Department of Theology

Faculty: T.C. Ham, B. Hollon, S. Moroney (Chair), S. Nicholson, D. Phinney (Dean of the College of Theology, Arts, and Sciences), W. Quigley, J. Soza, D. Watson

Mission Statement

Affiliated with the Evangelical Friends tradition, the Malone University Department of Theology is rooted firmly in the protestant evangelical heritage of the historic, ecumenical, and Trinitarian Christian faith. We affirm the authority of the Bible as God’s Word and are committed to the saving mission and ministry of Jesus Christ and his Church. Our distinctive mission is to provide theological education to women and men, enabling them to deepen and clarify their understanding of the Christian faith, cultivate and increase their love of God, and respond obediently to Christ’s call to faithfulness, discipleship, and ministry.

Goals and Learning Objectives

Goal: Students will demonstrate a basic knowledge of and ability to interpret and articulate the biblical story.
Learning Objectives: Specifically, students will demonstrate learning related to…

The “grand drama” of the biblical story including key persons, events, and themes
The historical, cultural, and literary contexts, which necessarily inform and guide biblical interpretation
The unity of the Christian biblical canon.
The ethical mandates of scripture in light of the gospel of Jesus Christ

Goal: Students will demonstrate a basic knowledge of and ability to articulate central themes in Christian history, theology, and ethics.
Learning Objectives: Specifically, students will demonstrate learning related to…

The history and development of the classical theological tradition, including the development of the biblical canon
Key persons, events, and theological developments associated with each of the standard divisions of Christian history (early, medieval, reformation/modern)
The synthetic nature of the main foci of systematic theology, including the doctrines of scripture, revelation, God, creation, humanity, sin, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Church, Salvation, End times, etc.
Engaging, profitably, with important thinkers and movements from the distant and more recent past when interpreting scripture, practicing theology, and promoting a distinctively Christian moral vision

Goal: Students will demonstrate a basic understanding of and competence in the practice of Christian Ministry.
Learning Objective: Specifically, students will demonstrate learning related to…

The Church’s mission and manifold ministries from within the context of the mission of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

Additional Learning Objectives for Bible and Theology Majors: Specifically, students will demonstrate learning related to…

A biblical theology acknowledging God as both subject and object of prayer and worship as foundational for the practice of Christian Ministry.
The rudiments of either Hebrew or Greek phonology and grammar, and the ability to apply biblical language tools to research, translation, and exegesis for sermon preparation

Additional Objective for Youth, Sports, and Educational Ministry Majors: Specifically, students will demonstrate learning related to…

The ability to develop, implement, lead, and evaluate a ministry in a specific context (youth, education, or sports ministries depending upon the student’s major) giving attention to all aspects of personhood integrating spiritual growth with social, moral, psychological, cognitive and physical development

Goal: Students will cultivate habits of careful reading, critical thinking, research, writing, and speaking
Learning Objective: Specifically, students will demonstrate learning related to…

Cultivating a faith that intentionally seeks understanding
Thinking, reading, and writing critically
Evaluating texts and other scholarly sources for their quality
Learning to appreciate and grow through an engagement of diverse interpretive traditions and theological perspectives
Communicating clearly in written and spoken form in order to lead, faithfully, in various Christian ministries

Majors

Seven majors are offered by the Department of Theology. These include Bible and Theology , Educational Ministries , Sports Outreach Ministries , Youth Ministry , and three combination majors: Sports/Educational Ministries , Youth/Educational Ministries , and Youth/Sports Ministries .

The Bible and Theology major is designed to provide an understanding of the Bible, history of Christian thought, and theological doctrines. It provides excellent preparation for students who desire to pursue graduate studies in a seminary or university. Students following God’s call to missionary service, pastoral leadership, preaching, and teaching are encouraged to pursue this major.

The other six majors are designed to equip students for specialized ministries. The Educational Ministries major prepares students to become Directors of Christian Education and oversee all educational ministries of a local church. The Youth Ministry major prepares students to lead ministries which touch the lives of adolescents and young adults. The Sports Outreach Ministries major prepares students for innovative ministries involving sports as a tool to reach individuals for Christ. The remaining majors (Sports/Educational Ministries, Youth/Educational Ministries, Youth/Sports Ministries) provide students with broader preparation by offering combinations of the above majors. These combination majors prepare students for staff positions in local churches or in organizations such as Fellowship of Christian Athletes or Young Life.

Upon entering the Department of Theology, each student will be assigned an academic advisor who will provide vocational guidance until graduation. Maintaining a major gpa of 2.5 is required for graduation from any undergraduate program in the Department of Theology. (See Graduation Requirements - Academic Policies and Procedures .)

Each student pursuing a major in the Department of Theology must complete a senior comprehensive examination before graduation. Information may be acquired in the Office of the Department of Theology.

Minors

Eight minors are offered by the Department of Theology. These include Bible , Bible and Theology , Biblical Languages , Educational Ministries , Missions and Cross-Cultural Ministries , Sports Ministry , Theology , and Youth Ministry .

Combined Bachelor of Arts/Master of Arts 4 + 1 Program

Qualified students may take advantage of the opportunity to pursue the combined Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in an accelerated manner through the Combined Bachelor of Arts/Master of Arts 4 + 1 Program. The primary objective of this program is to provide a seamless process whereby students may progress from undergraduate to graduate status and earn both degrees in the most efficient manner. Through this program it may be possible to complete both degrees within a five-year period.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for this program, an undergraduate student must be pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in one of the seven majors in the Department of Theology, or the Bible and Theology minor.
During the freshman or sophomore year, the student must meet with a faculty adviser to determine if this program is appropriate. If so, a course of study which leads toward the accelerated acquisition of a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree will be planned.
The student must maintain a cumulative 3.0 g.p.a. and a 3.0 g.p.a. within the major to be eligible for admission into the combined BA/MA program.
At the end of the junior year, the student must complete the Department of Theology’s application to the M.A.T.S. program. Admission decisions will be made by the Graduate Committee within the Department of Theology.
A student accepted into this program will be advised by his/her current advisor in coordination with the Graduate Program Director.

Progression Requirements

Within the last 36 semester credit hours before completing the requirements of the bachelor’s degree, a student accepted into the 4+1 program may be allowed to enroll for advanced standing in specified graduate courses for up to 12 hours. Tuition for these courses will be charged at the undergraduate rate.
After completing all requirements for the undergraduate degree, the student will be awarded the Bachelor of Arts degree. Up to 12 hours of advanced standing hours with a 3.0 g.p.a. may be applied to the Master of Arts in Theological Studies. Applicable Financial Aid office graduation obligations must be met.
The student will continue in the M.A.T.S. curriculum. Upon completion of all graduate program requirements, the student will be awarded the Master of Arts degree. Applicable Financial Aid office graduation obligations must be met.

Programs

Undergraduate Major

Undergraduate Minor

Courses

Bible

Educational Ministries

Greek

Hebrew

Sports Outreach Ministries

Theology

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