Asia Graduate School of Theology

The Asia Graduate School of Theology (AGST) is a consortium of evangelical theological seminaries. It was established by Asia Theological Association in 1984, and consists of three bodies: AGST Japan, AGST Philippines, and AGST Alliance (Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, and Thailand).[1]

Not to be confused with South East Asia Graduate School of Theology.

AGST's purpose is to enable its member seminaries to offer advanced degrees, especially doctorates, to prepare scholars and leaders for the Church and society in Asia. AGST was self-consciously modelled on the South East Asia Graduate School of Theology, which is operated by the Association for Theological Education in South East Asia.[2]

Bong Rin Ro notes that AGST was formed to stop the "brain drain" of Asian Christian workers to the West: "The Asian Church had depended on western seminaries and churches too long, and the time had come for us to be independent from the West in theological education; otherwise, we would not be able to grow ourselves."[2] He goes on to note that one of AGST's objectives was to "encourage cultural adaptation of theological education. Asian students needed to study theological training within their cultural contexts of poverty, suffering, injustice, non-Christian religions, and communism."[3]

AGST's original plan was to have a consortium in Korea, but as Bong Rin Ro notes, "the AGST in Korea did not succeed due to the lack of cooperation among the evangelical seminaries in Korea."[4]

AGST Japan

AGST Japan has five member institutions.[4]

Member institutions
  • Tokyo Christian University
  • Tokyo Biblical Seminary
  • Kobe Lutheran Seminary
  • Osaka Christian College and Seminary
  • Immanuel Bible College

AGST Philippines
AGST Philippines
DeanRomerlito C. Macalinao
Websiteagstphil.org

AGST Philippines is recognised by the Commission on Higher Education in the Philippines.[5] It publishes its own journal, the Journal of Asian Mission.[6] JAM has been used as a "venue through which to explore the socio-missiological implications of Flilipino Pentecostalism."[7]

Member institutions

Degrees offered

AGST Philippines offers the following degrees:[8]

  • Doctor of Education in Christian Counseling
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Transformational Development
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Transformational Learning
  • Master of Theology / Doctor of Philosophy in Biblical Studies
  • Master of Theology / Doctor of Philosophy in Theological Studies & Church History
  • Master of Theology / Doctor of Philosophy in Peace Studies
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Holistic Child Development
  • Doctor of Missiology / Doctor of Philosophy in Intercultural Studies
  • Doctor of Ministry in Peace Studies
  • Master of Theology / Doctor of Philosophy in Orality Studies

AGST Alliance
AGST Alliance
Established2004
DeanAllan Harkness
Websitewww.agstalliance.org

AGST Alliance was established in 2004 as the AGST (Malaysia/Singapore) consortium.[9]

Malaysia

Myanmar
  • Myanmar Evangelical Graduate School of Theology

Singapore

Thailand
  • Bangkok Bible Seminary
  • Thailand Pentecostal Seminary

Additionally, Chiang Mai Theological Seminary (Thailand), Malaysia Evangelical College (Sarawak), and Phnom Penh Bible School (Cambodia) are associate members.[10]

Degrees offered

AGST Alliance offers the following degrees:

  • Master of Theology (Th.M.)
  • Master of Theology (Biblical Studies)
  • Master of Theology (Education) in Spiritual Formation and Discipleship
  • Master of Transformational Development
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Education (Ph.D.)
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Theology
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Biblical Studies
  • Doctor of Education in Child & Family Development (Ed.D.)
  • Doctor of Ministry in Leadership (D.Min.)

References
  1. "Asia Graduate School of Theology". Asia Theological Association. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  2. Ro, Bong Rin (2008). "A History of Evangelical Theological Education in Asia (ATA): 1970–1990" (PDF). Torch Trinity Journal. 11 (1): 39. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  3. Ro, " History of Evangelical Theological Education in Asia," 40.
  4. Ro, " History of Evangelical Theological Education in Asia," 42.
  5. "Accreditations and Partnerships". AGST Philippines. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  6. "Journal of Asian Mission (JAM)". AGST Philippines. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  7. Tizon, Al (2008). Transformation After Lausanne: Radical Evangelical Mission in Global-Local Perspective. Oxford Centre for Mission Studies. p. 187. ISBN 9781870345682. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  8. "AGST Philippines". AGST Philippines. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  9. "Our history". AGST Alliance. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  10. "Member seminaries". AGST Alliance. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
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