DEPARTMENT OF RELIGION
The Department of Religion offers undergraduate degrees to prepare Bible teachers and gospel ministers to serve the Seventh-day Adventist Church and the wider community. Degree students are provided in-depth instruction in biblical, theological, historical, ethical, and pastoral courses so as to be better equipped for a wide and relevant proclamation of the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ. The department also provides basic religion courses to meet the religion course requirement needs of general education courses.
The mission of the department is to involve both degree majors and general education students in an experiential understanding of Jesus Christ and His Word; to encourage the study of God's word, sharing of spiritual and ethical ideas, connecting with people, serving humanity, and changing one's world; and to contribute to the development of family, community, and the Church in anticipation of the soon return of Jesus Christ.
The department offers the following degree programs:
- Bachelor of Arts in Religion (BA)
- Bachelor of Arts in Theology (BA)
Bachelor of Arts in Religion
The mission of the Faculty of Philosophy and Theology is to furnish the Seventh-day Adventist Church with competent, highly motivated, and consecrated graduates who can serve among people hailing from an Arab context. One of those contexts for service includes education. The BA degree in Religion is offered to those who wish to become Bible teachers at the elementary or secondary school levels. Students must complete 112 credits.
| General Education Courses | cr | |
|---|---|---|
| CLST240 | History and Culture of the Arabs | 3 |
| COMM211 | Communication Skills | 3 |
| ENLG211 | English Composition I | 3 |
| ENLG212 | English Composition II | 3 |
| ENLG215 | Research Methodology | 2 |
| HLED110 | Principles of Healthful Living | 2 |
| INFS220 | Introduction to Information Technology | 3 |
| PHIL241 | Ethics in Modern Society | 3 |
| RLGN213 | Old Testament Survey | 3 |
| RLGN274 | God and Human Life | 3 |
| 3 credits from: | ||
| ARAB101 | Arabic for Beginners I | 3 |
| ARAB211 | Arabic Language Skills | 3 |
| 1 credit from: | ||
| PEAC101 | Basic Physical Education | 1 |
| PEAC104 | Individual Activities - Soccer | 1 |
| PEAC105 | Team Activities - Basketball | 1 |
| PEAC106 | Individual Activities - Volleyball | 1 |
| PEAC107 | Team Activities - Soccer | 1 |
| 3 credits from: | ||
| RLGN212 | Jesus in His Time and Ours | 3 |
| RLGN214 | New Testament Survey | 3 |
| 3 credits from: | ||
| PSYC201 | General Psychology | 3 |
| SOCI210 | General Sociology | 3 |
| Core Courses | cr | |
|---|---|---|
| ALNG397 | Internship | 3 |
| PEAC___ | Physical Education Course | 1 |
| RLGN225 | The Gospels | 3 |
| RLGN238 | Biblical Spiritual Life | 3 |
| RLGN262 | Personal Ministry | 3 |
| RLGN268 | Music, Worship, and Liturgy | 2 |
| RLGN278 | Biblical Hermeneutics | 2 |
| RLGN281 | Introduction to World Religions | 2 |
| RLGN290 | Research Methods in Religious Studies | 2 |
| RLGN320 | Studies in Daniel | 3 |
| RLGN322 | Studies in Revelation | 3 |
| RLGN325 | Old Testament Studies I | 3 |
| RLGN326 | Old Testament Studies II | 3 |
| RLGN327 | Old Testament Studies III | 3 |
| RLGN328 | Acts and Epistles I | 3 |
| RLGN329 | Acts and Epistles II | 3 |
| RLGN345 | History of Seventh-day Adventism | 3 |
| RLGN375 | Doctrines of the Adventist Faith | 3 |
| RLGN378 | Prophetic Heritage | 2 |
| RLGN381 | Introduction to the Religion of Islam | 3 |
| RLGN420 | Foundations of Biblical Canon | 2 |
| RLGN425 | The Bible as Literature | 3 |
| RLGN471 | Christian Theology I | 3 |
| RLGN472 | Christian Theology II | 3 |
| RLGN485 | Theology of Mission | 3 |
| Cognate Courses | cr | |
|---|---|---|
| EDTE210 | Foundations of Education | 4 |
| EDTE220 | Principles of Teaching and Learning | 3 |
| EDTE311 | Introduction to Religious Education | 2 |
| EDTE338 | Methods of Teaching Religion | 3 |
| EDTE345 | Educational Psychology | 3 |
| EDTE452 | Classroom Testing and Evaluation | 3 |
| EDTE488 | Student Teaching | 3 |
| EDTE495 | Research in Education | 1 |
| PHIL245 | Biblical Ethics | 3 |
| Total Credits | 130 |
Bachelor of Arts in Theology
The BA degree in Theology is offered to those who desire to become gospel workers and leaders in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Students are introduced to various phases of gospel ministry and to the methods, principles, and procedures of biblical interpretation. It aims to develop skills required for effective proclamation of biblical faith through personal witness, preaching, teaching, and leadership in local, regional, and global communities. Courses are designed to enhance students' commitment to Jesus Christ and their involvement in the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Graduates will be prepared for ministry in any vocation in the world field-but especially Middle Eastern North African contexts or with people who come from the region. Students must complete either 126 or 138 credits.
Who is a candidate?
- Individuals who have heard God's call inviting them to a life of service as a gospel worker.
- Persons whose spiritual vision includes a commitment to serve the world's Arab and Muslim population both within the Middle East North African region and beyond. This might include theology as a second degree in addition to their expertise of profession.
- Theology students of Adventist theological study programs around the world who desire a concentration in Mediterranean and Near Eastern studies, Arab and Islamic studies, or a de-Westernized orientation to biblical studies and theology.
- Tentmakers who envision self-supporting gospel ministry and/or entry into regions where only non-religious professional expertise is sought or allowed. This might include theology as a second degree in addition to their expertise or profession.
- International thinkers who desire a sound Adventist biblical and theological exposure on a uniquely situated and diverse campus that draws students from around the world to learn under an international faculty.
MEU's theology program graduates will be better equipped to interact with people of Arab and Muslim heritage with understanding, respect, confidence, and personal influence. Whether graduates go on to serve in the secular workforce, in community service, in education, through the media and arts, in sensitive spiritual interaction, or church leadership, the Facult's goal is to provide a biblical foundation for impacting the Arab and Muslim people with a personal, Christ-centered life and message.
| General Education Courses | cr | |
|---|---|---|
| CLST240 | History and Culture of the Arabs | 3 |
| COMM211 | Communication Skills | 3 |
| ENLG211 | English Composition I | 3 |
| ENLG212 | English Composition II | 3 |
| ENLG215 | Research Methodology | 2 |
| HLED110 | Principles of Healthful Living | 2 |
| INFS220 | Introduction to Information Technology | 3 |
| PHIL241 | Ethics in Modern Society | 3 |
| RLGN213 | Old Testament Survey | 3 |
| RLGN274 | God and Human Life | 3 |
| 3 credits from: | ||
| ARAB101 | Arabic for Beginners I | 3 |
| ARAB211 | Arabic Language Skills | 3 |
| 1 credit from: | ||
| PEAC101 | Basic Physical Education | 1 |
| PEAC104 | Individual Activities - Tennis | 1 |
| PEAC105 | Team Activities - Basketball | 1 |
| PEAC106 | Team Activities - Volleyball | 1 |
| PEAC107 | Team Activities - Soccer | 1 |
| 3 credits from: | ||
| PSYC201 | General Psychology | 3 |
| SOCI210 | General Sociology | 3 |
| Core Courses | cr | |
|---|---|---|
| RLGN225 | The Gospels | 3 |
| RLGN238 | Biblical Spiritual Life | 3 |
| RLGN252 | Biblical Hebrew I | 3 |
| RLGN253 | Biblical Hebrew II | 3 |
| RLGN255 | New Testament Greek I | 3 |
| RLGN256 | New Testament Greek II | 3 |
| RLGN262 | Personal Ministry | 3 |
| RLGN268 | Music, Worship, and Liturgy | 2 |
| RLGN278 | Biblical Hermeneutics | 2 |
| RLGN281 | Introduction to World Religions | 2 |
| RLGN295 | Ministerial Praxis I | 0 |
| RLGN320 | Studies in Daniel | 3 |
| RLGN322 | Studies in Revelation | 3 |
| RLGN325 | Old Testament Studies I | 3 |
| RLGN326 | Old Testament Studies II | 3 |
| RLGN327 | Old Testament Studies III | 3 |
| RLGN328 | Acts and Epistles I | 3 |
| RLGN329 | Acts and Epistles II | 3 |
| RLGN341 | History of the Christian Church I | 3 |
| RLGN342 | History of the Christian Church II | 3 |
| RLGN345 | History of Seventh-day Adventism | 3 |
| RLGN362 | Pastoral Ministry | 3 |
| RLGN366 | Biblical Preaching I | 2 |
| RLGN375 | Doctrines of the Adventist Faith | 3 |
| RLGN378 | Prophetic Heritage | 2 |
| RLGN381 | Introduction to the Religion of Islam | 3 |
| RLGN395 | Ministerial Praxis II | 0 |
| RLGN420 | Foundations of Biblical Canon | 2 |
| RLGN428 | Studies in Hebrews | 3 |
| RLGN440 | Biblical Archaeology | 3 |
| RLGN462 | Pastoral Counseling | 2 |
| RLGN466 | Biblical Preaching II | 2 |
| RLGN471 | Christian Theology I | 3 |
| RLGN472 | Christian Theology II | 3 |
| RLGN485 | Theology of Mission | 3 |
| RLGN488 | Church Planting | 3 |
| RLGN495 | Ministerial Praxis III | 0 |
| Cognate Courses | cr | |
|---|---|---|
| ACCT208 | Stewardship and Church Finance | 2 |
| EDTE311 | Introduction to Religious Education | 2 |
| PHIL245 | Biblical Ethics | 3 |
| SOCI315 | Marriage and Family Relations | 2 |
| Total Credits | 126 |
Ministerial Praxis
The three non-credit Ministerial Praxis courses (Ministerial Praxis I, II, III) enable theology students to be involved in practicing, strengthening, and refining their pastoral knowledge and skills in an authentic context while studying their degree program at the University. These non-credit courses are required in addition to the practical aspects of other ministerial courses such as Personal Ministry, Pastoral Ministry, Pastoral Counseling, Biblical Preaching I & II, and Church Planting. Short- and long-term field projects will be assigned to each student or student teams by the chairperson of the department or a faculty member, who will also describe the week days or weekends' task(s), assign the area(s), set the timeframe, and oversee the implementation of the requirements and the periodic reporting.
At each Fall Semester registration of the student's sophomore, junior, and senior year, the student must enroll in RLGN295, 395, or 495 respectively. The requirements of each of the praxis courses must be completed during the Fall and Spring semesters—a total of 30 sessions (15 sessions per semester). A growth portfolio that includes all the required reporting must be submitted in the last week of classes of the Spring Semester of each academic year. A “DG” designation (deferred grade) will be assigned for the Fall Semester until the requirements are completed in the Spring. An 'S' or 'U' designation (satisfactory or unsatisfactory) will be given for each semester.
Students cannot graduate before completing the praxis course series. The involvement of the students in ministerial praxis should help them gain real experiences in places such as local churches and their community, centers of influence, evangelistic/church planting endeavors, university/school campus ministries/chaplaincy, etc. The course outline will describe in detail the requirements of each praxis course.