Townes sees this as a joyful endeavor. That kind of hope will get us through. Rigorous and open dancing minds see that inviting everyone to the welcome table is not about political correctness or a progressive agenda.
If theological education is an adventure for all disciples, then the Holy Spirit is the guide. Too often, Christian-based learning environments have been defensively oriented. But Wells, vicar of St. If theological education is part of the essence of the church, it should teach us to follow the Spirit in discipleship, ministry, and mission.
Wells points to a few examples at St. And yet is gracious, and forgiving, and not bitter. How might theological education build flexibility into its models to allow for holy encounter? Seminaries could be reconceived as outposts of the church, communal training grounds for laity and clergy with curricula shaped by vocation rather than one-size-fits-all approaches, replete with encounter-oriented experiences that open us to God and others and with multiple entrances and exits to make room for the movement of the Spirit who seeks to transform us.
The breath-giving play of the Spirit increases our capacity for surprise as we learn to trust God and one another. Following the Spirit requires discernment. While it may be difficult to assess the clarity of such discernment, we can be confident that education that does not require courage, make us uncomfortable, or disrupt our lives is not good theological education. The absence of bravery, discomfort, or disruption is a sign that we are not following the Spirit. These conversations have led me to envision a theological education that centers on four priorities.
First, theological education should be church-centric: what is happening in our churches sets the agenda for the academy. Second, from the church to the graduate school, theological education should offer a wide variety of instruction, course structures, degree programs, certificates, and more that attend to the vocation of each person, making more entrances and exits for laity and clergy.
While many seminaries are already doing some of this, the difference lies in prioritizing vocational learning over degree completion. Third, the entire culture of theological education—from hiring, admissions, fieldwork, syllabi, and assessments to community events and outreach—should challenge the isms that have long poisoned theological education, from racism and individualism to sexism and ethnocentrism.
We need diverse boards, administrators, supervisors, staff, faculty, and pastors to educate a broad community; culturally flexible models that fit a range of life experiences; and diverse curricula to combat the false gospel that these are tangential matters to faithful discipleship, ministry, and mission. Finally, we should make room for the Spirit by becoming seasoned risk takers. We should be teaching, learning, and doing things that stretch us, scare us, or even cause us pain. Theological education is about exploration and discovery, which require constant attention, courage, and improvisation in instruction and learning.
Perhaps theological education needs more classes in casting out demons and fewer in church marketing. Following the Spirit in theological education brings danger and wonder, disruption and surprise, pain and beauty as we encounter new spaces, embrace new people, and become more fully human.
While this may be attractive in theory, in practice we have a lot to let go of to get there, like our desires to be right, safe, comfortable, certain, responsible, respectable, organized, and in control. These desires are every bit as strong as our selfish fears that lead us to grasp privilege, position, power, and pride. Good theological education helps us develop legs to dance to the holy chorus with the broad community of unlikely friends we call church.
A theology degree may cover a variety of different religions, or may specifically look at just one or two, depending on the course requirements and the module choices of the student.
Any theology degree is likely to include modules on the history of one or more religions. Instruction on a religious text, such as the Bible, Torah or Quran, and how to interpret it, is a major part of most theology degrees. Students will discuss the significance of these religious texts, answering questions such as: to what extent are they open to interpretation? Are they the word of God? In order to better get to grips with the texts, some universities offer students the chance to learn their original language, such as Arabic, Hebrew or ancient Greek.
While some courses will accept students working with translations of the texts, for others it is a requirement of the course to learn an ancient language. Theology degrees cover some of the most challenging philosophical and ethical discussions of all time, delving into the minds of the great theological thinkers of the past. Depending on the course, students may also study the relationships between the church and different social groups, such as women or indigenous people.
In order to study theology, the most common basic requirement is for applicants to have experience in essay-writing. Studying at least one essay-based subject, such as English, history, philosophy or classics will help demonstrate the necessary skill to write theology essays. Most courses do not require students to have a background in any particular subject, although if a course in religious studies or theology is available it might help you decide if theology is the right subject for you.
What can you do with a languages degree? What can you do with an English literature degree? What can you do with an English language degree? What can you do with a psychology degree?
The curriculum is founded on what is important for service to God and the world. Theological colleges like Ridley are committed to ensuring that students are formed in Christlikeness through their studies. Through initiatives such as chapel services and the Guided Spiritual Formation program. During formal theological studies, much of your learning occurs through dialogue with other students and teaching staff. The relationships you form with your peers provide much mutual encouragement as you navigate the various demands of life and study during your studies.
After you graduate, these relationships will be invaluable sources of support amid the pressures of ministry in which it may be challenging to develop new friendships. We respectfully acknowledge the Wurundjeri People, who are the Traditional Owners of the land on which the Ridley College campus is built.
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