Boston University School of Theology

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Boston University School of Theology (BUSTH) is the oldest theological seminary of American Methodism and the founding school of Boston University, the largest private research university in New England.

BUSTH's origins are in the founding of The Seminary (or, The Methodist Theological School) at Newbury, Vermont and Concord, New Hampshire. The school moved to Boston in 1867 as the Boston Theological Seminary, and in 1869 became the Boston University School of Theology.^[1]. Boston University School of Theology played a central role in the development of the fields of philosophical theology (e.g. Boston Personalism), social ethics, missions and ecumenism, and pastoral psychology. Because of its roots in the egalitarianism of nineteenth-century Methodism, from its beginning the school admitted women and African-Americans for all degree programs. As late as the 1960s, the vast majority of African-Americans with doctorates in religion were trained at Boston University. A study in 1983 showed that the largest number of doctoral dissertations in mission studies had been produced at Boston University.

Prominent alumni of BUSTH include the presidents of Methodist institutions such as DePauw University ^[2], and dozens of Methodist bishops. Important leaders who graduated from the school include women's suffrage leader Dr. Anna Howard Shaw, Salvation Army theologian Samuel Brengle, Korean educator Helen Kim, civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., "positive thinking" guru Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, theologian Dr. Carl H. Henry, the head of Church World Service Rev. John McCullough, "emerging church" theorist Andy Crouch, pentecostal theologian Dr. Amos Yong, and numerous other prominent teachers and pastors.

BUSTH is a member of the Boston Theological Institute consortium.

Contents 1 Centers and Institutes 2 Programs 3 Notable Alumni 4 Organizations and Activities 5 See also 6 Notes 7 References 8 External links

[edit] Centers and Institutes

The following centers and institutes are affiliated with Boston University School of Theology:
The Anna Howard Shaw Center -- Director, Dr. Hee An Choi
The Center for Global Christianity and Mission -- Director, Dr. Dana Robert
The Center for Practical Theology - Co-Directors, Dr. Bryan Stone and Dr. Claire Wolfteich

[edit] Programs

The Boston University School of Theology includes several special academic programs, including one of only seven Master of Sacred Music (MSM) programs in the United States and an online certificate program in Asian Religions and healing. The academic degrees offered are as follows:

First-level masters:

• Master of Divinity (MDiv) - six semesters.
• Master of Theological Studies (MTS) - four semesters.
• Master of Sacred Music (MSM) - four semesters.

Second level masters:

• Master of Sacred Theology (STM) - two semesters.

Doctoral:

• Doctor of Ministry (DMin)
• Doctor of Theology (ThD)

Additionally, the following degree programs are available within the School of Theology and in conjunction with the other colleges that make up Boston University:

• MDiv/JD
• MDiv/MSM

A related PhD program in Religion is offered through the Department of Religion at Boston University's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences; this program shares many students and faculty with the School of Theology.

[edit] Notable Alumni

• Dr. Anna Howard Shaw, President of Suffrage Association;
• Samuel Logan Brengle, Salvation Army theologian;
• Dr. Helen Kim, Korean educator;
• Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., civil rights leader;
• Dr. Carl F. H. Henry, theologian;
• Dr. Georgia Harkness, Methodist woman theologian;
• Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, positive thinker and founder of Guideposts magazine;
• Rev. John McCullough, head of Church World Service;
• Andy Crouch, "emerging church" theorist;
• Dr. Amos Yong, pentecostal theologian;
• Rev. Charles Boss, head of Methodist Peace Fellowship;
• George L. Fox - one of the "four chaplains"
• Ralph Edward Dodge - a Bishop of The Methodist Churchin Rhodesia
• S. Clifton Ives (M.Div., 1963; D.Min., 1983) - a Bishop of the United Methodist Church
• Garfield Bromley Oxnam - a Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church
• Dallas Lore Sharp - (1870- ) - Minister, university professor, and author
• Woodie W. White (S.T.B., 1961) - a Bishop of the United Methodist Church

[edit] Organizations and Activities

BUSTH is host to a number of thriving student groups and hosted organizations, including the Organ Library of the New England Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, the Hymn Society of North America, Sacred Worth (a student organization devoted to the sacred worth of all individuals, regardless of gender or orientation) and the Seminary Singers.

[edit] See also

• Boston University

[edit] Notes

1. ^ BTI: history of the consortium
2. ^ [1]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Boston University School of Theology
• The Hymn Society of North America