DIVINITY (ACADEMIC DISCIPLINE)

'Divinity' is the study of Christian and other theology and religious ministry at a school, divinity school, university, or seminary. The term is sometimes a synonym for theology as an academic, speculative pursuit, and sometimes is used for the study of applied theology and ministry to make a distinction between that and academic theology. It most often refers to Christian study which is linked with the professional degrees for ordained ministry or related work, though it is also used in an academic setting by other faith traditions.

Contents

Areas and specialisations

Degrees

List of degrees

Areas and specialisations

Divinity can be divided into several distinct but related disciplines. These vary, sometimes widely, from church to church and faith tradition to faith tradition, and even among various programs within a particular church. A typical program will include many of the following:


The philosophical side of theology:

★ Systematic theology

★ Dogmatic theology

★ Sacramental theology

★ Ecclesiology


The practice of worship:

★ Liturgy

★ Homiletics

★ Sacred music


Ministry in the field:

★ Pastoral theology

★ Pastoral counseling

★ Religious education techniques


Scriptural study and languages:

★ Biblical studies or Sacred Scripture

★ Biblical Hebrew

★ New Testament Greek

★ Latin

★ Old Church Slavonic


And other courses, for instance:

★ Canon law

★ Church history

Degrees

Studying Divinity usually leads to the awarding of an academic degree or a professional degree. Such degrees, particularly in modern times the Master of Divinity, are prerequisites for ordained ministry in most Christian denominations and many other faitrh communities. Students earn such degrees at a free-standing seminary, theologate or divinity school, or at a university.

List of degrees

The following is a list of most of the common degrees in Divinity:

★ Bachelor of Arts in Theology (B.A. or A.B.)

★ Bachelor of Canon Law (J.C.B.)

★ Bachelor of Divinity (B.D. or B.Div. - in the U.K., often a graduate degree)

★ Bachelor of Hebrew Letters (B.H.L.)

★ Bachelor of Religious Education (B.R.E.)

★ Bachelor of Sacred Scripture (S.S.B.)

★ Bachelor of Theology (B.Th; S.T.B.)



★ Licentiate in Canon Law (J.C.L.)

★ Licentiate in Sacred Scripture (S.S.L.)

★ Licentiate in Theology (L.Th.; S.T.L.)



★ Master of Arts in Theology (M.A. or A.M.)

★ Master of Arts in Hebrew Literature (M.A.H.L. - used by some Jewish schools)

★ Master of Divinity (M.Div. - the most common degree taken before ministry)

★ Master of Hebrew Letters (M.H.L. - used by some Jewish schools)

★ Master of Religious Arts (M.R.A.)

★ Master of Religious Education (M.R.E.)

★ Master of Theology (M.Th., Th.M., M.S.T., S.T.M. or M.Theol.)



★ Doctor of Canon Law (J.C.D.)

★ Doctor of Divinity (D.D.)

★ Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.)

★ Doctor of Philosophy in Theology (Ph.D.)

★ Doctor of Sacred Literature (D.S.Litt.)

★ Doctor of Sacred Scripture (S.S.D.)

★ Doctor of Theology (Th.D., Dr. Theol., D.Theol., S.T.D.)