Master of Arts in Theology, Ecology, and Food Justice
Purpose Statement
The purpose of the Master of Arts in Theology, Ecology, and Food Justice is to equip persons for competent leadership in engaging faithfully in creation care ministries, food justice work, environmental justice work, policy advocacy, and agricultural production. This degree seeks to prepare leaders (e.g., ministers, nonprofit directors, community organizers) to be conversant in the areas of ecology, sustainability, and food justice as understood through a biblically and theologically informed hermeneutic. While this degree is housed at Truett Seminary, the degree will not remain within the walls of the seminary alone. Students will receive an interdisciplinary education, drawing from the rich resources across the Baylor University's campus. Students in the Theology, Ecology, and Food Justice program will have the option to take graduate level courses in the Hankamer School of Business and the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work, among other departments across the campus, while also working closely with the Baylor Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty. The context of such work students could find themselves participating in might be congregational ministry, nonprofit work, governmental agencies, or the public sector.
Primary Goals of the Program
The George W. Truett Theological Seminary of Baylor University creates a learning environment that shapes scholar-ministers for the Church in the historic orthodox Christian tradition. The Seminary does so in the larger context of a major national research university with a confession rooted in the historic Baptist tradition.
As evidence of the Seminary’s commitment to both its ecclesial and educative contexts, Truett Seminary creates an intentional learning environment that promotes formation, deepens knowledge and embraces praxis. These three areas--being, knowing, and doing--prove equally foundational and absolutely essential for holistic ministerial formation.
Graduates of the George W. Truett Theological Seminary should be:
- Persons with a developing sense of calling and a growing dedication to the mission of God in the world;
- Persons with a deepening commitment to the life of the church;
- Persons who are continually being formed as followers of Christ, committed to integrating the Christian practices into daily life (e.g., worship, prayers, study, service);
- Persons of high ethical standards regarding their relationship and responsibility to self, family, congregation, colleagues, community, and creation.
Graduates of the George W. Truett Theological Seminary should know:
- The narrative of Scripture including the contours of the biblical stories of Israel, Jesus Christ, and the church, as well as the central themes of creation, fall, redemption, mission, and recreation that shape the narrative;
- The Great Tradition (and traditions) of Christian thought;
- Baptist history and doctrine, while developing an appreciation for the wider ecumenical community;
- Appropriate means for articulating the Christian faith in light of the context in which she or he ministers.
Graduates of the George W. Truett Theological Seminary should be able to:
- Demonstrate competency in basic ministry skills;
- Interpret accurately the Christian Scriptures and apply them effectively to ministry tasks;
- Reflect critically and theologically upon the acts and experiences of Christian ministry;
- Lead others in spiritual formation and discipleship;
- Practice contextual evangelism;
- Participate effectively in God’s mission locally and globally;
- Exercise skillful care of people in the midst of crises, but more broadly, through all stages of life;
- Relate effectively and authentically as a human to humans in the common concerns of life;
- Demonstrate appropriate self-care.
Student Learning Outcomes
The M.A. in Theology, Ecology, and Food Justice program at Truett Seminary seeks to achieve holistic student development by equipping students through theological and biblical reflection, spiritual formation, ministry service, and contextual engagement. The outcomes for this degree include:
- Graduates of the George W. Truett Theological Seminary will possess foundational skills in the study of content, context, and interpretation of Christian Scripture and the Christian theological tradition particularly as it pertains to the doctrine of creation.
- Graduates of the George W. Truett Theological Seminary will possess foundational skills in the study of both the content and context of the larger Christian tradition, particularly as it pertains to issues around social justice and food equity.
- Graduates of the George W. Truett Theological Seminary will demonstrate active engagement with historical context and social needs in ways that inform and enrich ministerial practices in service to those in poverty and crisis.
- Graduates of the George W. Truett Theological Seminary will demonstrate competency and capacity for integrating theology and ministry leadership in varied contexts.
Requirements for a Master of Arts with a Major in Theology, Ecology, and Food Justice
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Spiritual Formation | ||
| PRTH 7101 | Spiritual Formation I | 1 |
| PRTH 7102 | Spiritual Formation II | 1 |
| PRTH 7103 | Spiritual Formation III | 1 |
| Theology Core | ||
| THEO 7340 | Introduction to Christian Scriptures | 3 |
| THEO 7345 | Introduction to Christian Theology | 3 |
| WOCW 7385 | Introduction to Christian Witness and Mission | 3 |
| Theology, Ecology, and Food Justice | ||
| PRTH 7340 | Creation Care as Spiritual Practice | 3 |
| THEO 7310 | Doctrine of Creation | 3 |
| TEFJ 7330 | Foundations of Food Justice | 3 |
| TEFJ 7340 | Intersection of Theology, Food Justice, and Public Policy | 3 |
| TEFJ 7350 | Theology, Ecology and Food Justice: Historical and Contemporary Models | 3 |
| Christian Tradition | ||
| THEO 7396 | The Baptist Identity 1 | 3 |
| or WSLY 7310 | Wesleyan Theology and Doctrine | |
| or WSLY 7320 | Wesleyan History & Polity | |
| or WSLY 7330 | Wesleyan Worship & Sacraments | |
| Mentoring | ||
| MENT 7V00 | Mentoring in Ministry | 6 |
| Electives | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 45 | |
- 1
THEO 7396 is required for all students receiving a Baptist scholarship.