At Central Seminary, we want our graduates to understand why we affirm particular doctrines and why we reject particular alternatives. We also want our students to comprehend the bundles of ideas that stand behind the labels. What is a fundamentalist? What is a Baptist? What is a Christian? Are we Protestants? Are we evangelicals? These are questions that require historical answers.

Our story did not begin with us. In fact, we are only the last half-page or so in a story that has been in the writing for nearly two millennia. If we are to know who we are, we must understand where we fit into that story. The four core history courses at Central Seminary aim to tell that story in a way that will help our students to grasp the importance of the issues and alternatives.