School of Theology
Alexander Hall
206-281-2342
www.spu.edu/depts/theology
Robert Drovdahl, Richard Steele, and Robert Wall, Associate Deans of the School of Theology
The mission of the School of Theology at Seattle Pacific University
is to educate and prepare all our students to engage the culture as
thoughtful people. We seek to foster their intellectual, personal,
and spiritual growth, and help them master those critical skills and
multicultural sensitivities needed to understand Christian faith and
translate it into practices that change the world.
The School stands squarely in the Methodist heritage and our
courses are shaped by our commitment to the method of theological
inquiry delineated by John Wesley, the founder of that tradition.
According to that method, there are four sources of Christian truth
that believers must consult: the Bible (which is preeminent among
the four), church tradition, human reason, and their own personal
experience of the Risen Christ. These sources are understood to be
correlative and mutually corrective, and the adventure of theological
inquiry consists precisely in listening attentively to the distinct
but compatible contributions of each. It is our expectation that
students who practice this method will come to an informed, confident,
and deeply �owned� Christian faith.
The School of Theology serves all SPU students through courses
meeting University Foundations requirements. These requirements,
described elsewhere in this Undergraduate Catalog, introduce students to the
biblical heritage and to the distinctive doctrines and practices of
various strands within the historic Christian tradition.
We offer two majors: educational ministry and Christian theology.
These majors are described in detail below. Please note that
although they share a common core of courses (a fact that facilitates
double-majoring), each also includes an array of specialized
courses suitable to its distinctive focus. We also offer five minors:
(1) Christian Scriptures; (2) educational ministry; (3) youth ministry; (4) Christian
theology; and (5) global and urban ministry. A minor in one of these
areas will enrich the Christian perspective of a student�s chosen
major and strengthen the connection between one�s faith and one�s
life in the workplace, home, church, and world. Finally, we offer an
International Service Certificate for those interested in living and
working in multicultural settings.
Admission to Majors or Minors
To quality for a major in the School of Theology, students must have
a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher in all previous college credits and
have attained at least a B- grade in a University Foundations
course.
MAJORS
Educational Ministry Major
Robert Drovdahl, Contact
The field of educational ministry, traditionally known as Christian
education, is an interdisciplinary area addressing the question of
how we facilitate spiritual development in persons. To answer this
question, the field explores the foundational theological disciplines,
the social sciences, and educational philosophy. A major in educational
ministry is recommended for students interested in spiritual
development and the educational/equipping ministry of the church.
It provides a pre-professional course of study within a liberal arts
perspective for students pursuing full-time ministry in a church or parachurch setting. Occupationally, educational ministry majors
work within church and parachurch organizations. Possible church
roles include director of Christian education, youth director, and
children�s director. Possible parachurch settings include student
development, Christian service organizations, Christian camping,
and curriculum design. Some students also combine a major in
educational ministry with education certification to prepare for
elementary school teaching. Requirements for the Educational Ministry Major
Christian Theology Major
Richard Steele, Contact
As the study of Christian belief and practice with the goal of
fostering faithful Christian life, theology is necessarily multidisciplinary.
The Christian theology major is designed to cultivate an
appreciation for how Scripture, tradition, reason, and experience
rightly inform theological reflection. The aim of this major within
the liberal arts is to nurture those skills and capacities required of a
thoughtful and articulate faith. As a result of majoring in Christian
theology, the student is well prepared for either the workplace or
for graduate study in the humanities or the professions. Besides
enriching the student�s life with God, this major also seeks to
enhance the student�s service to the church.
Requirements for the Christian Theology Major
MINORS
Christian Scriptures Minor
Robert Wall, Contact
The purpose of the Christian Scriptures minor is to lead students into more mature understanding of Scriptures’ teaching about God. Not only is this minor designed to be intellectually invigorating, but each course also intends to relate Scripture to Christian formation in spiritually enriching and challenging ways. Course by course, students will learn how to interpret Scripture with skill and grace, discovering the historical, literary, and theological aspects of different biblical writings and the practical implications of each for Christian faith and witness today. Requirements for the Christian Scriptures Minor
Christian Theology Minor
Richard Steele, Contact
The Christian Theology minor is intended for the student who wants to approach his or her major discipline from a perspective richly informed by the heritage of Christian thought and practice. As such, the student is given as much leeway as possible in course selection, within the general parameters established by the School of Theology for balanced and responsible theological inquiry. Requirements for the Christian Theology Minor
Educational Ministry Minor
Robert Drovdahl, Contact
Issues in spiritual development and the educational/equipping ministry of the church affect all Christians. A minor in educational ministry provides an ideal program for exploring these issues and strengthening a student’s ability to serve in present and future life roles: church leader or teacher, Christian parent, a profession that involves a helping relationship and other roles concerned with nurturing spiritual development. Requirements for the Educational Ministry Minor
Youth Ministry Minor
Robert Drovdahl, Contact
Reaching today’s youth with the gospel requires dedicated, capable leadership. The minor prepares students for effective ministry by an education in the theological, relational, and programming foundations of youth ministry and training in skills for youth ministry. The minor culminates with an internship in a church or parachurch ministry. Requirements for Youth Ministries Minor
Young Life Program
Students may combine the youth ministry minor with a supervised internship with Young Life. Interns may work toward full-time placement after college through Young Life’s church partnership program or as full-time Young Life staff. For more information, contact the School of Theology.
Global and Urban Ministry Minor
Delia Nüesch-Olver, Contact
The global and urban ministry (GUM) minor serves students in all majors, equipping students to understand the theological and contextual realities of the world today, which is heavily urban and multiethnic. We strive to develop global Christians who will participate in God’s transformation of the world. This program offers a minor, an internship, and a certificate. The internship may be completed either through the course, Interpreting the City, or through a minimum of six weeks spent in residence in an ethnic community overseas or locally, working on an academic project. In the term preceding the field experience, the student will enroll in 1 credit of independent study with a GUM professor to design the project. Following the field experience, the student will enroll in 1 credit of independent study to write a paper summarizing the field research. An internship will earn 5 credits, including the independent study credits. Requirements for the Global and Urban Ministry Minor
International Service Certificate
This brief program offers useful training for students who hope to live and work multiculturally as Christians, but who cannot take enough courses to earn a minor in global and urban ministry.
Need to know when a course is being offered? Click here for the 2006-2007 Time Schedule.
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