In 1952, during the last year of his second term as Biola's president, Louis Talbot worked to establish a fully accredited theological seminary. The seminary's first dean was Charles L. Feinberg, who, along with his colleagues, unanimously voted to name the seminary "Talbot Theological Seminary." In 1981, the seminary's name was changed to "Talbot School of Theology" when Biola moved from college to university status. Talbot is known for its conservative theology, especially related to the doctrine of biblical inerrancy and premillennial eschatology.
Academics
Talbot first became accredited in 1978 by Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada. Talbot has more than 1,200 students, 70 full-time faculty members, 50 part-time faculty, and offers six master's degrees and three doctoral degrees. Clinton E. Arnold is Talbot's sixth and current dean, serving since 2012.
Notable alumni
Neil T. Anderson – Founder of Freedom in Christ ministry, best-selling author, well-known conference speaker.
William Lane Craig – Research Professor of Philosophy, author and Christian apologist.
Michael J. Wilkins - Distinguished Professor of New Testament Language and Literature, author and lecturer.
J. P. Moreland – Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, author and lecturer.
Scott B. Rae – Dean of Faculty, Professor of Christian Ethics, former president of Evangelical Theological Society
Robert L. Saucy – Distinguished Professor of Systematic Theology, author and former president of the Evangelical Theological Society.
New Talbot Complex
The Talbot Building Complex Project is a $55.4 million project that will take place in two phases over the course of several years. Prior to completion of Phase One, existing Talbot facilities, which had been designed for 300 graduate students, were serving 1,000 students in massively overcrowded conditions. When completed, the buildings are designed to form a seminary "campus within a campus." Phase One added a new building adjacent to Feinberg Hall, named Talbot East. This $21.4 million project added 7 classrooms, 31 academic offices, and features a faculty meeting room, prayer chapel, two conference rooms, and a Ph.D. seminar room. On May 20, 2010, Biola officials held a ground breaking ceremony for Phase One and it was officially dedicated on October 14, 2011. Phase Two will demolish Myers Hall, which is nearly 50 years old, and replace it with a state-of-the-art building, providing 17 classrooms, 53 academic offices, a theology reading room, a student lounge/cafe', and a recreation room. Rooftop gardens will help decrease the amount of energy required to heat and cool the building. Phase Two will also remodel the first floor of Feinberg Hall to accommodate the Institute for Spiritual Formation.
