School of Religion
Darrell Gwaltney , Dean

Marty Bell, Robert Byrd, William Choate*, Mark Christian*,Ray Conner*, Ben Curtis, Clyde Cutrer (professor emeritus), Lloyd Elder, Marilyn Holland-Shuey*, Amy Jennings*, Gene Lovelace*, Mark McEntire, Martha Woody Minardi*, Lori Patton*, James Porch*, Thomas Russell*, Steven Simpler, Judy Skeen, Harold Smith*, Bill Stephens*, John Tullock (professor emeritus)
*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 1110 and REL 3120 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 1010,1020. 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 1020 level.

REL 1030,1040. Elementary Hebrew (4, 4). A study of Biblical Hebrew emphasizing grammar, syntax, vocabulary, and development of exegetical skills.

REL 2210, 2220. New Testament Greek Literature (3, 3). Prerequisites: REL 1010 and 1020. 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 3000. Reading in the Greek New Testament (1 1/2). Prerequisites: REL 2210, 2220, 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 4000. Readings in the Hebrew Bible (1 1/2). Prerequisite: REL 1030, 1040, 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 1100. 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. This course fulfills Human Experience A requirement of the BELL Core. It should be taken in the first year, or as early in the student's program as possible. This course combines only with REL 3140, 3160, or 3170 to fulfill the BELL Core requirement in religion.

REL 1110. Introduction to the Old Testament (3). Does not count toward 30 required hours in major or 18 hours for 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. This course fulfills the Human Experience A requirement of the BELL Core. It should be taken in the first year, or as early in the student's program as possible. This course combines only with REL 3120 to fulfill the BELL Core requirement in religion.

REL 1120. Introduction to the New Testament (3). Does not count toward 30 required hours in major or 18 hours for 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. For the General Education Core requirement in the New Testament course see REL 3120.

REL 1140. Jesus in the Gospel and in Film (3). Prerequisite: REL 1100. 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 1160. 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 1170. 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 1190. Introduction to New Testament and Exegetical Methods (3). Prerequisite: REL 1110. An advanced Biblical studies course for religion majors which focuses upon the interpretation of the New Testament and introduces the methodology of biblical exegesis.

REL 3120. Introduction to the New Testament (3). Prerequisite: REL 1110. Does not count toward 30 required hours in major or 18 hours for 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. This course fulfills the Human Experience B requirement of the BELL Core. It should be taken in the junior year, or as close to the junior year as possible.

REL 3140. Jesus in the Gospel and in Film (3). Prerequisite: REL 1100 for General Education. Prerequisite: for religion majors / minors REL 1110 and REL 1190. 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. This course fulfills the Human Experience B requirement of the BELL Core. It should be taken in the junior year, or as close to the junior year as possible.

REL 3160. Ancient Wisdom for Contemporary Issues (3). Prerequisite: REL 1100 for General Education. Prerequisite: for religion majors / minors REL 1110 and REL 1190. 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. This course fulfills the Human Experience B requirement of the BELL Core. It should be taken in the junior year, or as close to the junior year as possible.

REL 3170. Comparative Spirituality in World Religions (3). Prerequisite: REL 1100 for General Education. Prerequisite: for religion majors / minors REL 1110 and REL 1190. 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.This course fulfills the Human Experience B requirement of the BELL Core. It should be taken in the junior year, or as close to the junior year as possible.

REL 3230. The General Epistles and Hebrews (3). A detailed study of the contents of James, I and II Peter, Jude and Hebrews.

REL 3240. 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 3250. Psalms and Wisdom Literature (3). A study of the psalms and wisdom literature of the Old Testament. Poetic form and theological teachings are examined.

REL 3280. Johannine Literature (3). A study is made of the Gospel of John, the epistles of John, and the Revelation.

REL 3810. The Life of Christ (3). A study of the life and teachings of Jesus as recorded in the Gospels.

REL 3820. The Prophetic Literature (3). A survey of the Old Testament Prophets in their cultural and historical setting, with a focus on the literary structure of the prophetic scrolls and their theological teachings.

REL 4230. The Pentateuch (3). A comprehensive study of the first five books of the Bible. Some attention is given to theories of composition, with the primary focus being the literary structure of the final form of the text.

REL 4360. 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 2240. Poverty and Justice (3). Prerequisite: REL 2610. 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 2480. Christian Ethics (3). Prerequisite: REL 2610. 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 3260. Psychology of Religion (3). Prerequisites: PSY 1100, REL 2610. 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 3480. Eco-Justice and Faith (3). This course explores ways in which theologies, spiritual traditions, and social ethics guide and motivate human beings in their interaction with the environment. The course examines the tensions between religion and science in order to see how those have an effect on the way we think about the environment. This course applies moral and theological analysis to a broad range of environmental issues.

REL 4310. World Religions (3). Prerequisite: REL 2610. 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 2610. Christian Doctrine (3). A study of the basic doctrines of the Christian faith.

REL 3070. History of American Christianity (3). Prerequisite: REL 2610. 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 3180. Women in Church History (3). Prerequisite: REL 2610. 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 4270. History of Baptists (3). Prerequisite: REL 2610. A survey of the origin, growth and unique contributions of the Baptist denomination.

REL 4280. Church History I: Ancient and Medieval Eras (3). Prerequisite: REL 2610. A survey of the history of Christianity from the first to the fourteenth centuries that explores significant ideas, persons, movements, and institutions.

REL 4290. 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 1050. The Study of Religion (1). An introduction to the study of religion with emphasis on research skills, writing, and personal development.

REL 2150. Spiritual Formation (3). Prerequisite: REL 2610. 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 2160. 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 2170. Dynamics of the Local Church: Practice of Ministry (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 2180. Pastoral Care: Practice of Ministry (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 2310. Introduction to Church Youth Ministry (3). An introduction to the history, theological, and philosophical bases and practice of church youth ministry.

REL 2320. Introduction to Church Recreation Ministry (3). An introduction to the history, theological, and philosophical bases and practice of church recreation ministry.

REL 3300. Supervised Ministry Experience I (3). Prerequisite: REL 2310 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 3310. Supervised Ministry Experience II (3). Prerequisite: REL 2320 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 3320. Worship and Preaching: Practice of Ministry (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 1990-4990. Special Studies (1-3).

REL 1950-4950. 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 4400. Colloquium for Religion Majors (2). Prerequisites: Track I-REL 1050, 2150, 2170, 2180, 2610; Track II-REL 1050, 2150, 6 hours in Religion and Society courses, 2610. 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 4500, 4990. Special Studies (Including workshops) (1-4).