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Theology

Do you feel called to pursue full-time ministry or Christian studies? Dordt’s theology major will help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to pursue that calling to kingdom work. We are committed to training up God’s people. If you’re ready to see how God can use you professionally, a major in theology from Dordt will help you take that next step.

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Program Overview

As a theology major at Dordt, you’ll have the opportunity to pursue emphases in biblical studies, missions and ministry, theological studies, and youth ministry. Each emphasis builds on a biblical foundation, Christian confessions, and reformed theology. Students also have the option to minor in theological studies.

Our theology program seeks to lead students into more faithful service to God and his mission. Our dedicated faculty brings a variety of passions, emphases, and experiences in ministry to the classroom. We’re committed to engaging contemporary culture with discernment and wisdom. And our proud alumni serve God's mission through church ministry, kingdom service, and sharing God’s light in the secular working world.

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What can I do with a major in theology from Dordt University?

As you learn through Dordt’s Theology program, you’ll grow in love and service of God and his world. You’ll also achieve biblical literacy, study church history, and develop creative ways to express the biblical message in contemporary culture. You’ll leave Dordt ready for a career in ministry, service through a faith-based organization, or graduate school.

Here are just a few of the types of careers you’ll be prepared for with a theology major:

Theologian

A Theologian questions the meaning of religion and debates the nature of God.

Missionary

Missionaries are members of a religious group that are sent to different areas to spread their faith.

Pastor

A Pastor is tasked with putting together and leading a ministry.

Career Preparation

Dordt University's 2023 Career Outcome Rate was 99.4%! “This data point tells us that Dordt graduates are prepared for the careers of their choosing,” said Amy Westra, director of Career Development. “A Dordt education provides students with industry-relevant courses and connections that make a difference.”

Program Options

There are plenty of options within the theology program, including:

Theology Major

As you learn through Dordt’s Theology program, you’ll grow in love and service of God and his world. You’ll also achieve biblical literacy, study church history, and develop creative ways to express the biblical message in contemporary culture.

To learn more, you can also view the program strengths and learning outcomes for this program.

You’ll leave Dordt ready for a career in ministry, service through a faith-based organization, or graduate school.

Students looking to get a degree in theology will take eight theology courses in addition to CORE 150. Students will also choose an emphasis.

  • Biblical Foundations: A survey of biblical revelation in its progressive unfolding of key ideas and institutions against their cultural-historical background and within their covenant setting. Emphasis is placed on the normativity of Scripture that reaches its fullness and fulfillment in Christ for all academic work.
  • Biblical Studies Methods: This course introduces interpretive approaches and practices for reading the Bible using a Reformed hermeneutical method. Students will become familiar with major resources for biblical study, interpret a variety of Old Testament and New Testament texts, and discuss the manner in which the varied contexts (e.g., social, cultural, theological) of the biblical world and contemporary readers inform exegetical study. This is a foundational course in the theology program to develop skills in biblical studies and theological writing. Open to all students seeking to develop their reading, understanding, and application of Scripture.
  • Spiritual Formation: What does the Christian life of faith and discipleship look like? This course will explore the history and practice of the spiritual disciplines by studying the faith lives of important figures in the history of Christianity. The purpose of this exploration is to help students see how God is at work in the history of the church so they can begin to articulate their experience of God’s work in their own lives. This is a foundational course in the theology program. It is open to any student interested in learning more about spirituality and discipleship.
  • Theological Methods: What are interpretive approaches and practices for studying theology from a Reformed perspective? In this course, themes for discussion include the doctrines of God, Christology, scripture, creation, fall, redemption, and eschatological consummation. Students will have an opportunity to study both the historical development of these theological topics, as well as their contemporary application.
  • The Great Tradition: A study of the Great tradition of God’s people, that highlights the major creeds and confessions that the Church has written over the past two thousand years as it has responded to challenges and defined its understanding of the Christian faith with a view to faith today.
  • Christian Ethics: What does it mean to pursue the good life and how do we so as faithful disciples of Christ? What do we owe to God, neighbor, stranger, and enemy? Answers to these questions are more difficult to come by than we might expect – or hope. We live in a world rife with sin, corruption, and moral disagreement. Even faithful Christians can arrive at profoundly different moral judgments about life in the church and the world. This course aims to equip students with theological and ethical tools that they can use to reflect critically on what it means to live faithfully in contemporary society.
  • Senior Seminar: This is the capstone course for Theology majors, but it is open to minors also. This course is to help those who have studied in theology consolidate their theological education to focus on contemporary issues in the church and develop the biblical message to address contemporary life in effective public address.
  • Old Testament: Pentateuch: This course will introduce students to detailed study of the content, themes, and purposes of the Torah (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy), as well as to the scholarly tools commonly used to interpret them. Students will practice close readings of portions of the Pentateuch and discuss the ways that the varied contexts in which these texts are read (e.g., canonical, theological) inform meaningful interpretation within the context of a historical-redemptive approach to scripture.
  • Old Testament: Prophets: This course will introduce students to detailed study of the content, themes, and purposes of the Prophetic books (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and the Book of the Twelve), as well as to the scholarly tools commonly used to interpret them. Students will practice close readings of portions of the Prophets and discuss the ways that the varied contexts in which these texts are read (e.g., canonical, theological) inform meaningful interpretation within the context of a historical-redemptive approach to scripture.
  • Old Testament: Wisdom and Writings: This course will introduce students to detailed study of the content, themes, and purposes of the Wisdom books and Writings (Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Song of Songs, Ruth, Ecclesiastes, Lamentations, and Esther), as well as to the scholarly tools commonly used to interpret them. Students will practice close readings of portions of these writings and discuss the ways that the varied contexts in which these texts are read (e.g., canonical, theological) inform meaningful interpretation within the context of a historical-redemptive approach to scripture.
  • Old Testament: Historical Books: This course will introduce students to detailed study of the content, themes, and purposes of the Historical Books (Joshua, Judges, 1-2 Samuel, 1-2 Kings, 1-2 Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah; as well as 1-2 Maccabees), as well as to the scholarly tools commonly used to interpret them. Students will practice close readings of portions of these books and discuss the ways that the varied contexts in which these texts are read (e.g., canonical, theological) inform meaningful interpretation within the context of a historical-redemptive approach to scripture.
  • New Testament: Gospels: This course will introduce students to detailed study of the content, themes, and purposes of each of the four canonical Gospels, as well as to the scholarly tools commonly used to interpret them. Students will practice close readings of portions of the Gospels and discuss the ways that the varied contexts in which these texts are read (e.g., canonical, theological) inform meaningful interpretation within the context of a historical-redemptive approach to scripture.
  • New Testament: Epistles: This course will introduce students to detailed study of the content, themes, and purposes of Paul’s letters (Romans, 1-2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, 1-2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon) and the General Epistles (Hebrews, James, 1-2 Peter, 1-2-3 John, Jude), as well as to the scholarly tools commonly used to interpret them. Students will practice close readings of portions of the letters and discuss the ways that the varied contexts in which these texts are read (e.g., canonical, theological) inform meaningful interpretation within the context of a historical-redemptive approach to scripture.
  • New Testament: Acts, Revelation: This course will introduce students to detailed study of the content, themes, and purposes of Acts and Revelation, as well as to the scholarly tools commonly used to interpret them. Students will practice close readings of portions of Acts and Revelation and discuss the ways that the varied contexts in which these texts are read (e.g., canonical, theological) inform meaningful interpretation within the context of a historical-redemptive approach to scripture.

See the course catalog for more information.

Theological Studies Minor

Through Dordt’s theological studies minor, you’ll gain a deep understanding of Scripture. Explore relevant topics with professors eager to share their wealth of knowledge in the study of Christianity. Be grounded in God’s Word, and ready to share his gospel with the world. This minor will provide opportunities to learn more about God as well as to grow spiritually. It will also allow you to infuse any career you choose through your major with the principles of theological study.

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Education Emphasis

An education emphasis is also available with the theology program. As you study theology and the Bible you'll also train in education, giving you the tools to teach others.

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Ready to take the next step?

Student Stories

Dordt students and alumni use their gifts to make a difference in the world. Check out their stories to see how Defender Nation lives out our mission to work effectively toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life.

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Submit your information to request more information about Dordt and this program. We'll also use this information to connect you with your admissions counselor!

Plus, we'll send you our e-book, "Top Things to Consider in a Theology Program." 🙌

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