Cornerstone Theological Seminary
Preparing Biblically Faithful Leaders
Preparing Biblically Faithful Leaders
The Gospel of Jesus Christ grounds everything. Influence the world Biblically.
Deepen your understanding of scripture and learn to live every area of life from a Gospel-first Christian worldview. At Cornerstone Theological Seminary, you’ll study the Bible in context, develop doctrinal strength in God’s Word, and learn how to apply theology and Christian apologetics to respond to cultural challenges with Biblical truth thoughtfully. As your understanding and ministry capabilities grow, so does your capacity to lead — helping churches, ministries and communities remain grounded, steady, and faithful to Jesus Christ.
Graduate Degrees
Explore accredited graduate degrees
& certificates for pastoral leadership,
teaching, counseling, chaplaincy, and
service ministries.
Online & On-campus
Flexible 100% online theology programs or on-campus experience, stackable degree credits for future CTS degrees.
Christian Worldview Scholars
Rigorous Biblical foundations taught by Christian Worldview and Apologetics theological scholars.
ATS & HLC Accreditation
Accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Cornerstone University—home to Cornerstone Theological Seminary—is ranked among America’s best colleges for 2026 by The Wall Street Journal.
Admissions & Aid
Pursue graduate theological study specifically designed for affordability and flexibility for busy ministry leaders. Tuition is among the lowest for a seminary in the nation, and scholarships are generous.
Why Choose Cornerstone Theological Seminary?
Seminary students experience rigorous theology foundations and highly valued real-world ministry applications. Gain:
Ministry-ready Skills – Develop Biblically faithful theology foundations and practical ministry, leadership, communication, and people skills.
100% Online, Interlocking Curriculum – Pursue degrees offered online or on-campus with overlapping courses that can be applied to multiple CTS degrees to accelerate degree completion.
Affordability and Scholarship – Experience one of the most affordable seminary programs in the nation, also offering generous scholarships.
Christian Worldview and Apologetics – Learn from theologians and active ministry leaders, including scholars in Christian Worldview and apologetics applied to today’s cultural challenges.
Ministry Relationships & Career Opportunities – Connect with churches and ministry organizations that open pathways to leadership roles and professional ministry opportunities.
Multidenominational – Students from 36 denominations, including Baptist, Pentecostal, Reformed, and others, create a diverse yet unified learning environment.
Are Seminary and Theology Degrees Still Valued?
Yes. Demand and value for professional ministry training remain strong across church ministry, nonprofit leadership, and community service. Seminary provides the discipline, credibility, and practical skills needed for pastoral leadership, counseling, chaplaincy, youth ministry, and missionary work. Here’s why:
- The Church needs leaders grounded in Scripture.
Faithful ministry requires careful interpretation of God’s Word, not reaction to shifting cultural values. - Conviction must be paired with wisdom.
Church leaders must learn to discern truth, transfer Biblical knowledge effectively, and lead with courage and Christ-centered character. - Calling deserves preparation.
A sense of calling is strengthened—not replaced—by disciplined theological study and character formation. - Ministry leadership is complex work.
Pastoring, teaching, counseling, and leading require theological depth, historical understanding, and people skills in a range of ministry settings. - Apologetics are essential.
Spreading the Gospel demands leaders who understand apologetics deeply and can transfer that knowledge to congregations
Cornerstone University’s Seminary History
Cornerstone Theological Seminary is part of the longstanding Gospel mission of Cornerstone University, which began more than 80 years ago in Grand Rapids, Michigan, as the Baptist Bible Institute. Founded to equip lay leaders for faithful ministry, the institution expanded into a four-year Bible college and seminary by the 1960s. Today, Cornerstone Theological Seminary carries forward this shared Biblically Orthodox academic and Gospel-first legacy within Cornerstone University, preparing graduate students for leadership in the church, the academy, and the world.
Faculty in the News
Dr. Douglas Groothuis is a Christian philosopher and apologist, serving as the Distinguished University Research Professor of Apologetics and Christian Worldview at Cornerstone University. He has authored twenty books, including the best-selling Christian Apologetics and Fire in the Streets, and is known for his work in defending biblical faith through reason and addressing contemporary cultural issues.
Dr. Jonathan Stevens Marko is an Associate Professor of Philosophical and Systematic Theology at Cornerstone University, where he also serves as associate vice president for academics and dean of Cornerstone Theological Seminary. He is a former mechanical engineer and pastor with a passion for teaching, discipleship, and research, and has published extensively on Jonathan Edwards, John Locke, and theological topics. Dr. Marko has written, Measuring the Distance Between Locke and Toland.
Dr. Michael Wittmer is a Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology at Cornerstone Theological Seminary, where he has taught since 1996 and serves as Director of the Center for Christian Worldview. He is an accomplished author of several books, including Heaven Is a Place on Earth and Becoming Worldly Saints, focusing on theology and Christian worldview, and is an active preacher and blogger.
