European Association of Reformed Theological Schools
European Association of Reformed Theological Schools
MISSION & VISION
EARTS sees itself as a network that connects and strengthens theological seminaries in the reformed tradition. The vision of the organization is to promote an academically robust, spiritually responsible and church-serving theological education in Europe.
Promoting academic cooperation
Exchange of teaching materials and research results
Strengthening unity within the Reformed tradition
Support for young theological institutions
HISTORY
Since its inception, EARTS has pursued the goal of preserving and developing the Reformed tradition in the European context. The initiative to found EARTS in 2023 came from Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary (Grand Rapids, USA), which encouraged its then partner institutions in Europe to work more closely together. Heads of the various schools responded to the call because they recognized the need for a structured platform for exchange, cooperation and mutual support.
STATEMENT OF FAITH
All member institutions of EARTS affirm the final authority, sufficiency, clarity, and divine inspiration of Holy Scripture, recognizing it as the written Word of God and the only infallible rule of faith and practice. We further affirm our unity in the historic Reformed confessional tradition as it is summarized in at least one of the following confessions:
The Belgic Confession (1561)
A Reformed confession that summarizes the core doctrines of the Christian faith, emphasizing the authority of Scripture, the Trinity, salvation by grace alone, and the true nature of the church.
The Heidelberg Catechism (1563)
A pastoral and instructional catechism that presents the Christian faith as comfort in life and death, structured around guilt, grace, and gratitude.
The Canons of Dort (1618–1619)
A doctrinal statement defending God’s sovereign grace in salvation, articulating the Reformed understanding of election, atonement, and perseverance.
The Westminster Confession of Faith (1647)
A comprehensive Reformed confession outlining biblical doctrine concerning God, Scripture, salvation, the church, and the Christian life.
The Westminster Larger and Shorter Catechisms (1647)
Catechetical summaries of Reformed theology designed to instruct believers clearly and systematically in doctrine, ethics, and devotion.
The Second London Baptist Confession (1689)
A Baptist confession closely aligned with the Westminster Confession, affirming Reformed theology while expressing distinct Baptist convictions on the church and sacraments.
This shared foundation establishes a meaningful theological unity
while allowing for institutional diversity within the broader Reformed family.
While the essential doctrines articulated above are reflected in these historic confessions, the theological developments and controversies of recent decades require explicit clarification concerning certain convictions we consider essential. Therefore, we affirm:
Holy Scripture
The truth, inerrancy, and infallibility of Holy Scripture in all its parts, including the full historical reliability of Genesis 1-11
Pastor and Elders
That the pastoral and elder offices of the church are reserved for biblically qualified men;
Marriage
That marriage is a covenantal union instituted by God between one man and one woman.
GOVERNANCE
The organizational structure of EARTS includes:
Board
A board that makes operational decisions
Assembly
A General Assembly as the highest decision-making body
Groups
Working Groups for Academic and Organizational Topics
The board currently consists of the following men:
Chairman - Jochen Klautke
Academy for Reformed Theology, Germany
Vice-Chairman - Tiago Oliveira
Martin Bucer Seminary, Portugal
Secretary - Péter Szabó
Presbyterian Seminary Budapest, Hungary
Treasurer - Boris Giesbrecht
Academy for Reformed Theology, Germany