The seminary originally established a collegiate division to prepare some students for the academic rigor of seminary-level courses. This evolved in 1952 into Eastern Baptist College, since 2002 Eastern University in St. Davids, Pennsylvania near Valley Forge and further west on the Philadelphia Main Line from Philadelphia. In 2004, Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary re-merged with Eastern University, now as a subsidiary. The following year, the seminary changed its name to Palmer Theological Seminary in honor of its longest serving president (1936–48), Gordon Palmer.[3] In 2010, the University also established the Smith School of Christian Ministries to oversee certain programs.[4]
In 2012, the seminary moved from the Wynnewood campus to an interim location at the American Baptist Missions Center in nearby King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. In June 2016, the seminary moved to the main campus of Eastern University in St. Davids, Pennsylvania.[5]
Over the years, the seminary has combined evangelical theology with the affirmation of women in ministry and commitment to social justice and ethnic diversity. From the beginning, the Seminary welcomed female students. The Seminary continues to affirm its founding motto, "The Whole Gospel for the Whole World."[6]
Musical discoveries at the seminary
In July 2005, an 80-page Beethoven manuscript of a piano four hands version of the Grosse Fugue was discovered in the library archives by one of the librarians.[7][8] The manuscript was authenticated by Jeffrey Kallberg at the University of Pennsylvania and by Stephen Roe, head of Sotheby's Manuscript Department. Lost from view for well over 100 years, it is thought by some to be one of the most important musicological finds in recent years. The event paralleled the earlier find on July 31, 1990, of a Mozart manuscript, which had been donated to the seminary in 1951 by Marguerite Treat Doane (daughter of noted hymnist William Howard Doane). It was rediscovered along with some lesser manuscripts of the same period. The Beethoven manuscript was auctioned by Sotheby's in London on December 1, 2005 for US$1.72 million to an anonymous bidder later revealed to be Bruce Kovner.
Notable faculty and alumni
Ron Sider, professor and founder of Evangelicals for Social Action
Craig Keener, professor and author of the bestselling IVP Bible Background Commentary (New Testament)
Samuel Escobar, retired professor and world-renowned missiologist
Charles E. Booth, Senior Pastor of the Mt. Olivet Baptist Church and fully affiliated Professor of Preaching at the Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio.
Bernard Ramm, alumnus, author, theologian, professor
Wayne E. Croft, Sr., Senior Pastor of the St. Paul's Baptist Church in West Chester, Pennsylvania and The Jeremiah A. Wright, Sr. Associate Professor of Homiletics and Liturgics in African American Studies at Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia
Tony Campolo, alumnus, speaker, bestselling author, and social activist
