ORU College of Theology's New Ph.D. Program Receives Accreditation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, August 9, 2018
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Stephanie Hill, Director of University Relations & Communications
Office: 918.495.7337, Mobile: 918.720.5548
sthill@oru.edu
Tulsa, OK – Oral Roberts University has taken a critical step forward in becoming
a premier research institution for the global Spirit-empowered movement, as the University’s
new Ph.D. in Theology program has received approvals from the University’s two accreditors:
the Higher Learning Commission and the Association of Theological Schools in the U.S.
and Canada.
“A theology Ph.D. program has been the unrelenting pursuit of ORU from its very early
years,” said ORU President Dr. William M. Wilson. “We have been working diligently
over the past couple of years to develop this program with the undergirding values
of world Christianity and the Spirit-empowered movement.”
Renowned Pentecostal historian, Dr. Vinson Synan, will lead the program with Dr. Eric
Newberg, Professor of Theological and Historical Studies, serving as Associate Director.
“It’s vital that we understand the connections and interactions between theological
studies and the global explosion of Spirit-empowered Christianity,” said Dr. Wonsuk
Ma, Dean of ORU’s College of Theology and Ministry. “The program will equip our doctoral
practitioners to develop original research, teach in higher education, and engage
the world with the message of Christ.”
The first track of the program explores the contextual theologies of global Christianity.
Contextual theology utilizes a method of theological practice that takes into account
four facets of theological reflection: the Spirit and message of the Gospel, historical
and theological orthodoxy, the religions and cultures of a nation or region, and the
global trends in Spirit-empowered Christianity.
“The program’s coursework will be modular, utilizing online technology and minimizing
the need for practitioners to live in Tulsa,” said Dr. Ma. “This will allow full-time
Christian leaders to undertake this research program.”
The international Ph.D. program, utilizing global experts as advisors, is expected
to launch fully in August of 2019.