Thoughts on the ThM Program

　　The Th.M. program offers a more in-depth study of the Bible (Old or New Testaments) and theology than is possible in the M.Div. or B.Th. programs. In many schools in the States (e.g., my own) it is the first year of the doctoral program. At our seminary, too, we require Th.D. students to take Th.M. classes to strengthen their knowledge in specific areas. For this reason, Bible concentration students must be able to work comfortably with the Hebrew and/or Greek texts. This is a problem for students who have been out of seminary for a while. My impression is that the language requirement is a major hurdle discouraging interested people from applying. To address this we have “reentry” classes for Greek and Hebrew. Of course, if interested M.Div. students apply earlier this may solve the problem too.

　　One of the things I am most proud of is the fact that at least four of our Bible students have gone on to doctoral studies. One has even returned to help teach our courses. I believe our Bible program has the strength and depth needed to give students a solid foundation for whatever they wish to do with it upon graduation, whether for further studies or for ministry in the church. In line with our seminary’s emphasis on cross disciplinary studies, it would be interesting to explore how biblical studies could contribute, for example, to the study of spirituality, worship, or pastoral ministry. Personally, I would like to see more of these kinds of collaborations in the future.