CHARACTER AND MISSION
The School of Theology is evangelical and ecumenical, diverse and inclusive, multidenominational and multicultural. Its mission is national and international in scope, urban and suburban in focus, residential and extended in location. It expresses this mission through life together as a worshipping, teaching, studying, and ministering community.
The School of Theology prepares persons for lay and ordained ministries by pursuing and encouraging:
- Foundational theological reflection, research, and writing
- in the service of the church
- for all the disciplines of the seminary community
- for the academy
- Theological education
- for the entire seminary community
- for professional preparation and development
- for church, denomination, and parachurch
- for witness and service in the world
- Spiritual Formation
- for individual and interpersonal integrity
- for spiritual and intellectual maturity
- for corporate commitment and responsibility
- for competence in the practice of ministry
- Advanced theological study
- in the development of faithful scholarship
- in the mentoring and preparation of future teachers of the church
- through advanced degree programs
- Continuing education
- for the church
- for professional ministry
- for lay ministry and enrichment
THE THEOLOGICAL CURRICULUM
The theological curriculum which aims at excellence must combine breadth, depth and balance. It must include the basic areas for everyone engaged in Christian ministry, and yet provide courses of special interest and concern to the individual student. It must be grounded in the Scriptures, the sure and solid authority of our faith, and be concerned for efforts to express faith in a coherent system of truth. It must reflect understanding of the traditions of the past, and show awareness of the needs of the present and the future. It must preserve what is genuine within the historic experience of the church while being open to what may be new by Christ's Spirit.
Fuller approaches its task of theological training by way of the great Protestant tradition of biblical studies in the languages in which God was pleased to reveal his word. Greek and Hebrew are prerequisites for many biblical courses and are constantly used in instruction. Courses in the theology and history division give the student a close acquaintance with the classical thinking of the church in its effort through the ages to express this revelation and to apply it as a guide through the perplexities and ambiguities of life. This background sets the stage for the ministry courses in which the various approaches to teaching God's word are shaped from the perspective of theology.
A curriculum cannot include everything a servant of God will need for the rapidly changing world of the last decade of the 20th century, but it should not omit that which is essential. Furthermore, it must supply the basic content and skills which will enable one to feed God's flock and to maintain personal growth with increasing responsibilities.
DEGREE AND CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS
The School of Theology offers the following degree and certificate programs:
- Master of Divinity
- Master of Arts in Theology
- Master of Arts in Theology and Ministry
- Master of Arts in Christian Leadership
- Certificate of Christian Studies
- Certificate in Recovery Ministry
- Certificate in Youth Ministry
- Doctor of Ministry
- Master of Theology
- Doctor of Philosophy in Theology