FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 16, 2026
Today, CBTS announces the appointment of Dr. Timothy Decker as ThM Program Director. Dr. Decker is one of the pastors of Trinity Reformed Baptist Church of Roanoke, VA, having joined them in 2018. He holds a B.A. and M.A. biblical studies from Carolina University (formerly Piedmont International University), a Th.M. in New Testament from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in biblical studies from Capital Seminary and Graduate School. In his dissertation research, he examined the style of biblical Hebrew poetry in the New Testament. He has presented various papers at academic society meetings and authored numerous articles in several different scholarly journals. He is a member of ETS and IBR. When he is not reading or researching, he enjoys spending time with his wife and four children.
Statement from Dr. Decker
“In my time in academia, I have always been a big advocate of the Master of Theology (ThM) degree. It gives men a unique opportunity to specialize in a particular field of study in theology, history, or biblical studies which has great benefit in the pastorate, for preparation for doctoral studies, or even for personal gain. This is one of many reasons I am grateful for the opportunity to take up the role of CBTS’s ThM Director. We have top notch faculty advisors who exhibit both academic excellence as well as a pastoral heart. The curriculum at CBTS is flexible yet rigorous, the tuition is affordable, and the research benefits are ever expanding. I am very excited to help students complete their ThM studies with a research project or thesis defense. This is the highlight of the program, and the culmination of the student’s research and study. I count it a joy to oversee this department at CBTS. May God be pleased to raise up pastor-theologians by way of this ThM program.”
Program Details
The Master of Theology (ThM) program is designed to deepen the student’s theological understanding to better serve in pastoral ministry, teaching, or further academic scholarship. Students have two tracks to choose from: the Research Option or the Reformed Baptist Studies track (Thesis Option).
This program will expand and deepen a student’s abilities in ministry by providing a focused opportunity in advanced biblical scholarship. Students are equipped for leadership in pastoral ministry and academia as they gain greater mastery in an area of study than is normally possible at the MDiv level. This program is an excellent choice for the student who is seeking further expertise in a specific area of study or seeking further preparation before a PhD program.
For more information about our ThM program, visit CBTSeminary.org/degree-programs/ThM
