The Life of the Mind,
the Passions of the Heart
and the Master of Arts

written by Scott Holland,
Interim Director of M.A.

Vincent Van Gogh, in a letter to his brother Theo, offered one of his many theological testimonies, “The best way to know God is to love many things.” Students at Bethany learn that Van Gogh, who was a Methodist preacher before he became a painter, offers us a window into the richness of theological education in this simple yet profound testimony. Indeed, in the long history of theological education, artists and intellectuals alike have reminded us that the love of learning and the desire for God cannot be pried apart.

The life of the mind is freely celebrated in Bethany’s M.A. program. Although we seek to integrate head and heart and body in all study at Bethany Theological Seminary, the challenging academic curriculum of the M.A. reminds graduate students that the mind, like the heart, is also a passionate organ. Thus, the more they master a variety of complicated texts, historical documents, biblical languages, stories, poems and biographies the more they will know about God, others, the world and themselves.

Students enter the program with a desire to give two years of focused study to a topic that will carry them into future doctoral work or prepare them for a professional appointment. Recent M.A. thesis topics include more traditional themes in Brethren History, Peace Studies, Theology and Biblical Studies as well as more contemporary academic topics in Theopoetics, Ecotheology, An Inclusive Church, Feminist Theology and other interdisciplinary and intercultural approaches religious thought.

Several of our recent graduates are in Ph.D. programs across the country in preparation for careers in teaching and writing. Others now work for faith-based agencies or organizations such as On Earth Peace. Still others took the M.A. for personal and professional enrichment and remain in their vocations as financial consultants, public school teachers and physicians.

As the current director of the Masters of Arts Program at Bethany, I welcome inquiries from intellectual and spiritual seekers who wish to explore how the life of the mind, the passions of the heart, and the loves, longings and losses of the body might be investigated in creative and constructive graduate theological study.

Know God and Apply NOW!

General Information:

The Master of Arts program provides structure in which to explore specific theological questions and for preparing for future graduate-level education. Bethany's Master of Arts (M.A.) is an academic degree program of theological reflection and research. It serves as the basis for further graduate study in religion and for developing a theological perspective for church and non-church related vocations. It is not designed to prepare persons for a ministry vocation. Required coursework includes 18 3-hour courses distributed over four primary disciplines and the Research/Thesis sequence.

Each student will choose an area of concentration that supports their thesis research. Possible areas include New Testament, Hebrew Bible, Biblical Studies, Church History, Theology, Brethren Studies, Peace Studies, Ministry Studies, Congregational Studies, and Youth and Young Adult Studies. Other areas can be considered upon petition to the Educational Policies Committee. Thesis work includes participation in Research Seminar, which provides interaction with other M.A. students in a collegial style of learning.