In a society where “academic” is sometimes an accepted synonym for irrelevance, Chicago Theological Seminary has attracted a world-class faculty of engaged intellectuals who are leaders in their fields. They invite students to question, to teach and to transform the world in partnership with them.

In the words of theologian Laurel Schneider, we ask “the exquisitely intimate question of God among us.” We ask the questions that “burn fiercely in the heart,” as pastoral psychotherapist Robert Moore states. Hebrew Bible scholar Ken Stone points out that “to question is not to destroy.” Questioning brings our contemporary lives and concerns into conversation with tradition, seeking insights and learning from contradictions.

Everyone teaches at CTS. Its curriculum is strongly influenced by Brazilian educator and activist Paulo Freire, who insists, “What you learn depends on those with whom you learn.”

We teach one another by our embodied diversity—our astonishing differences and our surprising commonalities. We teach one another by the gift of dialogue.

We question and we teach for the sake of God and God’s care for this infinitely precious world. In the CTS community, we are called to work, to transform the world into the vision of the divine reign of justice and mercy—as our grounding Vision, Mission and Commitment Statement makes clear.

Questioning, teaching, and transforming describe the education that prepares students for transformative leadership.

Intimate and fierce, this community demands your engagement. The purpose is serious. The work is filled with joy. Come, join us.