The Master's University and Seminary

The information on this page was last updated 5/11/2023. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]


Summary

Since 1927, The Master's University has transformed young people to have an impact for Christ in the world. Committed faculty and staff pour their lives into students, teaching every subject with a biblical worldview. We hold firm to the sufficiency, inerrancy, and authority of Scripture in our uncompromising commitment to Christ and Scripture. Master's not only compels students to academic achievement and professional excellence, but we develop wisdom, establish convictions, and produce leaders in every student. Each graduate is set on the path to success with the skills and perspective to do all they do for the honor of our great God.

The example of the Apostle Paul in Scripture is clear: Robust seminary training happens through a partnership with the local church. Throughout history, faithful men have followed Paul's example by establishing training schools to equip leaders for ministry in the local church. We are proud to continue their legacy. Since 1986, The Master's Seminary and Grace Community Church have partnered together to raise up future generations of faithful pastor-theologians. This partnership begins by sharing a campus, and it continues in every class, every chapel, and in every exhortation to shepherd the flock of God and preach his Word.


Contact information

Mailing address:
The Master's University and Seminary
21726 Placerita Canyon Rd
Santa Clarita, CA 91321

Website: masters.edu

Phone: 800-568-6248

Email: [email protected]


Organization details

EIN: 956001907

CEO/President: Abner Chou

Chairman: Brad Armstrong

Board size: 13

Founder: Dr. Irv Busenitz & Dr. John MacArthur (seminary)

Ruling year: 1963

Tax deductible: Yes

Fiscal year end: 06/30

Member of ECFA: No

Member of ECFA since:


Purpose

At Master's we believe in the education of the whole student. This takes place inside and outside the classroom. We want to educate the heart as well as the mind. As a complement to the work of the faculty, the Residence Life Department exists to facilitate the education of the heart outside of the classroom. We desire to maintain an atmosphere that will be conducive to the development of spiritual maturity and discernment. Because each student who comes to The Master's University professes faith in Jesus Christ, we expect students to grow in that faith through the work of the Holy Spirit. We believe that our commitment to foundational distinctives found in God's Word helps us minister to students as they grow to be more like the Master.

The Master's University encourages students to live and develop distinctively biblical lives during their University years and beyond. These distinctives are:

Divine Authority

Heart Transformation

Sanctifying Relationships

Gospel Witness


Mission statement

The mission of The Master's University is to empower students for a life of enduring commitment to Christ, biblical fidelity, moral integrity, intellectual growth and lasting contribution to the Kingdom of God worldwide.

Through an advanced academic program prioritizing biblical authority and local church discipleship, The Master's Seminary trains men for pastoral ministry-to preach the Word of God, reach the world for Christ, and teach others to do the same.


Statement of faith

Preamble

Members of the board of directors, administrators, and faculty members of The Master's Seminary recognize that any doctrinal statement is but a fallible human attempt to summarize and systematize the riches of an infallible divine revelation. But this in no way detracts from the importance of such a statement. The affirmations which follow carefully specify our teaching position with regard to the major biblical doctrines, and thus provide a framework for curriculum and instruction at the seminary. They also provide an anchor to protect the institution against theological drift. For this reason, members of the board of directors, administration, and faculty members are annually required to sign a statement affirming agreement with this Statement of Faith.

The Holy Scriptures

We teach that the Bible is God's written revelation to man, and thus the sixty-six books of the Bible given to us by the Holy Spirit constitute the plenary (inspired equally in all parts) Word of God (1 Corinthians 2:7-14; 2 Peter 1:20-21). We teach that the Word of God is an objective, propositional revelation (1 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Corinthians 2:13), verbally inspired in every word (2 Timothy 3:16), absolutely inerrant in the original documents, infallible, and God-breathed. We teach the literal, grammatical, historical interpretation of Scripture which affirms the belief that the opening chapters of Genesis present creation in six literal days (Genesis 1:31; Exodus 31:17), describe the special creation of man and woman (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:5-25), and define marriage as between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5). Scripture elsewhere dictates that any sexual activity outside of marriage is an abomination before the Lord (Exodus 20:14; Leviticus 18:130; Matthew 5:27-32; 19:1-9; 1 Corinthians 5:1-5; 6:9-10; 1 Thessalonians. 4:1-7). We teach that the Bible constitutes the only infallible rule of faith and practice (Matthew 5:18; 24:35; John 10:35; 16:12-13; 17:17; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20-21).

We teach that God spoke in His written Word by a process of dual authorship. The Holy Spirit so superintended the human authors that, through their individual personalities and different styles of writing, they composed and recorded God's Word to man (2 Peter 1:20-21) without error in the whole or in the part (Matthew 5:18; 2 Timothy 3:16). We teach that, whereas there may be several applications of any given passage of Scripture, there is but one true interpretation. The meaning of Scripture is to be found as one diligently applies the literal, grammatical, historical method of interpretation under the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit (John 7:17; 16:12-15; 1 Corinthians 2:7-15; 1 John 2:20). It is the responsibility of believers to ascertain carefully the true intent and meaning of Scripture, recognizing that proper application is binding on all generations. Yet the truth of Scripture stands in judgment of men; never do men stand in judgment of it.

God

We teach that there is but one living and true God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:5-7; 1 Corinthians 8:4), an infinite, all-knowing Spirit (John 4:24), perfect in all His attributes, one in essence, eternally existing in three Persons-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14)-each equally deserving worship and obedience.

God the Father

We teach that God the Father, the first Person of the Trinity, orders and disposes all things according to His own purpose and grace (Psalm 145:8-9; 1 Corinthians 8:6). He is the Creator of all things (Genesis 1:1-31; Ephesians 3:9). As the only absolute and omnipotent Ruler in the universe, He is sovereign in creation, providence, and redemption (Psalm 103:19; Romans 11:36). His fatherhood involves both His designation within the Trinity and His relationship with mankind. As Creator, He is Father to all men (Ephesians 4:6), but He is spiritual Father only to believers (Romans 8:14; 2 Corinthians 6:18). He has decreed for His own glory all things that come to pass (Ephesians 1:11). He continually upholds, directs, and governs all creatures and events (1 Chronicles 29:11). In His sovereignty He is neither author nor approver of sin (Habakkuk 1:13; John 8:38-47), nor does He abridge the accountability of moral, intelligent creatures (1 Peter 1:17). He has graciously chosen from eternity past those whom He would have as His own (Ephesians 1:4-6); He saves from sin all who come to Him through Jesus Christ; He adopts as his own all those who come to Him; and He becomes, upon adoption, Father to His own (John 1:12; Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:5; Hebrews 12:5-9).

God the Son

We teach that Jesus Christ, the second Person of the Trinity, possesses all the divine excellencies, and in these, He is coequal, consubstantial, and coeternal with the Father (John 10:30; 14:9). We teach that God the Father created according to His own will, through His Son, Jesus Christ, by whom all things continue in existence and in operation (John 1:3; Colossians 1:15-17; Hebrews 1:2). We teach that in the incarnation (God becoming man) Christ surrendered only the prerogatives of deity but nothing of the divine essence, either in degree or kind. In His incarnation, the eternally existing second Person of the Trinity accepted all the essential characteristics of humanity and so became the God Man (Philippians 2:5-8; Colossians 2:9). We teach that Jesus Christ represents humanity and deity in indivisible oneness (Micah 5:2; John 5:23; 14:9-10; Colossians 2:9). We teach that our Lord Jesus Christ was virgin born (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23, 25; Luke 1:26-35); that He was God incarnate (John 1:1, 14); and that the purpose of the incarnation was to reveal God, redeem men, and rule over God's kingdom (Psalm 2:7-9; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:29; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 7:25-26; 1 Peter 1:18-19).

We teach that, in the incarnation, the second person of the Trinity laid aside His right to the full prerogatives of coexistence with God and took on an existence appropriate to a servant while never divesting Himself of His divine attributes (Philippians 2:5-8). We teach that our Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through the shedding of His blood and sacrificial death on the cross and that His death was voluntary, vicarious, substitutionary, propitiatory, and redemptive (John 10:15; Romans 3:24-25; 5:8; 1 Peter 2:24). We teach that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead and that He is now ascended to the right hand of the Father, where He now mediates as our Advocate and High Priest (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:38-39; Acts 2:30-31; Romans 4:25; 8:34; Hebrews 7:25; 9:24; 1 John 2:1). We teach that in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave, God confirmed the deity of His Son and gave proof that God has accepted the atoning work of Christ on the cross. Jesus' bodily resurrection is also the guarantee of a future resurrection life for all believers (John 5:26-29; 14:19; Romans 1:4; 4:25; 6:5-10; 1 Corinthians 15:20, 23).

We teach that Jesus Christ will return to receive the church, which is His Body, unto Himself at the rapture, and returning with His church in glory, will establish His millennial kingdom on earth (Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 20). We teach that the Lord Jesus Christ is the One through whom God will judge all mankind (John 5:22-23):

Believers (1 Corinthians 3:10-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10); Living inhabitants of the earth at His glorious return (Matthew 25:31-46); Unbelieving dead at the Great White Throne (Revelation 20:11-15);

As the Mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5), the Head of His Body the church (Ephesians 1:22; 5:23; Colossians 1:18), and the coming universal King, who will reign on the throne of David (Isaiah 9:6; Luke 1:31-33), He is the final Judge of all who fail to place their trust in Him as Lord and Savior (Matthew 25:14-46; Acts 17:30-31). We teach that on the basis of the efficacy of the death of our Lord Jesus Christ, the believing sinner is freed from the punishment, the penalty, the power, and one day the very presence of sin; and that he is declared righteous, given eternal life, and adopted into the family of God (Romans 3:25; 5:8-9; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18).

God the Holy Spirit

We teach that the Holy Spirit is a divine Person, eternal, underived, possessing all the attributes of personality and deity including intellect (1 Corinthians 2:10-13), emotions (Ephesians 4:30), will (1 Corinthians 12:11), eternality (Hebrews 9:14), omnipresence (Psalm 139:7-10), omniscience (Isaiah 40:13-14), omnipotence (Romans 15:13), and truthfulness (John 16:13). In all the divine attributes He is coequal and consubstantial with the Father and the Son (Matthew 28:19; Acts 5:3-4; 28:25-26; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; and Jeremiah 31:31 34 with Hebrews 10:15-17). We teach that it is the work of the Holy Spirit to execute the divine will with relation to all mankind. We recognize His sovereign activity in creation (Genesis 1:2), the incarnation (Matthew 1:18), the written revelation (2 Peter 1:20-21), and the work of salvation (John 3:5-7).

We teach that the work of the Holy Spirit in this age began at Pentecost when He came from the Father as promised by Christ (John 14:16-17; 15:26) to initiate and complete the building of the Body of Christ, which is His church (1 Corinthians 12:13). The broad scope of His divine activity includes convicting the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ and transforming believers into the image of Christ (John 16:7-9; Acts 1:5; 2:4; Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 2:22). We teach that the Holy Spirit is the supernatural and sovereign Agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13). The Holy Spirit also indwells, sanctifies, instructs, empowers them for service, and seals them unto the day of redemption (Romans 8:9; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Ephesians 1:13).

We teach that the Holy Spirit is the divine Teacher, who guided the apostles and prophets into all truth as they committed to writing God's revelation, the Bible. Every believer possesses the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit from the moment of salvation, and it is the duty of all those born of the Spirit to be filled with (controlled by) the Spirit (John 16:13; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 5:18; 2 Peter 1:19-21; 1 John 2:20, 27). We teach that the Holy Spirit administers spiritual gifts to the church. The Holy Spirit glorifies neither Himself nor His gifts by ostentatious displays, but He does glorify Christ by implementing His work of redeeming the lost and building up believers in the most holy faith (John 16:13-14; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 2 Corinthians 3:18). We teach, in this respect, that God the Holy Spirit is sovereign in the bestowing of all His gifts for the perfecting of the saints today and that speaking in tongues and the working of sign miracles in the beginning days of the church were for the purpose of pointing to and authenticating the apostles as revealers of divine truth, and were never intended to be characteristic of the lives of believers (1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 13:8-10; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Ephesians 4:7-12; Hebrews 2:1-4).

Man

We teach that man was directly and immediately created by God in His image and likeness. Man was created free of sin with a rational nature, intelligence, volition, self determination, and moral responsibility to God (Genesis 2:7, 15-25; James 3:9). We teach that God's intention in the creation of man was that man should glorify God, enjoy God's fellowship, live his life in the will of God, and by this accomplish God's purpose for man in the world (Isaiah 43:7; Colossians 1:16; Revelation 4:11). We teach that in Adam's sin of disobedience to the revealed will and Word of God, man lost his innocence; incurred the penalty of spiritual and physical death; became subject to the wrath of God; and became inherently corrupt and utterly incapable of choosing or doing that which is acceptable to God apart from divine grace. With no recuperative powers to enable him to recover himself, man is hopelessly lost. Man's salvation is thereby wholly of God's grace through the redemptive work of our Lord Jesus Christ (Genesis 2:16-17; 3:1-19; John 3:36; Romans 3:23; 6:23; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 2:1-3; 1 Timothy 2:13-14; 1 John 1:8). We teach that because all men were in Adam, a nature corrupted by Adam's sin has been transmitted to all men of all ages, Jesus Christ being the only exception. All men are thus sinners by nature, by choice, and by divine declaration (Psalm 14:1-3; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:9-18, 23; 5:10-12).

Salvation

We teach that salvation is wholly of God by grace on the basis of the redemption of Jesus Christ, the merit of His shed blood, and not on the basis of human merit or works (John 1:12; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-10; 1 Peter 1:18-19).

Regeneration

We teach that regeneration is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit by which the divine nature and divine life are given (John 3:3-7; Titus 3:5). It is instantaneous and is accomplished solely by the power of the Holy Spirit through the instrumentality of the Word of God (John 5:24), when the repentant sinner, as enabled by the Holy Spirit, responds in faith to the divine provision of salvation. Genuine regeneration is manifested by fruits worthy of repentance as demonstrated in righteous attitudes and conduct. Good works will be its proper evidence and fruit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Ephesians 2:10), and will be experienced to the extent that the believer submits to the control of the Holy Spirit in his life through faithful obedience to the Word of God (Ephesians 5:17-21; Philippians 2:12b; Colossians 3:16; 2 Peter 1:4-10). This obedience causes the believer to be increasingly conformed to the image of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). Such a conformity is climaxed in the believer's glorification at Christ's coming (Romans 8:17; 2 Peter 1:4; 1 John 3:2-3).

Election

We teach that election is the act of God by which, before the foundation of the world, He chose in Christ those whom He graciously regenerates, saves, and sanctifies (Romans 8:28-30; Ephesians 1:4-11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 2:10; 1 Peter 1:1-2). We teach that sovereign election does not contradict or negate the responsibility of man to repent and trust Christ as Savior and Lord (Ezekiel 18:23, 32; 33:11; John 3:18-19, 36; 5:40; Romans 9:22-23; 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12; Revelation 22:17). Nevertheless, since sovereign grace includes the means of receiving the gift of salvation as well as the gift itself, sovereign election will result in what God determines. All whom the Father calls to Himself will come in faith and all who come in faith the Father will receive (John 6:37-40, 44; Acts 13:48; James 4:8). We teach that the unmerited favor that God grants to totally depraved sinners is not related to any initiative of their own part nor to God's anticipation of what they might do by their own will, but is solely of His sovereign grace and mercy (Ephesians 1:4-7; Titus 3:4-7; 1 Peter 1:2). We teach that election should not be looked upon as based merely on abstract sovereignty. God is truly sovereign but He exercises this sovereignty in harmony with His other attributes, especially His omniscience, justice, holiness, wisdom, grace, and love (Romans 9:11-16). This sovereignty will always exalt the will of God in a manner totally consistent with His character as revealed in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 11:25-28; 2 Timothy 1:9).

Justification

We teach that justification before God is an act of God (Romans 8:33) by which He declares righteous those who, through faith in Christ, repent of their sins (Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 11:18; Romans 2:4; 2 Corinthians 7:10; Isaiah 55:6-7) and confess Him as sovereign Lord (Romans 10:9-10; 1 Corinthians 12:3; 2 Corinthians 4:5; Philippians 2:11). This righteousness is apart from any virtue or work of man (Romans 3:20; 4:6) and involves the imputation of our sins to Christ (Colossians 2:14; 1 Peter 2:24) and the imputation of Christ's righteousness to us (1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21). By this means God is enabled to "be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus" (Romans 3:26).

Sanctification

We teach that every believer is sanctified (set apart) unto God by justification and is therefore declared to be holy and is therefore identified as a saint. This sanctification is positional and instantaneous and should not be confused with progressive sanctification. This sanctification has to do with the believer's standing, not his present walk or condition (Acts 20:32; 1 Corinthians 1:2, 30; 6:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Hebrews 2:11; 3:1; 10:10, 14; 13:12; 1 Peter 1:2). We teach that there is also by the work of the Holy Spirit a progressive sanctification by which the state of the believer is brought closer to the standing the believer positionally enjoys through justification. Through obedience to the Word of God and the empowering of the Holy Spirit, the believer is able to live a life of increasing holiness in conformity to the will of God, becoming more and more like our Lord Jesus Christ (John 17:17,19; Romans 6:1-22; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4; 5:23). In this respect, we teach that every saved person is involved in a daily conflict-the new creation in Christ doing battle against the flesh-but adequate provision is made for victory through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. The struggle nevertheless stays with the believer all through this earthly life and is never completely ended. All claims to the eradication of sin in this life are unscriptural. Eradication of sin is not possible, but the Holy Spirit does provide for victory over sin (Galatians 5:16-25; Ephesians 4:22-24; Philippians 3:12; Colossians 3:9-10; 1 Peter 1:14-16; 1 John 3:5-9).

Security

We teach that all the redeemed once saved are kept by God's power and are thus secure in Christ forever (John 5:24; 6:37-40; 10:27-30; Romans 5:9-10; 8:1, 31-39; 1 Corinthians 1:4-8; Ephesians 4:30; Hebrews 7:25; 13:5; 1 Peter 1:5; Jude 24). We teach that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God's Word, which, however, clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion for sinful living and carnality (Romans 6:15-22; 13:13-14; Galatians 5:13, 25-26; Titus 2:11-14).

Separation

We teach that separation from sin is clearly called for throughout the Old and New Testaments, and that the Scriptures clearly indicate that in the last days apostasy and worldliness shall increase (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 2 Timothy 3:1-5). We teach that out of deep gratitude for the undeserved grace of God granted to us and because our glorious God is so worthy of our total consecration, all the saved should live in such a manner as to demonstrate our adoring love to God and so as not to bring reproach upon our Lord and Savior. We also teach that separation from all religious apostasy and worldly and sinful practices is commanded of us by God (Romans 12:1-2, 1 Corinthians 5:9-13; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 1 John 2:15-17; 2 John 9-11). We teach that believers should be separated unto our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12; Hebrews 12:1-2) and affirm that the Christian life is a life of obedient righteousness that reflects the teaching of the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:2-12) and a continual pursuit of holiness (Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Hebrews 12:14; Titus 2:11-14; 1 John 3:1-10).

The Church

We teach that all who place their faith in Jesus Christ are immediately placed by the Holy Spirit into one united spiritual Body, the church (1 Corinthians 12:12-13), the bride of Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:23-32; Revelation 19:7-8), of which Christ is the Head (Ephesians 1:22; 4:15; Colossians 1:18) We teach that the formation of the church, the Body of Christ, began on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-21, 38-47) and will be completed at the coming of Christ for His own at the rapture (1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). We teach that the church is thus a unique spiritual organism designed by Christ, made up of all born again believers in this present age (Ephesians 2:11-3:6). The church is distinct from Israel (1 Corinthians 10:32), a mystery not revealed until this age (Ephesians 3:1-6; 5:32). We teach that the establishment and continuity of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures (Acts 14:23, 27; 20:17, 28; Galatians 1:2; Philippians 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1) and that the members of the one spiritual Body are directed to associate themselves together in local assemblies (1 Corinthians 11:18-20; Hebrews 10:25).

We teach that the one supreme authority for the church is Christ (1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 1:22; Colossians 1:18) and that church leadership, gifts, order, discipline, and worship are all appointed through His sovereignty as found in the Scriptures. The biblically designated officers serving under Christ and over the assembly are elders (also called bishops, pastors, and pastor-teachers; Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:11) and deacons, both of whom must meet biblical qualifications (1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-5). We teach that these leaders lead or rule as servants of Christ (1 Timothy 5:17-22) and have His authority in directing the church. The congregation is to submit to their leadership (Hebrews 13:7, 17).

We teach the importance of discipleship (Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Timothy 2:2), mutual accountability of all believers to each other (Matthew 18:5-14), as well as the need for discipline of sinning members of the congregation in accord with the standards of Scripture (Matthew 18:15-22; Acts 5:1-11; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15; 1 Timothy 1:19-20; Titus 1:10-16). We teach the autonomy of the local church, free from any external authority or control, with the right of self-government and freedom from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations (Titus 1:5). We teach that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other for the presentation and propagation of the faith. Each local church, however, through its elders and their interpretation and application of Scripture, should be the sole judge of the measure and method of its cooperation. The elders should determine all other matters of membership, policy, discipline, benevolence, and government as well (Acts 15:19-31; 20:28; 1 Corinthians 5:4-7, 13; 1 Peter 5:1-4).

We teach that the purpose of the church is to glorify God (Ephesians 3:21) by building itself up in the faith (Ephesians 4:13-16), by instruction of the Word (2 Timothy 2:2, 15; 3:16-17), by fellowship (Acts 2:47; 1 John 1:3), by keeping the ordinances (Luke 22:19; Acts 2:38-42) and by advancing and communicating the gospel to the entire world (Matthew 28:19; Acts 1:8; 2:42). We teach the calling of all saints to the work of service (1 Corinthians 15:58; Ephesians 4:12; Revelation 22:12). We teach the need of the church to cooperate with God as He accomplishes His purpose in the world. To that end, He gives the church spiritual gifts. First, He gives men chosen for the purpose of equipping the saints for the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:7-12), and He also gives unique and special spiritual abilities to each member of the Body of Christ (Romans 12:5-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-31; 1 Peter 4:10-11).

We teach that there were two kinds of gifts given the early church: miraculous gifts of divine revelation and healing, given temporarily in the apostolic era for the purpose of confirming the authenticity of the apostles' message (Hebrews 2:3,4; 2 Corinthians 12:12); and ministering gifts, given to equip believers for edifying one another. With the New Testament revelation now complete, Scripture becomes the sole test of the authenticity of a man's message and confirming gifts of a miraculous nature are no longer necessary to validate a man or his message (1 Corinthians 13:8-12). Miraculous gifts can even be counterfeited by Satan so as to deceive even believers (1 Corinthians 13:13-14:12; Revelation 13:13-14). The only gifts in operation today are those nonrevelatory equipping gifts given for edification (Romans 12:6-8).

We teach that no one possesses the gift of healing today but that God does hear and answer the prayer of faith and will answer in accordance with His own perfect will for the sick, suffering, and afflicted (Luke 18:1-6; John 5:7-9; 2 Corinthians 12:6-10; James 5:13-16; 1 John 5:14-15). We teach that two ordinances have been committed to the local church: baptism and the Lord's Supper (Acts 2:38-42). Christian baptism by immersion (Acts 8:36-39) is the solemn and beautiful testimony of a believer showing forth his faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, and his union with Him in death to sin and resurrection to a new life (Romans 6:1-11). It is also a sign of fellowship and identification with the visible Body of Christ (Acts 2:41-42). We teach that the Lord's Supper is the commemoration and proclamation of His death until He comes, and should be always preceded by solemn self-examination (1 Corinthians 11:28-32). We also teach that whereas the elements of Communion are only representative of the flesh and blood of Christ, the Lord's Supper is nevertheless an actual communion with the risen Christ who is present in a unique way, fellowshipping with His people (1 Corinthians 10:16).

Angels

Holy Angels

We teach that angels are created beings and are therefore not to be worshiped. Although they are a higher order of creation than man, they are created to serve God and to worship Him (Luke 2:9-14; Hebrews 1:6-7, 14; 2:6-7; Revelation 5:11-14; 19:10; 22:9).

Fallen Angels

We teach that Satan is a created angel and the author of sin. He incurred the judgment of God by rebelling against his Creator (Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28:11-19), by taking numerous angels with him in his fall (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 12:1-14), and by introducing sin into the human race by his temptation of Eve (Genesis 3:1-15). We teach that Satan is the open and declared enemy of God and man (Isaiah 14:13-14; Matthew 4:1-11; Revelation 12:9-10); the prince of this world, who has been defeated through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 16:20); and that he shall be eternally punished in the lake of fire (Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28:11-19; Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10).

Eschatology

Death

We teach that physical death involves no loss of our immaterial consciousness (Revelation 6:9-11), that the soul of the redeemed passes immediately into the presence of Christ (Luke 23:43; Philippians 1:23; 2 Corinthians 5:8), that there is a separation of soul and body (Philippians 1:21-24), and that, for the redeemed, such separation will continue until the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17), which initiates the first resurrection (Revelation 20:4-6), when our soul and body will be reunited to be glorified forever with our Lord (Philippians 3:21; 1 Corinthians 15:35-44, 50-54). Until that time, the souls of the redeemed in Christ remain in joyful fellowship with our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:8). We teach the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life (John 6:39; Romans 8:10-11, 19-23; 2 Corinthians 4:14), and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment (Daniel 12:2; John 5:29; Revelation 20:13-15). We teach that the souls of the unsaved at death are kept under punishment until the second resurrection (Luke 16:19-26; Revelation 20:13-15), when the soul and the resurrection body will be united (John 5:28-29). They shall then appear at the Great White Throne judgment (Revelation 20:11-15) and shall be cast into hell, the lake of fire (Matthew 25:41-46), cut off from the life of God forever (Daniel 12:2; Matthew 25:41-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).

The Rapture of the Church

We teach the personal, bodily return of our Lord Jesus Christ before the seven-year tribulation (1 Thessalonians 4:16; Titus 2:13) to translate His church from this earth (John 14:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:51-53; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-5:11) and, between this event and His glorious return with His saints, to reward believers according to their works (1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10).

The Tribulation Period

We teach that immediately following the removal of the church from the earth (John 14:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) the righteous judgments of God will be poured out upon an unbelieving world (Jeremiah 30:7; Daniel 9:27; 12:1; 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12; Revelation 16), and that these judgments will be climaxed by the return of Christ in glory to the earth (Matthew 24:27-31; 25:31 46; 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12). At that time the Old Testament and tribulation saints will be raised and the living will be judged (Daniel 12:2-3; Revelation 20:4-6). This period includes the seventieth week of Daniel's prophecy (Daniel 9:24-27; Matthew 24:15-31; 25:31-46).

The Second Coming and the Millennial Reign

We teach that, after the tribulation period, Christ will come to earth to occupy the throne of David (Matthew 25:31; Luke 1:31-33; Acts 1:10-11; 2:29-30) and establish His messianic kingdom for a thousand years on the earth (Revelation 20:1-7). During this time the resurrected saints will reign with Him over Israel and all the nations of the earth (Ezekiel 37:21-28; Daniel 7:17-22; Revelation 19:11-16). This reign will be preceded by the overthrow of the Antichrist and the False Prophet, and by the removal of Satan from the world (Daniel 7:17-27; Revelation 20:1-7). We teach that the kingdom itself will be the fulfillment of God's promise to Israel (Isaiah 65:17-25; Ezekiel 37:21-28; Zechariah 8:1-17) to restore them to the land which they forfeited through their disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:15-68). The result of their disobedience was that Israel was temporarily set aside (Matthew 21:43; Romans 11:1-26) but will again be awakened through repentance to enter into the land of blessing (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:22-32; Romans 11:25-29). We teach that this time of our Lord's reign will be characterized by harmony, justice, peace, righteousness, and long life (Isaiah 11; 65:17-25; Ezekiel 36:33-38), and will be brought to an end with the release of Satan (Revelation 20:7).

The Judgment of the Lost

We teach that following the release of Satan after the thousand year reign of Christ (Revelation 20:7), Satan will deceive the nations of the earth and gather them to battle against the saints and the beloved city, at which time Satan and his army will be devoured by fire from heaven (Revelation 20:9). Following this, Satan will be thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10) whereupon Christ, who is the Judge of all men (John 5:22), will resurrect and judge the great and small at the Great White Throne judgment. We teach that this resurrection of the unsaved dead to judgment will be a physical resurrection, whereupon receiving their judgment (John 5:28,29), they will be committed to an eternal conscious punishment in the lake of fire (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:11-15).

Eternity

We teach that after the closing of the millennium, the temporary release of Satan, and the judgment of unbelievers (2 Thessalonians 1:9; Revelation 20:7-15), the saved will enter the eternal state of glory with God, after which the elements of this earth are to be dissolved (2 Peter 3:10) and replaced with a new earth wherein only righteousness dwells (Ephesians 5:5; Revelation 20:15, 21-22). Following this, the heavenly city will come down out of heaven (Revelation 21:2) and will be the dwelling place of the saints, where they will enjoy forever fellowship with God and one another (John 17:3; Revelation 21-22). Our Lord Jesus Christ, having fulfilled His redemptive mission, will then deliver up the kingdom to God the Father (1 Corinthians 15:24-28) that in all spheres the triune God may reign forever and ever (1 Corinthians 15:28).

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Financial efficiency ratings

Sector: Colleges/Universities

CategoryRatingOverall rankSector rank
Overall efficiency rating538 of 110177 of 129
Fund acquisition rating636 of 110282 of 129
Resource allocation rating403 of 110249 of 129
Asset utilization rating596 of 110184 of 129

Financial ratios

Funding ratiosSector median20222021202020192018
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts =
Fundraising expense /
Total contributions
9%9%9%16%18%16%
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio =
Fundraising expense /
Total revenue
2%3%3%4%4%3%
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance =
Total contributions /
Total revenue
22%35%37%25%22%21%
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio =
Fundraising expense /
Total expenses
2%4%4%4%4%4%
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance =
Total other revenue /
Total revenue
78%65%63%75%78%79%
 
Operating ratiosSector median20222021202020192018
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio =
Program services /
Total expenses
84%86%84%84%86%83%
Spending ratio Spending ratio =
Total expenses /
Total revenue
95%79%75%93%92%93%
Program output ratio Program output ratio =
Program services /
Total revenue
77%68%63%78%78%78%
Savings ratio Savings ratio =
Surplus (deficit) /
Total revenue
5%21%25%7%8%7%
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate =
Surplus (deficit) /
Net assets
5%17%21%6%7%7%
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio =
Management and general expense /
Total expenses
13%10%12%12%10%13%
 
Investing ratiosSector median20222021202020192018
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover =
Total expenses /
Total assets
0.510.430.440.480.530.59
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment =
Total assets /
Total current assets
2.612.522.302.352.522.55
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover =
Total expenses /
Total current assets
1.401.091.021.131.341.51
 
Liquidity ratiosSector median20222021202020192018
Current ratio Current ratio =
Total current assets /
Total current liabilities
8.638.3911.098.309.8710.67
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio =
Total current liabilities /
Total current assets
0.120.120.090.120.100.09
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level =
(Total current assets -
Total current liabilities) /
(Total expenses / 12)
7.379.7110.749.388.077.18
 
Solvency ratiosSector median20222021202020192018
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio =
Total liabilities /
Total assets
24%31%28%36%34%37%
Debt ratio Debt ratio =
Debt /
Total assets
11%18%21%26%25%28%
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio =
Net assets /
Total expenses
151%161%162%133%124%106%

Financials

Balance sheet
 
Assets20222021202020192018
Cash$17,713,592$13,559,252$11,083,656$5,694,250$5,929,170
Receivables, inventories, prepaids$4,639,378$5,571,135$2,080,185$2,676,912$2,863,410
Short-term investments$36,046,402$35,802,295$30,878,053$29,632,554$28,412,981
Other current assets$0$0$0$0$0
Total current assets$58,399,372$54,932,682$44,041,894$38,003,716$37,205,561
Long-term investments$4,926,378$8,569,953$1,092,895$3,088,427$3,071,925
Fixed assets$74,573,508$52,727,715$48,488,879$46,379,210$45,971,668
Other long-term assets$9,513,386$10,048,699$9,913,330$8,200,130$8,461,154
Total long-term assets$89,013,272$71,346,367$59,495,104$57,667,767$57,504,747
Total assets$147,412,644$126,279,049$103,536,998$95,671,483$94,710,308
 
Liabilities20222021202020192018
Payables and accrued expenses$2,809,263$2,372,033$2,593,558$1,367,881$1,055,664
Other current liabilities$4,148,367$2,579,992$2,712,766$2,483,690$2,432,887
Total current liabilities$6,957,630$4,952,025$5,306,324$3,851,571$3,488,551
Debt$26,151,054$26,400,644$27,347,797$24,378,762$26,888,493
Due to (from) affiliates$0$0$0$0$0
Other long-term liabilities$12,136,384$4,231,148$4,946,359$4,495,179$4,464,744
Total long-term liabilities$38,287,438$30,631,792$32,294,156$28,873,941$31,353,237
Total liabilities$45,245,068$35,583,817$37,600,480$32,725,512$34,841,788
 
Net assets20222021202020192018
Without donor restrictions$46,472,365$37,187,899$30,345,645$27,575,406$26,214,166
With donor restrictions$55,695,211$53,507,333$35,590,873$35,370,565$33,654,354
Net assets$102,167,576$90,695,232$65,936,518$62,945,971$59,868,520
 
Revenues and expenses
 
Revenue20222021202020192018
Total contributions$28,272,294$27,445,335$13,320,513$12,355,609$12,632,633
Program service revenue$49,301,242$43,271,351$38,570,660$39,724,488$46,576,385
Membership dues$0$0$0$0$0
Investment income$2,708,799($614,347)$885,390$2,954,295$1,151,533
Other revenue$484,567$4,516,166$429,723$430,720$192,292
Total other revenue$52,494,608$47,173,170$39,885,773$43,109,503$47,920,210
Total revenue$80,766,902$74,618,505$53,206,286$55,465,112$60,552,843
 
Expenses20222021202020192018
Program services$54,663,986$46,957,481$41,575,938$43,538,059$47,034,040
Management and general$6,227,528$6,478,413$5,819,642$4,993,272$7,248,896
Fundraising$2,656,335$2,398,358$2,159,785$2,230,158$2,068,657
Total expenses$63,547,849$55,834,252$49,555,365$50,761,489$56,351,593
 
Change in net assets20222021202020192018
Surplus (deficit)$17,219,053$18,784,253$3,650,921$4,703,623$4,201,250
Other changes in net assets$0$0$0$0$0
Total change in net assets$17,219,053$18,784,253$3,650,921$4,703,623$4,201,250

Compensation

NameTitleCompensation
Sam HornFormer President$313,534
Todd KostjukCFO & VP of Administration$311,853
Lucas CherryUniversity VP of Development$232,998
Jade GreenfieldChief Development Officer - Seminary$223,968
Thomas HopewellProvost and Dean of Online Learning$223,657
John SteadExecutive Vice President$220,193
Thomas Halstead UniversityDean, School of Biblical Studies$216,856
Mark Zhakevich Finance DirAssoc Pof and Acadmic Chair$205,234
Dariu DumitruChief Enrollment & Marketing$193,574
Abner Chou PresidentMacArthurEndowed Chair of Biblical Studies$189,083
John RussellController$176,508
Jonathan RourkeChair$44,083
Scott ArdavanisBoard Member & Faculty$25,695

Compensation data as of: 6/30/2022


Response from ministry

No response has been provided by this ministry.


The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 5/11/2023. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]


History

"These first ten wonderful years prove beyond question the Lord has been our 'Ebenezer'... In the light of this truth our faith cannot doubt that in the days ahead He will be our 'Jehovah-Jireh'-'The Lord will provide.'"

When the staff of Los Angeles Baptist Theological Seminary wrote this in 1937, they had already weathered much of the Great Depression. They could not know that World War II and the tumultuous postwar years were still ahead of them. But, they had a passion for biblical inerrancy and sufficiency, and they trusted that God would see them through.

Boyle Heights Campus

LABTS first opened its doors in 1927, with 24 students and no permanent campus. During the first few years, the faculty and administration willingly forwent salaries and sold their land to keep the seminary open. The first president, Dr. William A. Matthews, tells the story of his own attempt to sell a piece land in 1928. The tract of 35 acres flooded easily, and Matthews despaired of ever selling it-until a goat farm decided that it was exactly suited for their purposes and offered him an excellent price. "Never again shall we say that any land is good for nothing," he wrote at the time, "because it may be good for raising goats!" The Lord was faithful to provide.

Dr. John R. Dunkin

By 1933, LABTS had moved from a temporary location on the campus of Calvary Baptist Church to their first permanent home at the Kaspar Cohn Hospital in Los Angeles, and then to another building in Boyle Heights in 1942. In the following years, the seminary experienced a record amount of growth, launching its first Bachelor of Arts program in 1946 to accommodate the WWII veterans coming home and looking for a college education. The college division of LABTS was officially established in 1950.

The school grew so much during this period that by the mid-fifties, the Boyle Heights location could no longer accommodate them.

Powell Library under construction

President Dr. John Dunkin (inaugurated in 1959) began looking for a new home. The home he found in 1961 was more than 35 miles away in the Santa Clarita Valley, on the property of Happy Jack's Dude Ranch. This 27-acre piece of land in quiet Placerita Canyon became home to 375 students by 1977.

Dr. Dunkin's 26-year presidency of LABC included the addition of many undergraduate academic programs, including History, English, Music, Biology, Business Administration and Physical Education between 1964 and 1977. In the midst of this expansion, Dr. Dunkin and the student body came together on March 3, 1975 to celebrate another important milestone: accreditation. Only a couple years shy of its 50th anniversary, LABC had received official accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Dr. John F. MacArthur

When Dr. Dunkin announced his resignation in 1984, the board of directors began to search for a qualified successor, which they found in Dr. John MacArthur, pastor of Grace Community Church. Though Dr. MacArthur was not a part of the Baptist denomination, he was in complete agreement with the college's doctrine and statement of faith and agreed to assume the position in 1985, while maintaining his pastorate and "Grace to You" radio ministry. That same year, LABC's name was changed to The Master's College, a joint decision of Dr. MacArthur and the board of directors, who agreed that the school should become nondenominational.

One year after Dr. MacArthur's inauguration, the student population nearly doubled in size, from 305 to 600. Today it continues to grow. Dr. MacArthur has remained the longest-serving president in the college's history, overseeing another large academic expansion, including the addition of two Master's Degree programs, an extension campus (IBEX) in the vicinity of Jerusalem, Israel, a Degree Completion Program for working adults, and an online degree program available to Christians around the world.

As was said at Dr. MacArthur's inauguration: "The sovereign hand of God has been upon our institution in a wonderful way since the beginning... Under His direction and confident of His provision, we embark upon an exciting era."

The History of Master's Seminary:

The Master's Seminary opened its doors in 1986 to provide post-graduate theological training on the campus of Grace Community Church. Until then, the men of GCC would fill vans and commute daily to Talbot Theological Seminary, the nearest option for theological training. Eventually, there were so many students-nearly a hundred-that Talbot allowed GCC to start an extension campus and began to send their faculty to the church campus.

This continued for nine years. But when the dean of Talbot resigned, Dr. Irv Busenitz, a member of the extension's faculty, decided it was time to start a new seminary. On March 31, 1986, he met with Dr. John MacArthur to discuss the possibility.

They founded The Master's Seminary in the fall of that year with ninety-five students and four full-time faculty members: Dr. Irv Busenitz, Dr. Marc Mueller, Dr. Charles R. Smith, and Professor Donald G. McDougall. Dr. Charles R. Smith served as dean and Dr. MacArthur as president. In 1988, TMS received regional accreditation with The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

As we look back, we see the hand of God gathering a group of men and knitting their hearts together. Our founding members were united in sound doctrine and committed to the quality, integrity, and vision for the seminary. They were wholly dedicated to investing their lives in the men who trained at TMS.

Our product has always been simple: we produce preachers. That was and is the uniqueness of our seminary. Our job is to produce one product, an expositor of the Word. We have always believed that expositors are born from sound theology, an accurate view of Scripture, a precise hermeneutic, and comprehensive understanding of the biblical languages. But expositors are not just crafted in the classroom. They are produced within the local church. When our students walk out of class, they step onto the campus of Grace Community Church. Here they are called to daily practice the truths they are taught in the classroom. None of this is possible without intentional discipleship between faculty and students. As expositors, we are held to a higher standard, one that requires a life of holiness. Who better to encourage and exhort our students than seasoned pastors have dedicated themselves to preparing them for ministry?

One word sums up the legacy that is entrusted to the men who come to TMS: faithfulness. Above all, our preachers are faithful to the Word of God. Over 1,800 graduates now faithfully preach the Word in forty-five countries and six continents. And growing number of international students are training at TMS in preparation for service in their home countries. What began with ninety-five students has grown into an institution with twenty-two full-time faculty training almost 600 men. Our carefully-crafted curriculum holds true to our unwavering commitment to the worship of God, the authority of His Word, the priority of the local church, the mission of gospel proclamation, and the purity necessary for spiritual leadership.

In the years before The Master's Seminary, Dr. Busenitz's office was located at the back of the chapel. Every time he walked into that dark chapel, he prayed that one day God would fill it with men preparing for ministry. God has bountifully answered that prayer. Our fervent prayer is that He would continue to do so.


Program accomplishments

#1 CPA Exam Pass Rate (NASBA)

#1 "Right Choice" University (Wall Street Journal)

95% Medical School Acceptance Rate

12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio


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