SPU’s History of Theology
Seattle Pacific University is a Private Christian University in a modern world. As students from all faith backgrounds call SPU’s folliage filled campus home, we look back at the theological history that formed us.
c. 2081 BC
God’s Covenant with Abram
Genesis 15
c. 2066 BC
Isaac Born
Genesis 21
c. 1906 BC
Jacob Named Israel
Genesis 35:10
c. 1525 BC
Moses Born
Exodus 2
c. 1446 BC
The Exodus
Exodus 13-18
c. 1406 BC
Israel Crosses the Jordan River
Joshua 3-5
c. 1382 BC – c. 1063 BC
Israel Ruled by Judges
The book of Judges.
c. 1043 BC
Saul Becomes King of Israel
1 Samuel 8-10
c. 1003 BC
David Becomes King of Israel
2 Samuel 5, 1 Chronicles 11
c. 931 BC
The Kingdom Divides
1 Kings 12-13
c. 722 BC
Israel Taken Captive by Assyria
2 Kings 17:6
c. 597 BC
Judah Exiled in Babylon
2 Kings 24:10
c. 537 BC
Exiles Return
Ezra 2
63 BC
Rome’s Occupation of Israel Begins
The Roman Empire grew to include the Israelites’ homeland.
c. 4 BC
Jesus of Nazareth Born
Luke 2
c. 30 AD
Crucifixion of Jesus
Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, John 19
c. 33 AD
Pentecost
Acts 2
57 AD
Paul’s Letter to the Romans
The Book of Romans
313 AD
Edict of Milan
Christianity became legal in the Roman Empire.
325 AD
Council of Nicea
In this first ecumenical council, the Nicene Creed is created.
451 AD
Council of Chalcedon
This ecumenical council affirmed Jesus having two natures: divine and human.
1054 BC
Great Schism
The Eastern Orthodox Church split from the Roman Catholic Church.
1517 AD
95 Theses
Martin Luther posted the 95 Theses and thus starts the Protestant Reformation.
1545-63 AD
Council of Trent
The Roman Catholic Church met to counter the Reformation.
1730-60 AD
The ‘Great Awakening’
Protestant revival happened in New England.
1728 AD
John Wesley Ordained as Anglican Priest
Wesley was ordained as a priest in the Church of England.
1735 AD
John Wesley Becomes a Missionary
Wesley moved from Oxford to Georgia in New England.
1784 AD
John Wesley Forms The Methodist Episcopal Church
After starting Holy Clubs while at Oxford and beginning the “Method” in Georgia, the Methodist Episcopal Church was officially formed.
1852 AD
B.T. Roberts Ordained in The Methodist Episcopal Church
Roberts became an Elder in The Methodist Episcopal Church.
1853 AD
B.T. Roberts Tries to Reform The Methodist Episcopal Church
Roberts would not stand for slaveholding and other discriminator acts within The Methodist Episcopal Church.
1860 AD
B.T. Roberts Made First Bishiop of The Free Methodist Church
Roberts’ ordination credentials in The Methodist Episcopal Church were stripped and he started organizing meetings that turned into The Free Methodist Church.
1891 AD
Free Methodists Found Seattle Seminary
Alexander and Adelaide Beers first enrolled 34 students in their school.
1980s AD
SPRINT Started at SPU
Seattle Pacific Reachout International (SPRINT) was started for students to participate in ministry opportunities both locally and internationally.
2004 AD
John Perkins Center Founded
SPU partners with the John and Vera Mae Perkins Foundation to highlight community development.
2004 AD
SPU Board of Trustees Ratifies Faith Statement
This faith statement claims that SPU is “historically orthodox,” “clearly evangelical,” “distinctively Wesleyan,” and “genuinely ecumenical.”
2021 AD
Lawsuit Taken Out Against SPU
A Nursing Professor sues SPU claiming discrimination against his sexual orientation.
2021-23 AD
Debate Across Campus SPU’s on Statement of Human Sexuality
Tensions rise on SPU’s campus as legal matters arising out of the Nursing Professor’s lawsuit unfold.
2023
SPU’s University Ministries Gifted $125K
Two anonymous alumni gave the grant that will be used to expand ministry events for commuter students.