36 units

The theology that guides Department of Theology programs is a reasoned response to God’s self-disclosure in Jesus Christ. This theology is a careful articulation of the mystery, grace, and hope of that story, which takes place among the people of Jesus—the Church. The theology major serves students who wish to give themselves to this particular way of truth and life. It aids in preparing students for graduate work in related disciplines and for Christian service in the Church and the world.

The theology major equips and encourages undergraduate students to become effective and faithful theologians, well-prepared for further theological education as well as for service to the Church, by developing in them suitable analytical, reflective, and expressive skills and bringing them into fruitful engagement with a broad range of theological resources as they learn to apply Christian theology to contemporary issues.

Program Goals

1. Through the General Education courses, the theology program seeks to prepare all undergraduate students to demonstrate an understanding of the essential components of theological reflection and an ability to give thoughtful consideration to current and historical issues in light of the Church’s Scriptures and traditions. Graduates should be able to articulate a Christian worldview of truth and life and apply biblically based ethical reasoning skills to problems.
2. The theology program cultivates collegial scholarship for faithful engagement with students, the Church, and the academy.
3. The theology program continues to develop and refine mechanisms that bring theology majors into fruitful firsthand engagement with contemporary theological work as it is carried out in the academy. This may develop through projects of their own or through collaborative efforts with faculty. Graduates should demonstrate a practice of continual intellectual growth through personal scholarship and development.
4. The theology program continues to develop and refine methods of teaching and mentoring that further students’ theological contributions to the Church and society. Graduates should practice a respect for the worth of all persons with appreciation of individual and cultural differences, demonstrating truth telling and grace in their relationships, and should be able to articulate the importance of extending genuine community to all peoples locally, regionally, nationally, and globally.
5. The theology program encourages and cultivates students’ growth in the ability to think critically about the historical, doctrinal, biblical, and practical aspects of the Christian faith, including appreciating, understanding, and valuing the Church. Students grow into a greater awareness of the personal and social relevance and spiritual richness that informed, disciplined theological reflection can bring to their Christian existence and their own impact upon the world in which they live.

Career Opportunities

The theology major is offered as an avenue of sustained and thoughtful devotion to the God of the Gospel. At the same time, it provides students with the discipline and practices that are requisite for graduate study or other service in the Church and the world. APU theology alumni have pursued graduate studies at Duke Divinity School, Fuller Theological Seminary, Oxford Centre for Mission Studies, Princeton Theological Seminary, Vanderbilt Divinity School, Yale Divinity School, and other institutions in fields such as education, sociology, law, theology, Church history, biblical studies, philosophy, and international relations. Alumni have also served as pastors, chaplains, teachers, social workers, community organizers, nonprofit program administrators, and relief workers, and in parachurch ministries.

Requirements

Theology/Biblical Studies Double Major Guidelines: Should a student choose to double major in theology and biblical studies, he/she must take 3 additional upper-division courses in a single discipline of either Theology or Biblical Studies to meet the guidelines for double majors.

A minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA is required in all major courses. The theology major may be earned by completing all of the following courses:

Course List

Code	Title	Units
Major Course Requirements
SOT 250	Theology and the Christian Life 1	3
SOT 371	Church History: Apostolic Era to the Eve of the Reformation	3
SOT 372	Church History from the Eve of the Reformation to the Present	3
SOT 373	Contemporary Christian Theology	3
SOT 4XX	400-level Theology Course	3
SOT 4XX	400-level Theology Course	3
SOT 4XX	400-level Theology Course	3
SOT 483	Senior Seminar: Theology and Social Issues	3
SOT 3/4XX	Biblical Studies Elective	3
SOT 3/4XX	Christian Ministries Elective	3
Select one of the following:		3
PHIL 315	History of Ancient Philosophy
PHIL 316	Medieval Philosophy
PHIL 320	History of Early Modern Philosophy
PHIL 325	History of 19th and 20th Century Philosophy
Total Units		33

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Meets the APU Core: Theology and the Christian Life general education requirement.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this program shall be able to:

1. Explain the relationships between context and Christian theological traditions.
2. Examine important societal issues in light of Christian theological traditions.
3. Properly represent the theological ideas of people with diverse perspectives.
4. Evaluate their own implicit theological beliefs in light of Christian theological traditions.
5. Develop their own commitments in conversation with Christian theological traditions.