Men and Women Learning Together at Dallas Theological Seminary

Introduction

How beautiful when women and men live and work together in a way that images the triune God. As a graduate theological institution committed to equipping godly servant-leaders, we aim to stimulate in God’s people a vision for this reality. This document seeks to highlight Dallas Theological Seminary’s values regarding its learning community of men and women. As an orientation, it is intentionally brief, not designed as an exhaustive treatment of the issue or as a theological apology. Rather, the statement provides general parameters and perspective for DTS’s faculty, staff, and students.

Our Position: Imaging Together

Creation, Fall, and the Image of God

The foundation for our position resides in the work of our triune God at Creation. God created all things good and commissioned humankind to represent him throughout the earth (Genesis 1:26–28). While the nature of the Trinity remains a mystery, the revealed relationships within the Godhead provide a model for persons to have unity and equality in essence and distinction in function. The first man, Adam, was the initial steward charged with bearing God’s image (imago Dei). But since Adam was alone, God created Eve, the first woman, by taking her from Adam’s own body and bringing her to Adam in order that both would image God together (Genesis 2:20–23). Thus, from the beginning, this great mission of representing God was given to men and women to pursue together. But because the original woman and man jointly abrogated their mission when they rebelled against God in the garden (Genesis 3), ongoing conflict stands as a perpetual reminder of the gravity of rebellion against God and stimulates our hope for a day when all relationships are set right.

Imaging God in the World

Christians are called to participate in God’s future completion of his global mission. Indeed, the mission of God continues to beckon women and men to image him throughout the earth. This applies to each and every individual. Those called to singleness have the opportunity to be
singularly focused on pleasing God (1 Corinthians 7:8, 32–34). Those united in the special institution of marriage have the privilege of displaying love and respect to one another (Genesis 2:24; Ephesians 5:21–33). So, whether single or married, male or female, all believers must heed the call to image God in the workplace, the community, and any context in which they interact.

Imaging God in the Church

In addition to implications God’s mission has for men and women globally, the New Testament pays particular attention to the church. God has established and ordained this institution with unique potential for women and men to image him before the world as they serve together. We acknowledge that Scripture provides much freedom in this endeavor and that evangelicals differ on the extent of this freedom. A range of complementarian views are found at DTS. Some understand certain biblical texts as restrictive in nature, while others understand them as bound within their cultural contexts, which leads to different expressions of freedom. That said, the DTS community teaches that the New Testament office of elder or overseer, an office many contemporary churches would also include or equate with the “senior pastor,” is to be held specifically by qualified men (1 Timothy 3), who are to discharge their service in humble submission to the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5).

Under the authority of biblically qualified leaders, men and women minister in various ways. Through such endeavors, they have opportunities to employ pastoral hearts and skills as they nurture others toward Christlikeness. Further, those who seek to proclaim the truth of God, whether they be women or men, should strive to be effective communicators of God’s Word, including gaining proficiency in the skills of teaching and preaching, in appropriate contexts.

Our Practice: Learning Together

We affirm the value of men and women learning alongside each other and from each other in mutual respect. By God’s grace, DTS has developed a learning community in which both prepare for a wide array of ministries. We specifically serve local churches by preparing all for service, and some of our biblically qualified male students for service as elders or senior pastors. Therefore, we offer equally to women and men a full range of educational experiences, including:

• formal study in the biblical, theological, and ministry disciplines,
• skills development in areas such as evangelism, discipleship, counseling, teaching and preaching,
• engagement in public forums such as chapels and media outreach.

As a school, our prayer is that this broad range of learning experiences will prepare all our students for ministry that is guided by Scripture and fitted to each person’s gifts and skills.

A Co-educational Approach

Men and women can pursue any degree at DTS, and both men and women serve in board, executive, faculty, and staff positions. A faculty composed of both women and men provides students a breadth of education that cannot otherwise be achieved. Perhaps more important, as Updated December 2020 Page 3 of 3 men and women work together on the faculty, students experience examples of healthy relationships that are foundational for effective work in the church and society. In short, a coeducational student body, served by a co-educational faculty, provides an educational experience consistent with our convictions about ministry.

A Co-curricular Approach

In addition to its formal curriculum, DTS maintains vibrant co-curricular programs that enhance theological education, community development, and spiritual stimulation. Chapel services are an important means for achieving these goals. They provide opportunities to worship the triune God through singing, prayer, and reading of Scripture. A central element in chapel services is preaching and teaching of biblical truth delivered by men or women. Chapel services are intended not to duplicate or replace services in a local church, but to assist in developing educational and community goals. Other commitments beyond the classroom such as spiritual formation groups, mentoring, and student-led community groups provide additional opportunities for men and women to learn within a spiritually formative environment.

Conclusion

As an educational institution distinct from and in service to the Church, Dallas Theological Seminary embraces the responsibility to provide theological instruction and community practices consistent with its biblical-theological convictions. DTS is privileged to prepare servants for all types of ministry, especially ministry in the Church. In pursuit of this goal, we help our students grapple with the biblical data, theological frameworks, and contemporary contexts related to malefemale ministry relationships. We seek unity in what we hold in common, mutual respect around what we do not hold in common, and God’s wisdom to know the difference.