Divisions & Programs

Religious Studies Division

The Religious Studies Division offers a major in Religious Studies that is tailored, through a variety of electives, to the interests and needs of individual students.

Mission

The Religious Studies Division at Martin University seeks to serve both the University and the urban community by educating and equipping students to minister in a variety of ways. Realizing that most Religious Studies students enter Martin University with a wealth of experience, along with a wide variety of interests and unique ministry goals, the Religious Studies Division aims to offer a broad selection of courses to meet students’ needs.

Objectives

  1. To have students learn material relevant to the academic study of the following areas:

    1. Religion in general and the methods which pertain to it.

    2. The history and development of Christianity within various world cultures.

    3. The origin, nature, and current status of the religious scripture produced by and for Christianity.

    4. The interpretation of Christian scripture and the methods relevant to it.

    5. Theological thinking and the development of Christian theology.

  2. To move students to become researchers and investigators of faith-related subjects and phenomena.

  3. To have students learn materials or engage in specific academic or field activities which address the following concerns:

    1. The student’s own ministry needs and interests within specific faith communities or contexts.

    2. The practice of religious thinking in the context of global multiculturalism, including materials that relate to inter-faith studies, dialogue, and cooperation.

    3. The practice of religious thinking as related to social action in urban and other settings.

  4. To expand students’ perspectives on the interrelatedness between faith and behavior.

  5. To equip students with knowledge to develop ministry models that parallel the principles of Jesus Christ as contained in historic texts.

The Religious Studies Division seeks to familiarize students with inter-religious dialogue and the diverse manifestations of Christianity throughout the world. The overarching goal is to inspire students to conceptualize the Gospel in an ever-changing world.