Contents
Degrees [ edit ]
Brite Divinity School is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges [ 1 ] and the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS) and approved by ATS to grant the following degrees: [ 2 ]
Curriculum [ edit ]
Candidates for the Master of Divinity choose from four concentrations: [ 3 ]
Concentration in Black Church Studies
Concentration in Pastoral Care
Concentration in Pre-Ph. D. Studies
General M. Div
Master of Divinity [ edit ]
Candidates for the M. Div. are required to take: [ 3 ]
Three courses in the Bible. one of which must be in Hebrew Bible (HEBI 60003 Interpreting the Hebrew
Bible and Apocryphal /Deuterocanonical Books) and one in New Testament (NETE 60003 Interpreting the New Testament).
Two courses in History
Four courses in Theology and Ethics
Five courses in Practical Theology
Four courses in Integrative Studies
Two courses in Contexutalization
One to seven courses of electives depending on whatever Denominational requirements for Ordination that are needed for their particular tradition
Master of Theology [ edit ]
Candidates for the Master of Theology (Th. M.) Choose from the following areas of study: [ 4 ]
Hebrew Bible. Apocryphal /Deuterocanonical Books, and Literature of Early Judaism. The history, theology, literature, religion, and language of ancient Israel and Early Judaism in Ancient Near Eastern and Jewish settings. Contemporary methods of biblical interpretation .
New Testament and Literature of Early Christianity. The history, theology, literature, religion, and language of early Christianity in Graeco-Roman and Jewish settings. Contemporary methods of biblical interpretation.
Pastoral Theology and Pastoral Counseling. The theory and practice of ministry in pastoral theology and pastoral counseling.
History and Theology. Preparation in theological analysis and constructive formulation, including study in history, theology, historical theology, and ethics.
Women’s Studies Certificate for Th. M. and Ph. D. Students In 2005, Brite began cooperating with other Texas Christian University graduate departments and schools in offering a Women’s Studies Certificate Program. This program is currently open to Brite Th. M. and Ph. D. students and to others on a case-by-case basis. To earn the Certificate, students must complete twelve hours of course work: BRIT 90003: Graduate Colloquium in Feminist Methodology and Theory, and three additional Brite courses approved for the program. [ 5 ]
Doctor of Philosophy [ edit ]
Brite Divinity School offers the Doctor of Philosophy in two areas: Biblical Interpretation and Pastoral Theology and Pastoral Counseling [ 6 ]
Ph. D. In Biblical Interpretation [ edit ]
Ph. D. in Biblical Interpretation includes successful completion of forty-eight semester hours, qualifying examinations leading to candidacy, and a dissertation. A cumulative minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.25 or better is required. All courses, an area of concentration in either Hebrew Bible or New Testament, and a second area of study, must be selected in collegial dialogue with the student’s advisor. Areas of Study: [ 7 ]
Hebrew Bible, Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Books, and Literature of Early Judaism. The history, literature, religion, and language of ancient Israel and Early Judaism in ancient Near Eastern and Jewish settings, including contemporary methods of biblical interpretation.
New Testament and Literature of Early Christianity. The history, literature, religion and language of early Christianity in Graeco-Roman and Jewish settings, including contemporary methods of biblical interpretation.
Themes and Issues in Biblical Theology. The theology of the Hebrew Bible and New Testament as both distinctive, separate collections, and as two related parts of the larger Christian Bible, including contemporary models of approaching biblical theology.
History of Biblical Interpretation. The major historical interpretations of the Bible, beginning with biblical writers’ interpretations of earlier texts and traditions and continuing through the major periods of Christianity (patristic, medieval, renaissance and reformation, and modern and contemporary).
Theological Hermeneutics. The major models of modern and contemporary theology, their interpretation, and their use of the Bible in constructive work.
Ph. D. In Pastoral Theology and Pastoral Counseling [ edit ]
Ph. D. in Pastoral Theology and Pastoral Counseling [ 8 ] The Ph. D. program in Pastoral Theology and Pastoral Counseling is designed to train women and men in the academic disciplines of pastoral theology, pastoral care, and pastoral counseling. In keeping with the mission of Brite Divinity School, graduates of this program will make significant contributions to the Academy and to the Church through scholarship, original research, and practice. Graduates will serve as teachers and supervisors in educational institutions(universities, colleges, seminaries, medical schools), as pastors and pastoral care specialists in local churches, and as chaplains and pastoral counselors in clinical contexts (pastoral counseling centers, medical centers, hospitals).
Research and Special Programs [ edit ]
Notable Professors [ edit ]
Warren Carter Professor of New Testament
Leo G. Perdue Professor of Hebrew Bible
Stephen V. Sprinkle Associate Professor of Practical Theology and Director of Field Education and Supervised Ministry. The first open and out Gay scholar in the history of the Divinity School and author of Unfinished Lives: Reviving the Memories of LGBTQ Hate Crimes Victims.
Toni Craven, I. Wylie and Elizabeth Briscoe Professor of Hebrew Bible and noted author on Feminism and Scripture and related issues.
Contents
Biography [ edit ]
Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee. John Bright was raised in the Presbyterian Church U. S. and attended Union Theological Seminary in Virginia where he earned his B. D. in 1931, followed by a Th. M. degree four years later. In the winter of 1931-32, Bright participated in an archaeological campaign at Tell Beit Mirsim, where he met the renowned William Foxwell Albright of Johns Hopkins University. who became his mentor. He also participated in a dig at Bethel in 1935. In the autumn of that year he studied under Albright at Johns Hopkins University but dropped out later due to insufficient funds to continue his studies, and took a position as the assistant pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Durham, North Carolina. which did not last long. He was able to resume his studies at Johns Hopkins while he was the pastor of Catonsville Presbyterian Church in Baltimore, and completed his doctoral degree in 1940. He then went back to Union Theological Seminary where he was appointed to the Cyrus H. McCormick Chair of Hebrew and Old Testament Interpretation, a position he held until his retirement in 1975. [ 2 ]
Influence and legacy [ edit ]
Bright's work A History of Israel for which he is most famous was published in 1959, with a second and third edition in 1972 and 1981. The second edition (1972) included new information from the Adad-nirari stela, published in 1968, and the Hebrew ostracon found at Mecad Hasavyahu (Yabneh-Yam), published in 1962. [ 3 ] His third edition (1981) included a thorough revision of the first four chapters. While including new data, Bright maintained his theological conviction that "the heart of Israel’s faith lies in its covenantal relationship with YHWH." [ 4 ]
In an appendix to the fourth edition (2000) of Bright's work, William P. Brown outlined some of the changes in the field of historical research since the third edition. Brown notes:
It should be pointed out that the driving force behind John Bright’s scholarship was his desire to disseminate to the church and general public the fruits of biblical scholarship. In an interview held soon after the publication of the third edition of his textbook, Bright comments on identifying an “outstanding motif” in his work: “those of us who have gone more deeply into the subject have a duty to communicate to the church in a usable form what we know—and to the general public if they are interested” (Kendig B. Cully, “Interview with John Bright: Scholar of the Kingdom” [The Review of Books and Religion, 11/4 (1983), p.4]). [ 5 ]
Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University was founded in 1873 by two brothers, Addison and Randolph Clark, both ministers of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). In 1914 a generous gift from L. C. Brite, a West Texas rancher, funded Brite College of the Bible under a separate charter. When the charter was renewed in 1963, the name of the college was changed to Brite Divinity School. Since 1914, Brite has been a separate corporation with its own board, assets, and employees. It is affiliated with Texas Christian University.
Today Brite Divinity School is one of the premier teaching and research institutions in the Southwest. In 1998 Brite began offering a Ph. D. degree in two areas: Pastoral Theology and Pastoral Counseling and Biblical Interpretation. In addition, Brite offers several masters degrees: Master of Theological Studies, Master of Arts in Christian Service, Master of Divinity, and Master of Theology.
Accredited by the Association of Theological Schools and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Brite Divinity School is one of four seminaries related to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the denomination’s only seminary related to a university. The Divinity School is also approved by the United Methodist Church to teach United Methodist students preparing for ordained ministry. In addition, nine denominations and one Jewish faculty member are represented on the faculty and staff.
The Divinity School has some twenty faculty and administrators whose research and teaching fields cover the full range of theological disciplines. Many of the faculty have developed distinguished careers in teaching and research and are among the most recognized scholars and teachers in North America. Students at the Divinity School represent some twenty-eight different denominations and numerous ethnic and racial identities. The Divinity School considers this theological and multicultural diversity of students and faculty to be an important context for coming to a clear understanding of individual faith and practice.
ATS Member Status: Accredited
2855 S. University Drive
Fort Worth, TX 76129
Phone: 817-257-7575
Fax: 817-257-7305
D. Newell Williams, President Ph: 817-257-7231
Nancy J. Ramsay, Executive Vice President and Dean Ph: 817-257-7577
Denomination: Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
When people first learn about Phillips, a typical reply is “I had no idea anything like Phillips existed in Tulsa!” A progressive faculty and theologically diverse student body. read more
Phillips Is Engaging
In May 2012, the board of trustees adopted new mission and identity statements. We changed more than words; we’re changing the way we educate you to engage the world. read more
Phillips Is Connecting
Students and graduates often describe how deeply they value the community and the life-long friendships initiated here, whether taking courses on campus or online. read more
All graduate theological education is challenging, no doubt. But what does Phillips provide to help you meet the challenge? A supportive community of care and conversation. read more
Keith Watkins Historian
Institutional change in an ecumenical protestant seminary
Institutional Change in Theological Education: A History of Brite Divinity School. Mark G. Toulouse, et. al. (Fort Worth: TCU Press, 2011).
Brite Divinity School is a graduate level theological seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, historically related to Texas Christian University and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The permutations of this triangulated relationship form the major plot line of Institutional Change in Theological Education. A History of Brite Divinity School.
A second set of relationships also runs through this narrative: cultural changes in American life, especially in Texas, and the evolving consensus of the theological academy (including the professoriate and accrediting agencies).
The university started first. It was founded as Add-Ran College in 1873 by a small group of people who were committed to the religious movement associated with Thomas and Alexander Campbell and Barton W. Stone. In 1902, this little school became Texas Christian University.
From the university’s beginning, the education of ministers for its sponsoring church was a leading purpose. This interest led the university to establish a college of the Bible, which in 1914 was incorporated as a separate institution closely related to the University with the name Brite College of the Bible. In 1963 that name was changed to Brite Divinity School.
One of the notable aspects of the TCU-Brite history is the prominence in each generation of small cadres of leaders whose personal visions for university, seminary, and church were played out in the internal politics of these two institutions. In the early years of the twentieth century, Frederick D. Kershner and L. C. Brite were the central figures.
As university president and a leading Disciples theologian with conservative leanings, Kershner wanted to develop the seminary and protect it from undue influence by the university. He found an ally in Brite, a west Texas cattleman who had been converted at a cowboy camp meeting conducted under the leadership of a preacher sympathetic to the religious movement that supported the university. In addition to making generous financial contributions, Brite participated for many years as a theologically and institutionally conservative trustee and advisor.
Kershner’s later history is an interesting counterpart to the TCU-Brite story. A few years after leaving the Texas schools, Kershner became allied with William G. Irwin, an Indiana industrialist whose family had long supported Disciples-related church and educational enterprises. Together, Kershner and Irwin established an inter-connected university-college of religion system at Butler University in Indianapolis.
Benefiting from his Texas experience, Kershner counseled Irwin to develop the relationship so that the College of Religion would have full control over faculty, curriculum, admissions policies, and financial resources. The Indianapolis seminary, which in 1958 was reincorporated as Christian Theological Seminary. avoided many of the struggles over university-seminary control and freedom that continued to complicate the Brite-TCU partnership until recent times.
While Brite’s institutional history and struggle to attain independence is important to people connected with TCU and Brite, many of the readers of this history will be drawn to other elements of the story. Three are important to note. Read more. Brite Divinity School
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