Since the inception of Bethel Seminary, theological studies at the school have been set within the framework of historic evangelical theology, such as the reliability of the Scriptures as the authority for Christian living and church order; the depravity of humanity, necessitating divine redemption through personal regeneration; the virgin-born Christ as the incarnate Redeemer; the vicariously atoning death of Jesus Christ; the historicity
of the resurrection; and the certainty of the return of Christ.

While faculty at Bethel are encouraged to share their personal convictions when teaching essentials of the Christian faith, Bethel has maintained an atmosphere of broad tolerance for divergent views in the peripheral areas of theological interpretation.

Theological education at Bethel has never been static. Today, as in the past, the theological position of the seminary combines the continuing foundational truths of evangelicalism with the best insights of contemporary thought. While Bethel, true to its heritage, preserves its own distinctive theology, there is healthy interaction of faculty and students with the larger ecumenical world of theological discussion. (For a more explicit statement, see the appendix “An Affirmation of Our Faith.” )