RELIGION
SCHOOL OF
SCHOOL OF RELIGION at Belmont University
The School of Religion seeks to be a premier academic community that nurtures a living faith in God, reflects critically on its discipline, and develops skills for Christian ministry. We also distinguish ourselves through our emphases on contemplative spirituality and social justice. We dedicate ourselves to helping students discover who they are and what they are called to do in this world. We encourage our students to find their place in a larger community of service.
KEY OBJECTIVES
We provide student-centered, academically-challenging religion classes to the diverse student body of Belmont University and a foundation of religious studies for students preparing for a wide variety of vocations. Recent graduates now serve as pastors, worship leaders, youth
SCRIPTURE AND THEOLOGY To provide all Belmont students with a solid foundation in biblical and theological studies. SPECIFIC PREPARATION To present opportunities for learning in biblical languages, biblical studies, ethics, theological and historical studies, religion and the arts, practical studies, seminars and special studies. PRACTICAL MINISTRY To offer professional education courses in practical ministry and continuing education opportunities to ministers and laity. IMPACT THE WORLD To integrate contemplative spirituality and social justice in and out of the classroom.
ministers and missionaries. Our alumni also serve as social entrepreneurs, graduate students in English and Philosophy, medical students, lawyers, artists, authors and songwriters with credits on network shows. They teach English in Lima, Peru, perform their music in London, England, and prepare for ministry in major seminaries around the world. Religion majors from Belmont serve God and the church in many different ways. You can, too! With eight different paths of study, we are 12 full-time faculty and more than 150 students working together to discover who we are to be as followers of God in Jesus Christ. Come join the journey with us. God may send you anywhere from here.
ALUMNI
“ Belmont introduced me to the great thinkers of the church while incorporating the artistic and creative lenses that are unique to the entire Belmont experience.” TERRELL CRUDUP (2010) WWW.LTCRUDUPMINISTRIES.COM
“ Belmont prepared me for ministry by encouraging me to merge my talents, passions and faith in a safe environment.” LAURA AMSTUTZ WEIBEZAHN (2008) WWW.CREATIVESPILLAGE.COM
“ Serving as a local missionary in Nashville, I have been able to build on the foundations and connections that I made while at Belmont.”
“ Belmont prepared me for ministry by cultivating reflection about how I might respond to the world around me as a member of the Church.”
KATHLEEN MURPHY (2005) WWW.MYOWNBACKYARD.ME
WILL HUNTER (2010)
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS We have discovered that God works very differently in the lives of students, so we have prepared eight distinct major programs of study for religion majors in the School of Religion. On an undergraduate level, when students pursue a religion major they usually do not have the opportunity to explore specific interests. We have developed programs that allow students to pursue their passions. From biblical languages to ethics to the arts, we have created ways for students to weave their passions into their preparation for ministry. All of our majors and minors have a common core of classes so our students have similar experiences, but the majority of the work takes place in the areas of specific student interest. We will encourage you to identify your interests and help you choose which major best prepares you for your future. We have eight major programs of study in the School of Religion:
• Biblical Languages
• Biblical Studies
• Christian Ethics
• Christian Leadership
• Church Leadership and Administration
• Ministry
• Religion and the Arts
• Religious Studies
These majors have unique opportunities for students to explore the things that most interest them. For example, our most popular major is Religion and the Arts where students combine their passion for God and ministry with minors like music, dance, writing and even music business as they prepare to combine their faith and their passion for arts. You can do the same thing with languages, ethics, scripture and church leadership. It is up to you! All of our majors are also offered as minor programs of study to complement another major. If you are not a religion major, you still can pursue our majors in an abbreviated format. You also can earn a minor in Spiritual Formation or in Youth Ministry and Church Recreation. In short, our goal is to help you prepare for the life you are being called to lead.
ALUMNI
Barrett Owen is a 2007 graduate of the School of Religion. He has since earned a M.Div. from McAfee School of Theology and a M.Th. from Candler School of Theology. He now serves as Admissions Associate for McAfee School of Theology and as Pastor of National Heights Baptist Church in Fayetteville, Georgia. He says, “I love to preach because it bears the capacity to help us sideline our disillusionment by embracing– instead of rejecting–the loving mystery of God.” Committed to preaching and the local church, he also writes about partnering with God most profoundly when he serves “through and in the local church.” BARRETT OWEN (2007) JBARRETTOWEN.BLOGSPOT.COM
Megan Stephens is a 2009 graduate of the School of Religion. For the last three years she has served as a Young Life missionary in India, working to introduce Jesus Christ to young men and women. She says that she went to India expecting to change the world, but she was the one changed, as she learned to trust God to change the people with whom she worked while learning to love them in a genuine way. Megan says, “Belmont’s School of Religion played an important role preparing me for my time in India. The professors were great about encouraging me in what God had called me to do....” MEGAN STEPHENS (2009)
STUDY ABROAD Following God in a global society means preparing to go anywhere in the world. We believe having an experience studying abroad is a key component to your education. The School of Religion sponsors two three-week long trips each year. We travel to South Africa and Botswana for our Belmont in Africa trip to work with NGOs that provide relief for orphans, vulnerable children and others affected by AIDs and poverty. We also travel to Israel, Turkey and Greece for our Exploring the Biblical World trip. We travel in the footsteps of Jesus and Paul and other biblical characters as we think about the role of the Bible in today’s world. Come join us! If you are looking for a semester or year-long study abroad experience, the School of Religion also has a relationship with St. Andrews University in St. Andrews, Scotland, one of the premier academic institutions in the world. Students live in campus housing, attend lectures and have the opportunity to study in a vibrant and diverse environment. In addition to these programs originating out of the School of Religion, Belmont University has many other study abroad programs available to students.
MINISTRY IN FOCUS Each semester students attend a seminar to meet someone involved in ministry—either in the church, the community or education. It helps you see all the ways you can be faithful to God as well as to meet people who may help you find a place of service in ministry. Ministry in Focus is a key element connecting your passion and your service to God.
INTERNSHIPS We believe you should have practical experience in ministry so we offer five different internships—youth, church recreation, ethics, congregational ministry and religion and the arts. We have many partners in the Nashville area and beyond and we will work to help you find a place to serve and learn.
“ Belmont prepared me for ministry by continually showing me how deep thought and deep faith come together.” SCOTT CLAYBROOK (2009)
WHY WE TEACH
“ Teaching is, for me, a ministry of equipping.” AMANDA MILLER ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, NEW TESTAMENT AND GREEK
“ We teach so others may learn how the Bible changes the world. I want to help students be world changers.” DARRELL GWALTNEY DEAN AND PASCHALL CHAIR OF BIBLICAL STUDIES AND PREACHING The School of Religion faculty love students and love teaching. There are 12 full-time faculty who invest their lives in their students. We have faculty who are biblical scholars, theologians, historians, ethicists and creatives. We have faculty who have been teaching for 30 years and some who are just getting started. We are a diverse group of people who have dedicated our lives to helping our students discover who God wants them to be.
“ I get to talk with students about who God is and the love God has shown us in Jesus Christ!” STEVE GUTHRIE ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, RELIGION AND THE ARTS
“ I grow and students grow.” BEN CURTIS PROFESSOR, SPIRITUAL FORMATION
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
BELMONT UNIVERSITY
School of Religion 1900 Belmont Boulevard Nashville, TN 37212 (615) 460-6405 www.BELMONT.edu
REL-12222