Bethel Seminary
Master of Arts in Christian Thought
An InMinistry program of Bethel Seminary
The Master of Arts in Christian Thought (M.A.C.T.) program equips students to understand and communicate the Christian worldview. The program integrates the study of Christian thought in contemporary culture with work in philosophy of religion and the study of systematic theology, history, and the Bible. Classes in this program address the great worldview questions-God’s being, the problem of evil, and human destiny. They also include study of issues especially important for Christian thinkers-science and faith, theology and culture, and theories of knowledge.
The phrase “dialogical apologetics” captures the M.A.C.T. philosophy. By teaching and modeling, Bethel faculty members encourage students to practice apologetics-to communicate the Christian worldview with persuasive clarity and logical rigor. They also encourage their students to communicate dialogically-to express their faith in the context of respectful personal relationship.
Some graduates choose professional or lay work in student and campus ministry. Others work in evangelism and discipleship. Still others serve by teaching in churches and parachurch contexts. (For an occasional gifted student, the M.A.C.T. could provide a foundation for doctoral studies in philosophical theology or a related area.)
Program Course Offerings
Earn the M.A.C.T. from Bethel Seminary in approximately 3½ years through a combination of Internet-mediated distance education and on-campus intensives. All courses entail active use of distance technologies, encouraging regular online dialogue between students and faculty.
Follow this link to the Bethel Seminary Catalog listing for the Master
of Arts in Christian Thought InMinistry program. For further information
on the InMinistry program visit the department maintained homepage.
Course Work in the M.A.C.T.
- Hermeneutics
- Genesis - Ruth
- I Samuel - Song of Songs
- Prophetic Books
- Gospels
- Acts and Pauline Letters
- Systematic Theology I, II, III
- Christian Social Ethics
- Early Church to Reformation
- Church in the Modern World
Lead Professor of the M.A.C.T.
David Clark, Ph.D., professor of theology, is a nationally known speaker and author of eight books, including Dialogical Apologetics: A Person-Centered Approach to Christian Defense, which expresses the core value of the M.A.C.T. His most recent book is To Know and Love God, a major work on the philosophical background for method in theology. Clark is known for clear communication, and he often assists churches and campus ministries in outreach events.
Typical One-Year Course Schedule
For More Information
Mail:
Bethel Seminary
3949 Bethel Drive
St. Paul, Minnesota 55112-6998
Phone: 800-255-8706, ext. 6288
Email: bsem-admit@bethel.edu