# Northern Seminary

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{{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](/source/Association_of_Theological_Schools_in_the_United_States_and_Canada)
 | type                   = [Private](/source/Private_university) [seminary](/source/seminary)
 | religious_affiliation  = [American Baptist Churches USA](/source/American_Baptist_Churches_USA)
 | president              = Ingrid Faro (interim)
 | provost                = 
 | city                   = [Lisle, Illinois](/source/Lisle%2C_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](/source/Private_university) [Baptist](/source/Baptist) [seminary](/source/seminary) in [Lisle, Illinois](/source/Lisle%2C_Illinois). Historically known as Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, it is affiliated with the [American Baptist Churches USA](/source/American_Baptist_Churches_USA).

==History==
The Seminary was founded in 1913 by the Second Baptist Church of [Chicago](/source/Chicago) named as ''Northern Baptist Theological Seminary'' as a theologically conservative alternative within the framework of its association with the [American Baptist Churches USA](/source/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](/source/Lombard%2C_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](/source/Lisle%2C_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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/David_Breese), evangelist, author, and radio broadcaster
*[Millard Erickson](/source/Millard_Erickson), 20th-century theologian and author
*[Clay Evans (pastor)](/source/Clay_Evans_(pastor)), 20th-century African-American evangelical pastor
*[Derwin Gray](/source/Derwin_Gray_(defensive_back)), professional football player and pastor
*[Carl Henry](/source/Carl_F._H._Henry), founder and first editor of ''[Christianity Today](/source/Christianity_Today)''
*[Torrey Johnson](/source/Torrey_Johnson), first president of [Youth for Christ](/source/Youth_for_Christ)
*[Stephen R. Lawhead](/source/Stephen_R._Lawhead), fiction writer
*[Tara Beth Leach](/source/Tara_Beth_Leach), pastor and author
*[John Osteen](/source/John_Osteen), first pastor of [Lakewood Church](/source/Lakewood_Church) in [Houston, Texas](/source/Houston%2C_Texas)
*[Kenneth N. Taylor](/source/Kenneth_N._Taylor), creator of [The Living Bible](/source/The_Living_Bible) paraphrase and founder of [Tyndale House](/source/Tyndale_House) publishers
*[Warren W. Wiersbe](/source/Warren_W._Wiersbe), author, teacher, and minister for [Moody Church](/source/Moody_Church) and [Back to the Bible](/source/Back_to_the_Bible)
*[Gideon B. Williamson](/source/Gideon_B._Williamson), [general superintendent](/source/General_Superintendent_(Church_of_the_Nazarene)) in the [Church of the Nazarene](/source/Church_of_the_Nazarene)
*[Mildred Bangs Wynkoop](/source/Mildred_Bangs_Wynkoop), Wesleyan-Holiness preacher, evangelist, and theologian

===Faculty===
*[Lynn H. Cohick](/source/Lynn_H._Cohick), former provost, dean of academic affairs and professor of New Testament
*[Harold Lindsell](/source/Harold_Lindsell), former professor
*[Nijay Gupta](/source/Nijay_Gupta), Professor of New Testament
*[Greg Boyd (theologian)](/source/Greg_Boyd_(theologian)), Adjunct Professor
*[Scot McKnight](/source/Scot_McKnight), former Julius R. Mantey chair of New Testament
*[Joy J. Moore](/source/Joy_J._Moore), former president of Northern Seminary
*[Robert E. Webber](/source/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

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Northern Seminary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Seminary) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Seminary?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.