phd history of christianity

Department of Theology

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History of Christianity

The Department of Theology provides a congenial setting for the study of the history of Christianity in all its rich complexity. Reflecting the diversity of methods and interests of the faculty, a sampling of doctoral seminars from recent years would include:

• the medieval Jewish-Christian encounter
• religious pilgrimage
• theologies of Aquinas, Augustine, Luther, and Origen, among others

Special strengths of the program in the history of Christianity include the interpretation of scripture prior to the modern period, spirituality, and doctrine and theological method from the early period through the Reformation.

“I tend to gravitate towards doctrines that seem inexplicable, and I try to understand what motivated the early Christians to formulate these doctrines in just these ways." — Khaled Anatolios, John A. O'Brien Professor of Theology

Students who major in the history of Christianity normally concentrate in their course work and candidacy examinations on two of the following periods of Christian history, in any combination: early, medieval, Reformation & modern. In the first two years of residence, the student takes courses in the major, evenly divided between the two periods.

While the majority of these courses are taken with the faculty in the Department of Theology, students are encouraged to take appropriate courses offered by historians of Christianity affiliated with other departments in the University. Students are also required to take some courses outside their field.

Admission to the history of Christianity program has in recent years been increasingly competitive. Entering students should already have made significant progress in the study of languages needed for serious historical research; introductory language work while in residence will be in addition to the normal course load.

Library holdings are especially strong in the early and medieval periods. Most of the reference and research tools crucial for the investigation of early and medieval Christianity are housed in the Medieval Institute , located on the seventh floor of the Hesburgh Library.

Khaled Anatolios

Department Chair John A. O'Brien Professor of Theology

History of Christianity, Christianity and Judaism in Antiquity |Early Christian Doctrine, Theological Method, and Biblical Exegesis |Khaled Anatolios is interested in all aspects of the theology of the early Church, with special emphases on the Trinitarian, Christological, and soteriological doctrines of the Greek fathers and Augustine; early Christian biblical exegesis; and the development of theological methodology in Patristic and medieval theology. He has published on a variety of early Christian theologians including Irenaeus, Origen, Athanasius, Augustine, and Gregory of Nyssa. A particular focus of  his work is the engagement between early Christian theological reflection and contemporary theological concerns.

Ann W. Astell

History of Christianity | Hagiography as Biblical Commentary; the Song of Songs and the Liturgy | Ann W. Astell is Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame. She is the author of six books, most recently Eating Beauty: The Eucharist and the Spiritual Arts of the Middle Ages (2006), and is now completing a monograph on hagiography and the Bible. She has been the recipient of an N.E.H. fellowship and a John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Fellowship. She has edited eight collections of essays, most recently Saving Fear in Christian Spirituality (2020). Past President of the Society for the Study of Christian Spirituality and also of the Colloquium on Violence and Religion, she has published recently in Cistercian Studies Quarterly, Spiritus, Theological Studies, Marian Studies, and Religion and Literature. 

Yury P. Avvakumov

Associate Professor

History of Christianity |Papacy and Eastern Churches; scholastic theology; Latin and Byzantine ecclesiology and sacramental theology; Russian and Ukrainian religious thought of the 19th and 20th century. | Avvakumov is a historian of Christianity who specializes in the Later Medieval and Early Modern periods, with a focus on scholasticism, ecclesiology, and relations between the papacy and Byzantium, and in Russian and Ukrainian religious history and thought of the 19th and 20th centuries. He is also broadly engaged with the history, ecclesiology, and liturgy of Byzantine-rite Christianity in communion with Rome (“Uniate”, or “Greco-Catholic” Christianity) from its medieval beginnings to the present day. His special research interest is the fateful history of Catholic and Orthodox Christians under Soviet totalitarianism and their role in contemporary post-communist societies. Avvakumov obtained doctorates in Orthodox theology in St. Petersburg, Russia, and in Catholic theology in Munich, Germany. Prior to coming to Notre Dame in 2010, he held academic positions in Germany, Ukraine, and Russia, including at the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lemberg where he served as Dean of Humanities and as the founding chair of the Department of Classical, Byzantine, and Medieval Studies in 2006-2009. Courses he teaches include “Latin West and Byzantine East 1054-1596: Clash and Communion”; “Popes, Patriarchs, and Councils: Medieval Church and Ecclesiology”; “Introduction to Scholastic Theology”; “Theology of the Byzantine Liturgy”; “Russian Religious Thought”; “Eastern Churches: History and Theology”. A trained singer, he also teaches a college seminar “Heaven and Hell: Musical Theater” based on operas and oratorios by Bach, Lully, Meyerbeer, Wagner, and Mussorgsky.  

Jeremy Phillip Brown

Assistant Professor

History of Christianity |Medieval Judaism, Iberian Kabbalah, Jewish-Christian Polemic |Jeremy Phillip Brown is Assistant Professor of Theology specializing in medieval Judaism. He completed his BA in Religion at Reed College, and earned his doctorate in Hebrew and Judaic Studies at New York University. Brown has taught at the University of San Francisco, and served as Simon and Ethel Flegg Postdoctoral Fellow in Jewish Studies at McGill University in Montreal. Research interests include the Zohar, the penitential discourses of Kabbalah and Jewish pietism, Jewish-Christian polemic in medieval Iberia, and the dissemination of Kabbalah in Latin America.

John C. Cavadini

History of Christianity, Christianity and Judaism in Antiquity | He teaches, studies, and publishes in the area of patristic theology and in its early medieval reception. | John C. Cavadini is a Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame, having served as Chair from 1997-2010. Since 2000 he has served as the Director of the McGrath Institute for Church Life at Notre Dame. He received a B.A. in 1975 from Wesleyan University; an M.A. in 1979 from Marquette University; M.A., 1981, M.Phil., 1983 and his Ph.D. in 1988 from Yale University. A member of the Notre Dame faculty since 1990, Cavadini teaches, studies and publishes in patristic and early medieval theology, the theology of Augustine, and the history of biblical and patristic exegesis. He has served a five-year term on the International Theological Commission (appointed by Pope Benedict XVI) and in 2018 received the Monika K. Hellwig Award from the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities for Outstanding Contributions to Catholic Intellectual Life. As Director of the McGrath Institute for Church Life, he inaugurated the Echo program in catechetical leadership, the Notre Dame Vision program for high school students and is responsible for the continued growth and outreach of the McGrath Institute, which partners with Catholic dioceses, parishes and schools to address pastoral challenges with theological depth and rigor.  

Catherine Cavadini

Director of Master of Arts Associate Teaching Professor

History of Christianity |The history of biblical interpretation, especially medieval interpretation of the Song of Songs. |Katie teaches courses within the undergraduate and MA curriculum as well as directing the MA Program.

Brian Daley, SJ

Catherine F. Huisking Professor of Theology, Emeritus

History of Christianity, Christianity and Judaism in Antiquity | Patristic Christology, Eschatology, Theology of Mary, Ecumenical Theology | Born in Orange, NJ, in 1940, Fr. Daley did his undergraduate work at Fordham University and a subsequent M.A, (classics and philosophy) at Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. He then entered the Society of Jesus, taught for a year at Fordham, and studied theology for ordination in Frankfurt, Germany. He returned to Oxford in 1972 for doctoral studies, focused on the Patristic Christological tradition, and completed a critical edition of the works of the sixth-century theologian Leontius of Byzantium in 1978. He then was a faculty member of the Weston Jesuit School of Theology, in Cambridge, MA, until 1996, when he moved to Notre Dame's Department of Theology as the Catherine Huisking Professor. He considers himself a historical theologian, studying the thought and practices of the first seven or eight centuries of Christianity as expressions of the developing common faith of the Church, especially as it is focused on our understanding of the person of Christ, the Trinity, and the hope for eternal life. His most recent book is: God Visible: Patristic Christology Reconsidered (Oxford University Press, 2018).

Margot Fassler

Keough-Hesburgh Professor of Music History and Liturgy, Emeritus

Liturgical Studies, History of Christianity | Theology, Liturgy, and the Arts; Congregational Studies; Sacred Music |Margot Fassler, Keough-Hesburgh Professor of Music History and Liturgy, University of Notre Dame, is Director of the Program in Sacred Music and Tangeman Professor of Music History, Emerita, Yale University. Recent books include Music in the Medieval West and its accompanying Anthology (New York, 2014); (with Jeffery Hamburger, Eva Schlotheuber, and Susan Marti) Life and Latin Learning at Paradies bei Soest, 1300-1425: Inscription and Illumination in the Choir Books of a North German Dominican Convent, 2 vols. (Munster, 2016), and Medieval Cantors and Their Craft (ed. with Katie Bugyis and AB Kraebel) York Medieval Press, 2017. Fassler is a member of the North American Academy of Liturgy, a former President of the Medieval Academy of America, a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and an Honorary Member of the American Musicological Society. Her digital work includes documentary studies of contemporary congregations. Her book: Cosmos, Liturgy and the Arts in the Twelfth Century: Hildegard’s Illuminated Scivias is forthcoming with the University of Pennsylvania Press. A digital model of creation and cosmos based on the illuminations of Scivias (with Christian Jara) will appear in 2021. These works have been supported by grants from the Luce Foundation, the Guggenheim Foundation, and the ACLS. In 2019-20, Fassler was a fellow at the Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University.

Paul Kollman, CSC

World Religions and World Church, History of Christianity | I am currently preparing a manuscript on the Catholic missionary evangelization of eastern Africa. | Paul Kollman, CSC, is associate professor of theology and has been on the faculty at Notre Dame in the Department of Theology since 2001. Before that he taught at the Queen of Apostles Philosophy Seminary in Jinja, Uganda, and Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. Since being at Notre Dame he has also taught at Tangaza College, Nairobi, Kenya. His scholarship focuses on African Christianity, mission history, and world Christianity, and he has taught and carried out research in Africa and in archives around the world. Kollman earned his PhD from the University of Chicago Divinity School (2001), and a BA and MDiv from Notre Dame (1984, 1990). He is the author of The Evangelization of Slaves and Catholic Origins in Eastern Africa, co-author of Understanding World Christianity: Eastern Africa, and numerous other publications in professional journals. He has served as executive director of Notre Dame’s Center for Social Concerns, as president of the American Society of Missiology, and is currently president of the International Association of Mission Studies. Kollman is also a fellow of the Kellogg, Kroc, and Nanovic Institutes at Notre Dame. A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Kollman currently lives in O’Neill Hall at Notre Dame.

Ulrich L. Lehner

William K. Warren Professor

History of Christianity |History of Christianity after 1500, Global Catholic Studies, Early Modern History, Gender and Race in the History of Catholicism, 19th and 20th c. European History and Culture |Ulrich L. Lehner specializes in religious history and theology of the Early Modern period and the Enlightenment. Among his publications are over ten authored books and more than fifteen edited volumes, including The Oxford Handbook of Early Modern Theology, 1600-1800 (Oxford UP: 2016), Women, Enlightenment, and Catholicism: A Transnational Biographical History (Routledge: 2018), and most recently Innovation in Early Modern Catholicism (Routledge: 2021). He was selected as a Member and Herodotus Fellow in the School of Historical Studies at the Princeton Institute for Advanced Study, a fellow at the Institute for Comparative History of Religious Orders at the University of Eichstätt, Distinguished Fellow at the NDIAS (twice), fellow of the Earhart foundation (twice), and fellow of the Humboldt and Friedrich von Siemens Foundation. In 2014 he was inducted into the European Academy for Sciences and Arts, in 2018 into the Accademia Ambrosiana, and in 2022 into the Academia Europea.

Timothy Matovina

History of Christianity | Latino/a theologies and Latino/a Catholicism | Timothy Matovina works in the area of Faith and Culture, with specialization in U.S. Catholic and U.S. Latino theology and religion. Professor Matovina has authored over 150 essays and reviews in scholarly and opinion journals. He has also written or edited 20 books, most recently Latino Catholicism: Transformation in America’s Largest Church, which won five book awards, including selection as a CHOICE “Outstanding Academic Title,” as well as Theologies of Guadalupe: From the Era of Conquest to Pope Francis. Among his various scholarly awards, in 2010 Matovina received the Virgilio Elizondo Award “for distinguished achievement in theology, in keeping with the mission of the Academy” from the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States (ACHTUS). At Notre Dame he has won two teaching awards, including the Julian Samora Award that members of Notre Dame’s La Alianza student organization confer on a faculty member whose research, teaching, and service advance knowledge and empowerment of Latino/a students and communities. In addition to his scholarly work, Matovina offers presentations and workshops on U.S. Catholicism and Latino ministry and theology throughout the United States.

Cyril O'Regan

Catherine F. Huisking Professor of Theology

Systematic Theology, History of Christianity | I am currently finishing up my volumes on the relationship between Hans Urs von Balthasar and Martin Heidegger. | Born in Ireland where I received my BA and MA in Philosophy. My Ph. D is from Yale where I taught in the Department of Religious Studies before I came to the Department of Theology at Notre Dame in 1999. My work spans a number of areas, systematic theology, historical theology, and continental philosophy, and I am especially active at the intersection of theology and continental philosophy. I have done considerable work in 19th-century theology and philosophy, postmodern thought, mysticism, apocalyptic, Gnosticism, religion and literature, major Catholic figures such as Newman, de Lubac, Hans Urs von Balthasar, and Benedict XVI, and on the doctrines of the Trinity and "last things." I will shortly complete two volumes dealing with the relationship between the Swiss theologian, Hans Urs von Balthasar and Martin Heidegger. I will then turn to complete my Gnosticism in Modernity project. I intend to write in order a volume on Gnosticism and German Idealism and subsequently a volume on Gnosticism and German and English Romanticism. I teach a wide array of courses on all levels and am very active in directing doctoral students.

Gabriel Reynolds

Jerome J. Crowley and Rosaleen G. Crowley Professor of Theology

World Religions and World Church, History of Christianity |Qur'anic Studies and Muslim-Christian Relations |Gabriel Said Reynolds did his doctoral work at Yale University in Islamic Studies. Currently he researches the Qur'ān and Muslim/Christian relations and is Professor of Islamic Studies and Theology in the Department of Theology at Notre Dame. He is the author of The Qur'ān and Its Biblical Subtext (Routledge 2010) and The Emergence of Islam (Fortress, 2012), the translator of ʿAbd al-Jabbar’s Critique of Christian Origins (BYU 2008), and editor of The Qur'ān in Its Historical Context (Routledge 2008) and New Perspectives on the Qur'ān: The Qur'ān in Its Historical Context 2 (Routledge 2011). In 2012-13 Prof. Reynolds directed, along with Mehdi Azaiez, “The Qurʾān Seminar,” a year-long collaborative project dedicated to encouraging dialogue among scholars of the Qurʾān, the acts of which appeared as The Qurʾān Seminar Commentary (De Gruyter, 2016). In 2018 he published The Qurʾan and the Bible with Yale University Press and in 2020 Allah: God in the Qur'an, also with YUP. At Notre Dame he teaches courses on theology, Muslim/Christian Relations, and Islamic Origins.  He runs a youtube channel, “Exploring the Qur’an and the Bible” that features conversations on scripture with leading scholars.

Alexis Torrance

Archbishop Demetrios Associate Professor of Byzantine Theology

History of Christianity | Greek Patristic, Byzantine, and Orthodox Theology, in particular Christology, ascetic thought, and theological anthropology.  | Alexis Torrance received his undergraduate and graduate training in Theology at the University of Oxford. He has held research fellowships at the Notre Dame Institute for Advanced Study, the Seeger Center for Hellenic Studies at Princeton University, the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and Dumbarton Oaks in Washington DC. He has been a member of the faculty at Notre Dame since 2014. His research interests gravitate around the fields of Greek Patristic, Byzantine, and Orthodox Theology, with a special focus on the areas of Christology, theological anthropology, ascetic thought, and East-West relations. He is currently developing a project on the nature and practice of theology in the middle and late Byzantine periods, with a view to bringing the findings into conversation with modern Orthodox thought. He was ordained to the priesthood in the Patriarchate of Constantinople in 2020, and is a Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne.

Joseph Wawrykow

History of Christianity | Medieval Christology; the late medieval and early modern reception of Aquinas's theology | Born and raised in Canada, Joseph Wawrykow did his doctoral work at Yale University and has taught at Notre Dame since graduation. He specializes in 13th-century Western theology, and has published on a wide range of central theological topics (Trinity; Christ; grace and predestination; sacraments; biblical interpretation) in high medieval theology. While he is best known for his work on the theology of Thomas Aquinas, his scholarly interests extend to other scholastic theologians, as well as to the varieties of medieval spiritual theology. In his research, he is attentive to issues of reception and transformation, showing the medieval scholastic theological achievement in its complex relations with the theologies of the early Fathers. Wawrykow has directed numerous doctoral dissertations, on such figures as William of Auxerre, Angela of Foligno, Duns Scotus, and, Aquinas. He has received University recognition for his teaching, both undergraduate and graduate, and has been entrusted with several leadership responsibilities by his Department, including lengthy stints as Director of Undergraduate Studies and as Director of Graduate Studies (Ph.D.) He is married to an art historian (Yale Ph.D.); their son did his undergraduate work at Yale and is currently pursuing doctoral studies in Mathematics at the University of Michigan.

Jeff Wickes

History of Christianity, Liturgical Studies |Late Antique Christianity; Syriac literature; ritual studies; religion and literature |Jeff Wickes focuses on the interplay between Syriac literature, theology, and liturgy in the context of late antique Christianity. Building projects that work from close readings of Syriac texts, he gravitates in his work towards larger questions of genre (especially poetry), religion, and theology as they play out within the historical horizons of late antique Christianity, and as those horizons meet our own in the contemporary world. His first two books focused on Syriac Christianity’s formative voice, Ephrem the Syrian, and sought to find the place where performative context and exegesis met in the space of Ephrem’s poetry. His current book turns to a range of Syriac hagiographical poems sung between the fourth and sixth centuries to ask questions around form, agency, time, and gender in late antique poetry and the cult of the saints. He comes to Notre Dame after nine years at Saint Louis University. Prior to that, he completed a PhD at the University of Notre Dame, an MA at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Seminary, and a BA at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. His work has been supported by grants from, among others, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection, the Mellon Foundation, and the Dolores Zorhab Liebmann Fund.

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Doctor of Philosophy in History of Christianity and Historical Theology

Experience historical christianity as a living, breathing, on-the-ground phenomenon.

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in History of Christianity and Historical Theology focuses upon historical themes, issues, and methodologies. Students in the program will study a major historical emphasis, such as Christian origins and the Early church; the Reformations in Europe; the rise of the Reformation and the Wesleyan movement in England; the period of US Christian history; Wesleyan and Methodist Studies. Within these, more delimited time periods and subjects/themes would be selected for study and research, to include social context, theological developments, and key ecclesiastical and social issues.

Meet a Current Student

Peter J. Smith is a doctoral student in historical theology and a native of Athens, Ohio. His research focuses on the development of theological anthropology and soteriology in the 4th and 5th centuries, as well as the early articulation of Wesleyan theology. His master’s thesis discussed the anthropological implications of Athanasius’ doctrine of deification.

Degree Requirements

The PhD in History of Christianity and Historical Theology is a 40-credit hour degree program.

3 Foundational Courses (7-credit hours)

• Hermeneutics
• Teaching Seminar
• Research Seminar

6 to 8 Courses in Major (18- to 24-credit hours)

• 6 hours are required in designated courses in applied historiography

3 to 4 Courses in Minor (9- to 12- credit hours)

2 Elective Courses as needed (6 credit hours)

Research Languages and/or Research Tools (2)

• One in a language for academic research and a second research language or pertinent research methodology, plus all tools necessary to complete the dissertation.

Qualifying Exams

• 4 written exams
• 1 oral exam

Dissertation Proposal

Dissertation and Defense

Optional focus in African American/Black Religious Studies

To add a focus in African American/Black Religious Studies, a student would take a minimum of fifteen hours of courses with specific African American/Black content, as selected by the student in consultation with their advisor. Persons opting for this focus would have an African American/Black advisor or consulting co-advisor, or as a committee member. At least one of the student’s Qualifying Examination questions would be on a dimension of African American/Black religion. The student’s dissertation would incorporate some element relating to African American/Black religious life and thought.

Our History Faculty

In my courses, I want students to appreciate the past as something that is both distant from us and always with us. I want them to experience historical Christianity as a living, breathing, on-the-ground phenomenon.

Dr. Anna Johnson Associate Professor of Reformation Church History

My goal is to make the historical authors, their worlds, worldviews, and their thought accessible to the twenty-first century student as much as possible.

Dr. James Papandrea Professor of Church History and Historical Theology

Degree Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of broad areas of their respective disciplines—primary sources, secondary sources, methods, and intellectual foundations
• Demonstrate the ability to plan and conduct research and make contributions to their field
• Develop research skills to carry into their future work as scholars
• Demonstrate skills in oral and written communication to present and publish work in their field
• Demonstrate competence in teaching their discipline in a designated course on pedagogy and through practical experience as teaching assistants
• Demonstrate, through service in academy, church, and seminaries, the value of their discipline to the academy and community at large

Garrett accepts applications from students with a masters degree in religious or theological studies from an accredited college or university and proficiency in the English language.

In response to COVID-19 pandemic, PhD applications WILL NOT require GRE scores. Applications are due by January 20th.

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Phd overview, housing opportunities.

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History & Ecumenics PhD Program

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The History and Ecumenics Department features world-class scholars who specialize in the historical development and contemporary trajectories of Christianity, often in the context of other religious traditions. The faculty’s expertise reaches across time and around the world. The graduates of our PhD program have gone on to be professors and administrators in major research universities and in theological institutions, as well as significant leaders in church and society beyond.

PhD Course of Study | History & Ecumenics

The History and Ecumenics Department features five tracks for doctoral study. Prospective students should identify one in which their doctoral work will be centered, though the faculty also encourage and support work that develops across and in collaboration between tracks.

Early Christianity and Its World Beginning as a sectarian movement within Palestinian Judaism, Christianity emerged through a process of religious, social and cultural encounter both within the Roman Empire and beyond its borders to the east. Within a few centuries Christian communities had developed in Europe, Africa and Asia, and their members had produced a broad array of literature (theological, exegetical, historical, hagiographic and liturgical) in a plethora of languages (Arabic, Armenian, Coptic, Ethiopic, Georgian, Greek, Latin and Syriac). They also created a rich trove of material culture from jewelry to liturgical implements to massive structures for community worship. Study of this period of Christian history rests on a foundation of linguistic, cultural and religious knowledge about the ancient world, and it embraces the theological, exegetical, liturgical and archeological study of Christian communities from the New Testament period through the rise of Islam. Our program offers many points of entry into this complex field of study.

Medieval Christianity and Its World By “medieval” Christian history we mean an entire millennium, from 500 to 1500. In this era, the history of theology (and philosophy) is inseparable from the institutional history of Christianity, its worship and art, especially in the encounter with Islam. Although the idea of “middle” ages stems from Western Europe (in the middle between antiquity and the Renaissance) we here include the Eastern Orthodox churches not only in Byzantium and Russia but also in Asia, North Africa, and Ethiopia.

Reformation and Its World The major religious changes of the Reformation were one of the most significant factors in the early modern era (1450-1650), and they were not confined to western Europe, or to theology or church structures alone. The Reformation and Its World covers church, social and theological history, Christian life, worship, and mission in a global frame. Titles of courses and doctoral seminars indicate some of the wide-ranging themes addressed and specific topics treated in depth in this area of specialization, as well as how this era forms an integral part of the wider history of Christianity in the world.

Religion in the Americas The religion in the Americas track brings into focus the interconnectedness of religious worlds across North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Coursework will introduce students to historical, anthropological, sociological, and other theoretical methods and approaches to the study of religion in the Americas. In their own research students can focus on a variety of topics, including the relationship of religion to politics, economics, culture, migration, identity, urbanization, and other deep structures shaping everyday life in the Americas. This track trains students to think not only across space and region but also across time from the 15th century to the present. In addition, the track challenges students to think about the connections between past and present, including how deep histories of coloniality, race, interculturality, and more relate to pressing social ethical questions for today.

World Christianity and the History of Religions This track dedicates itself to fostering an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to the study of Christianity and the history of Christianity as a pluricultural, global phenomenon. Though primarily focused on Christianity’s burgeoning presence in the global South (Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Pacific), the contemporary worldwide diffusion of global South Christianity in its various diasporas also falls within the program’s purview. Given that the world’s religions condition the dominant context out of which Christianity emerges in the global South, the faculty responsible for the track consider a grounding in the History of Religions to be indispensable for a proper understanding of World Christianity in its diverse global contexts. While nurturing a broad perspective on Christianity’s variegated, cross- cultural and transnational, diasporic manifestations, the track also endeavors to provide a space in the doctoral curriculum of the Seminary for the study and practice of Intercultural Theologies, using as its primary resources a wide range of theologies that find expression in the global South. The track thus hopes to enhance the ecumenical interrelations of the global Christian communion, including its interactions with believers from other faith communities. As a whole, the track provides a rigorous scholarly foundation for a multifaceted study of World Christianity’s many worlds.

Residence Requirements

All tracks in the History & Ecumenics doctoral program require that a student successfully complete a minimum of eight doctoral seminars. The purpose of coursework is to develop expertise, hone research skills, and to prepare for comprehensive exams. Ordinarily, these eight courses will include:

• A departmental seminar or individual tutorial on methodology.
• One seminar chosen from doctoral offerings at Princeton University.

Additional course requirements vary by track, as follows:

Early Christianity and its World --one seminar in early Christianity --one seminar from at least three of the other four tracks: medieval Christianity, Reformation, Religion in the Americas, World Christianity

Medieval Christianity and its World --one seminar in medieval Christianity --one seminar from at least three of the other four tracks: early Christianity, Reformation, Religion in the Americas, World Christianity

Reformation and its World --one seminar in Reformation --one seminar from at least three of the other four tracks: early Christianity, medieval Christianity, Religion in the Americas, World Christianity

Religion in the Americas --one seminar on North American religious history --one seminar on Latin American religions --one seminar on World Christianity --one seminar on early Christianity, medieval Christianity, or the Reformation

World Christianity and the History of Religions --one seminar on World Christianity --one seminar on the history of religions --one seminar on intercultural theologies --one seminar on early Christianity, medieval Christianity, the Reformation, or Religion in the Americas

Students will choose their courses in consultation with their advisers in order to ensure a coherent and maximally useful course of study. PhD students are free to audit other courses in the Seminary catalogue, such as those offered in the Master’s program. If such courses are taken for PhD credit, additional work will usually be required.

In addition to their coursework, students in residence are required to attend the departmental colloquium.

Language requirements vary by track, as follows:

Early Christian Studies Students must demonstrate proficiency in four languages--two ancient and two modern--by the end of their 2nd year in the doctoral program. Students must demonstrate proficiency in at least two of these languages prior to matriculation. Ancient languages: Greek and one of the following: Latin, Coptic, or Arabic Modern languages: French and German

Medieval Christianity Students must demonstrate proficiency in Latin, French, and German by the end of their 2nd year in the doctoral program (when appropriate, an alternative modern language, e.g. Spanish, may be approved). Students must demonstrate proficiency in two of the languages (including Latin and either French, German, or an alternative modern research language) prior to matriculation.

Reformation and the World Students must demonstrate proficiency in Latin, French, and German by the end of their 2nd year in the doctoral program. Students must demonstrate proficiency in two of these three languages prior to matriculation.

Religion in the Americas Students must demonstrate proficiency in one modern research language by the end of their 2nd year in the program. Ordinarily this language will be Spanish or Portuguese, though, when there is a clear and compelling rationale, students may petition their residency committee to count a different language toward this requirement. This petition must be approved by the end of the 1st year.

World Christianity and the History of Religions Students must demonstrate proficiency in one modern research language by the end of their 2nd year in the program. This language, which will ordinarily be relevant to the dissertation, will be determined in consultation with the residence committee.

PhD students are also encouraged to develop further language skills through auditing Seminary courses or enrolling in appropriate University courses. These opportunities, however, do not count toward the eight seminars.

Comprehensive Examinations

Across tracks, doctoral students in History & Ecumenics will take four comprehensive exams. The format and content of three of the exams may vary and will be determined in consultation between the student and their residency committee. Possible formats include:

• a course research and design proposal
• a 36-hour, open book/notes, take-home exam, with questions on topics, figures, and texts agreed upon in advance. This exam will give the student a chance to exhibit control and clear understanding of a field of knowledge---its key texts, figures, controversies, and problematics. Such an exam will typically be 15-25 double-spaced pages.
• a 6-hour (8 total, with a 2-hour break), seated, closed book/closed notes examination. Such an exam will typically be 10-15 double-spaced pages, though sometimes longer.
• a 2 or 3 question exam completed over 5 weeks. The start date will be agreed upon by the student and their examiners. Books and notes allowed. Each question will require roughly 10-15 pages (double-spaced) of text.

In every case, the fourth will be a dissertation-related paper of 20-25 pages, which should, whenever possible, represent a significant step toward the crafting of a dissertation proposal. Finally, note that at least three different formats must be used across the four exams. Only one exam may be a course research and design proposal.

All examiners are selected through consultation between the student and their residency committee. A first and second reader will be assigned to each examination. Bibliographies for the examinations are compiled by the student in consultation with the first reader. Each of the four bibliographies will include between 40 and 100 sources/books/articles. After the written exams are completed, there will be a comprehensive oral examination based on all four of them. Students will receive feedback on the written examinations at least three days prior to the oral examination. At the conclusion of a successful oral defense the student will work with their residence committee chair to select a dissertation committee, which will be approved by the department and will help to guide them through the rest of the program.

Track-specific requirements regarding the content of examinations are as follows:

Early Christianity and its World --one exam on early Christianity --two exams focused on two of the other four tracks: medieval, Reformation, Religion in the Americas, and/or World Christianity

Medieval Christianity and its World --one exam on medieval Christianity --two additional exams, each focused on one of the other four tracks: early, Reformation, Religion in the Americas, and/or World Christianity

Reformation and its World --one exam on Reformation --two additional exams, each focused on one of the other four tracks: early medieval, Religion in the Americas, and/or World Christianity

Religion in the Americas --one exam on North American religious history --one exam on Latin American religions --one exam developed in accordance with the students’ research interest (options include but are not limited to: theories of religion, a religion other than Christianity, world Christianity methodologies, early Christianity, medieval Christianity, the Reformation)

World Christianity and the History of Religions --one exam on the historiography of World Christianity (in relation to one or more of the global South areas covered by the faculty) --one exam on theory and methodology for the History of Religions; and social science theory and methodology for the study of World Christianity (in relation to one or more religious traditions found within the global South or diaspora areas covered by the faculty) --one exam on intercultural theory, methodology, and theology applied to the study of World Christianity (in relation to one or more of the global South areas covered by the faculty)

Dissertation Proposal

Following successful completion of the comprehensive examinations, a PhD candidate is expected to submit a dissertation proposal for approval, first by the newly-constituted dissertation committee, which will guide the process, and then by the department. The proposal will typically be 20-25 pages and will include an overview of the research question and approach; an overview of the existing literature; and an initial attempt to describe the way that the argument will develop and the chapters will unfold. The proposal must be approved by the department prior to the end of the student’s 3rd year.

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Senior pastor, asbury united methodist church, atlantic city, nj, latasha milton, class of 2018.

“My passion is doing what I can to empower and liberate people who are hurting. PTS has made me a better person and pastor because it’s given me the tools to better serve the oppressed and marginalized.”

• Schools & departments

History of Christianity

Engage deeply with the Christian past whether your interests lie in centuries long ago or the immediate present.

Research profile

Our approach is interdisciplinary: instructors include historians of Christianity, historical theologians and systematic theologians. Your work will be enriched by the School’s guest lectures and regular research seminars. 

Areas of particular research strength are:

• Early Christianity and other religions in their ancient Mediterranean context
• Medieval theology and mysticism
• Patristics and early Christian history
• The Reformation and early modern Reformed theology
• The Enlightenment in a Scottish and international perspective
• The history of British and European Christianity from the 18th century
• The history of Christian missions from the 18 th century
• Issues of religion and literature, particularly in the 19 th  and 20 th  centuries

You can find out more and identify a potential supervisor by looking at the School’s Staff Profiles, which give details of research interests and publications, and email addresses.

Further information

Postgraduate admissions.

Phone: +44 (0)131 650 8952

Email: [email protected]

Our postgraduate Degree Finder contains details of entry requirements, fees, scholarships and international student information for this programme.

Apply online

This article was published on 2024-03-19

• Biblical Studies
• Catechetics
• History of Christianity and Church History
• Historical and Systematic Theology
• Liturgical Studies and Sacramental Theology
• Moral Theology/Ethics
• Pastoral Studies
• Spirituality

School of Theology and Religious Studies

• Historical Theology (Ph.D.)

Doctor of Philosophy in Historical Theology

• Master of Arts (M.A.)
• Historical Theology (S.T.L.)
• Historical Theology (S.T.D.)
• Systematic Theology (S.T.L.)
• Systematic Theology (S.T.D.)
• Systematic Theology (Ph.D.)

The Doctorate of Philosophy in Historical Theology represents an achievement in theological scholarship and research. The Ph.D. program is designed to prepare graduate students to make significant contributions to knowledge in historical inquiry while broadening their understanding of other areas of theology. By means of research seminars, advanced level courses, language skills, comprehensives, and an extensive research project, the program is designed to develop graduates who are capable of thorough theological understanding and careful research. The focus in the course work, comprehensive examinations, and research for and writing of the dissertation is on the thought and the works (including manuscripts) of individual theologians or schools of theology in their theological, philosophical, ecclesial, socio-political, and cultural contexts ranging from the first century to the present. A dissertation in Historical Theology should be a work of original scholarly analysis and interpretation that challenges, expands upon, modifies, and overcomes previous interpretations and that draws upon the methods of theological, philological, historical, philosophical, and literary interpretation. In addition and specific to the general requirements outlined for obtaining a Civil Degree, the doctoral degree in Historical Theology requires the following:

Prerequisites

• At least twelve credit hours of undergraduate or graduate philosophy. Normally, these credits should be in four of the following areas: ancient philosophy, medieval philosophy, modern philosophy, epistemology, metaphysics, ethics.
• At least fifteen credit hours of undergraduate and/or graduate courses in theology of religious studies at a B grade level or above. These should include courses in the Old and New Testaments, church history, and systematic and moral theology. Upon review of an applicant's previous studies, some prerequisite courses may be required at the discretion of the admissions committee.

Course Requirements

• A minimum of thirty-six hours of coursework after the M.A. degree.
• Eighteen hours (including TRS 760A: Theological Foundations) are to be taken in the historical theology at the 700-level (lecture) and 800-level (seminars). At least twelve of these eighteen hours are to be taken in 800-level seminars which require major research papers.
• Twelve hours of electives that may be taken in any of the academic areas of the School of Theology and Religious Studies.
• Students who enter the Ph.D. program with an inadequate background are encouraged to audit 600 level courses in order to complement their courses at the 700 and 800 level.

Students in Historical Theology are encouraged to take a minor (6 credit hours) in some area other than Historical Theology.  They are encouraged to select Church History as a minor area of concentration.

Language Requirements

Candidates for the Ph.D. must demonstrate a reading knowledge of the following languages:

• Latin: Reading knowledge of Latin must be demonstrated by successful completion of the Latin Proficiency Exam administered by the Historical/Systematic area or by a course in Patristic or Medieval Latin. Ordinarily, the Latin requirement should be satisfied during a student's first fall semester in the program.
• Greek: Reading knowledge of either biblical or patristic Greek must be demonstrated either by the successful completion of a reading course in biblical or patristic Greek-depending upon the student's area of concentration-or by an examination administered by the Historical/Systematic area.
• German: Reading knowledge of theological German must be demonstrated either by passing an examination administered by the Historical/Systematic area or by passing TRS 504 Theological German.
• A major Romance language: Reading knowledge of a modern Romance language (French, Italian, Spanish) must be demonstrated by passing an examination administered by the Historical/Systematic area.

Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination

The examination will be based upon a reading list drawn up by the student in consultation with the three members of the examining board. The list should include approximately fifty substantive titles drawn from both primary and secondary sources as well as works by authors in other Christian traditions. Titles may be books, or a combination of articles by a single author, equivalent to book length. The reading list in historical theology should consist of fifteen books in the student's major historical period, ten books in each of the two other historical periods, and fifteen books in the student's theological area. The structure of the comprehensive exam is explained in the Comprehensive Exam Handbook .

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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program is designed to equip you for teaching and research in colleges, theological seminaries, and universities, and for advanced church leadership.

Home / Programs / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

What Is a Doctor of Philosophy?

A doctor of philosophy, also known as a PhD, is a doctoral degree in a specific area of study. At Calvin Theological Seminary, this terminal degree is available in the area of theology.

What Is a Theology PhD Program?

Calvin Theological Seminary’s PhD focuses on Christian theology. The graduate program leading to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree is designed to afford students advanced training in independent inquiry, academic research, critical analysis, and scholarly writing as they define their own theological positions in dialogue with other points of view. It is aimed at equipping scholars from all parts of the world for teaching and research in colleges, theological seminaries, and universities and for general ecclesiastical leadership.

Theology Doctorate Career Opportunities

A PhD can prepare you for many roles, including:

• Professor: Share your knowledge through undergraduate- or graduate-level teaching. 
• Pastor-Scholar: Help lead a congregation and a denomination as a pastor who engages with and produces scholarship that feeds the church.
• Author: Curate your learning and research through written works.
• Center or institute staff: Serve as a leader for a faith-based center, institute, think tank, or other organization that values theology.

Our PhD in Theology Program

Seminary phd concentrations.

PhD concentrations are offered in the History of Christianity, Moral Theology (Ethics), New Testament, Philosophical Theology, and Systematic Theology.

• History of Christianity: If you love studying history and the life of the global church, this concentration offers you a deeper study of the development of Christian communities and Christian thought over time.
• Moral Theology (Ethics): For students who have a passion for ethical living, personally and communally, this concentration offers a philosophical and practical look at moral theology.
• New Testament: Does the life of Jesus, and the acts of the early church, excite you? Do you pore over Scripture with an eagerness to understand more deeply? This concentration offers an up-close look at the New Testament of God’s living Word.
• Philosophical Theology: If you are drawn to the work of thought-provoking authors throughout time, energized by philosophical conversations with your peers, and curious about the implications of philosophy for the church and the world, this concentration is your key to open doors of the mind.
• Systematic Theology: What is theology? Why does it matter? How can we respond to basic questions about the Christian faith? What is the story being told in the whole of Scripture? Explore these questions and more through the systematic theology concentration. 

Theology PhD Coursework

Students are required to complete a total of twelve PhD courses for credit in biblical or theological content areas. Full-time students take six courses per year (typically three per semester) for two years. Part-time students take either four courses per year for three years or three courses per year for four years. At least three courses must be taken in the student’s discipline of specialization and at least two courses in each of the other three areas.

In addition to the twelve required PhD courses in biblical and theological content areas, students in the program must take seminar 9103RP, “Teaching & Student Formation,” during the first two years in the program and are expected to take seminar 9102RP, “Dissertation Seminar,” if they have completed the required PhD courses and are working on their dissertation. Students ordinarily will take the dissertation seminar during more than one semester. These seminars are offered on a credit/no credit basis and do not count toward the twelve required courses in the program. Students living outside of the Grand Rapids area can join by video call.

Learning in the Reformed Tradition

Calvin Seminary is committed to the confessional and theological standards of the Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA), but students from all Christian traditions are welcome to apply. The academic freedom to probe the foundations of Reformed theology and to explore the validity of other approaches is a fundamental assumption of the PhD program.

Get Your Theology Doctorate in Michigan

The residential PhD program allows you to learn in our newly remodeled smart classrooms alongside your peers and mentors. Experience true community, below-market housing (optional), and a vibrant city at your fingertips.

Academic & Vocational Support

As an option, PhD students may use the services of the Vocational Formation Office, including formation groups with peers and personal assessment tools such as the Birkman.

Finishing Your PhD

How long does a phd take.

The PhD program at Calvin typically takes between 4–5 years to complete.

Program Details and Requirements

In addition to this summary of the PhD program, further details and requirements can be found in the PhD Handbook.

Program Outcomes

PhD graduates will leave the program with the following skills and competencies:

• Academic research skills
• Critical analytical skills
• Scholarly writing skills
• Ability to teach across the entire field of biblical and theological studies, with mastery of one biblical or theological discipline
• Ability to provide thoughtful, fair, and respectful analyses and interpretations of positions with which they agree and of positions with which they disagree
• Ability to articulate their own biblical and theological positions and engage in informed, respectful dialogue with other points of view
• Understanding of and appreciation for Christian thought from around the world and from diverse points of view
• Ability to strengthen the church’s biblical and theological understanding and its ministry, including the ministry of proclaiming the gospel and discipling believers for Christ-like service in everyday life

What Makes the PhD Program at Calvin Different from Other Seminary PhDs?

• International learning community: Calvin Seminary offers an international community of Christian scholars eager to learn from one another. Calvin is a truly global community, with students coming from over 20 countries around the world. Over 30% of students come from outside the United States and Canada.
• Reformed : Calvin Seminary is a learning community in the Reformed Christian tradition that forms church leaders who cultivate communities of disciples of Jesus Christ. Here you will receive a thorough grounding in confessional Reformed thought. 
• Diverse scholarly literature: The program helps develop an awareness and appreciation of scholarly literature representing diverse points of view in the worldwide church today and of ways in which cultural and religious contexts challenge and enrich theological education.
• Know your Christian history: Students will learn about key figures and issues in the history of Christian thought and throughout church history. 
• Solid methodology: The Calvin Seminary PhD program teaches and practices a solid methodology of theological research. You will be introduced to proper research methods and their application as well as to important theological issues and developments.
• Broad range of biblical and theological topics: Calvin Seminary enables teaching competency across a variety of biblical and theological topics through a broad range of coursework and comprehensive examinations. In addition, each PhD concentration provides depth and breadth of learning in a specific area.
• Insightful pedagogy: The PhD program offers instruction in pedagogy that provides insights, skills, and practice in teaching. Courses are innovative and engaging, built on the learning and expertise of world-class professors. 
• Supportive community: At Calvin Seminary, you will find a supportive community from the first course to the last chapter of the dissertation. Faculty, staff, and fellow students are here to support you throughout your seminary journey.
• Significant financial support: Calvin Seminary PhD students will find substantial financial support and options for reasonable living expenses. You are guaranteed to receive tuition support between 25% and 100%.

Library and study space resources: Calvin Seminary offers high-quality literary resources and study space. Here you will discover Hekman Library—the largest private library in Michigan, and home to an entire floor of resources devoted to theology, biblical scholarship, and ministry practices.

How to Apply

Begin the journey to your potential PhD by applying now and submitting supplemental materials. Our application process will walk through the items you need to submit, and our Enrollment Management team is available for help and questions along the way.

Calvin Seminary offers a wide range of scholarships and other financial assistance. In fact, in recent years, nearly $1.5 million in scholarship funds were awarded annually.

Application Requirements

The PhD committee, in partnership with the admissions office, will make all admissions decisions. 

A Master of Divinity , Master of Theological Studies , Master of Theology , or an equivalent degree, with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.3 (B+), from an accredited institution. All applicants must show transcript evidence that they know Hebrew, Greek, and a modern foreign language (preferably German, French, or Dutch). Applicants must also submit scores of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and a research paper that demonstrates their ability to do theological research and analysis at an advanced level. 

Additionally, an Autobiography (250-500 word autobiography, focusing on personal history, academic/professional background, and church/ministry involvement) and a Statement of Purpose (500 words describing your academic interests and vocational goals in pursuing a PhD at Calvin Seminary) are required.

For more information on the PhD admissions process, please see the PhD Handbook .

Applicants who are non-native in English must submit official TOEFL exam results as a part of their application for admission. A minimum internet-based total score of 90 with a score of 23 in the writing section is required. Use Calvin Theological Seminary’s institutional code 1096 to order scores.

For information on international student application requirements, visit the international student information page .

Admission Deadlines

The deadline for PhD application materials to be submitted is January 15. 

The PhD program has one start date: the Fall Semester. Admitted students will typically be required to be on-campus for an orientation in mid-August.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

A PhD (Doctor of Philosophy), like a ThD (Doctor of Theology), is a terminal degree. PhD and ThD degrees from seminaries and theological schools generally have equivalent standing. Some institutions choose to use the degree title of ThD as a way to designate a focus on Christian theological study or include Christian formation. However, many PhD programs, like Calvin’s, also focus on Christian theological study and include Christian formation.

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program is designed to equip students for teaching and research in colleges, theological seminaries, and universities, and for advanced church leadership. Calvin Seminary’s DMin program allows ministry professionals to develop advanced ministry leadership skills and spiritual formation.

The PhD can enhance pastoral and other ministry roles, but it is not required for ordination .

Start your PhD journey today when you apply now.

Get to Know Calvin Theological Seminary

Meet Your Faculty

Faculty at Calvin Theological Seminary carry out the seminary’s mission as inspiring thought leaders, invested teachers and mentors, and committed followers of Christ.

Student Stories

Past graduates have applied their learning to a variety of ministry-based opportunities. Here are some of their stories.

Academic Support

In addition to contextual learning, the Vocational Formation Office offers students other forms of support, including formation groups with peers, vocational mentors, and assessment tools to help students identify and cultivate their strengths.

Doctor of Philosophy in Church History and Historical Theology

Program snapshot, train to serve the church or the academy through intensive studies in christian history..

The Ph.D. in Church History and Historical Theology trains students to assess significant people, important events, and theological trends in Christian history. Students to specialize in specific historical areas such as the Patristics, the Reformation, American Christianity or Baptist History.

Advance your education. Grow in your love for God.

Total Doctor of Philosophy in Church History and Historical Theology: 70

Students take 5 courses in their area of study and 3 “flex” seminars in whichever area they are interested.  The following are just a few of the courses available to church history students.

Students can be supervised by the following faculty:

Michael A. G. Haykin

Stephen O. Presley

Gregory A. Wills

Research Interests

John D. Wilsey

Shawn D. Wright

Frequently asked questions.

If you do not have an M.Div. but you do have a M.A. or other masters-level divinity credit, you may submit a  doctoral equivalency evaluation  to the admissions office to find out if you qualify for SBTS PhD programs.*

• A minimum master’s level cumulative grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale is expected.

For a complete listing of doctoral admissions requirements, see the “Admissions & Cost” tab.

*International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES approved organization for both admissions consdiration and for equivalency requests.

During the application process you will indicate your preferred supervisor and be asked to describe your research interest but both can be subject to change until you are accepted and enrolled in the program.

During your faculty interview and during on-boarding to the program (if accepted) you will have the opportunity to discuss and receive advising on both your supervisor and your research topic.

Your final research area(s) will be determined in close consultation with and approval by your supervisor, this generally occurs during the coursework stage of your program.

Admissions for the Ph.D. program consists of:

Initial Application Submission

• All required materials must be submitted to the Office of Admissions by the appropriate deadline (see “Admissions” tab for more information).

Entrance Exam and Interview

• Students who are believed to have a reasonable possibility of acceptance are invited to participate in entrance exams and faculty interviews.
• Exams and interviews are held remotely via Zoom (travel to campus not required) once each month.
• For more information on Entrance Exams, click here .

The Ph.D. program is structured for 48 months (4 years). Students who take longer than four years will be assessed an additional $2,000 fee for each semester of extension beyond the four-year limit.

During the PhD student stage (coursework stage), students will complete eight seminars, usually five seminars in their major and three seminars that may be completed in any area.

Some concentrations, such as biblical studies, historical and theological studies, and philosophy and theological studies , will require four seminars in each of two separate areas. All students will take the four RDS general education courses, four colloquia, and four installments of Prospectus Development.

In addition, students must demonstrate proficiency in two research languages (for School of Theology concentrations) or research methodology courses (for Billy Graham School concentrations).

Admissions Prerequisites

To be considered for admission in our Ph.D. program we require the following for applications:

• For the PhD concentrations in Christian Apologetics, Christian Philosophy, Christian Ethics, Ethics and Public Theology, and Philosophy and Theological Studies, the 72 hours may consist of an M.A. or equivalent in the field (60 hours minimum in specific disciplines), with the addition of 12 credit hours in biblical languages
• For the PhD concentrations in Christian Worship, Biblical Counseling and Practical Theology, Leadership, Missions, Evangelism, and World Religions, an M.A. or equivalent in the field (60 hours minimum in specific disciplines) may be acceptable.
• Students requiring additional coursework may attend Southern Seminary as a “Doctoral Leveling Student” online or on-campus.
• International transcripts will require an official evaluation from a NACES approved organization (World Evaluation Services is preferred).

*For more information about our equivalency standards, leveling options, or to request an equivalency review based on your master’s level work, please email  [email protected] .

Application Requirements

• All applicants must receive a reference from the local church where they are a member. Family members may not complete this reference. If you are the pastor of your church, please select another church leader (associate pastor, elder, deacon, etc.) to complete the church recommendation.  Recommendation forms are automatically emailed to references via our online application.
• Two additional academic recommendations. We suggest that a professor or a business acquaintance who can speak to academic performance complete the 2 additional recommendations required for doctoral students.
• Transcription from the educational institution or institutions that conferred  any required degrees  should be submitted to the Admissions Office. Contact the registrar or academic records office of your previous institution(s). They may e-mail the transcripts (directly or via 3rd party such as Parchment) to [email protected] or mail copies to our physical address.  Transcripts must come directly from schools either electronically or in sealed/unopened envelopes.
• A graduate level research paper  in the same field to which the applicant is applying  must be submitted along with the application.  You may upload this research paper directly onto the application.
• $40 application fee –  paid after application submission.

Application Deadlines

All application materials must be received by:

September 1 – Spring matriculation

March 1 – Fall matriculation

Entrance Exams and Interviews

Entrance Exams are exams designed to give students the opportunity to demonstrate their comprehension of the subject area in which they are applying and sometimes in related fields. Students will be notified soon after submitting all application components as to whether they are invited to participate in the entrance exam and interview.

Exams and interviews are held on one Friday each month  and are administered remotely (travel to campus not required). Click here to learn more.

Ready to learn more?

Prospective doctoral students are invited to visit Southern Seminary.

Program Cost

$1,000 down payment, and remaining balance due equally over 48 months.*

*Program tuition shown is for the 2023-2024 academic year. Additional fees are subject to the current fee schedule.

Financial Aid

Southern Seminary does not offer fully-funded scholarships or grants for the PhD program. Limited financial aid may be available for students that meet certain criteria. Click here to view our financial aid page to learn more.

Contact Admissions

Phone: (502) 897-4200

Text: (502) 305-3554

Email: [email protected]

Are you ready to become a pastor, counselor, or church leader who is Trusted for Truth?

Request information.

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History of christianity.

The concentration in the History of Christianity trains students in the history of Christianity and in historical methods of analysis for the study of religion. The curriculum includes a wide range of courses, from early and medieval Christianity to the Reformation and the contemporary world, and is enriched by many other departments and programs across the University (including Religious Studies, History, American Studies, African American Studies, History of Art, and Classics). Students are challenged to engage with the past in ways that treat earlier cultures with integrity, while exploring how those pasts continue to inform our present. Through the rigorous study of manuscript, printed, visual, and oral sources, students learn a range of methodologies and approaches to history as well as enter current debates on topics such as memory, war, race, gender, and sexuality. The program aims to reverse the historiographical exclusions of a field that for too long privileged European men as the only makers of history; and to think both critically and comparatively about how various societies have managed human difference. Faculty emphasize the historical study of theology and religious thought; the diverse cultural contexts in which religious ideas and practices were formulated, expressed, and disseminated; the varied roles of Christianity in making social and political change; and the historical intersections of Christianity with other religious traditions around the world. The concentration requires at least eighteen credit hours in historical studies and the completion of either an academic or professional thesis.

Faculty Coordinator:

• Tisa Wenger

Associated Faculty:

• Michal Beth Dinkler
• Jamil Drake
• Bruce Gordon
• Felicity Harley
• Erika Helgen
• Volker Leppin
• Katherine Lofton
• Kenneth Minkema
• Vasileios Marinis
• Andrew McGowan
• Teresa Morgan
• Kyama Mugambi
• Laura Nasrallah
• Sally Promey

• THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
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• Committees and Areas of Study
• History of Christianity
• Anthropology and Sociology of Religions
• Buddhist Studies at UChicago
• History of Judaism
• History of Religions
• Islamic Studies
• Philosophy of Religions
• Religion, Literature, and Visual Culture
• Religions in the Americas
• Religious Ethics

The History of Christianity area focuses on one major western religious tradition, in itself and in its interactions with other religions and cultures across time.

Faculty: Curtis J. Evans ,  Karin Krause,   Margaret M. Mitchell,   Willemien Otten , William Schultz ,  Erin Galgay Walsh  

The area fosters knowledge of the range of communities claiming an identity as "Christian" from the first through the twenty-first centuries, as well as allowing for individual specialization in a particular movement or historical moment, including ancient Christianity (to Constantine), late antique and medieval Christianity, the Reformation and early modernity, the Puritan movement, and the broad range of American Christianity.

Coursework and guided research emphasize the acquisition of essential skills of documentary and artifactual interpretation, critical appraisal of a range of methodological approaches to the material, and a sophisticated appreciation of the tasks, goals and audiences of historiographical writing. The construction of this area is based on the assumption that there are major issues that apply and extend to all periods (such as forms of biblical interpretation, means of adjudicating "orthodoxy" and "heresy," the relationship between Christian communities and the social order, forms of institutional and personal piety), as well as particular expressions of those dynamics in different chronological and geographical settings. It also assumes the need for integration of intellectual, social, institutional and cultural histories for interpreting the body of existing evidence and adequately addressing most important questions about this particular religious tradition in its various manifestations. Students in the HC area are encouraged to formulate an interdisciplinary approach to their research, through coursework throughout the areas of the Divinity School and the University (including the Department of History).

Progress Conference format

The progress (or pre-exam) conference is normally held in the spring quarter of the second year, or the fall of the third year.  In History of Christianity, the progress conference is held with the student's panel of examiners for the qualifying examinations, and will normally include assessment of coursework to date, cogency of the course of study petition, readiness for qualifying examinations, and development of the dissertation project. A report from the advisor and a timeline for the qualifying examinations is submitted to the Dean of Students following the conference. 

Sample Courses The Divinity School offers over one hundred courses in the academic study of religion every year. This is a small sample of recently offered courses.

• HCHR 30100 - History of Christian Thought I – Otten
• HCHR 30200 - History of Christian Thought II - Otten
• HCHR 30900 - History of Christian Thought V: Modern Religious Thought – Hector
• HCHR 50000 - Theological Criticism: Creation and Gender - Otten
• HCHR 39300 - My Body, My Self: Asceticism and Subjectivity – Walsh and Taylor
• HCHR 43200 - Colloquium: Ancient Christianity – Mitchell
• HCHR 43959 - Varieties of Dominican Mysticism: Albert the Great, Meister Eckhart, and Catherine of Siena - Otten
• HCHR 45200 - The Holy Land in the Middle Ages - Krause
• HCHR 36916 - Reading Greek Literature in the Papyri – Torallas-Tovar
• HCHR 45570 - Three Medieval Women: Fate and Voice in Heloise, Hildegard, and Hadewijch - Otten
• HCHR 44004 - ​The Veneration of Icons in Byzantium: History, Theory and Practice – Krause
• HCHR 50400 – Early Christian Rhetoric – Mitchell
• HCHR 50500 – Origen’s  Contra Celsum  – Mitchell

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• Faculty & Staff
• GTU’s 5-Year Vision

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History of Christianity

Students in this concentration study the Christian religion through critical historical investigation of the unity, diversity, and development of Christian communities, their material cultures and spiritualities, and their relations to other religions. This concentration offers opportunities to study in ancient, medieval, Reformation, early modern, and nineteenth- and twentieth-century Christianity. The History of Christianity concentration urges its students to take advantage of the historians and other students of religion at the University of California, Berkeley.

Core Doctoral Faculty

Ronald D. Burris

Arthur G. Holder

John Klentos

Eugene Ludwig, OFM Cap.

Christopher Ocker

Kirsi Stjerna

Consortial Faculty

Bernard Schlager

Jeremiah Coogan

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• Schools & departments

History of Christianity PhD, MPhil

Awards: PhD, MPhil

Study modes: Full-time, Part-time

Funding opportunities

Programme website: History of Christianity

Upcoming Introduction to Postgraduate Study and Research events

Join us online on the 19th June or 26th June to learn more about studying and researching at Edinburgh.

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Research profile

If you would like to undertake research in the History of Christianity, you will find excellent specialist supervision and library resources.

Areas of particular research strength are:

• patristics and early Christian history
• the reformation in Britain and on the continent
• the history of British and European Christianity from the 18th century
• the history of Christian missions, especially in Africa, from the 18th century

You can find out more and identify a potential supervisor by looking at the School’s Staff Profiles, which give details of research interests and publications, and email addresses.

• School of Divinity staff profiles

We encourage you to contact a potential supervisor to discuss your research project before making a formal application.

At the School of Divinity, you will join a community of around 150 research students, drawn from around the world, and from a variety of religious and non-religious backgrounds.

You will study in a stimulating environment. The Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 ranked the School first in Scotland and fifth in the UK for its research power in theology and religious studies. The majority of the research activity of our colleagues is classed as world-leading, reflecting the vibrancy of the School’s research culture.

Training and support

The ethos of the Graduate School is to promote excellence in postgraduate study, within a stimulating and supportive environment. We value equality and diversity in the School community, and an academic culture that is both critical and constructive.

• At the start of the academic year, you will be invited to Welcome Week, an intensive introduction to study and life in Edinburgh. Some events are especially for international students new to Scotland and the UK, but everything is open to all.
• In the first weeks, the School provides a general orientation to research skills and to wider opportunities for training and support.
• From your first days as a PhD or MPhil student, you will work one-to-one with your primary research supervisor.
• Your progress will be tracked, through regular supervisions and milestone reviews, to ensure that you get the support you need to bring your project to fruition.
• You will be part of the research seminar in the History of Christianity, to which visiting speakers are invited and to which postgraduates present work-in-progress.
• If your interest is in Patristics, you can engage with the work of the Centre for the Study of Christian Origins.
• You will be able to follow taught courses that contribute to your interests and research needs, and can also take advantage of opportunities to learn ancient and modern languages.
• If you are a PhD student, after successful completion of your first year, you will be eligible to apply for tutoring opportunities, to gain teaching experience.

A University review (2015) commended the Graduate School for providing excellent support, such as being:

• responsive to student feedback
• proactive in helping new postgraduates to adjust to their studies and to life in Scotland
• enthusiastic and practical in promoting career development

The postgraduate student committee works closely with the School to make the research student experience the best it can be.

The School of Divinity, one of the largest centres for the study of religion in the United Kingdom, is located in the historic setting of New College, close to Edinburgh Castle and overlooking Princes Street.

Resources for research are excellent:

• You can draw on the outstanding holdings of New College Library, the University of Edinburgh’s main library, and the nearby National Library of Scotland.
• New College Library has one of the largest theology collections in the UK, with more than a quarter of a million items and a large and rich manuscript collection.
• The University library exceeds 2.25 million volumes.
• The National Library of Scotland – a ‘legal deposit’ library like the British Library in London and the university libraries of Oxford and Cambridge – is just around the corner.

The School provides an extensive programme of weekly research seminars and special guest lectures. In addition, three research centres provide a special focus for activity:

• the Centre for the Study of Christian Origins
• the Centre for Theology and Public Issues

the Centre for the Study of World Christianity

Find out more about our research

You will have access to excellent study facilities, dedicated to postgraduates. PhD and MPhil students have access 24/7, and can request an allocated desk. Masters by Research students have shared study space. All areas have printing/scanning and computer facilities.

The main postgraduate study wing has a kitchen. New College has an on-site cafe that is open during term time.

Choose your research programme

You can choose from two research programmes: the MPhil or PhD.

Each takes a different amount of time: the MPhil takes two years; a PhD takes at least three.

Master of Philosophy (MPhil)

Studying for an MPhil commits you to:

• at least two years of full-time study
• write a thesis of up to 50,000 words

You will have regular one-to-one supervision and work with advice from two supervisors.

During the first year, you explore your chosen area of research and refine your research proposal. At around the nine-month mark, you will submit a draft chapter for discussion at a Review Board, together with a developed proposal for the whole thesis.

On the basis of your progress and the prospects for your research, the Review Board will make recommendations on the continuation of your studies into the second year.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Research for a PhD will require you to undertake:

• at least three years of full-time study
• a thesis of up to 100,000 words

For admission to the PhD programme, you will need to show a proven ability to sustain independent research under supervision, normally in the form of a masters programme that includes a dissertation.

From the beginning, the British pattern of PhD studies focusses on working towards the thesis: there is little or no coursework. This means that from the start you need to be well-prepared in any special skills you need for your research project, including languages. You will also need to be competent in academic writing in English.

On the basis of your progress and the prospects for your research, the Review Board will make recommendations on the continuation of your studies into the second year. After that, you will have an annual review to discuss your progress.

Entry requirements

These entry requirements are for the 2024/25 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2025/26 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2024.

Masters by Research and MPhil: A UK 2:1 honours degree with a mark of at least 65%, or its international equivalent, in a relevant subject. You should also have academic training in the area of your research project.

PhD: A UK 2:1 honours degree, a minimum US 3.25 GPA, or its international equivalent, and a masters degree in a relevant area. The masters degree should demonstrate a high level of attainment, normally with both coursework and a research dissertation marked at 67% or above (or its international equivalent, e.g. US 3.7 GPA). You should also have academic training in the area of your proposed research project.'

We may also consider your application if you have other qualifications or experience; please contact us to check before you apply.

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country
• English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced ( CAE ) / C2 Proficiency ( CPE ): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE : ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 70 with at least 59 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS , TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE , in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old* at the beginning of your programme of study. (*Revised 05 March 2024 to extend degree validity to five years.)

Find out more about our language requirements:

Fees and costs

Tuition fees, scholarships and funding, featured funding.

School of Divinity scholarships

Scholarships are awarded on academic merit. Most are open to all, but some are ring-fenced for applicants from certain parts of the world.

• Awards are made for both masters and PhD programmes.
• Typically, awards are for full or partial fee costs. Fully funded awards are exceptional and highly competitive.

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.

The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:

• your programme
• the duration of your studies
• your tuition fee status

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

• UK government and other external funding

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding

Further information

• Postgraduate Admissions
• Phone: +44 (0)131 650 8952
• Contact: [email protected]
• Dr Simon Burton
• Contact: [email protected]
• School of Divinity
• New College
• Mound Place
• Central Campus
• Programme: History of Christianity
• School: Divinity
• College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.

PhD History of Christianity - 3 Years (Full-time)

Phd history of christianity - 6 years (part-time), mphil history of christianity - 2 years (full-time), application deadlines.

We encourage you to apply at least one month prior to entry so that we have enough time to process your application. If you are also applying for funding or will require a visa then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.

• How to apply

You must submit two references with your application.

You must submit a formal research proposal as part of your application.

• Research proposal guidance

You must also submit a sample of your written academic work (3,000-5,000 words).

Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:

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The College of Arts & Sciences

• Department of Religious Studies
• Student Portal
• Fields of Study

History of Christianity

Graduate students in this area of focus will acquire a broad understanding of the history of the western Christian traditions and master the skills to do independent and original research on some area of specialization within that range. The area's central scholarly focus is the relationship between Christian traditions and western European and American cultures, study of which is multidisciplinary and requires working with colleagues and students from other departments and programs in addition to Religious Studies (e.g. Art History, English, Classical Studies, History, Philosophy, Romance and Germanic Literature and Languages, and Medieval and Renaissance Studies). Currently the department is particularly well-prepared to support topics that focus on Christianity in Late Antiquity (through 500 C.E.) and Early Modern Europe (1400-1700 C.E.).

Special admissions requirements

To apply, you should have or be completing a master’s program in a relevant or cognate field. You will choose a primary area of concentration and a secondary area.

Sample exam structure

There are five written exams, taken over a period of two weeks, followed by an oral examination. You are encouraged to get and begin preparing the bibliographies for their primary and secondary areas early in their doctoral coursework.

• Historical and cultural context relevant to the primary area (e.g., Christianity in Late Antiquity, Christianity in Early Modern Europe) (2 hours): Bibliography is determined through consultation with the relevant faculty member.
• Primary area of concentration (4 hours): Bibliographies are available from the relevant faculty.
• Secondary area (2 hours): Bibliographies are available from the relevant faculty.
• Thematic exam (2 hours): This exam might focus on an issue related to another field in the department (e.g. Ethics, Philosophy, and Politics, or Ancient Religions), a specific method (e.g. textual or visual analysis) or a specific issue, delimited by period or genre (e.g. Gender, Art, or Literature). Bibliography is determined through consultation with the relevant faculty member.
• Special topic (focused area relevant to the student’s possible dissertation) (2 hours): Bibliography is determined through consultation with the primary faculty advisor.

Meet the faculty

These are the core faculty who support this area of study:

Candy Brown ,  Department of Religious Studies

Constance Furey , Department of Religious Studies

Patrick Michelson , Department of Religious Studies

Jeremy Schott , Department of Religious Studies

Sonia Velázquez , Department of Religious Studies

Other faculty who support this area of study:

Cooper Harriss , Department of Religious Studies

Aaron Stalnaker , Department of Religious Studies

Winnifred Sullivan , Department of Religious Studies

Department of Religious Studies social media channels

• College of Arts & Sciences

• Religious Studies B.A.
• Religious Studies M.A.
• Religious Studies Ph.D.
• Ph.D. Minor

M.A. in History of Christianity

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Why Pursue an M.A. in History of Christianity?

The History of Christianity program equips and mentors graduate students seeking general and advanced study in Christian History by providing training in historical research and writing, critical reading and analysis, historiography, foreign language study, faith integration, and vocation formation

Interested in an insider's look into our M.A. community?

Visit or join our FaceBook group >

The History of Christianity program at Wheaton College provided opportunities to explore the richness and complexity of the history of the church. — Allison Brown M.A., '15, Writer and Editor, Museum of the Bible, Oklahoma City, OK

Why Study History of Christianity at Wheaton?

Historical training for the academy and the church.

Our program offers training in the discipline of Christian history by equipping students with a comprehensive knowledge of the Christian story across two millennia as it has intersected with social, political, economic, racial, gender, and cultural factors in the context of global history. To that end, students will receive training in social history, historical theology, and the history of biblical interpretation.

Explore History as Christian Vocation

Our program models and encourages methodologically sound integrative thinking for Christians in the field of history. Through mentoring as well as courses such as “Vocation Formation” and “Historiography,” graduate students will have opportunities to reflect, discern, and prepare for their calling. They will be encouraged and equipped to use their gifts as faithful scholars in a variety of contexts, whether for the academy, for the church, or for society. We believe that knowing Christian history is vital to the Christian faith and ministry.

Develop Expertise in a Christian Period

Though not required, interested students have the opportunity to select an area of emphasis in one of the three periods of study: Early Christianity, Reformation Christianity, or Modern Christianity. For those in pursuit of doctoral studies, this option of selecting an area of emphasis is highly recommended.

Wheaton Center for Early Christian Studies

Explore the life and thought of the Christian church in its first seven centuries through the teaching, research, and publications of the Wheaton Center for Early Christian Studies.

Course Catalog

Find detailed information such as course requirements, course descriptions, faculty information, and a program overview for the M.A. in History of Christianity.

Remote and Residential Learning Options

The M.A. in History of Christianity is accessible for remote learners while retaining a robust residential experience on the Wheaton College campus in Wheaton, IL. The remote option will be available beginning fall of 2024. Please reach out to Graduate Admissions for more information.

BTS Grad Women's Fellowship

The Biblical and Theological Studies (BTS) Grad Women’s Fellowship was started over a decade ago to provide a space for female graduate students in the department to meet together regularly throughout the year with female faculty, build relationships, provide support, and enjoy each other’s company. The group was started by Dr. Karen Jobes (Faculty Emerita) and is led today by Rev. Dr. Jennifer Powell McNutt and Rev. Dr. Amy Peeler. Food, fellowship, and prayer are the focus of our time together. If you are a female Bible and Theology student in an M.A. or Ph.D. program, please join us! Feel free to email [email protected]  with any questions.

Faculty Books

Calvin Meets Voltaire

Based upon a decade of research on the sources at Geneva's Archives d'Etat and Bibliotheque de Geneve, Dr. Jennifer Powell McNutt provides the first comprehensive monograph devoted to Geneva's Enlightenment clergy.

Balm in Gilead: A Theological Dialogue with Marilynne Robinson

This collection of essays, coedited by Dr. Keith Johnson and Dr. Tim Larsen, brings together the reflections of theologians, historians, and literary critics in dialogue with the person and work of Marilynne Robinson. 

The Slain God

Despite being a major site of friction between faith and modern thought, the relationship between anthropology and Christianity has never before been the subject of a book-length study. Dr. Timothy Larsen examines the point where doubt and faith collide with anthropological theory and evidence. 

Caesar and the Lamb

Caesar and the Lamb  by Dr. George Kalantzis focuses on the attitudes of the earliest Christians toward war and military service and tells the story of the struggle of the earliest Church, and the communities of Christ at the margins of power and society.

Recent Biblical and Theological Studies News

Learn more about the admission requirements to apply for the program.

The best way to experience Wheaton College Graduate School is to visit our campus!

Graduate Biblical and Theological Studies Billy Graham Hall 501 College Avenue Wheaton, IL 60187 630.752.5197 bts.graduate.studies@wheaton.edu

• Ph.D. in Biblical and Theological Studies Ph.D. in Biblical and Theological Studies -->
• M.A. in Biblical Exegesis M.A. in Biblical Exegesis -->
• M.A. in Biblical and Theological Studies M.A. in Biblical and Theological Studies -->
• M.A. in History of Christianity M.A. in History of Christianity -->
• M.A. in Old Testament Archaeology M.A. in Old Testament Archaeology -->
• M.A. in Theology M.A. in Theology -->
• B.A. in Biblical and Theological Studies B.A. in Biblical and Theological Studies -->
• B.A. in Archaeology B.A. in Archaeology -->

Possible Careers for M.A. in History of Christianity Students

In partnership with our Center for Vocation and Career, many of our majors find employment in church and parachurch agencies.

• Colleges and universities
• Junior colleges
• Parachurch agencies
• Religious organizations
• Publishing houses

Alumni from the program have gone on to complete doctoral degrees at the following universities:

• City University of NY
• Florida State
• Princeton Theological Seminary

Graduates of the program currently teach not only at confessional schools, but a variety of secular universities and colleges in America, as well as institutions of higher education abroad. Others have gone into teaching at high schools. Other students have entered into the publishing world, the creative writing and media field. A number of graduates serve in ministry with churches, mission agencies, charities, or para-church organizations.

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Committee on the Study of Religion

History of christianity.

Julia Hintlian

Julia Hintlian is a doctoral student in the History of Christianity. She takes a comparative approach to late ancient Christian traditions in the...

Laura Mucha

Laura Mucha is a PhD candidate in the history of Christianity. Her work examines...

Erik Nordbye

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