About the National Theological Association (NTA)
The National Theological Association (NTA) is a non-profit theological accrediting association and a fellowship of theological institutions and educators committed to evangelical faith, responsible scholarship, and service to the Church.
NTA exists to support theological institutions as they equip God’s people for the mission of our Lord Jesus Christ, recognizing the essential role of faithful theological education in the life and witness of the Church.
Our Identity
The National Theological Association is a body of theological institutions united by a shared commitment to the authority of Scripture, evangelical Christian faith, and the mission of the Church.
NTA functions as a peer-based accrediting association, encouraging collaboration, mutual accountability, and continuous improvement in theological education. The Association respects the diversity of theological traditions, denominational backgrounds, and cultural contexts within the evangelical community, while remaining firmly Christ-centred.
Our Mission
The National Theological Association is a body of theological institutions committed to evangelical faith, serving the Church by equipping God’s people for the mission of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Our Vision
The vision of the National Theological Association is to see theological institutions strengthened in faith, integrity, and excellence, forming leaders who faithfully serve the Church and advance the mission of our Lord Jesus Christ across diverse cultures and contexts.
Our History
The National Theological Association (NTA) was established in 2014 by a group of theological educators and leaders who recognized the growing need for a peer-based and contextually sensitive framework to support theological education in Asia.
Key Milestones
2014 – NTA was formally established as a voluntary theological association
2016 – NTA initiated peer review and quality assurance activities for theological institutions
2018 – NTA began developing cooperative relationships with international theological and educational organizations
NTA Today
Today, NTA continues to contribute to the strengthening of theological education through peer collaboration, academic accountability, and institutional development, serving a growing community of institutions and individuals across diverse contexts.
Principles of the National Theological Association
1. Christ-Centred Purpose
The National Theological Association affirms that Jesus Christ is central to all theological education. Every aspect of NTA’s work seeks to serve the Church and advance the mission of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2. Evangelical Faithfulness
NTA is committed to evangelical Christian faith, upholding the authority of Scripture and the core doctrines of historic Christianity as the foundation of theological education.
3. Service to the Church
NTA exists to serve the Church, not to replace it. The Association supports theological institutions in their calling to equip God’s people for ministry and mission.
4. Peer-Based Accountability
NTA operates through peer engagement and shared responsibility, valuing mutual accountability, collegial evaluation, and learning within the community of theological educators and institutions.
5. Academic Integrity and Responsible Scholarship
NTA promotes responsible theological scholarship, encouraging academic rigor, ethical practice, and intellectual honesty in theological teaching and research.
6. Contextual Sensitivity
NTA recognizes the importance of cultural, ecclesial, and ministry contexts and encourages theological education that is faithful to Scripture while attentive to local and regional realities.
7. Respect for Institutional Autonomy
NTA respects the autonomy and identity of each institution, affirming their governance, denominational distinctives, and ministry focus within the shared commitment to evangelical faith.
8. Commitment to Quality and Continuous Improvement
NTA encourages institutions to pursue ongoing reflection, evaluation, and improvement, understanding quality assurance as a continuous and formative process.
9. Collaboration and Community
NTA values cooperation, networking, and partnership among institutions and educators for the shared pursuit of excellence in theological education.
10. Integrity, Transparency, and Trust
NTA is committed to integrity, transparency, and ethical practice in all its relationships, decisions, and accreditation processes.
Statement of Faith
The National Theological Association affirms the historic Christian faith and confesses:
The Holy Scriptures as divinely inspired, entirely trustworthy, and the supreme authority in matters of faith and conduct
One God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
The Lord Jesus Christ as God incarnate: His virgin birth, sinless life, atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension, ongoing mediatorial work, and personal return
Salvation through faith in Jesus Christ by grace, through the work of the Holy Spirit
The ministry of the Holy Spirit in empowering believers for holy living and service
The unity of all true believers as the Church, the Body of Christ
The resurrection of the saved to eternal life and the lost to judgment
Aims and Objectives of NTA
To support theological institutions in strengthening their academic and theological practices in line with internationally recognized standards of quality, while remaining faithful to evangelical Christian convictions.
To recognize institutions and academic programs through peer-based accreditation, affirming their commitment to responsible scholarship and theological integrity.
To offer guidance, mentoring, and academic support to institutions as they seek continuous improvement in theological education.
To encourage collaboration and networking among institutions and educators engaged in Christian higher education for the shared pursuit of excellence.
To engage in educational initiatives, consultations, and projects that address issues of theological education and leadership formation of global and regional concern.
To provide accreditation and quality assurance services to institutions and programs that voluntarily seek such recognition and demonstrate compliance with established standards.
To facilitate opportunities for resourcing, dialogue, and mutual learning through conferences, consultations, and academic gatherings.
To serve as a collective voice for evangelical, Christ-centred theological education, promoting integrity, accountability, and cooperation among member institutions and with the wider academic and ecclesial community.
To maintain faithful adherence to the Christ-centred mission of the Church, promoting theological education that equips leaders for the service of our Lord Jesus Christ in diverse cultural contexts.
Values of the National Theological Association
1. Faithfulness to Christ
We affirm Jesus Christ as Lord and seek to serve His Church through theological education that is faithful to Scripture and the gospel.
2. Evangelical Integrity
We uphold evangelical Christian faith and doctrinal faithfulness, expressed through responsible theology and ethical practice.
3. Service to the Church
We exist to serve the Church, supporting theological institutions as they equip God’s people for ministry and mission.
4. Academic Excellence
We value responsible scholarship, academic rigor, and intellectual honesty in all aspects of theological education.
5. Peer Accountability
We believe in mutual accountability and collegial engagement, working together as institutions and educators in a shared commitment to quality and integrity.
6. Contextual Relevance
We value theological education that is faithful to Scripture and attentive to cultural, ecclesial, and ministry contexts.
7. Respect for Diversity
We respect the diversity of traditions, cultures, and expressions within the evangelical Church, while remaining united in Christ.
8. Integrity and Transparency
We are committed to honesty, transparency, and ethical conduct in governance, accreditation, and relationships.
9. Continuous Improvement
We value ongoing reflection, learning, and growth, understanding quality assurance as a continuous journey.
10. Collaboration and Community
We value partnership, cooperation, and shared learning among institutions and educators for the strengthening of theological education.
What NTA Is—and Is Not
What NTA Is
A non-profit theological accrediting association serving the Church
A fellowship of theological institutions and educators committed to evangelical faith
A peer-based community that supports theological education through accreditation and quality assurance
A servant body that encourages academic integrity, faithfulness to Scripture, and contextual relevance
A partner to theological institutions, walking with them in reflection, growth, and improvement
What NTA Is Not
Not a university, seminary, or teaching institution
Not a degree- or diploma-awarding body
Not a replacement for churches, denominations, or ecclesial authority
Not a government or regulatory agency
Not a commercial or profit-driven organization
An Invitation to Walk with the NTA Community
The National Theological Association extends an invitation to theological institutions, educators, and Christian leaders who share a commitment to evangelical faith, responsible scholarship, and service to the Church. We invite institutions to walk with us in strengthening theological education through peer-based accreditation, mutual accountability, and collaborative learning, as together we seek to equip God’s people for the mission of our Lord Jesus Christ.