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Religious Studies

Description of the program

Questions of truth and destiny confront each generation and are at the root of all human enterprises, necessitating that the very nature of the educational task focus on these basic issues. With a firm commitment to the centrality of the Christian tradition for all such considerations, the Department of Religious studies offers many experiences for growth and education.
 
Students seeking more than one major in the department may present no more than 15 hours common to those majors. Students seeking minors as well as majors in this department must choose a different area of study for the minor and present a minimum of 12 hours not applied to the major. Many of the department’s academic and support activities are channeled through the Anderson University Center for Ministry Education (AUCME).

Majors
  • Biblical Studies
  • Bible and Religion
  • Philosophy
  • Christian Ministries (In-Profession)
  • Christian Ministries (In-Life) (complementary major)
  • Youth Ministries
Minors
  • Biblical Studies
  • Religion
  • Christian Ministries
  • Ethics
  • Philosophy

Targeted academic and practical experience

The Department of Religious Studies offers course work and field experiences designed to: develop in all students familiarity with and appreciation for the biblical foundations of the Christian faith; make available from a Christian perspective a wide range of knowledge concerning the religious experience of humankind; provide the biblical, theological, and pastoral Christian education, field courses, and experiences central to preparing enlightened and committed Christian leaders; and develop students’ appreciation for and critical reflection of their own and others’ beliefs, practices, and experiences.

International Experience

Students have an opportunity to work at intercultural and practical aspects of the study through TRI-S (Study, Serve, Share) trips. Christian education students can share in trips to locations such as Grand Cayman and London to conduct vacation Bible schools. The history and background of the Bible have been explored on recent trips to Greece and the Middle East.

Job Placement

Our Graduates go into church ministry, social agencies, para-church organizations such as Youth For Christ and Young Life, or go to graduate school. Many of our students attend the School of Theology at Anderson University, but others have attended Claremont School of Theology, Duke Divinity School, Union Theological Seminary, Vanderbilt University, Fuller Theological Seminary, and Asbury Theological Seminary. The university is also known for the internship opportunities it offers to its students.

Faculty

G. Alan Overstreet
Assistant Professor of Christian Education/Ministry
Chair, Department of Religious Studies
B.A., Gulf-Coast Bible College (Mid-America Christian University)
M.Div., Anderson School of Theology
D.Min., Christian Theological Seminary [2002]

Brian Charles Barlow
Professor of Religious Studies
A.B., M.A., M.Div., Anderson University
Ph.D., Emory University [2006]

Marian Osborne Berky
Assistant Professor of Religious Studies
Director, Peace and Conflict Transformation Program
B.A., Wake Forest University
M.Div., Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
M.A., Vanderbilt University
Ph.D., Vanderbilt University [2005]

Fredrick Wayne Burnett
Professor of Religion
Classics Coordinator
B.A., Anderson University
M.Div., Anderson School of Theology
D.Min., M.A., Ph.D., Vanderbilt University [1976]

Cynthia Ann Burris
Assistant Professor of Religious Studies
B.A., Seattle Pacific University
M.Div., Duke University
Doctoral Candidate, University of Saint Andrews[2006]

Shane Kirkpatrick
Assistant Professor of Religion
B.A., Anderson University
M.Div., Princeton Theological Seminary
Ph.D., University of Notre Dame [2000]

Willard K. Reed, Jr.
Professor of Philosophy
B.S., Arlington College;
M.Div., Anderson School of Theology
D.Min., School of Theology at Claremont
M.A., Ph.D., The Claremont Graduate School [1978]

Fredrick Harold Shively
Professor of Religion
Director, Ministry Education
B.A., Anderson University
M.Div., D.Min., Fuller Theological Seminary [1974]

Lynn Spencer Spaulding
Associate Professor of Biblical Studies
B.A., Anderson University
M.Div., Anderson School of Theology [1983]

Merle Dennis Strege
Professor of Historical Theology
B.A., Anderson University
M.Div., Anderson School of Theology
Th.D., Graduate Theological Union [1980]

Date in [] indicates year first appointed to AU full-time faculty.