Before the telephone. Before the electric telegraph. Even before the Pony Express. RPTS was equipping men to herald the news—the good news of Jesus Christ.”

So reads the invitation for the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary’s 200th anniversary event at the Heinz History Center, with a special celebration entitled, “To God Alone Be Glory: Celebrate 200 Years!” The Lord’s covenant faithfulness in providing faithful pastors for His people, as well as theological training for other areas of ministry, will be remembered in a number of ways.

That the seminary is advancing in God’s strength alone, says RPTS president Dr. Jerry O’Neill, is evident in a survey of its two-century history. “We are overwhelmed with the Lord’s grace shown so clearly. We have not survived because we were strong in ourselves; but, in a very real sense, we have survived because of the Lord’s strength in our weakness. It is His grace and strength alone that have kept the seminary faithful in proclaiming the historic Apostolic-Reformed faith on which and for which it was founded.”

In 1807, a presbytery meeting was held in a little Pennsylvania town called Scotland. The seed-purpose to establish a theological seminary was planted. It was a time of great optimism for the church. The ever-expanding frontier of the young country, the cherished and long-desired freedom to worship God in holiness and righteousness without fear—for which our Covenanter forefathers and mothers had sacrificed so much—had become a living reality. The mercy promised to the fathers had come to the children. Quoting from the prophecy of Isaiah, the seminary’s first professor, Rev. Samuel B. Wylie, recalled it as the time that the RP Church was “lengthening her cords and strengthening her stakes and stretching forth the curtains of her habitations” (see Isa. 54:2). But with such an open field of opportunity before the church, there was a severe shortage of ministers.

From that presbytery meeting, according to the scriptural pattern and mandate for the pastorate, the Seminary Constitution was drawn up by Rev. Alexander M’Leod (sometimes listed as McLeod). The promise, pattern, and purpose of the pastorate M’Leod set forth during this same period as he preached an ordination sermon based on Jeremiah 3:15:

God has pledged his Veracity to provide a public ministry for the service of His Church>—“And I will give you pastors.” He hath placed distinguishing marks on the ministry of which >He approves—“Pastors according to Mine heart.” The sum of ministerial duty is the >edification of the Church—“Pastors which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.”

M’Leod likened the congregation he was addressing to the faithful Jews of the Prophet Jeremiah’s time. They, too, “adhering to the covenant of their fathers, longed for the solemn forms of public worship.” In the midst of those dark days in Judah, M’Leod said, the Lord cheered Jeremiah’s tender heart with the gracious promise recorded in this verse, the promise that would stand forever. The Prophet saw beyond “the calamities in which covenant transgression had involved the seed of Jacob…[to] the restoration of God’s covenant people…the blessings of the Gospel.” The beauty of worshiping assemblies Jeremiah foresaw in “Christian congregations regularly organized; dispersed witnesses rallying around their standard, and receiving with joy the blessings of a settled ministry.”

In framing the seminary constitution, M’Leod referred to the pastorate as “the institution of Heaven, that the living preacher should accompany the word of inspiration, in order to explain and apply its doctrines to the salvation of souls.” And further, that since “it does not fall within the province of human labor” to provide [the gifts for the ministry], the Church should “spare no exertions” in providing a good system of theological instruction to equip men for this ministry.

To advance from strength to strength through the coming generations, the seminary founders knew that all must conform to the scriptural pattern, not only in doctrine and ordinance, but also in the form of church government. Knowing the imperative and responsibility of ministers to preserve ecclesiastical order, M’Leod had devised his “Ecclesiastical Catechism” (for “every deviation from truth tends to absolute apostasy”). Originally written for his own congregation, its publication became far and wide and enduring, and went beyond the church itself, delineating the scriptural basis for the separation of church and state. It answered M’Leod’s purpose in developing it: “That sincere piety and Presbyterianism will grow with their [covenant sons’ and daughters’] growth, and strengthen with their strength.” Thus, “according to pattern,” the seminary was established and has been preserved in holding to the faith once delivered. The bicentennial gives us a moment in the seminary’s ongoing labors to remember, rejoice and give thanks to the Lord for His sure and steadfast mercies to His people.

The evening of June 24 at the Heinz History Center is scheduled to begin with dinner, served from 5:30–6:30. A variety of foods will be offered at buffet stations situated among antique cars, a trolley car, and even a covered wagon.

Following dinner, until 7:15 p.m., as well as throughout the day, registered attendees will enjoy stepping back in time through the “Living History Vignettes” of RPTS history. These vignettes, to be strategically placed throughout the center’s exhibits of Pittsburgh history, are to give guests a sense of the seminary’s settings in place and time in 1810, 1910, and 2010. Period props, costumes, photos, and narrator guides are intended to enhance a walk through RPTS history.

In the midst of the vintage atmosphere of the Heinz Center will be a table displaying various seminary artifacts—paintings, photos, books, and other memorabilia. These tokens from other times will offer further glimpses into RPTS history.

Not least in telling the seminary’s story will be the “Mystery Graduate Cards”—biographical sketches of its ministerial graduates. Each person who registers to attend the bicentennial (and it is hoped that every congregation will be represented) will receive confirmation with a card describing a seminary graduate: dates and places of birth, congregations or missions served, and names of family members, along with anecdotes and quotes particular to the person. To find out for sure whose clues are on a card, an “answer-to-the-mystery poster” will be displayed.

At 7:30 p.m., eyes will be turned from the story of the seminary to its Builder and Keeper, the faithful God. Keynote addresses will be given by two well-known Reformed ministers, Dr. Derek Thomas and Dr. Sinclair Ferguson.

Dr. Thomas serves as the minister of teaching at the First Presbyterian Church and also as the John E. Richards professor of systematic and practical theology at Reformed Theological Seminary, both in Jackson, Miss. He has served as editor of the Evangelical Presbyterian, and has authored a number of books, including The Storm Breaks: Job Simply Explained; Wisdom: The Key to Living God’s Way; God Strengthens: Ezekiel Simply Explained; Making the Most of Your Devotional Life: The Ascent Psalms; and Praying the Saviour’s Way: The Lord’s Prayer.

Dr. Ferguson, in addition to being senior minister of First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, S.C., is professor of systematic theology at Westminster Theological Seminary where he has served as a member of the faculty in Philadelphia and Dallas for more than 20 years, as well as a visiting professor to other seminaries. He is the author of a wide scope of writings, from biblical scholarship and study guides to children’s books. Titles include By Grace Alone: How God’s Grace Amazes Me; Discovering God’s Will; The Sermon on the Mount; and Faithful God: An Exposition of the Book of Ruth.

After ministry in song from Geneva College’s New Song and the Center for Biblical Urban Ministry choir, dessert will be served on the veranda that overlooks the Allegheny River and Pittsburgh’s marvelous downtown skyline. President emeritus Dr. Bruce C. Stewart also will be honored at the event with the seminary’s annual Faithful Servant Award that recognizes longtime faithful service by an RPTS alum.

• The 200th anniversary of RPTS is a time to look back, but also a time to look forward. Strengthening the seminary’s ministry in six key areas is in focus:
• Academics (new doctor of ministry program with a pastoral or counseling concentration);
• Scholarships (financial aid and the minority and urban student endowed scholarship);
• Operations (annual costs of instruction with academic support, student services, institutional support, communications, and campus maintenance all increased significantly by additional programs and faculty);
• Youth (Theological Foundations for Youth annual summer program for RPCNA high school students);
• Infrastructure (computer and technological upgrades and expansion);
• Facilities (new Willson Center and RPTS Biblical Counseling Institute, building maintenance, and facility improvements).

Hitherto hath the Lord helped us. By His grace and goodness, through two centuries, RPTS has been given the privilege and primary purpose of equipping men to serve God’s people as pastors after His own heart. They continue to feed the flock of God with knowledge and understanding. Their labors remind us of Ezra’s reading the scriptures and opening their meaning to the exiles returning to Jerusalem. Because, the Scripture says, the people understood the words declared to them, they rejoiced, partaking of a meal together, and giving portions to others. In that same spirit, may we join one another in fellowship and giving as we abundantly and cheerfully praise and render thanks to the Lord at the memory of His goodness great!

Registration and payment for dinner ($15 per person; $7.50 per child ages six to 11; no charge for children under six) must be made no later than June 4 by going to www.rpts.edu/celebrate.php, or by calling the seminary at (412) 731-8690, ext. 128. There is no cost to skip the dinner and still view the exhibits and attend the evening program, but registration is still required. Various event and program sponsorships are available to organizations and churches by contacting Grant Van Leuven, Director of Development and Communications, at gvanleuven@rpts.edu or (412) 731-8690, ext. 108.

Men and women who served on various committees helping Jerry O’Neill and RPTS staff in planning various aspects of the bicentennial celebration should be thanked.

Preliminary bicentennial planning committee: Maryln Black, Barbara Buice, Jim Carson, Wendell McBurney, Jean McBurney, John Mitchell, Susan Myrick, and Keith Wing. Current bicentennial planning committee: Event co-chairs: Becky Phillips and Susan Myrick; history vignette coordinators: Wendell and Jean McBurney. Special thanks also to Claudia Wing for leading the group of event volunteers.

—Grant Van Leuven is director of development for the RP Seminary. He also is an M.Div. student graduating this year.