School of Religion
Steven Simpler, Dean

Marty Bell, Robert Byrd, Mark Christian*, Ray Connor*, Ben Curtis, Clyde Cutrer (professor emeritus), Charles DeWeese*, Lloyd Elder, Gene Lovelace*, Harold Martin*, Mark McEntire, Martha Woody Minardi*, Steven Simpler, Judy Skeen, Harold Smith*, Bill Stephens*, Michelle Tooley, John Tullock (professor emeritus), Kathy Williams*.
*Part-time.

Vision:

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, and distinguishes itself through its emphases on contemplative spirituality and social justice.

Purpose:

The purpose of the School of Religion is to provide student-centered, academically challenging religion classes to the diverse student body of Belmont University and to provide a foundation of religious studies for students preparing for congregational ministry and advanced theological studies.

Goals:

Major in Religion (B.A.)

Students who major in religion will select either a Congregational Ministry track or a Theological Studies track. See descriptions below. Students who major in religion will select REL 111 and REL 112 for their General Education requirement in religion.

Professional Leadership Development

As part of the School of Religion, the Anna and Ernest J. Moench Center for Church Leadership seeks to serve in partnership with Baptist churches, associations, conventions, and other Christian groups in providing premier professional education and development opportunities to equip servant leaders for more effective ministry in local churches. The Moench Center pursues its mission through six strategic programs:

Training and Instruction
Consultation and Development
Research and Resources
Leadership Materials
Leadership Journal Publication
Academic Instruction (see REL 217)

Religion Courses (REL)

Biblical Languages

REL 101,102. Elementary Greek (4, 4). A study of the elements of New Testament Greek grammar with practice in composition and translation. Selections from Johannine literature are read. Meets core Humanities requirements for Religion and Biblical Languages minors if complete through 102 level.

REL 103,104. Elementary Hebrew (4, 4). A study of Biblical Hebrew emphasizing grammar, syntax, vocabulary, and development of exegetical skills.

REL 221, 222. New Testament Greek Literature (3, 3). Prerequisites: REL 101 and 102. A reading course in the Greek New Testament using various books and passages chosen according to need. Vocabulary, forms and fundamentals of syntax are emphasized. Meets B.A. language requirement for Religion majors.

REL 300. Reading in the Greek New Testament (1 1/2). Prerequisites: REL 221, 222, or consent of instructor. A rotating study of segments of the Greek Literature of the Gospels, Epistles, Acts, and the Apocalypse. The course emphasizes both vocabulary and grammar. (May be repeated, so long as it is not the same segment.)

REL 400. Readings in the Hebrew Bible (1 1/2). Prerequisite: REL 103, 104, or consent of instructor. A rotating study of segments of the Hebrew Bible. The course emphasizes vocabulary and grammar. (May be repeated so long as it does not cover the same segment).

Biblical Studies

REL 110. Understanding the Bible (3). Does not count toward a major or minor in religion. A survey of the Judeo-Christian canon of scripture from the history of the Hebrew people through growth of the New Testament church movement. Emphasis is given to patterns and themes within the biblical material. Meets core requirements; see degree requirements for path instructions.

REL 111. Old Testament History (3). Does not count toward a major or minor in religion. A survey of the history of the Hebrew people from their rise to the Christian era. Historical background and the content of the Old Testament are emphasized. Meets core requirements. (Does not count toward 30 hours required for major or 18 hours for minor.)

REL 112. New Testament History (3). Does not count toward a major or minor in religion. A survey of New Testament history with attention to historical backgrounds and main teachings of the various books in the New Testament. Meets core requirements. (Does not count toward 30 hours required for major or 18 hours for a minor.)

REL 114. Jesus in the Gospel and in Film (3). Prerequisite: REL 110. Does not count toward a major or minor in religion. An introductory study of the gospels through the historical and literary perspectives. Movies about Jesus, the gospels themselves and study of the historical setting of the gospels will serve as a basis for investigating the ways Jesus has been understood and misunderstood.

REL 115. Poverty and Wealth in the Bible (3). Does not count toward a major or minor in religion. This course will focus on the Hebrew scriptures and the New Testament through the lens of poverty and wealth. Students will combine experiential and theoretical learning to develop an understanding of economic injustice.

REL 116. Ancient Wisdom for Contemporary Issues (3). Does not count toward a major or minor in religion. An integrative study of biblical texts, cultural issues and the theoretical and experiential frameworks for seeing, hearing and acting based upon wisdom literature. In addition to universal issues studied, class and individual choices will be made about which issues will be investigated during any given semester.

REL 117. Comparative Spirituality in World Religions (3). Does not count toward a major or minor in religion. A comparative exploration of spirituality in the major world religions and select indigenous peoples, examining how these traditions perceive the purpose of human life and ultimate concerns in relation to the divine.

REL 323. The General Epistles and Hebrews (3). A detailed study of the contents of James, I and II Peter, Jude and Hebrews.

REL 324. The Life and Letters of Paul (3). A study of the Acts of the Apostles as it relates to the life and work of Paul, also the Pauline epistles as related to the history of Acts.

REL 325. Old Testament Poetry (3). A study of the poetry and wisdom literature of the Old Testament. Poetic form and theological teachings are examined.

REL 328. Johannine Literature (3). A study is made of the Gospel of John, the epistles of John, and the Revelation.

REL 381. The Life of Christ (3). A study of the life and teachings of Jesus as recorded in the Gospels.

REL 382. Major and Minor Prophets (3). A survey of the Old Testament Prophets in their historical setting, with attention focused on the social and theological teachings of each prophet. Major attention is given to Pre-Exilic and Exilic prophets.

REL 423. The Pentateuch (3). A comprehensive study of the first five books of the Bible. Attention is given to major theories of composition.

REL 436. Old Testament Theology (3). An examination of the theology of the Old Testament, including major approaches and themes. Does not count toward the major/minor requirement in the Historical/Theological area.

Religion in Society

REL 224. Poverty and Justice (3). Prerequisite: REL 261. A study of poverty and homelessness in the United States and the world in light of social, biblical, and theological approaches to economic justice. This course combines experiential and theoretical learning to help students develop an understanding of economic justice.

REL 248. Christian Ethics (3). Prerequisite: REL 261. An introduction to Christian Ethics, with attention given to methodology, biblical foundations, types of ethical thought, and Christian responsibility in relation to current social problems.

REL 326. Psychology of Religion (3). Prerequisites: PSY 110, REL 261. A study of the religious dimensions of human experience, with particular attention given to the human factors, the major theorists, and the central forms of religious experience.

REL 431. World Religions (3). Prerequisite: REL 261. A phenomenological study of the major world religions with emphasis on the attempts of each to deal with the problems which confront humans.

Theological and Historical Studies

REL 261. Christian Doctrine (3). A study of the basic doctrines of the Christian faith.

REL 307. History of American Christianity (3). Prerequisite: REL 261. A survey of the history of American Christianity from colonial beginnings in the New World to contemporary religious expressions that explores the interaction of American culture and Christian faith.

REL 318. Women in Church History (3). Prerequisite: REL 261. An overview of the history of Christianity from its beginnings through the modern period through the words and witness of women, with particular attention given to life stories of women and writings by women.

REL 427. History of Baptists (3). Prerequisite: REL 261. A survey of the origin, growth and unique contributions of the Baptist denomination.

REL 428. Church History I: Ancient and Medieval Eras (3). Prerequisite: REL 261. A survey of the history of Christianity from the first to the fourteenth centuries that explores significant ideas, persons, movements, and institutions.

REL 429. Church History II: Reformation and Modern Eras (3). A survey of the history of Christianity from the fifteenth century to the present that explores significant ideas, persons, movements, and institutions.

Practical Studies

REL 105. The Study of Religion (1). An introduction to the study of religion with emphasis on research skills, writing, and personal development.

REL 215. Spiritual Formation (3). Prerequisite: REL 261. An emphasis upon using an entire lifetime to be formed by God. The course focuses upon personal discipline, spiritual reading, journal keeping, and dream interpretation as means of being attentive to God.

REL 216. Pastoral Counseling (3). An emphasis upon uniqueness of the pastoral role, levels of counseling, theoretical frameworks for counseling, attention to specific crises, and practical steps in learning the art of counseling.

REL 217. Practicum I (3). A course designed to develop practical leadership skills for Christian ministry including time and money management, interpersonal relationships, decision making, leadership style, planning, organizing, and directing.

REL 218. Practicum II (3). A course designed to create practical skills in ministry under professional supervision, including hospital visitation, a pastoral internship, and exposure to denominational agencies.

REL 231. Introduction to Church Youth Ministry (3). An introduction to the history, theological, and philosophical bases and practice of church youth ministry.

REL 232. Introduction to Church Recreation Ministry (3). An introduction to the history, theological, and philosophical bases and practice of church recreation ministry.

REL 330. Supervised Ministry Experience I (3). Prerequisite: REL 231 or consent of instructor. Emphasizes ministry with youth. Experiences to be monitored by a professor in conjunction with a qualified supervisor. Each hour of credit requires 40 clock hours (including planning and evaluation conferences) of student participation.

REL 331. Supervised Ministry Experience II (3). Prerequisite: REL 232 or consent of instructor. Emphasizes recreation ministry. Experiences to be monitored by a professor in conjunction with a qualified supervisor. Each hour of credit requires 40 clock hours (including planning and evaluation conferences) of student participation.

REL 332. Worship and Preaching (3). A study of worship as the rehearsal of the acts of God by a believing community. Attention is given to the principles of preaching as part of worship.

Seminars and Special Studies

REL 199-499. Special Studies (1-3).

REL 195-495. Studies Abroad (3-18). Study in a foreign country. Individual course titles and locations are assigned for each course taken. See Studies Abroad program for details.

REL 440. Colloquium for Religion Majors (2). Prerequisites: Track I-REL 105, 215, 217, 218, 261; Track II-REL 105, 215, 6 hours in Religion and Society courses, 261. A colloquium designed as a capstone experience for majors which integrates biblical, theological, historical, and practical studies. The course focuses on the student as a practicing theologian.

REL 450, 499. Special Studies (Including workshops) (1-4).