Randall W. Younker, Director
The Doctor of Philosophy degree in religion, based on the Master of Arts in Religion, prepares teacher-scholars in the fields of New Testament Studies, Old Testament Studies, Theological Studies, Adventist Studies, and Mission and Ministry Studies for colleges and seminaries operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church around the world.
The primary purpose of advanced academic studies leading to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD): Religion is to provide teacher-scholars for church-operated colleges, seminaries, and universities around the world.
AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION When students apply to the PhD program in religion, they select one of the five areas of study listed below.
Adventist Studies
Development
of Adventist lifestyle
Development
of Adventist theology
General
Adventist history
Mission and Ministry Studies
Analysis
of the biblical, theological, and theoretical basis for mission
Evangelization
of unreached people groups and urban population clusters
Leadership
development for effective church growth, ministry, and evangelistic strategies
Study
of world religions and secularism as a missionary challenge
New Testament Studies
Development of the Christian community in the first and second centuries
History
and praxis of New Testament exegesis and theology
Intertestamental
and New Testament back-grounds, both Jewish and Graeco-Roman
Language
and literature: text, canon, critical introduction, and cognate literature
Old Testament Studies
Archaeology
(periods, sites, methodology, and field work) and history of antiquity
(Israel and the Ancient Near Eastern languages)
Exegesis
and theology (Pentateuch, historical books, prophetic and apocalyptic
literature, and wisdom/hymnic literature)
Language
and literature (Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic, other Ancient Near Eastern
languages); LXX and other ancient versions; and Old Testament textual
criticism
Theological Studies
Christian
ethics, comprising ethical theory and professional, personal, and social
ethics
Historical
theology, examining the origin and development of theological concepts
and trends
Philosophical
theology
Systematic
theology, embracing the biblical and doctrinal aspects of theological
thought
Each area of study is to be supplemented with one of the cognate areas listed below. The cognate should be taken in a department other than the one which offers the major area of study
Biblical
Archaeology and History of Antiquity
Christian
Ministry
Church
History
Mission
New
Testament
Old
Testament
Religious
Education
Theology
Area
selected from approved graduate-level studies
The PhD: Religion program builds on expertise and training developed in approved master's programs. It provides individuals equipped with skills and methods appropriate to genuine scholarship to do original and responsible research, and it promotes the proficient application of sound and valid principles of biblical interpretation and historic research. It seeks to acquaint students with the Judeo-Christian heritage and the findings of various branches of biblical scholarship and communicates the religious and ethical values of that heritage as found in Scripture and as understood by conservative Christians, in general, and the Seventh-day Adventist Church, in particular. This degree is not earned by the mere accumulation of credits. It is conferred on those who demonstrate clearly and capably, in written and oral form, mature and independent research marked by discriminating analysis, careful evaluation of evidence and theories, and sound interpretation of available data. The PhD degree in religion is granted only to those who give evidence that they have attained a distinctly superior level of expertise in their principal area of study and the supplementary cognate area.
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