ThD (Religion)

Mission

The primary purpose of advanced academic studies leading to the Doctor of Theology (ThD) degree is to provide teacher-scholars in the fields of biblical and theological studies for the Seventh-day Adventist Church—primarily its institutions of higher learning (colleges, seminaries, universities) around the world.

Description of Program

The Doctor of Theology (ThD) program prepares teacher-scholars in interdisciplinary theological fields, primarily for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in its institutions of higher learning around the world.

The ThD program is offered in seven fields of study with areas of emphasis as listed below.

Biblical Studies

• Archaeology and History
• Exegesis and Theology
• Languages and Literature

Historical/Biblical Studies

• Adventist Studies and Old Testament
• Adventist Studies and New Testament
• Church History and Old Testament
• Church History and New Testament

Historical/Missiological Studies

• Adventist Studies and Mission
• Church History and Mission

Missiological/Biblical Studies

• Mission and Old Testament
• Mission and New Testament

Missiological/Theological Studies

• Mission, Ethics and Philosophy
• Mission and Historical Theology
• Mission and Systematic Theology

Theological/Biblical Studies

• Ethics, Philosophy and New Testament
• Historical Theology and New Testament
• Systematic Theology and New Testament
• Historical Theology and Old Testament
• Systematic Theology and Old Testament

Theological/Historical Studies

• Ethics, Philosophy and Adventist Studies
• Systematic Theology and Adventist Studies
• Historical Theology and Adventist Studies
• Ethics, Philosophy and Church History
• Systematic Theology and Church History
• Historical Theology and Church History

Each field of study is to be supplemented with one of the cognate areas listed below:
• Biblical Archaeology and History of Antiquity
• Christian Ministry
• Church History
• World Mission
• New Testament
• Old Testament
• Religious Education
• Theology and Christian Philosophy
• Area selected from approved graduate-level studies

The cognate must be taken in a department other than the two departments bridged in the field of study. If the field of study does not include New Testament, Old Testament, or Theology and Christian Philosophy then the cognate must come from one of these departments.

The ThD 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 ThD 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.

One who holds a ThD in Religion should possess the following competencies:
• Faithfulness to God and Scripture
• Mastery of content relevant to the chosen discipline
• Advanced research and writing capability in the chosen discipline
• Expertise in teaching and other forms of communication