A theology that would not be current would be a false theology. This is what H. Boullard claimed, setting the direction of future plans as well as the basis to evaluate the past while celebrating one of the anniversaries of the Seminary.
The decision to establish a theological school of higher education was made during the Croatian Spring, although the need for such a school in Croatia had been discussed before.
The formal establishment of residential studies (Biblical Theological Institute, BTI) was preceded by a ten-year correspondence Bible school initiated by Pastor Dragutin Volf. BTI was officially opened on October 1st 1972. On that occasion, a fruitful international theological symposium was held with the participation of leaders from all protestant/evangelical churches in the country, as well as representatives from the Zagreb Catholic Seminary/Faculty, the Theological Society, the Christian publishing house “Kršćanska sadašnjost” and distinguished international guests.
The beginning of residential studies in Osijek, in 1983, was marked by an interconfessional gathering in the Osijek synagogue where some speakers pointed out a very interesting historical note. Namely, they pointed out some of the great spiritual predecessors who lived, studied and taught in this town on the Drava, in the Franciscan monastery in the local Fort (Tvrđa). These included the famous translator of the Holy Scriptures, Matija Petar Katančić, and other great Slavonian minds such as the poets Ivan Velikanović and Josip Pavišević, the grammarian Marijan lanosović, and the writer, Blaž Tadijanović, uncle of the poet Dragutin Tadijanović.
The Evangelical Theological Seminary in Osijek, having started full-time studies in 1983, has in the mean-time developed into a significant, internationally recognized and interdenominational theological school.
The Evangelical Theological Seminary welcomed democracy in Osijek. It would be unfair not to point out that its professors have significantly contributed to the processes of democratization and accompanying pluralization of the social sphere with the affirmation of universal civilizational values along with the promotion and protection of human rights through public appearances and journalistic work. From the very beginning, in addition to practical evangelization and pastoral work, the faculty emphasized the importance of theological thought which has contributed and shaped European culture for centuries, and true to its Reformation roots, impacted the general progress in political democracy, economic entrepreneurship, education and science.
The main standards of excellence and fundamental educational profiles established at that time were maintained in 2002, when the name of the institution was formally changed into Visoko evanđeosko teološko učilište - visoka škola. The Seminary has continuously worked on developing its facilities, and didactic equipment, its library with specialized collection and the core and extended teaching staff. The Seminary has successfully passed several international academic evaluations, and since 2018 it holds accreditation of its study programs from the Croatian Ministry of education, as well as the European Evangelical Accreditation Association for theological education."