Religion Major

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Religion Major

• Mount Olive College

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Religion Major

• For over 50 years, Mount Olive College has
  offered a quality program of religious studies.
• We are committed to the highest standards of
  scholarship and Christian discipleship

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Why study Religion at Mount Olive College?

• With all the options available to persons
  interested in the study of religion you may ask,
  Why Mount Olive College? Consider these
  answers
• A highly qualified faculty. All full-time
  professors in the department hold earned
  doctorates in their field.

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Why study Religion at Mount Olive College?

• A commitment to responsible theological
  scholarship. Mount Olive College graduates go on
  to attend the finest seminaries and divinity
  schools in the United States.

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Why study Religion at Mount Olive College?

• A commitment to preparation for effective
  ministry. In addition to many years of teaching
  experience, all religion faculty have experience
  in congregational ministry. We understand the
  need to connect academics with practical skills.

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Our Focus Spiritual Formation

• Our task is not just to inform students, but also
  to give opportunity for students to be formed
  spiritually. Beyond our commitment to helping you
  understand the faith we believe that faith
  transforms. Robert Mulholland defines this as
  the process of being conformed to the image of
  Christ for the sake of others. We desire to
  foster this formation.

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More than just a course

• Spiritual formation is more than a course. It
  reflects the commitment of the Religion faculty
  to address the whole person body, mind, and
  spirit. Our faculty is equally committed to your
  intellectual and spiritual development.
• One course in Spiritual Formation is required,
  but we strive to integrate this process into the
  entire religion curriculum.

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Four Program Areas

• Biblical Studies
• Theological Studies
• Historical Studies
• Applied Theology

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Biblical Studies

• Courses such as Old Testament narrative, Hebrew
  Prophets, Life of Jesus, Letters of Paul, and
  Biblical Interpretation
• One of the few undergraduate programs with
  courses in Greek and Hebrew

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Theological Studies

• Develop a mature and responsible understanding of
  Christian beliefs
• Understand how these beliefs developed
  historically and how contemporary persons of
  faith continue to struggle with important issues
• Learn the connection between believing and the
  living of the faith
• Engage the major issues of our time

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Historical Studies

• Drink from the rich fountain of the Christian
  religious heritage around the world
• Understand the teachings and histories of the
  worlds religions
• Do research in the Free Will Baptist Historical
  Collection

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Applied Theology

• Mount Olive College provides a full selection of
  courses that foster the development of skills
  needed for effective ministry.
• Preaching, Pastoral Ministry, Church Leadership,
  Evangelism, plus a diverse offering of courses in
  Christian education
• We seek the integration of theology into the
  practice of ministry.

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Bachelor of Arts, Science

• All religion degrees require course work in each
  of the four areas plus a course in Spiritual
  Formation and a Senior Research Project
• The Bachelor of Arts requires students to
  complete studies in foreign language through the
  sophomore level (12 sh).
• The Bachelor of Science degree requires an
  additional course in Applied Theology

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Program Philosophy

• Our perspective on theological education is found
  in Ephesians 411-12 (NRSV)
• The gifts he gave were that some would be
  apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some
  pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the
  work of ministry, for building up the body of
  Christ.

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Still Undecided?

• If you are looking for a program of study with
  academic strength and spiritual depth, the Mount
  Olive College Religion Major is the program for
  you!