{{short description|American Christian seminary in Illinois}} {{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Infobox university | name = Northern Seminary | former_names = Northern Baptist Theological Seminary | image = | motto = | established = {{start date|1913}} | academic_affiliation = Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada | type = Private seminary | religious_affiliation = American Baptist Churches USA | president = Ingrid Faro (interim) | provost = | city = Lisle, Illinois, United States | coordinates = {{coord|41.80914070|-88.05609720|format=dms|region:US-IL_type:edu_source:wikidata|display=inline,title}} | website = {{URL|https://www.seminary.edu/}} | postgrad = 297 (2020)<ref name="ats2020">{{cite web |title=Northern Baptist Theological Seminary |url=https://www.ats.edu/member-schools/northern-baptist-theological-seminary |publisher=Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada |access-date=4 January 2022}}</ref> | academic_staff = 28 (2024) <ref> {{cite web | title = Northern Seminary Faculty Page | url = https://www.seminary.edu/faculty/ | date = November 14, 2023 | work = Northern Seminary | accessdate = November 14, 2023}} </ref> | campus = Online/hybrid | campus_size = }}

'''Northern Seminary''' is a private Baptist seminary in Lisle, Illinois. Historically known as Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, it is affiliated with the American Baptist Churches USA.

==History== The Seminary was founded in 1913 by the Second Baptist Church of Chicago named as ''Northern Baptist Theological Seminary'' as a theologically conservative alternative within the framework of its association with the American Baptist Churches USA.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Garrett |first=James Leo |title=Baptist theology: a four-century study |date=2009 |publisher=Mercer University Press |isbn=9780881461299 |edition=1st |location=Macon, GA |pages=330 |language=en |oclc=223853668}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Trammel |first=Madison |date=2024-09-15 |title=Retooling Seminary |url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/2007/08/retooling-seminary/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240915080155/https://www.christianitytoday.com/2007/08/retooling-seminary/ |archive-date=September 15, 2024 |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Christianity Today}}</ref> In 1920 a collegiate department was founded, and the American Baptist Churches became a seminary partner.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |title=American universities and colleges |date=2010 |publisher=Praeger |isbn=978-0-3133-6609-3 |edition=19th |location=Santa Barbara, CA |pages=356 |doi=10.5040/9798400612398 |language=en |oclc=475446482 |last1=Publishers |first1=Praeger }}</ref> In 1963, it moved to Lombard, Illinois.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Goldsborough |first1=Bob |last2=Kimberly |first2=James |date=August 22, 2021 |orig-date=July 10, 2007 |title=Lombard Seminary May Sell Land |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2007/07/10/lombard-seminary-may-sell-land/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250221153646/https://www.chicagotribune.com/2007/07/10/lombard-seminary-may-sell-land/ |archive-date=February 21, 2025 |access-date=February 21, 2025 |website=Chicago Tribune}}</ref> In 2004, it was renamed Northern Seminary.<ref name=":0" /> In 2017, it moved to Lisle, Illinois.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=Marie |date=September 22, 2017 |title=Lombard seeking ways to spur redevelopment around Yorktown, Butterfield Road |url=https://www.dailyherald.com/business/20170922/lombard-seeking-ways-to-spur-redevelopment-around-yorktown-butterfield-road/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922234401/https://www.dailyherald.com/business/20170922/lombard-seeking-ways-to-spur-redevelopment-around-yorktown-butterfield-road/ |archive-date=September 22, 2017 |website=Daily Herald}}</ref>

It is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada.

On March 13, 2023, the president, William D. Shiell, resigned from his position amid controversy.<ref name=shiellresign>{{cite web |last=Souder-Philyaw |first=Elizabeth |date=March 13, 2023 |title=Shiell resigns as Northern Seminary president |url=https://baptistnews.com/article/shiell-resigns-as-northern-seminary-president/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314002825/https://baptistnews.com/article/shiell-resigns-as-northern-seminary-president/ |archive-date=March 14, 2023 |accessdate=November 14, 2023 |work=Baptist News}} </ref> After several interim presidents, Joy J. Moore officially became the president of Northern Seminary on December 1, 2024.<ref name=moorepres /> On January 2, 2026, Moore and the Board of Trustees mutually agreed that she would resign from the position of president of the seminary.<ref name=resignrns /><ref name=resignstatement /> Ingrid Faro was named interim president.<ref name=resignrns />

===Presidents=== {| class="wikitable" |+ !No. !Name !Term !Ref |- | 1 | John Marvin Dean | 1913{{endash}}1918 | <ref name=northernhistory>{{cite web|title=History: Northern Seminary was founded in 1913 with the purpose of training leaders for the Church|website=Northern Seminary|access-date=August 7, 2025|url=https://www.seminary.edu/about/history/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=News of the Religious World|first=W. B.|last=Norton|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=September 16, 1917|access-date=August 7, 2025|page=7-10|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/355068891/}}</ref> |- | 2 | George W. Taft | 1918{{endash}}1936 | <ref name=northernhistory /> |- | 3 | William Law Ferguson | 1936{{endash}}1938 | <ref name=change1938>{{cite news|title=20th Birthday of Lutheran Merger Noted|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|first=John|last=Evans|date=May 22, 1938|access-date=August 7, 2025|page=3-1|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/369925736/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Dr. Ferguson Will Speak Sunday at Baptist Church|newspaper=Bureau County Tribune|date=January 22, 1937|access-date=August 7, 2025|page=7|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/613020442/}}</ref> |- | 4 | Charles W. Koller | 1938{{endash}}1961 | <ref>{{cite news|title=Seminary President Added To Covina Winter Faculty|newspaper=Pomona Progress-Bulletin|date=June 25, 1960|access-date=August 7, 2025|page=3|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/624164546/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=A Chicago Professor To Be Here For Speech|newspaper=Kansas City Star|date=September 16, 1961|access-date=August 7, 2025|page=1|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/658911220/|quote=Dr. Koller... began his permanent retirement this year.}}</ref><ref name=change1938 /> |- | 5 | Benjamin P. Browne{{efn|Browne served as interim president during Koller's sabbatical during his last year.<ref name=kollersab />}} | 1960{{endash}}1964 | <ref name=kollersab>{{cite news|title=Religious News Notes|first=Richard|last=Philbrick|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=July 2, 1960|access-date=August 7, 2025|page=10F|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/201440776/}}</ref><ref name=archibald /><ref>{{cite news|title=Ministers Plan Reformation Day Service|newspaper=Alton Evening Telegraph|date=October 26, 1962|access-date=August 7, 2025|page=8|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/17092436/}}</ref> |- | 6 | Bryan F. Archibald | 1965{{endash}}1975 | <ref name=archibald>{{cite news|title=North Baptist Seminary to Get New Head|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=November 25, 1964|access-date=August 7, 2025|page=2-6|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/376268878/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=500 Are Expected To Attend Baptist Meet in Galesburg|newspaper=Galesburg Register-Mail|date=March 20, 1974|access-date=August 7, 2025|page=8|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/669862/}}</ref> |- | 7 | William R. Myers Sr. | 1975{{endash}}1988 | <ref>{{cite news|title=Pastor ‘was the epitome of the Christian gentleman’|first=Bob|last=Goldsborough|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=June 11, 2018|access-date=August 7, 2025|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2016/02/07/pastor-was-the-epitome-of-the-christian-gentleman/}}</ref><ref name=northernhistory /> |- | 8 | Ian M. Chapman | 1988{{endash}}2001 | <ref name=northernhistory /> |- | 9 | Charles W. Moore | 2001{{endash}}2006 | <ref name=northernhistory /><ref name=intrust>{{cite news|title=Changing scenes|first=Emilie|last=Babcox|date=2008|newspaper=In Trust Magazine|url=https://www.intrust.org/in-trust-magazine/issues/summer-2008/changing-scenes}}</ref> |- | {{endash}} | ''John F. Kirn''{{efn|name=acting}} | ''2006{{endash}}2008'' | <ref name=northernhistory /><ref name=intrust /> |- | 10 | Alistair Brown | 2008{{endash}}2016 | <ref>{{cite news|title=President of Northern Seminary to resign next year|first=Robert|last=Dilday|newspaper=Baptist News Global|date=June 16, 2015|access-date=August 7, 2025|url=https://baptistnews.com/article/president-of-northern-seminary-to-resign-next-year/}}</ref><ref name=northernhistory /> |- | 11 | William D. Shiell | 2016{{endash}}2023 | <ref>{{cite news|title=Florida pastor named president of Northern Seminary|first=Robert|last=Dilday|newspaper=Baptist News Global|date= January 29, 2016|access-date=August 7, 2025|url=https://baptistnews.com/article/florida-pastor-name-president-of-northern-seminary/}}</ref> |- | {{endash}} | ''John C. Bowling''{{efn|name=acting|Served as interim president}} | ''2023'' | <ref name=shiellresign /><ref>{{cite news|title=Northern Seminary Appoints Rev. Dr. John C. Bowling as Acting President|newspaper=Country Herald|date=March 7, 2023|access-date=August 7, 2025|url=https://countryherald.com/news/northern-seminary-appoints-rev-dr-john-c-bowling-as-acting-president/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Northern Seminary names acting president|first=Mark|last=Wingfield|newspaper=Baptist News Global|date=February 27, 2023|access-date=August 7, 2025|url=https://baptistnews.com/article/northern-seminary-names-acting-president/}}</ref> |- | {{endash}} | ''Karen Walker Freeburg''{{efn|name=acting}} | ''2023{{endash}}2024'' | <ref>{{cite web|title=Rev. Dr. Karen Walker Freeburg Named Acting President of Northern Seminary|website=Northern Seminary|date=April 28, 2023|access-date=August 7, 2025|url=https://www.seminary.edu/news/rev-dr-karen-walker-freeburg-named-acting-president/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Northern Seminary names another acting president|first=Mark|last=Wingfield|newspaper=Baptist News Global|date= April 25, 2023|access-date=August 7, 2025|url=https://baptistnews.com/article/northern-seminary-names-another-acting-president/}}</ref> |- | 12 | Joy J. Moore | 2024{{endash}}2026 | <ref>{{cite web|title=Joy J. Moore Named 13th President of Northern Seminary|website=Luther Seminary|date=November 19, 2024|access-date=August 7, 2025|url=https://www.luthersem.edu/news/2024/11/19/joy-j-moore-named-13th-president-of-northern-seminary/}}</ref><ref name=moorepres>{{cite news|title=Northern Seminary names new president|first=Mark|last=Wingfield|newspaper=Baptist News Global|date= November 20, 2024|access-date=August 7, 2025|url=https://baptistnews.com/article/northern-seminary-names-new-president/}}</ref> |- | {{endash}} | ''Ingrid Faro''{{efn|name=acting}} | ''2026{{endash}}present'' | <ref name=resignrns>{{cite news|title=Joy Moore steps down as Northern Seminary president after months of confusion over status|first=Bob|last=Smietana|date=January 2, 2026|access-date=January 2, 2026|website=Religion News Service|url=https://religionnews.com/2026/01/02/joy-moore-steps-down-as-northern-seminary-president/}}</ref><ref name=resignstatement>{{cite web|title=Joint Statement from Northern Seminary Board and Dr. Joy Moore|author=Northern Seminary Board of Trustees|date=January 2, 2026|access-date=January 2, 2026|website=Northern Seminary|url=https://www.seminary.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Official-joint_statement.pdf}}</ref> |}

{{noteslist}}

==Notable people== ===Alumni=== *David Breese, evangelist, author, and radio broadcaster *Millard Erickson, 20th-century theologian and author *Clay Evans (pastor), 20th-century African-American evangelical pastor *Derwin Gray, professional football player and pastor *Carl Henry, founder and first editor of ''Christianity Today'' *Torrey Johnson, first president of Youth for Christ *Stephen R. Lawhead, fiction writer *Tara Beth Leach, pastor and author *John Osteen, first pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas *Kenneth N. Taylor, creator of The Living Bible paraphrase and founder of Tyndale House publishers *Warren W. Wiersbe, author, teacher, and minister for Moody Church and Back to the Bible *Gideon B. Williamson, general superintendent in the Church of the Nazarene *Mildred Bangs Wynkoop, Wesleyan-Holiness preacher, evangelist, and theologian

===Faculty=== *Lynn H. Cohick, former provost, dean of academic affairs and professor of New Testament *Harold Lindsell, former professor *Nijay Gupta, Professor of New Testament *Greg Boyd (theologian), Adjunct Professor *Scot McKnight, former Julius R. Mantey chair of New Testament *Joy J. Moore, former president of Northern Seminary *Robert E. Webber, former Myers Professor of Ministry

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *{{Official website}}

{{Colleges and universities in metropolitan Chicago}} {{authority control}}

Category:Northern Seminary Category:1913 establishments in Illinois Category:Educational institutions established in 1913 Category:Lisle, Illinois Category:Seminaries and theological colleges in Illinois Category:Seminaries and theological colleges affiliated with the American Baptist Churches USA Category:Universities and colleges in Chicago Category:Universities and colleges in DuPage County, Illinois