Program Definition
The Regent University School of Divinity Ph.D. program understands Renewal Studies as a methodological approach to global Christian engagement with discourses in the academy, church, and world as informed by critical reflection derived from charismatic movements and their practices throughout the history of God's people.
Concentrations
The Doctor of Philosophy program offers the following three concentrations:
Biblical Studies
The Biblical Studies concentration is intended to prepare students to teach and produce research at the intersection of Renewal Studies and biblical scholarship. Graduates will usually focus in either Old or New Testament, or in related areas as agreed upon with his or her advisor. Graduates will also be equipped to bring Renewal hermeneutical perspectives to bear on the field of biblical studies in general and on their areas of research more specifically. Student dissertations may include discussion of related topics in ancient Israel, the developing idea of the Holy Spirit during the intertestamental period, charismatic gifts in the early and post-apostolic church, or any number of other book, literary, or historical studies topics agreed upon with the advisor.
History of Global Christianity
The History of Global Christianity concentration is intended to prepare students to teach and produce research at the intersection of Renewal Studies and Christian or Church history. Graduates will usually gain expertise in a more focused area of study – i.e., Patristics, medieval Christianity, the Reformation, early modernity, the twentieth century Pentecostal or charismatic renewal, or another area agreed upon with his or her advisor. Graduates will also be equipped to bring Renewal historiographical perspectives to bear on the field of Christian history in general and on their areas of research more specifically. Student dissertations may include discussion of the Holy Spirit in the theology of Athanasius, renewal movements in the medieval and Reformation periods, the charismatic gifts in various historical traditions, ecclesial or biographical studies of prominent renewal movements or personalities, or any number of other topics in the history of global Christianity agreed upon with the advisor.
Christian Theology
The Christian Theology concentration is intended to prepare students to teach and produce research at the intersection Renewal Studies and Theological Studies. Graduates will usually gain expertise in a more focused area of study – one of the theological loci, a dogmatic tradition, comparative theology, or another area agreed upon with his or her advisor. Graduates will also be equipped to bring Renewal methodological perspectives to bear on the field of Theological Studies in general and on their areas of research more specifically. Student dissertations may include discussion of theologies of the Spirit in various contemporary theological traditions, comparative doctrinal or thematic studies, ecumenical explorations involving Renewal perspectives, constructive theological works, or any number of other topics in Christian theology agreed upon with the advisor.