Holy Light Theological Seminary () is a private theological institution located in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Its theological education originates from the Kaifeng Bible School established by the Methodist Church in Kaifeng, Henan, China in 1910. Due to the Sino-Japanese War, the school was closed, and re-established in Fengxiang, Shaanxi in February 1941, under the name of "Northwest Bible Institute". Following the China civil war, a group of foreign missionaries and some Methodist brothers arrived in Taiwan, and establishing Holy Light Bible Seminary in Kaohsiung on September 5, 1955. The name was officially changed to "Holy Light Theological Seminary" in 1969.
The seminary offers both doctoral and master programs and is active in international academic exchange.
School History Late Qing Dynasty and Early Republican Period In 1904, the Free Methodist Church of North America officially sent missionaries Rev. C. Floyd Appleton and Rev. Edwin P. Ashcroft to China to preach the gospel.
In 1910, the Kai-Feng Bible School was established in Kaifeng, Henan by the Methodist Church.The Kaifeng Bible School: Men's and Women's Departments, Kaifeng, Honan, China, 1936, published by Free Methodist Church of North America
In 1920, Hudson Taylor II (grandson of Hudson Taylor, the founder of the China Inland Mission) took over the presidency of the Kai-Feng Bible School. Later the school experienced wars such as the Central Plains War (1930) and the Japanese occupation of Kaifeng (1938).
In March 1940, due to the expulsion of foreign missionaries by the Japanese army, Rev. Hudson Taylor II left with the school's books and supplies and went to Fengxiang, Shaanxi Province in the northwest. Northwest Bible College was established in Fengxiang with the cooperation of the China Inland Mission.Mary Geneva Sayre, Missionary triumphs in occupied China, published by Woman's Missionary Society of the Free Methodist Church (1945)
In 1942, Vice President Mark Ma established the "Back to Jerusalem" evangelistic team at the college.P. Hattaway, Back to Jerusalem: Three Chinese House Church Leaders Share Their Vision to Complete the Great Commission. Waynesboro, GA: Authentic Media, 2003, p. xii. With the financial and human resources of the churches in the northwest, the ministry reached the southwest of Xinjiang and the border between Kashmir and Afghanistan.
In 1948, due to the war, the college moved to Sichuan.
In 1951, the college was suspended and all foreign missionaries retreated to Hong Kong.
Kaohsiung Period In 1954, the Chinese Methodist Church was established at No. 1, Heping Lane, in front of the Kaohsiung Train Station (now No. 1, Henan 2nd Road, Kaohsiung City). Pastors Hudson Taylor II, Wang Yangwu, and Brother Shi Shengsan convened the first Taiwan Annual Conference.Mary Geneva Sayre, History of the Free Methodist church in Taiwan, 1974
In 1955, Holy Light Bible College was established at the same address, with Hudson Taylor II as president.
In 1960, Taylor III, son of Taylor II, took over as head of the seminary.
In 1969, with the approval of the United States General Mission and the vote of the Board of Directors, the school was officially renamed "Holy Light Theological Seminary".聖光神學院五十週年紀念特刊 (Holy Light Seminary 50th Anniversary Special Issue)，p.125Yeh Yu-ting，循理會華人宣教在台60年傳「復興聖潔」 (The Chinese Methodist Mission in Taiwan: 60 Years of "Reviving Holiness")，基督教今日報 (Christianity Today)，http://www.cdn.org.tw/News.aspx?cate=01&key=3489
In October 1988, an eight-story building plus a full basement was formally opened.
In 1989, the school joined the Asia Theological Association and passed its accreditation.
In 1999, the three degree programs, Bachelor of Divinity, Master of Divinity, and Master of Ministry, passed accreditation by the Asia Theological Association. The school became a full member.
In 2010, the school was registered as the "Holy Light Theological Foundation of the Chinese Methodist Church".
In 2012, a M.Div. program in China was established.
The seminary has produced more than a thousand graduates who are serving in Taiwan, Mainland China, Hong Kong and other regions.
Campus Kaohsiung Campus (Xinxing District, Kaohsiung City)
In 1953, missionary Mary Geneva SayreWilliamson, Glen, Geneva: The Fascinating story of Geneva Sayre, Missionary to the Chinese, 1974 began purchasing land and dormitories near the Kaohsiung Railway and Bus Stations.口述歷史 (Oral History) "The miracle of Holy Light Theological Seminary's new eight story Building", written by Dr. Dorothy Raber in 聖光六十週年感恩特刊 (Holy Light's 60th Anniversary Thanksgiving Special), p.18
In 1966, the school was expanded into a three-story building.
In 1988, the school was renovated into an eight-story modern building, with a total floor space of about 79,000 square feet.
Presidents The presidents in the school history are as follows Late Qing Dynasty and Early Republic of China NameTerm of OfficeRemarksRev. C. F. Appleton1910-1927Kaifeng Bible SchoolTaylor II1927-1940Taylor II1941-1945Northwest Bible College
Kaohsiung Period
TermNameTerm of OfficeRemarks1Taylor II1955-1960Holy Light Bible College2Taylor III1961-19683William H.Bicksler1968-1970 Acting President4Harry Winslow 1970-1976Holy Light Theological Seminary5Tian Yangwu (田養吾)1976-19806 Peng Chao (彭超)1980-19927Lv Ronghui (呂榮輝)1992-20008Chen Jisong (陳吉松)2000-20089Zhou Xuexin (周學信)2008-2011 Seconded10Chen Jisong (陳吉松)2011-201911Gu Kezhong (谷克中)2019-202112Chen Jisong (陳吉松)2021-
Academic programs Holy Light Theological Seminary offers the following programs. Post-graduate programs Master of Divinity (M.Div.) Master of Arts in Biblical Studies (M.A.B.S.)-Day Master of Arts in Biblical Studies (M.A.B.S.)-Evening Master of Arts in Christian Studies (M.C.S.) -Main Campus: Day Master of Arts in Christian Studies (M.C.S.)- Main Campus: Evening Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.)
Certificate of Completion Certificate of Believers' Theological Education (informal system)
Academic Exchange External Alliance Asia Theological Association Full Member, Taiwan Theological Schools Association Taiwan Theological Library Association
Publications from Holy Light Theological Seminary are kept by international libraries.
See also Hudson Taylor, Hudson Taylor II, China Evangelical Seminary
References
External links Holy Light Theological Seminary 聖光神學院 香港浸會大學圖書館 華人基督教文獻保存計劃 聖光神學院 (Holy Light Theological Seminary)