Vanderbilt University Divinity School : 2006 Seminar
Participant Information
Institution Name: Vanderbilt University Divinity School
Address:
411 21st Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37240-1121
Phone: 615-322-2776
Key Contacts:
James Hudnut-Beumler - Dean, Vanderbilt University Divinity School
Alice Hunt - Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Herbert Marbury - Assistant Professor of Hebrew Bible
Viki Matson - Director of Field Education
Trudy Stringer - Associate Director of Field Education
Address:
411 21st Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37240-1121
Phone: 615-322-2776
Key Contacts:
James Hudnut-Beumler - Dean, Vanderbilt University Divinity School
Alice Hunt - Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Herbert Marbury - Assistant Professor of Hebrew Bible
Viki Matson - Director of Field Education
Trudy Stringer - Associate Director of Field Education
Description of Institution
The Divinity School seeks to fulfill the following objectives: to engage men and women in a theological understanding of religious traditions; to help persons, both lay and ordained, reenvision and prepare for the practice of Christian ministry in our time; to encourage individuals in their spiritual and intellectual growth; to prepare leaders who will be agents of social justice; and to educate future scholars and teachers of religion.
Degree programs enable students, with the aid of faculty advisers, to plan a course of study in light of their talents, interests, and professional objectives. Resources of the University and affiliated institutions offer rich opportunities for students to secure additional knowledge and skills in preparation for their vocations.
COMMITMENTS
The Divinity School is committed to the faith that brought the church into being, and it believes that one comes more authentically to grasp that faith by a critical and open examination of the Hebraic and Christian traditions. It understands this faith to have import for the common life of men and women in the world. Thus the school is committed to assisting its community in achieving a critical and reflective understanding of Christian faith and in discerning the implications of that faith for the church, society, and the lives of individuals. Concretely, this commitment entails the education of women and men who will be forceful representatives of the faith and effective agents in working for a more just and humane society, for the development of new and better modes of ministry, and for leadership in church and society that will help to alleviate the ills besetting individuals and groups. It entails as well the education of men and women who have, or are helped to develop, strong resources of personal faith, without which their leadership in church and community would be jeopardized.
The school affirms its commitment to do all in its power to combat the idolatry of racism and ethnocentrism that remains widespread in our society. Positively, this includes a commitment to take full account of the contributions of African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, and Native Americans. It requires the appointment of faculty members and the recruitment of students from these groups and adequate provision for their support. The school recognizes a special connection with the contributions of the black church to church and society and a commitment to further these contributions.
The school is committed to opposing the sexism that has characterized much of the history of the church and western culture and is still present in our society. This commitment entails the conviction that women have a larger place in the ministry and in teaching than they now enjoy. It requires appointment of women to the faculty, enrollment of a larger number of women students in all programs, and concerted effort to eliminate all forms of discrimination in attitudes, practices, and language. The school regards the use of inclusive language as an expression of its opposition to gender-based prejudice.
The school is committed to confronting the homophobia that prevails throughout much of the church and society. We recognize the rights of lesbians and gay men within the religious community and the need for the eradication of civil discrimination based on sexual orientation. This commitment involves the exploration in the curriculum of lesbian and gay concerns as well as affirmation and support of gay and lesbian people within our community.
The school is committed to a program of theological education that is open to and takes account of the religious pluralism in our world. It seeks to familiarize students with interreligious dialogue and the diverse manifestations of Christianity throughout the world, recognizing that to know one’s own tradition one must know and participate in others as well. This commitment entails the appointment to the faculty of scholars in other religious traditions and from diverse branches of Christianity, as well as the provision of resources for students to study in global contexts.
The school acknowledges the close and special relationship between Judaism and Christianity, and it wants to ensure an appropriate and sympathetic understanding of the Jewish tradition. It abhors the anti-Semitism that has pervaded much of Christian history and seeks to promote productive and healing dialogue among Christians and Jews.
The school is committed to active participation in the struggles of individuals and groups for a healthier, more just, more humane, and more ecologically wholesome world. It has special concern for the oppressed, for prisoners, for the poor, for victims of warfare and militarism, for the effects of environmental destruction, and for the securing of equal opportunity for all individuals, peoples, and creatures to enjoy God’s gifts.
In seeking to act upon such commitments, the school seeks to bear in mind that its fundamental task is educational. The commitment to education is primary. Even so, if such education is to be significant, the school may often be required to identify issues confronting church, society, and individuals that summon various groups within the school, or the school
itself, to appropriate action. The school is committed to conducting its work in an atmosphere conducive to free expression of opinion and judgment and in such a way as actively to enlist the insights and judgments of the church, alumni/ae, students, faculty, staff, the University community, and the larger community.
RELATION TO THE CHURCHES
The Divinity School is independent of any church or denomination, but in its work of preparing men and women for ministry is closely associated with the congregations and denominations of those who teach and study here. Several faculty advisers are appointed to provide assistance to students from particular denominational traditions. Many field education positions held by Divinity students are in congregational settings. Along with a concentration upon the Christian tradition, work in Judaism and in other religious traditions is offered. Most of the major Protestant as well as Roman Catholic and Jewish traditions are represented in the faculty and student body. A program of continuing education for laity is conducted in a series of evening classes with the support of a number of local congregations.
The Divinity School seeks to fulfill the following objectives: to engage men and women in a theological understanding of religious traditions; to help persons, both lay and ordained, reenvision and prepare for the practice of Christian ministry in our time; to encourage individuals in their spiritual and intellectual growth; to prepare leaders who will be agents of social justice; and to educate future scholars and teachers of religion.
Degree programs enable students, with the aid of faculty advisers, to plan a course of study in light of their talents, interests, and professional objectives. Resources of the University and affiliated institutions offer rich opportunities for students to secure additional knowledge and skills in preparation for their vocations.
COMMITMENTS
The Divinity School is committed to the faith that brought the church into being, and it believes that one comes more authentically to grasp that faith by a critical and open examination of the Hebraic and Christian traditions. It understands this faith to have import for the common life of men and women in the world. Thus the school is committed to assisting its community in achieving a critical and reflective understanding of Christian faith and in discerning the implications of that faith for the church, society, and the lives of individuals. Concretely, this commitment entails the education of women and men who will be forceful representatives of the faith and effective agents in working for a more just and humane society, for the development of new and better modes of ministry, and for leadership in church and society that will help to alleviate the ills besetting individuals and groups. It entails as well the education of men and women who have, or are helped to develop, strong resources of personal faith, without which their leadership in church and community would be jeopardized.
The school affirms its commitment to do all in its power to combat the idolatry of racism and ethnocentrism that remains widespread in our society. Positively, this includes a commitment to take full account of the contributions of African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, and Native Americans. It requires the appointment of faculty members and the recruitment of students from these groups and adequate provision for their support. The school recognizes a special connection with the contributions of the black church to church and society and a commitment to further these contributions.
The school is committed to opposing the sexism that has characterized much of the history of the church and western culture and is still present in our society. This commitment entails the conviction that women have a larger place in the ministry and in teaching than they now enjoy. It requires appointment of women to the faculty, enrollment of a larger number of women students in all programs, and concerted effort to eliminate all forms of discrimination in attitudes, practices, and language. The school regards the use of inclusive language as an expression of its opposition to gender-based prejudice.
The school is committed to confronting the homophobia that prevails throughout much of the church and society. We recognize the rights of lesbians and gay men within the religious community and the need for the eradication of civil discrimination based on sexual orientation. This commitment involves the exploration in the curriculum of lesbian and gay concerns as well as affirmation and support of gay and lesbian people within our community.
The school is committed to a program of theological education that is open to and takes account of the religious pluralism in our world. It seeks to familiarize students with interreligious dialogue and the diverse manifestations of Christianity throughout the world, recognizing that to know one’s own tradition one must know and participate in others as well. This commitment entails the appointment to the faculty of scholars in other religious traditions and from diverse branches of Christianity, as well as the provision of resources for students to study in global contexts.
The school acknowledges the close and special relationship between Judaism and Christianity, and it wants to ensure an appropriate and sympathetic understanding of the Jewish tradition. It abhors the anti-Semitism that has pervaded much of Christian history and seeks to promote productive and healing dialogue among Christians and Jews.
The school is committed to active participation in the struggles of individuals and groups for a healthier, more just, more humane, and more ecologically wholesome world. It has special concern for the oppressed, for prisoners, for the poor, for victims of warfare and militarism, for the effects of environmental destruction, and for the securing of equal opportunity for all individuals, peoples, and creatures to enjoy God’s gifts.
In seeking to act upon such commitments, the school seeks to bear in mind that its fundamental task is educational. The commitment to education is primary. Even so, if such education is to be significant, the school may often be required to identify issues confronting church, society, and individuals that summon various groups within the school, or the school
itself, to appropriate action. The school is committed to conducting its work in an atmosphere conducive to free expression of opinion and judgment and in such a way as actively to enlist the insights and judgments of the church, alumni/ae, students, faculty, staff, the University community, and the larger community.
RELATION TO THE CHURCHES
The Divinity School is independent of any church or denomination, but in its work of preparing men and women for ministry is closely associated with the congregations and denominations of those who teach and study here. Several faculty advisers are appointed to provide assistance to students from particular denominational traditions. Many field education positions held by Divinity students are in congregational settings. Along with a concentration upon the Christian tradition, work in Judaism and in other religious traditions is offered. Most of the major Protestant as well as Roman Catholic and Jewish traditions are represented in the faculty and student body. A program of continuing education for laity is conducted in a series of evening classes with the support of a number of local congregations.