Nested really close to Old Town, this gorgeous campus of the world-renowned seminary and Bible school is walkable, placid, peaceful and a whole vibe. To think that great preachers have come out of this school is both enviable and commendable. I intend on pursuing an MDiv here sometime in the future, even if I do not plan on going full time into ministry (I just love school and learning new things, tbh). read more

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I'll comment in particular on the academics of the School of Theology. I found a trilogy of major theological approaches, which are not separate and distinct but integrally interconnected; yet an identification proved very helpful to me On one hand, there was Biblical Studies. In addition to what you may expect "Bible study" to be, as I had been doing it for all of my Christian life, this approach focuses heavily on parsing essential Greek or Hebrew words (I often tell people some of those words cannot be accurately translated in less than a paragraph), on details of historical and cultural contexts (context is everything!), and on identification of authors and their biographies. All of this is highly important; yet after I while I began to feel bogged down in minutiae. Another major approach is Systematic Theology. This formulates doctrinal overviews overarching all of what the Bible and the Christian Church teach. It's great for developing a biblically-based worldview, for enabling us to bring together perspectives that may superficially appear widely divergent. Eventually, though, I began to it could be too much of an ivory tower head trip (the same reaction I had to my undergraduate philosophy course, BTW). What I discovered at Fuller was a great middle ground: Biblical Theology. This bridges Biblical Studies and Systematic Theology, crucially incorporating indispensable elements of both; yet the focus is on what the scripture actually teaches. Biblical Theology is the conclusion of the quests of Biblical Studies and Systematic Theology. Biblical Theology is what I fell in love with. It's the core of the ministries the Lord has me in now. read more

Fuller as a theological seminary is first rate. My theological worldview morphed several times and I finally learned that with 110 denominations of Christianity represented at this ecumenical seminary, that we all have a different hermeneutic of the Bible but can still get along and respect one another. Your pastor may have a different hermeneutic than you do, which is why many arguments revolve around teachings like whether or not disciples can drink wine, women can preach, or Adam & Eve were real people. Fuller will definitely equip you with the tools you need to not only develop your own Biblical hermeneutic, but to defend it confidently. What some here found heretical, I found to be wonderfully, intellectually challenging and helpful. I moved to a different church after attending Fuller, where the pastor allows for a respectful difference in hermeneutics among its congregation (a liberal could worship next to a conservative so long as we all believe in the basic tenets of the church). We need to be careful in saying that someone is a false teacher because they have a different hermeneutic than you. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God (1 John 4:15). We shall also know them by their fruits (Matthew 17:15-20). However, when I attended 10 years ago, there were several issues at the Pasadena campus with diversity and inclusion; agism; a long waiting list for married housing and eviction of married students overstaying their welcome; the cost of living in Pasadena; student desks being too small for plus-sized students or pregnant students; social events planned only around young adults, bars and wine tastings; the quiet prayer garden being closed for social events; excessive noise in the beautiful new library; etc. A big problem for me was that the theology and psychology schools did not talk to each other so that the academic counselors could give accurate advice and guidance in any of the Fuller degrees (e.g., my counselor told me I could get both a Masters in Theology and an MFT in three years, and did not know that the MFT program was a lockstep, three-year, cohort program and that you could not just jump in at any point from the theology program). Also, the campus newspaper would not accept opinion pieces if they were too harsh against any of the school's policies or culture. I understand that a few of these issues are being addressed due to recent protests and staged walk-ins. One particular commencement ceremony was disrupted. Hiring a diversity and inclusion director was a very good move in the right direction. Christ was at the center of brokenness. Last I heard, Fuller won't leave Pasadena for Pomona (hooray!) but hopefully it will be more inclusive of ALL shapes, colors and disabilities at various stages of discipleship, and will be more intentional in their representation of the body of Christ. read more

I love everything about this school. Everyone is welcoming, beautiful prayer garden and bronze statues, wonderful professors and intellectually challenging classes. read more

I love Fuller. The teachers are thoughtful, they continually point to the scripture and give you tools to evaluate, ponder, and work through the scripture. You are not indoctrinated into any single sets of beliefs but asked to look at it from all angles, allow the scripture to be the living word as well as the theological word. They do allow women in all aspects of ministry, believing they are equally called. I am a woman and God showed me this college and put the call on my life to attend. This was far from what I ever thought I would do. But I can affirm, I am a woman and I am called. This is a issue for some more conservative Christians that look at Timothy and say women can't speak over men. But looking at the trajectory of the Bible as well as the intention of the letter to Timothy as well as Paul working with women to share the word, Fuller has allowed my voice to be heard. We need to remember that God commands is not to hurt his anointed ones. Fuller has allowed me to have a compassionate and peaceful conversation with those who don't agree. We have done a ton of work focusing on marginalized communities and the call for inclusive church. I have been exposed to a wide variety of methods to examine the text in different ways as well as Christian practices I didn't know about. There will always be opposition, but look at the fruit of their work, it's been a blessing to me. read more

Studying at Fuller was a hugely gratifying and world-expanding experience for me. The international scholars, the renown professors, and a really top shelf staff make this graduate school a wonderful education from the bottom up. I am, however, still trying to pay off those educational loans and NOT using my degree to do so. Just part of life when you study theology and the arts. Sometimes I think of it as part of my "designer education." read more

While it's not Harvard (who have their own divinity school), Fuller is a top-notch seminary. I got my MDiv in 4 years (class of 2008) and made lifelong friends, learned a ton, and had my life changed for the better. I will also be paying for it for another 25 years. Like many who attend the School of Theology I had my entire worldview obliterated was given the tools to reassemble one piece by epistemological piece. The faculty and academics are what you make of it. A college grad can put together B's or C's with some hard work and on-the-spot memorization. The price of getting to study under some of Fuller's most renowned faculty, however, will mean insane amounts of reading, writing, and true intellectual engagement with the content. Greek and Hebrew are KILLER no matter where you study them but Fuller's language department (mostly adjuncts) is pretty solid. All in all Fuller is a very diverse, deep, and enchanting place to study. read more

Tucked away North of Colorado Blvd, I didn't have any expectations for the campus. For years, I've seen the sign for the campus off the 210 east freeway but thought nothing of visiting. On this beautiful Pasadena afternoon, I was greeted by a lush, large patch of grass, intimate prayer garden and my favourite of all - a beautiful and quiet library. Fuller Seminary is definitely worth a visit for those of us locals looking for a nice garden, meditative setting, or need some deep quiet for upcoming exams! I will be back! read more

Thumbs up.

I just graduated from Fuller this past summer, (summer of 2011). I finished a Masters in Global Leadership and absolutely loved it. It was a cohort model, where we would meet face to face and do much of the degree on-line. All of us involved in the program were practitioners, so it made for some great networking and meaningful friendships that have continued. I highly recommend the MAGL program. At Fuller they don't tell you what to think, they teach you how to think better. read more

Okay... I'll jump in here too. I have often heard people refer to Fuller Theological Seminary as the Harvard of Seminaries. As a graduate of Fuller, I would have to agree with that. The theological education I received at Fuller has enabled me to think globally and theologically about a range of issues (Jesus and the gospel of the kingdom, the message of the cross, Church and culture, and how those issues relate it to every day life. read more

I'm reviewing the Fuller Theological Library as a visitor. If you're looking for a place to do some serious studying, this place is it. It's really nice and quite, well-lit, the architecture and design is super modern, and there's plenty of space for you, your laptop and your books in all floor levels, indoor or out. The rooftop overlooks central Pasadena and it's quite the scenery up there. The staff is very nice and accomodating, they will let you sign in as a guest. There's a pretty extensive book selection. The only issues I have with this place are that there's only street parking for 2 hours and it's filled around the block most of the time, wifi is exclusive for students only, and the public cannot check out the books. Otherwise, everything else is great! read more

Fuller Seminary. POWERFUL place to study. It will take you apart and put you back together again as a person, as a theologian, as a christian/believer, as a leader, and as a broken person. The classes are packed with knowledge and tools to help understand our world better. Towards your last year of your program, some of the classes are redundant, because they're all covering the same material that you've been studying for the past few quarters. But that probably happens with a lot of degrees-- the information all starts to run together. The only thing that bothered me was that I was in class with a LOT of left brain thinkers: Logical, Sequential, Rational, Analytical, Objective. While I am a Right brained thinker: Random, Intuitive, Holistic, Synthesizing, Subjective. So there were many times when I felt the flow of class was going counter to how I naturally am. It's good to challenge my brain in that way but... after awhile, I was tired of all the analytical flow of conversation. That's just a personal observation though. I HIGHLY recommend Fuller Seminary. It's a powerful place to go to school. read more

My experience at Fuller was tremendous. I was challenged, inspired and equipped - emotionally, theologically, and academically. I often say that at Fuller I learned to think and I learned to write. I developed some great friendships. They were treasured years for me. read more

What? I am the first reviewer of this seminary? What can I say? I've been a student here for 6 years now. The MDiv was a breeze. This PhD in Practical Theology is killing me. There are solid, good professors here, the food at the Refectory is okay for what it is (school food), and there sure are some fun students here. I wish there was a wider variety of classes, though. read more

Very powerful place. I totally enjoyed it there. All my life I've been searching for a place. And I have found it. It's called Fuller Theological Seminary General. read more

Primarily interested in the ways and means that God transforms lives in a balanced and integrated way from the inside out, I was surrounded by those who lived as if that transformative process were entirely up to an intellectual assent to having the 'right' theology. The theological academy might shift ones intellectual ideas, but unfortunately that seldom, if ever, translates into balanced, integrated and transformed lives living out the 'good news' virtues. Very disappointing institutionally. read more

Greetings Fullerfolk: John Morton class of' 81, now doing mission work in India, Middle East and Poland, after a decade in a house church in the core of Denver. The Greek stress on the mind over that of the Hebrew, which says you don't know something until it is put into practice, is what I found and expected to find at Fuller. I remain especially grateful for the most practical course, Jim Wallis' on Christian community, a NT demand. House churches in neighborhoods of poverty and despair, which of course is where Jesus would be, is what Fuller needs to teach, preach, and be. It would be the impetus for a renewal that would deal with the arrogance of American evangelical leadership, as well the two major threats to the species, climate change and nuclear war. I have enormous respect for Fuller's scholarship and I am deeply thankful for my teachers and friends there. I smile recalling Dr. Schaper's words at the time that if we couldn't find a pulpit after graduation we ought to preach on the streets. Luther also said this and I have done this some. Now that would be a course, Street Preaching 101, beginning with Luther's words that the Lightening of God's wrath first strikes the churches. May Christ grant you all the restlessness of faith. John read more

I have got a wonderful and positive lifelong experience from Fuller. The theoretical and practical lessons I have acquired have duly prepared me for the present ministry I am involved in (teaching). The open and encouraging interactions with my mentors and class engagements have transformed my way of thinking, communication ability and teaching philosophy in general. Fuller also helped me to become a critical thinker. I do always appreciate the remarkable teaching/learning approach of Fuller professors - a student-centered approach that encourages and engages students from different cultures and way of life. I have developed the conviction that students learn best when they get involved or engage themselves in open class discussions, share their experiences (views, values), get appreciated for the contributions and receive constructive feedback. That was the most valuable lesson I have learned from Fuller and would like to apply it in my teaching ministry as well. In addition to the intellectual information, communication skills and critical thinking ability; my training and stay at Fuller also helped me gain a deeper understanding about the servant leadership model and responsibility to serve others. Fuller professors are approachable, willing to discuss academic and personal concerns and have profound interest in the success (academic, spiritual, relational ...) of their students regardless of color and region where they came from. Overall, it was this type of instructional environment, relationship and support that helped me to become the person whom I am now, develop the passion for mission beyond my respective people group and believe that I have something important to contribute for the advancement God's Kingdom in my country, region and wherever my service is needed. Praise God for the rich academic, relational and practical experience I have got from FULLER!!! read more