School of Divinity

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Jonathan L. Master, Ph.D., Dean

Professor Emeritus

Julius C. Bosco, Th.M. 
G. Robert Kilgore, D.Miss. 
John R. Master, Th.D.

Professor

Donald A. Cheyney, Ed.D.
Matthew M. McAlack, Ph.D.
Gary E. Schnittjer, Ph.D.
Brian G. Toews, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

G. Thompson Allen, Th.M.
Edgar B. Hardesty, Th.M.
Mark A. Jalovick, Th.M.
Brian P. Luther, Ph.D.
Keith W. Plummer, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Jared R. Bryant, Th.M.
David Crosscombe, D.Min.
Kevin W. McFadden, Ph.D.

Part-time Faculty

James E. Dolezal, Ph.D.
Richard D. Emmons, Ph.D.
William L. Krewson, Ph.D.

Adjunct Faculty

William R. Doolittle, M.Div.
Steven M. Johnson, M.A.
Brian M. Murawski, M.Div.
John C. O’Brien, Th.M.
Robert P. Schuman, M.Div.
Keith Treadwell, M.Div.
Daniel R. Young, D.Min.
 

The School

The School of Divinity faculty is committed to strengthening students’ understanding of God’s Word while cultivating in them an increasing love for God and trust in Him. A serious study of the Bible and theology, together with liberal arts and professional studies, develops biblical wisdom and a perspective that enables students to think deeply about difficult issues of life and work in this world. The School encompasses the Bible core curriculum taken by all University undergraduates as well as the Biblical Studies, Pastoral, Pre-Seminary, Camping, Youth and Family Ministry, and Missions programs.

The School follows a pattern modeled by the teacher Ezra who “set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach His statutes and rules in Israel” (Ezra 7:10). This prescription for spiritual maturity has three elements. First, Ezra’s heart desired to study God’s Word. This desire to know God through His Word is Spirit-motivated and is based in a relationship with Jesus Christ. Second, Ezra studied. His mind was engaged with the content and theology of Scripture so that he might understand God and His will for humanity. Third, Ezra purposed to practice what God commanded since obedience to Christ is the goal of spiritual maturity.

The School of Divinity’s curriculum is designed to prepare students to serve Christ in multiple contexts. Student hearts are motivated by God’s Spirit to study His Word in order to grow to spiritual maturity. Student minds are challenged to diligent study of God’s Word so that they can impact the world around them. Student wills are challenged to practice God’s Word personally and in the context of the Church and community. The goal is to produce graduates who can serve Christ in the church, society, and the world as biblically minded, well-educated, and professionally competent men and women of character.

God has revealed Himself to the world through His creation and His Word. The University seeks to educate students in both of these areas of God’s revelation, with the School of Divinity concentrating on the latter-educating students in God’s revelation of Himself in the Bible. All baccalaureate students have significant studies in Bible and theology. This is because God’s revelation of Himself in the Bible is the means to know Jesus Christ, who is the basis for a true understanding of God, ourselves, and the world.

The goal of the core Bible curriculum is to educate students in the Bible and theology in a manner which intentionally integrates it into the total educational experience at Cairn, thus producing “biblically minded, well-educated, and professionally competent men and women of character.” This is accomplished through a core curriculum of 30 credits. Eighteen of these credits are in biblical studies and twelve in theologically related subjects. The biblical studies courses consist of a general introduction to the Bible; overviews of the Old and New Testaments, with concentrations on the Pentateuch and Gospels; and a capstone course on the book of Romans. Courses in theology consist of a general introduction; a study of the nature and work of God; God’s salvation for the world; and a second capstone course in apologetics, a defense of the Gospel to the world. This core curriculum not only provides students with a foundational understanding of God’s revelation of Himself in His Word, but also shows students how to use God’s Word in their lives and ministries.

By God’s grace, Cairn University has been providing excellent biblical education for a century. The present School of Divinity endeavors to continue this tradition of excellence and commitment to the Scriptures so that future generations may continue to seek to know God and His Word.

Objectives

The School has three broad objectives. The students will:

1. Gain competency in their understanding of the content of the whole Bible, biblical theology, systematic theology, church history, and the University’s place within the current evangelical and theological world.
2. Learn to integrate the truths of God’s Word into their life resulting in spiritual growth and maturity.
3. Develop ministry skills to communicate God’s Word in a number of avenues and contexts.
    

The Programs

Biblical Studies

The Biblical Studies program is designed for students preparing for vocational ministry or graduate study.  The program adds an additional 27 credits of biblical and theological courses beyond the core Bible curriculum for those students who want a deeper and more extensive biblical and theological education. Students in this program study Greek or Hebrew and delve deeply into the biblical text under the instruction of professors who have years of experience in and passion for ministry.

Bible Ministries

Bible Ministries is a 2-year program, designed for the student who has earned either an associate or bachelor’s degree, or has completed 64 credits of college work at another institution.

The Bible Ministries program builds upon the general education already earned in another discipline at another institution and helps students develop an understanding of the Bible that will serve them in life and lay ministry. Students from this program are also prepared for further study in seminary or graduate school.

Camping Ministries

The Camping Ministries program provides classroom theory and hands-on experience, equipping students for service in the ministry of Christian camping. Through the program, students gain a solid foundation in biblical studies and the liberal arts, as well as training from Camping Ministry experts in the areas of camp management, maintenance, public relations, counseling, organization, programming, teaching, and safety.  Students spend 11 months in an intensive hands-on educational experience at Camp Forest Springs in Westboro, WI. Upon completion, students earn a B.S. in Bible degree with a concentration in Camping Ministry.

Church Ministries Interdisciplinary

This program provides students maximum freedom in choosing professional courses in the School of Divinity. The Church Ministries Interdisciplinary program allows students to tailor their studies to meet their own needs and ministry goals. Students may customize their studies by taking courses in church ministry, pastoral ministry, camping ministry, youth and family ministry, biblical studies, missions, counseling, and biblical languages.

Missions Ministry

The Missions Ministry program at Cairn prepares students for cross-cultural ministry locally and globally.  In addition to developing competency in teaching the Bible, focus is placed on inter-cultural competency, relational skills, and creative ministry.

Pastoral Ministries

The Pastoral Ministries program gives students exposure to essential areas of pastoral ministry.  Students get both the biblical foundation necessary to study and preach the word, and the practical foundation necessary to lead and manage a church. Students may take elective courses in Bible and theology, church ministry, camping ministry, counseling, missions, pastoral ministry, youth and family ministry, and biblical languages.

Pastoral Ministries: Pre-Seminary

The Pastoral Ministries: Pre-Seminary program equips students for further study in seminary or graduate school.  A basic foundation in local church leadership complements the advanced study of biblical languages and theology.

Youth and Family Ministry

The Youth and Family Ministry program prepares students to lead a ministry to students and their parents in church and para-church settings. This program focuses on developing a strong biblical philosophy of ministry by understanding the needs, culture, and developmental issues of adolescents. Students in this program also learn to recruit and equip a team of volunteer leaders and build a family-based ministry that equips parents to disciple their teenagers. Dual-level programs, in which a student works concurrently toward a B.S. in Youth and Family Ministry and either an M.S. in Counseling or an M.S. in Organizational Leadership, are available. A minor in youth and family ministry is also available.

Students who have graduated from these programs have found career opportunities as pastors, youth ministers, Christian education directors, missionaries, church planters, evangelists, children’s workers, and camp administrators. Many go on to seminary or graduate school.

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