Thomas Aquinas describes theology as knowledge that is “taught by God, teaches of God, and leads to God.” It is taught by God because it depends on God’s gracious self-revelation. It teaches of God because it makes us learn more about who God is and about God’s plan for his good creation. It leads to God because it sustains the journey of faith of the Church and its members.
The Theology Department seeks to teach its students to speak truthfully of God and of all things in relation to God by introducing them to the riches of Scripture and of the Church’s living tradition. Becoming schooled in the Catholic theological tradition, students learn habits of mind that empower them to become more rooted in their faith, more aware of reality in all its complexities, and more capable of leading lives that are of service to the Church and society so that “in all things God may be glorified.”
You’ll enjoy the Abbey’s Theology Majors if you:
- Wonder about the big questions and mysteries that stir the human heart
- Want to learn more about God and God’s Church
- Seek to study Scripture
- Are interested in the Catholic tradition
- Have a desire to give reasons for your faith
- Desire to teach and evangelize
- Are passionate about reading and writing
- Enjoy thinking and speaking clearly
- Introduce students to the riches of Scripture and of the Church’s living tradition
- Teach about the most important doctrines of the Church and the great theologians who helped articulate them
- Cultivate in students research and writing skills, communication skills, and critical thinking skills that will benefit them in their professional career, no matter the field
We offer three different majors. The Theology Major provides a strong theological foundation while leaving space to pursue studies in other disciplines as well. The Parish and Pastoral Ministries Major gives students who want to work for the Church and its ministries the tools to succeed. The Theology and Philosophy Major introduces students to the Catholic tradition in all its breadth and prepares them for graduate school.
Theology is a professionalizing discipline that prepares students who want to serve the Church and its needs or who are interested in pursuing professional careers in a different field. There are eight vocational and professional paths that theology majors generally follow:
- Become theology teachers in Catholic schools
- Pursue graduate studies in theology
- Work in faith formation, pastoral counseling, and youth ministry
- Serve in parish and diocesan offices
- Get involved in mission work, religious NGOs, and social projects
- Be part of Catholic hospitals
- Enter the priesthood or religious life
- Attend graduate school in a different field
The Abbey Difference:
Belmont Abbey College offers a well-rounded education rooted in Catholicism and the Benedictine hallmarks that helps all students reach their fullest potential and be prepared for life’s challenges. The Theology Department gives an essential contribution to the mission of the College by fostering knowledge of Scripture and of the Church’s living tradition so that students may grow into people of character who lead fulfilled and virtuous lives. We offer professionalizing degrees that give students the tools necessary to serve the Church and its needs and that enable them to pursue professional careers in a variety of different fields. We foster an engaging community where lasting, personal relationships are formed and where each student is personally mentored. We strive to offer a variety of meaningful courses that can nurture one’s faith, sustain one’s spiritual life, and offer direction for one’s future.
Program Requirements:
The B.A. in Theology is for those who are interested in learning to speak truthfully about God and of all things related to him. This is a professionalizing degree that opens up multiple careers within the Church, while also imparting the skills that students need in the workplace even outside theologically oriented occupations. The program requirements leave space for theology majors to pursue a minor or a major in another discipline.
Core Curriculum (53 Credit Hours)
- TH 311: Jesus and Salvation (3)
- TH 320: The Church (3)
- TH 324: The Trinity (3)
- TH 450: Seminar in Theology (3)
- TH 475: Senior Thesis (3)
- Upper Level Course in Scripture (3)
- Upper Level Course in Moral Theology (3)
- Upper Level Course in Theology (9)
- Upper Level History (3)
- Upper Level English (3)
- Upper Level Philosophy (3)
- Foreign Language Courses (3)
General Electives (25 Credit Hours)
It is the student’s responsibility to see that all degree requirements for graduation are fulfilled.
The B.A. in Parish and Pastoral Ministries gives students who want to work in faith formation, pastoral counseling, youth ministry, or in parish and diocesan offices the tools they need to be successful. The major revolves around a solid theological formation complemented by counseling and pedagogical skills and by active involvement in the field via an internship.
Core Curriculum (53 Credit Hours)
- TH 311: Jesus and Salvation (3)
- TH 320: The Church (3)
- TH 330: Introduction to Moral Theology (3)
- TH 340: Catholic Social Teaching (3)
- TH 345: Theology of Sexuality and Marriage (3)
- TH 355: Pastoral Theology (3)
- TH 380: Liturgy and Sacraments (3)
- TH 385: Christian Spirituality (3)
- TH 402: The Gospels (3)
- ED 310: Educational Development and Psychology (3)
- ED 415: Secondary Methods (3)
- PC 201: Introduction to Psychology (3)
- PC 404: Seminar in Counseling (3)
- TH 455: Pastoral Theology Internship (3)
- Upper Level English (3)
- Upper Level History (3)
- Upper Level Philosophy (3)
General Electives (16 Credit Hours)
It is the student’s responsibility to see that all degree requirements for graduation are fulfilled.
The B.A. in Theology and Philosophy is designed for future Catholic theology and philosophy teachers and people who want to pursue graduate work in theology, philosophy, or other fields. Those who want to engage with the Catholic philosophical and theological tradition will have the opportunity to be deeply schooled by it, while building up the set of professional skills that will empower them to pursue their dream career.
Core Curriculum (53 Credit Hours)
- PH 301: Ethics (3)
- PH 302: Modern and Contemporary Philosophy (3)
- PH 305: Philosophy of Science and Nature (3)
- PH 314: Faith & Reason (3)
- PH 315: Epistemology (3)
- PH 316: Metaphysics (3)
- PH 330: Philosophy of Mind and Human Nature (3)
- PH 410: Philosophy of God (3)
- TH 311: Jesus and Salvation (3)
- TH 320: The Church (3)
- TH 324: The Trinity (3)
- TH 330: Introduction to Moral Theology (3)
- TH 370: Theology and Science (3)
- TH 376: The Old Testament (3)
- TH 380: Liturgy and Sacraments (3)
- TH 402: The Gospels (3)
- Upper Level English (3)
- Upper Level History (3)
- TH 450: Seminar in Theology (senior year)
- TH 475: Senior Thesis (following TH 450)
General Electives (7 Credit Hours)
It is the student’s responsibility to see that all degree requirements for graduation are fulfilled.
The Minor in Theology is for those who are interested in learning to speak truthfully about God and of all things related to him.
Requirements:
- TH 205: Introduction to Theology
- 12 hours of 200-level or higher theology courses
The preponderance of the hours above TH205 must be taken at Belmont Abbey College.
It is the student’s responsibility to see that all degree requirements for graduation are fulfilled.
Faculty:
Dr. Alessandro Rovati – Chair of Theology and Assistant Professor of Theology, and Director of Study Abroad
B.A., Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore di Milano
M.A., Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore di Milano
Ph.D., Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore di Milano
Fr. Christopher Kirchgessner, O.S.B.
B.A., St. Meinrad College
M.Div., St. Meinrad School of Theology
M.A., Catholic University of American
Dr. Ronald Thomas discusses his background and the Belmont Abbey Difference:
Sr. Jane Russell, OSF – Associate Professor of Theology and Coordinator of Justice and Peace Studies Minor
B.A., Alverno College
M.A., University of San Francisco
Ph.D., University of Notre Dame
Dr. Ronald Thomas – Associate Professor of Theology
B.A., University of Memphis
M. Div., Emory University
Ph.D., University of Cambridge
Dr. Gina Noia
Assistant Professor of Theology
B.S., The University of Scranton
M.A., Saint Louis University
Ph.D., Saint Louis University
Denis J. Obermeyer
Curator of Rare Books and Special Collection
M.A., S.U.N.Y. Binghampton
M.A., The Institute of Religious Studies Dunwoodie
STB from the Katholieke universiteit Leuven
Ph.D., The Catholic University of America
For information about the different Theology Programs, please contact the Chair of the Theology Department, Dr. Alessandro Rovati: AlessandroRovati@bac.edu or Click Here to apply today!