| Dr. Bruce A. Demarest | Rev. Garrett De Weese |
| Dr. Wayne R. Spear | Dr. D. Ralph Davis |
| Rev. John F. Soper | Dr. Ralph R. Covell |
| Dr. Milton C. Fisher | Dr. Henry Krabbendam |
| Rev. Bruce Backensto | Rev. J. Wyatt George |
| Rev. Theodore Hard | Dr. William Shell |
| Dr. John W. Robbins | Rev. Ronald Shaw |
| Dr. John Zens | Dr. Thomas M. Gregory |
| Dr. Craig Blomberg | Dr. Robert D. Stuart |
| Dr. Richard A. Hertel | Dr. Reginald Mc Clelland |
| Rev. Arthur Ames | Rev. Randy L. Steele |
| Dr. Stan R. Tyvoll | Dr. Joseph Hall |
| Rev. Russell Kent | Rev. and Mrs. John Hunt |
| Rev. Dennis Prutow | Rev. J. Bruce Martin |
| Mrs. Erma Prutow | Rev. Martin Brutosky |
| Rev. Andrew S. Zeller | Rev. Paul Martin |
| Dr. Elizabeth C. George | Dr. Jerry Cross |
| Rev. Robert O. Wahl | Rev. John Bredehoft |
| Dr. Robert Leivers | Dr. Dominic Aquila |
| Dr. Dwight F. Zeller | Rev. Ronald Shaw |
| Rev. Randy L. Steele | Rev. Paul McCracken |
| Rev. Gerald Partain | Rev. Andrew S. Zeller |
The doctrinal position of Sangre de Cristo Seminary follows the historic tradition of the Protestant Reformation. This School is based upon the premise that the Scriptures are TRUE and with out error in their original form. Biblical Christianity dictates the philosophy of education of the school. We believe that Jesus Christ is the Lord and Savior of the world and that apart from faith in His atoning work there is no redemption. The doctrinal statements as stated below are the basic presuppositions which shall dominate the classroom. At all times the Scriptures are the authority for whatever is being taught. The Scriptures are to be regarded as true, they are to be reverenced, and they are to be obeyed. Reading the Scriptures, prayers and singing hymns and psalms are a regular part of seminary life
We believe the doctrines of the Scriptures as stated in the three ancient statements: The Apostle's Creed, The Nicene Creed, and the Creed of Chalcedon. We also hold to those doctrines which are common to the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion, The Westminster Confession of Faith, The Heidelberg Catechism, The Canons of Dort, and The Philadelphia Confession of Faith. (The links provided to web pages with these doctrinal statements do not necessarily indicate any association with the organizations which have posted them on the Internet.) We do not take a specific stand on the mode of baptism, form of Church government, or the sequence of events at Christ's second coming.
The purpose of Sangre de Cristo Seminary (School for Biblical Stucies) is to glorify God by preparing students to serve in various aspects of Christian service with an emphasis on being effective teachers and preachers of God's Word with exegetical and communication skills.
The objective of the School is to train people to effectively teach and preach and to minister skillfully with the necessary tools to interpret the Scriptures. While doing this, we want to make our training available at the lowest possible cost with the highest standard of teaching. In keeping with these objectives, the School's academic purpose is to grant: (1) a diploma to individuals who have not finished college, or (2) a Master of Divinity (M. Div.) degree to those who have completed college. Either of the above can be obtained by the completion of the School's three year curriculum with a total of 105 semester hours.
Since there are students who want a limited number of courses and don not intend to enter the pastorate, a Master of Arts in Exegetical Theology (M.A.E.T.) is offered. The courses in this program are selected from the three year program. Those seeking this degree must have earned an acceptable Bachelor's degree. This program may be completed in two summer semesters and one fall semester plus Spring Studies. The fall semester will concentrate on either New Testament Greek or Old Testament Hebrew. A minimum of three semesters must be taken in residence. This program requires a total of 56 semsester hours of which the following are required:
No more than ten semester hours may be transferred into this program. A student who is seeking a M.A.E.T. must understand that this degree is not designed for those who seek to enter the pastorate.
Sangre de Cristo Seminary is governed by a Board of Directors which meets at least once a year to observe how the school is functioning and to determine school policies. The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors meets twice a year to conduct additional business between Board meetings. Members serve on the Board for an indefinite period of time.
The Board of Directors established a Core Faculty to administrate certain functions of the Seminary, and a Library Consultant to assist the Seminary in library operations.
Sangre de Cristo School for Biblical Studies ( Sangre de Cristo Seminary - trade name) is incorporated in the State of Colorado as a non-profit corporation. It has also been approved by the Internal Revenue Service as a tax exempt organization for contributions.
The School has a 13-week semester during the summer beginning in the first week of June. Most courses are taught one at a time in concentrated form by visiting professors. Each day a class will meet for two 65 minute sessions. A one semester hour course will meet for one week ( 5 days) for ten 65 minute sessions ( a total of 650 minutes), and a final examination. This is the same length of time that most seminaries require for a one semester hour course. ( A seminary semester is 13 weeks plus final exams.) A one semester hour class in the fall would meet for 50 minutes weekly for 13 weeks which is also a total of 650 minutes. In addition to concentrated classes, students who are in school for the entire summer may obtain two additional semester hours in: (1) Public Worship, a seminar class which meets for one and one-half hours weekly, and (2) a study in a book of the Bible which meets weekly for 50 minutes and a final.
The fall semester will usually begin on a Monday 10 days after the close of the summer semester and continue for 13 weeks plus one additional week for final exams. A one semester hour class would meet for 50 minutes weekly for 13 weeks and a two semester hour course would meet two times each week, etc.
Holidays: Because we have only two days of vacation during the entire school year ( Thanksgiving and the following Friday), and only one week between semesters, we are able to complete two semesters in seven months without any sacrifice of classroom hours.
Wednesday: 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.: Public Worship.
Tuesday 11:00 - 12:00 a.m.: Study of a Bible Book.
Monday: 8:45 - 9:35 & Wednesday: 8:00- 8:50 a.m.: Hermeneutics, Homiletics or Exegetical-Hermeneutical-Homiletical Process.
Tuesday & Thursday 8:45 - 9:35 a.m.: Hebrew Exegesis .
Tuesday & Thursday: 9:45 - 10:35 a.m.: Greek Exegesis.
Wednesday: 10:00 - 12:00 A. M., Teaching, Preaching, Worship Seminar.
Wednesday: 9:00 - 9:50 & Friday: 8:45 - 9:35: Bible Survey.
(The courses are as published below in this catalog and the dates are announced in the annual Schedule.)
Below is a schedule of courses leading to graduation with a Master of Divinity degree for college graduates, or a Diploma for those who have not completed college. This schedule would be for a student entering the summer semester of 1997. If a student enters at another time, the schedule will be taken in a slightly different order, because the first year courses in the Biblical languages are offered on alternate years. The Essentials of New Testament Greek is offered the Falls of 1997, 1999, 2001, and the Essentials of Old Testament Hebrew is offered the Falls of 1998, 2000, 2002.
Summer 1997/Semester Hours |
|
Church History I/2 |
New Testament Introduction/2 |
| Missions/1 | Old Testament Theology/2 |
| Pastoral Counseling/2 | Public Worship/2 |
| Doctrine of Inspiration, God & Man/3 | Book of Galatians/1 |
| Comparative Apologetics/2 | |
Fall 1997 |
|
Essentials of New Testament Greek/10 |
Preaching, Teaching, Worship Seminar/2 |
| Hermeneutics/2 | Pentateuch and Historical Books/2 |
Spring 1998 |
|
Greek Exegesis/3 |
Spring Teaching or Preaching/3 |
Summer 1998 |
|
Old Testament Poetry/2 |
Biblical Geography/1 |
| Church History II/2 | Church Evangelism/1 |
| Doctrines of Christ, Holy Spirit and Eschatology /3 | Public Worship/1 |
| New Testament Theology/2 | Book of Malachi/1 |
| Biblical Archeology/2 | |
Fall 1998 |
|
Essentials of Old Testament Hebrew/ 10 |
Preaching, Teaching, Worship Seminar /2 |
| Greek Exegesis/2 | Prophets and Writings/2 |
| Homiletics/2 | |
Spring 1999 |
|
Hebrew Exegesis/3 |
Spring Teaching or Preaching/3 |
Summer 1999 |
|
Church History III/2 |
Pastoral Duties/2 |
| Biblical Ethics/2 | Church Music/1 |
| Doctrines of the Sacraments, Church & Salvation /3 | Public Worship/1 |
| Apologetics/2 | Book of Colossians/1 |
| Sunday School Administration/1 | |
Fall 1999 |
|
Greek Exegesis/2 |
New Testament Survey/2 |
| Greek Seminar/2 | Teaching Process/2 |
| Hebrew Exegesis/2 | Preaching, Teaching, Worship Seminar /2 |
| Hebrew Seminar/2 | |
The School community enjoys many activities together apart from academic life. During the Summer those eating in the dining room eat with the instructor of the week. This provides the opportunity to get to know one another in an atmosphere other than the classroom. Once a week students, families, teachers and friends gather together for a pot-luck BBQ dinner. Everyone enjoys the mountain scenery next to the creek while the children play games. On Wednesday evenings the community worships together. Once each week a wives' Bible study provides a special time for the seminary wives to consider their role in ministry with their husbands. Between classes, students are often found playing pool, volleyball or horseshoes. On the weekends, hiking, fishing, playing golf or working at a job occupies the students' time. On the Lord's Day students worship in local churches or often find themselves preaching or leading worship where there is a need. The Sunday Seminary Chapel on campus provides a friendly place to worship with others from the local community.
The School's rooms and apartments are attractive and comfortable yet somewhat rustic. They do not have telephones or washers and driers. Students and their families may use the School telephone or they may find that getting a cellular phone would be more convenient. The School does have a laundry room with washers and dryers available.
Students living on campus are required to keep their rooms or apartments clean and orderly. Before leaving the campus at the end of each semester, students are to have their room or apartment inspected by the Director or his representative.
Students may be allowed to rent a room or apartment from January to May when school is not in session. Students may also store their personal belongings in the school facilities during this time. Arrangements need to be made with the Director for each of these options as the facilities are sometimes used for guests during this time. A storage rental fee will be charged to keep personal belongings in the rooms or apartments when students are not living in them.
The School has few rules. We believe that Christian Students should learn to conduct themselves responsibly without a host of regulations. If the conduct of a student is inconsistent with traditional biblical moral conduct, a member of the Core-Faculty will discuss the matter with the student. Should the conduct of a student continue to be unacceptable, the Core-Faculty shall consider the matter, discuss it with the student, and may dismiss the student. The insurance policy of the School forbids smoking in any of the buildings and alcoholic beverages are not permitted on campus.
The School is located at 9,000 feet elevation in the beautiful Sangre de Cristo Rocky Mountains adjacent to Horn Creek Conference Center. The summers are mild and the falls cool but not extremely cold. Because of our location, we dress and live informally.
Visitors are welcome at any time. We encourage visitors to come at a time when classes in which they are especially interested are in session. Prospective students are welcome to come for two days and visit classes, with the School providing Board and Room while they are here. Those desiring to visit should write or phone to make arrangements. Family and friends of student are welcome to stay in the students' housing if there is enough room, or in other available School facilities. Fees to cover room and board may be charged to cover expenses.
The main School Lodge contains a dining hall which can accommodate about 50. It also serves as an all-purpose meeting room. The classroom accommodates 24 students. In addition, the Lodge houses the Seminary office, book room and kitchen. Students may prepare their own meals in a separate students' kitchen.
Our unique 40' by 24' chapel provides an appropriate environment for worship, student preaching, and special programs.
The school library is named after Theologian and Christian Philosopher Dr. Gordon H. Clark. Among the library's 14,000 volumes is Dr. Clark's personal library. The Library also contains a microfiche library of 10,000 volumes. Also available are computers for exegetical research, Bible and Greek and Hebrew studies. The library has a number of the best computer CD ROM programs for this purpose.
A small selection of Bibles, texts, and related books are for sale to students on a cost-plus basis. It is our purpose to make necessary books available for students to purchase as they are needed.
We have facilities in two large cabins for eighteen single students. Each room is approximately 12' by 14' with wall-to-wall carpeting and a washstand in each room. Between each two rooms is a bathroom. There is also a 16' by 10' room with a half bath above the kitchen in the School Lodge suitable for a married couple.
A 10' by 40' two bedroom cabin is ideal for a couple with one or two small children. We also have a two story modified "A" frame building which has two apartments. Above the library is a large one bedroom apartment which is 18' by 40'.
Campsites, which may be used for tents and trailers during the summer, are equipped with water and electrical connections. There are modern bathroom facilities for campers to use. A laundry room is also provided for all to use.
Sangre de Cristo teaches a seminary curriculum, which is designed for those with a college degree. The School assumes that students have the basic skills in writing papers, grammatical construction, world history, and some public speaking ability. Students will be admitted who have not completed college, but it should be understood that such persons must be strongly motivated to study diligently in order to do acceptable work. For every hour in class there will be approximately two to four hours of assignments.
To enroll, students are to fill out the Application for Admission in the back of this catalog. We require that students make a profession of Christian faith as summarized in the Apostles' Creed and are willing to test every issue of faith and life by the Scriptures. Full-time students will also need two letters of recommendation mailed to the school. Letter of Recommendation forms accompany the Application for Admission. One of these letters should be from the student's pastor or a minister who knows the applicant.
The application of a student must be approved by two members of the Core Faculty for admission. If a student's application is denied because he does not meet the requirements for admission or does not agree to conform to the purpose and philosophy of the School, the applicant shall be notified in writing. That applicant may appeal such a decision to the entire Core Faculty and seek advice from the Core Faculty on what steps may be taken to be accepted. A member of the Core Faculty shall inform the applicant of the final decision and be available to counsel the applicant. The faculty member shall inform the denied applicant of schools to which he may apply, and where materials from those schools might be obtained.
This School will admit and permit the use of facilities or privileges to any student without discrimination in any way on the basis of sex, race or ethnic background. Since the Scriptural, doctrinal and ethical standards of this school would be compromised by admission of students whose sexual orientation is directed toward members of their own gender the school discourages application for admission to anyone embracing homosexual orientation. Application for admission from someone with such orientation may be considered following an interview with the Core Faculty, repentance before God and forsaking such life style.
Applications for enrollment should be submitted at least thirty days before a student expects to commence classes. If one plans to be a part-time student for a summer course, an application is requested thirty days before the particular class starts. Exceptions may be made to this policy if the classes are not filled.
Those who have prior academic deficiencies should not let that discourage them from applying if they are presently motivated to diligently study God's Word.
A student who desires to transfer credits to this School must have an official transcript sent. Courses which have a grade of "C" or better and which are evaluated by the Administration as equivalent to courses in this School will be accepted in lieu of courses we offer. The student (and in cases of a veteran, the Veterans Administration) will be advised in writing of courses which have been accepted in transfer.
The exact amount for Tuition, Room and Board or Kitchen privileges is set forth in the current annual program. Besides these fees, a student should allow approximately $150- $200 per semester for books. The payment of all fees is due at the beginning of each semester. Should a student withdraw or be dismissed during a semester, a refund of the prorated unused amount will be made by the School. That is, the student will only be charged for the percentage of Tuition, Room, Board or Kitchen privileges for the time at school and the percentage of time remaining in the semester will be the percentage of the semester's fees refunded. The time at which a student withdraws is when he notifies the School orally or in writing that he is withdrawing. The one-time registration fee of $25.00 is not refundable. A graduation fee of $20 is payable thirty days before the student graduates.
This School has been approved by the Colorado State Approving Agency for those eligible to receive VA benefits while a student here.
A student may start at the beginning of a summer or fall semester and continue for three years to complete the cycle of courses needed for graduation with a Master of Divinity or Diploma. Three semesters are required for the Master of Arts in Exegetical Theology degree. A student may come as a part-time student for whatever courses desired during the summer or fall semesters.
Classes may be audited without credit with the approval of the professor teaching the course and the Director. The fee for auditing an entire course is the same as for those who take it for credit. Spouses of full-time students may audit courses without charge.
Sangre De Cristo Seminary
6160 County Road #130
Westcliffe, CO 81252
or call:
719-783-9095
719-783-2447