Doctrinal Standards

The character of any institution of higher learning will be determined by its view of truth and authority, as well as the implications of both. City Seminary of Sacramento believes and affirms that the Bible is the inerrant, inspired and infallible Word of the living God. As such, its message is both knowable and teachable, requiring us to “search the Scriptures daily.” In other words, the Faith may (indeed must) be studied and taught both propositionally and systematically. Finally, because God’s Word is authoritative, our Christian walk can and must be founded upon Christian doctrine, to the end that a vibrant faith in Scripture will bring forth the fruit of righteousness in those who are trained by it. This will inevitably have consequences for every area of life.

The perspective which defends this view of Biblical authority was most ably presented by the late Dr. Cornelius Van Til. While other apologetical approaches will be studied, the student should be aware that the Van Til apologetic approach will characterize the course of instruction throughout. We do not begin with Man, science, reason, geology, experience, etc. We begin with the presupposition that God is Who He says He is, and that His Word is Truth.

Faculty members at City Seminary are held to the affirmation of the Faith as presented in the Heidelberg Catechism of 1563, the Belgic Confession and the Canons of Dort; however, students may enroll from any orthodox Protestant body (Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Non-denominational, etc.) provided they can affirm the following Biblical doctrines:

• The authority, infallibility and inerrancy of Scripture
• The Trinity
• The full deity and humanity of Christ
• The fallen nature of man
• The substitutionary atonement and bodily resurrection of Christ
• Salvation by faith alone in Christ alone
• The future, physical return of Jesus Christ