Question for the "Theology" Folks--CL, Russell, North, Tom, Others

While I would like to pursue a theology and/or church history degree, I am also interested in other areas such as music, worship/liturgy, poetry, etc. I'm wondering if there's any way I can combine these areas of interest in a graduate theological degree. Would a degree in Applied or Practical Theology do that?

I have found a master's program in Creative Writing at the University of Cape Town, but I couldn't incorporate theological study into that.

The main reason I haven't yet enrolled in Spurgeon's or a South African theology degree program is because of my desire to somehow combine a study of theology and church history with arts and worship. Is that possible?

I'll very much appreciate any information, opinions, and/or suggestions.

Michael

 

Well, this is certainly a case of deja vu all over again. I, too, felt drawn to the idea of doing a creative writing master's instead of, or alongside, a degree in theology. I came to the conclusion that it is much more feasible to creativity-orient a theology degree than it is to theology-orient a creative degree.

It should be feasible to do your Th.M. on an area of creative study. What I was considering was the UNISA Th.M. in Christian spirituality with emphasis on Franciscan literature. You could do much the same thing, I suspect.

Good luck!


Peace,

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Tom Head
www.tomhead.net

 

This is certainly possible! It could be possible for you to focus your research in Church History, for instance, on the development of worship, or something like that. Also, as you suggest, a degree in Applied or Practical Theology could enable you to focus your studies on worship. You will notice that, in all of the South African Practical Theology departments, "liturgy" or the study of worship, is one of the key areas of study.

Some of my work in my MTh in Applied Theology at Spurgeon's has centered on my role as a Worship Pastor (my title is Associate Pastor of Worship). Though I am not writing my thesis on worship, I would have the freedom to do so if I so desired. Of course, all of this Applied Theology study is not merely "application," or pragmatic "how-to" stuff. My work in Applied Theology has required me to engage Systematic Theology and Church History at some length.

So, yes, I think it is quite possible for you to do what you propose.

 

Michael:

We do tend to be categorized in life, don't we? You know, this "birds of a feather flock together" principle? But I take it as a compliment to be one of the "Theology Folks," whatever that means.

You should be able to combine the areas of interest you allude to in a degree program emphasizing practical theology. PT covers the entire spectrum of theology as it is practiced via ministry. My own thesis topic is "A Biblical Paradigm for Postmodern Ministry." I am basically combining two concepts: 1) ministry by the whole people of God, clergy & laity; and 2) how this will address our postmodern world.

So I do believe you would be able to find a program which would combine your interests.

Russell

 

Thanks, CL, Tom, and Russell, for your thoughts.

Russell, I'm glad you took that as a compliment. I had to come up with something brief to put in the topic title.

Tom,

Do you think the Cal State-Dominguez Hills External Masters in Humanities would work for what I want to do, or should I look elsewhere?

 

One thing to bear in mind when combining subject areas is that it may make it more difficult to get a job as a professor (should that be your goal). One of my professors ended up writing a quite traditional book related to the New Testament because he needed something more traditional to get him a job. He's probably written 8 or so books since then and they've all been interdisciplinary in some way or another.

One you have the job, you can change the rules.


Tom Nixon

 

Carefully tailored, it could very easily do the trick, I think -- but you would have to use all three Independent Study options, both transfer course options, and choose a specialization track in a creative field (such as music or literature) if you'd like to go that route rather than going with a thesis. But I think it could certainly be done.

Sample curriculum in Christian literature and music (not sure this would fulfill all of the requirements, but it would come close):

CURRICULUM B: Literature

Phase I (6 units)
HUX 502 Defining: Literature
HUX 503 Defining: Music
HUX 504 Defining: Art

Phase II, Single Discipline (12)
HUX 594A G.K. Chesterton's Novels
HUX 594A Gerard Manley Hopkins
HUX 594A John Milton
TRF Course on C.S. Lewis
(This would use up your independent studies, and one of your two transfer courses.)

Phase II, Related Disciplines (9)
HUX 551 Music: Beethoven
HUX 572 Philosophy: Biblical Movement
TRF Course in Church Music/Hymnology

Phase III, Final Project (4-6)
HUX 598 Final Project Proposal
HUX 599B Creative Project in Christian Literature

---

So it's quite doable, if a little tricky. If you do decide to go this route, I recommend contacting William Hagan (who served as my thesis mentor) -- he holds a Doctor of Sacred Theology and would probably be glad to help.

Good luck!


Peace,

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Tom Head
www.tomhead.net

 

Tom Head,

Thanks for the suggestion and examples!

Tom Nixon,

Yes, this is definitely a factor to consider--and one I had wondered about.

What do the rest of you think about the issue that Tom Nixon has raised?

 

Michael, prospectus for the M.A. in Religion/Religious Education at Greenwich School of Theology (via Potchefstroom) has this to say:

"The course of M.A.[Structured] has been designed to enable students to consider a study of religion/theology within the context of another discipline such as history, education, literature, philosophy, languages etc. Because the subject involves many aspects of human culture and experience, courses can be varied and stimulating and allow the student a good deal of flexibility to frame his/her own programme of study and work."

The prospectus for all degrees at GST can be downloaded at www.study-theology.com .

--Bill Highsmith

 

Michael, the MA that Bill refers to here also came to my mind when I read your initial post. It would provide you precisely the kind of opportunity you're looking for to strike an interdisciplinary focus.

 

I think there's some sense to what he's saying if you decide you want to seek a traditional theology or Church history position. At the same time, worship is one of the fastest growing areas of study in American evangelical seminaries and Christian colleges. Seminary worship programs are fairly new to evangelical institutions; many institutions have just recently begun such programs, and many others currently are developing them. Many of these schools are seeking qualified individuals to teach. Yet, because it is a relatively new subject area, there is a greater shortage of qualified individuals than would be true in Systematic Theology, Church History, or NT, etc.

In addition, a handful of institutions, like Regent College in Vancouver or Institute of Christian Studies in Toronto, desire to have folks on their faculties whose expertise is more interdisciplinary. These sorts of schools are interested in exploring the interplay between theology and other disciplines.

 

Michael,

Bill's suggestion sounds like a winner to me. Such a thing may also be possible at UNIZUL or some of the other institutions that you contacted. If you know what you want (area of study) and you want PUCHE at the pre price hike level, I would hurry and contact GST.

Good luck!

North

 

On further reflection about the possibility that being too broad-based or interdisciplinary in one's postgraduate studies might hinder that person from getting a teaching job, I remember from perusing seminary catalogs that many professors of systematic theology and church history had obtained MDiv degrees prior to their doctorates--and of course the MDiv is a broad-based degree in that the areas of church history, theology, worship/liturgy, preaching, evangelism, education, and administration are all studied. So, apparently one could do this at the master's level, but wouldn't you have to specialize at the doctoral level in order to maximize your chance at a teaching position? That is, I see faculty listings such as, "Dr._____, Professor of Homiletics and Worship", or "Professor of Systematic Theology", etc.; I've never seen a "Professor of Systematic Theology, Church History, Worship, and Music."

 

This is correct, however, keep in mind that the prospectus which is currently on-line is the 1998 edition. GST is currently processing an updated edition, but as far as the degree possibilities the 2001 edition should remain, for the most part, the same. The web-site is also a work in progress, so visit it periodically for updates.

As North noted, the tuition does increase on July 1, e.g., the Ph.D. tuition will go from 2500 to 4000 pounds sterling. Other degree programs will see similar tuition hikes.

Russell

 

If you want to transition into the realm of theology and ministry in most denominational settings, the M.Div. is the basic professional degree in ministry/theology that will give you a broad overview of such. It will also train you in Greek and Hebrew, a necessary pre-requisite in most advance studies in biblical studies and theology.

In many ways, not having the M.Div. (for most denominational settings in America) is like wanting to be a physician or attorney without going to medical or law school for the M.D. or J.D. respectively, and trying to enter those professions by getting M.S./M.A.'s/Ph.D.'s in medical science or legal studies. It is just not the entry route since the programs are different. This is why most professors of theology, etc. in a Christian/ministry/seminary setting will have an M.Div. in addition to other academic degrees in theology. If you do not care about entering the ministry or teaching in most denominational/seminary settings and want to teach in a totally secular setting, the M.Div. may not be necessary.

If you are just entering and want to go the traditional route of theology (95% of the time), the route will not be easy nor short. If you choose the traditional route of entry into ministry and perhaps eventual teaching in traditional settings, here's what I have experienced for myself and what you may consider (I cannot advise the DL route since I have not done DL):

After your Bachelors,

M.Div. (approx. 90-96 sem. units) and/or
M.Div. based Th.M. (an additional 30 sem. units plus thesis)

then,

Ph.D. in the area of your specialization.

I had to also have a working knowledge of German, French, and Latin for my area of specialty in addition to Greek and Hebrew. But for most specialties in theology and biblical studies, you can get by with German in addition to Greek and Hebrew and another modern language (except English if that is your native language).

The traditional route is not short but is probably the best route in terms of acceptability into the mainstream if you are just entering the profession/field.

EsqPhD

 

I posted the above message intending it to be for another discussion thread--only realized that I responded to the wrong person after I sent it.

EsqPhD

 

That's something else I forgot to mention, and I'm very glad Bill brought it up -- Potch's BA/MA/PhD degrees can be tailored very easily to an interdisciplinary field, e.g. theology and literature, theology and music, and so forth.

Peace,

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Tom Head
www.tomhead.net

 

Flexible, reasonably priced, non-resident and respectable... pretty tough combination to beat.

 

Well stated, Ken!

The criteria you mention are indeed the reason I chose the PUCHE/GST program. I researched various programs for over two years, looking for one which was manageable for my situation. There are many solid options for the distance learner, and PUCHE/GST is definitely one of them.

Russell

 

Based on the new info y'all have given me, GST/Potch has become more attractive, but cost remains an important factor for me.