Belmont Abbey College

An ancient Christian definition of theology is “faith seeking understanding,” where faith means a relationship of steadfast trust in God within a communal tradition of beliefs and practices responding to God’s actions in history. Theology here at the Abbey springs from the traditions of the Catholic Church and Benedictine monasticism. As an academic discipline, it involves the reflective study of Scripture, doctrine, morality, and history.

Goals of the major
Theology is a challenging field of study where students can develop skills of reading, writing, and analysis that will be of service in whatever they may choose to do. Beyond that, there is far more to human lives than the workplace. Students who are themselves people of faith often find that majoring in theology can deepen and enrich their practice. Prayer with the monastic community, campus ministry, and community service provide additional opportunities to integrate academic study with lived experience.

Our small class size allows us to be particularly student-oriented. This allows majors to get the kind of personalized attention not possible in large departments, and shape their studies to better fit their own interests. “One of the qualities I like most about the Abbey is the professors. They challenge me and are excited to work with individually.” –Jennifer Gareis, Theology major, Class of 2007.

Recent graduates of the department have gone on to work in community relations for a non-profit organization, serve as a full-time youth minister at an area parish, pursue professional studies, try their vocation as a novice in the monastery, and receive full-tuition scholarships for the study of theology at the graduate level.

All students majoring in Theology receive a Bachelor of Arts degree, but there are two tracks within the major that reflect differing streams of student interest. On the theology track, participants develop the theological and philosophical background needed for additional study; their theology courses are supplemented by additional courses in philosophy. The pastoral studies track is for students preparing for more direct service to God and neighbor; their theology courses are supplemented by additional courses in education or psychology, as well as a culminating internship. Students in either track become well-acquainted with the Catholic tradition of theological reflection, leading to a senior thesis involving original research directed by one of the department faculty.

Courses in theology form a strong minor for students in the other Humanities majors, or any student interested in exploring the questions of faith seeking understanding. In keeping with the general rules of the college, a Theology minor requires 15 credits of coursework at the 200 level or higher; in practice, students will need four additional courses beyond the core to complete the minor.

All students
Foreign Language: one year (6 credits) or the equivalent
English: one upper-level course beyond the core
History: one upper-level course beyond the core
Senior Thesis

Theology track:
TH311 Jesus and Salvation
TH320 The Church
TH330 Intro. Moral Theology or TH340 Catholic Social Teaching
TH450 Seminar in Theology
1 upper-level Scripture elective
3 Theology electives
Philosophy: PH303 Philosophy of Knowledge, PH316 Metaphysics, and one other upper-level course in either Philosophy or Theology

Pastoral Studies track :
TH311 Jesus and Salvation
TH320 The Church
TH330 Intro. Moral Theology or TH340 Catholic Social Teaching
TH450 Seminar in Theology
TH453 Pastoral Internship
1 upper-level Scripture elective
2 Theology electives
1 upper-level Philosophy elective

Supporting courses: any four courses from a list of recommended psychology and education courses courses; students commonly choose to minor or even double-major. Courses include ED250 Human Growth & Development, ED302 Education & Society, ED312 Educational Psychology, ED361 Curriculum & Instructional Design, PC301 Developmental Psychology, PC308 Theories of Personality, PC360 Social & Cultural Psychology, and PC404 Seminar in Counseling.

TH101 Christian Thought I: Early and Medieval
TH103 Introduction to Scripture—Old Testament
TH104 Introduction to Scripture—New Testament
TH202 Christian Thought: Reformation and Modern
TH203 Introduction to Theology
TH311 Jesus and Salvation
TH315 Mystery of God
TH320 The Church
TH330 Introduction to Moral Theology
TH340 Catholic Social Teaching: God and Money
TH345 Theology of Sexuality and Marriage
TH350 Special Topics in Theology
TH360 Judaism
TH365 World Religions
TH370 Theology and Science
TH401 Paul and his Letters
TH402 The Gospels
TH407 Classic Texts in Theology
TH425 Theology of Ecumenism
TH450 Seminar in Theology
TH453 Pastoral Internship
TH490 Original-Language Readings
TH499 Directed Readings

Fr. Christopher Kirchgessner OSB, Assistant Professor of Theology
B.A. St. Meinrad College, M.Div. St. Meinrad School of Theology, M.A. Catholic University of America

Mr. David Pitt - Visiting Lecturer in Theology
B.A. St. Jerome’s University, M.A. (Liturgical Music) St. John’s University, Ph.D. (cand.) University of Notre Dame

Sr. Jane Russell OSF, Associate Professor of Theology, Coordinator of Justice and Peace Studies
B.A. Alverno College, M.A. University of San Francisco, Ph.D. University of Notre Dame

Before coming to the College, Sr. Jane served in various educational, pastoral, and administrative positions, most notably as campus minister and adjunct theology faculty at Creighton University and as Provincial Councilor for her order. Her research interests span many phases of the twentieth century Catholic renewal, from small Christian communities to liberationist theologies and new ministries. A frontier to which she hopes to give increasing attention is the interface of theology and science, especially in relation to the long-term flourishing of the earth community.

Dr. David Williams, Chair and Associate Professor of Theology, Pre-Law Advisor
B.A. Georgetown University, M.A. Boston College, Ph.D. (Political Science) Boston College, Ph.D. (Theology) Boston College

Dr. Williams's initial studies focused on Christian and medieval political theory. That interest led to more theological concerns and so he took up additional work in theology, specializing in systematics and New Testament. His research interests fall on traditions of biblical interpretation, analytic philosophy of religion, and pre-scholastic theology (with special reference to the monastic and Victorine traditions). Activities outside the classroom are an essential part of his self-understanding as a theologian, because theological study ultimately exists in order to serve the Church's life and evangelization.