Faculty of Theology

Diói Cruz, DMin
Faculty Dean

The Faculty of Philosophy and Theology consists of two departments: the Department of Religion, which offers two undergraduate degrees, and the Department of Mediterranean and Near Eastern Studies, which offers a graduate degree in Islamic Studies, a BA concentration in Islamic Studies, and creative research/symposia via its Adventist Institute for Islamic and Arabic Studies. Philosophy and Ethics courses are offered to meet the needs of both the Department of Religion and other departments within the University.

The purpose 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 from various cultural backgrounds. The Faculty aims to provide a biblical foundation for influencing people through a personal, Christ-centered life and message across diverse contexts, including secular professions, community service, education, spiritual engagement, or church leadership.

VISION STATEMENT

The Faculty's vision is to advance the life-transforming worldview derived from the Three Angels' Messages (Rev 14:6-12) for personal life and compassionate service, and to contribute to Adventist understanding of diverse communities within the MENA region.

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Faculty is to equip Adventist gospel workers and leaders to think theologically, engage globally, and live biblically.

GOALS OF THE FACULTY:

• Develop in students a vision for God's redemptive work throughout the world, equipping them to devise effective and cross-cultural strategies for pastoral care, leadership, teaching, research and writing, tentmaking, evangelism, church planting, and discipleship.
• Nurture spiritually mature gospel workers whose experiential knowledge of God in Christ is evidenced in their character, outlook, conduct, relationships, leadership, ministry, and mission.
• Equip gospel workers to positively and biblically influence individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those with cultural and religious roots in regional communities and global diasporas.
• Provide relevant resources for the MENA Union and the global Seventh-day Adventist Church by offering a missionary-relevant, academically solid, and culturally rich location for learning and praxis, positioning MEU as a go-to place for equipping for ministry in the 10/40 window MENA Region.

TThe Faculty supports and helps nuance MEU's spiritual, ethical, and service values and ethos. Faculty members bring rich experience in pastoral care and nurture as well as spiritual leadership and biblical insight in their personal interaction with both students and other MEU faculty and staff.