Faculty of Theology
Larry Lichtenwalter, PhD
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 one graduate MEU 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 for both Department of Religion and other University departmental program needs.
The Faculty's vision is to be known for advancing the life-transforming worldview of Revelation's Three Angels' Messages (Rev 14:6-12) for personal life and compassionate service, and for its contribution to Adventist understanding of the Arab and Islamic world.
The mission of the Faculty is to equip converted Adventist gospel workers and leaders to think theologically, engage globally, and live biblically by:
- Developing in students a vision for God's redemptive work throughout the world and to formulate the strategies that will lead to effective church planting, pastoral care, leadership, teaching, research and writing, tentmaking, missions, evangelism, or discipleship.
- Nurturing spiritually mature gospel workers whose experiential knowledge of God in Christ is evidenced in their character, outlook, conduct, relationships, leadership, ministry, and mission.
- Preparing gospel workers who can positively interact with and biblically impact people of Arab and Muslim heritage both inside and outside the Arab world.
- Providing relevant resources for the MENA Union and the global Adventist Church.
- Offering a missionary relevant, academically solid, and culturally rich location for learning and praxis.
The 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.