School of Divinity

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Dean

Keith W. Plummer, PhD

Distinguished Professor

Gary E. Schnittjer, PhD

Professor

Jared R. Bryant, PhD, Associate Dean
James Dolezal, PhD
Brian P. Luther, PhD
Matthew M. McAlack, PhD
Kevin W. McFadden, PhD

Associate Professor

Bryan M. Murawski, PhD

Part-time Faculty

Donald A. Cheyney, EdD
William L. Krewson, PhD

Adjunct Faculty

Scott Bose, EdS
John M. Furrow, PhD
Robert B. Kramer, DMin

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 and trust in God. 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 offers the Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Religion, and Master of Theology programs on the graduate level.

Objectives

The School has three broad objectives. Students will:

1. Gain professional 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. Begin to integrate the truths of God’s Word and His revelation into their lives, resulting in a life of spiritual growth leading to spiritual maturity.
3. Develop professional ministry skills to communicate and demonstrate God’s Word in various avenues and contexts.
    

The Programs

Master of Arts in Religion

Designed for students with varying goals, Cairn’s MA in Religion allows students to choose elective courses in the fields they feel will best prepare them for their professional and ministry goals. No matter which track of study they choose, students receive a broad foundational education in the inerrant Word of God and the doctrines and theology of the Church. MA in Religion graduates are prepared for vocational service in many areas of Christian ministry, for further theological study, or for lay ministry.

The MA in Religion program is designed for students to:

• Develop skills to examine the biblical text and theology in relationship with the realities of everyday life and ministry.
• Take advantage of the hybrid and online components of the program to study full-time without overloading their schedules, still completing the program in two years.
• Gain the tools to study Scripture for themselves as lifelong learners.
• Study under faculty who are experienced scholars, educators, and ministers that invest in the lives of their students both inside and outside of the classroom.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, the student will be able to:

1. Articulate a master’s level understanding of the Bible appropriate for vocational ministry.
2. Articulate a master’s level understanding of systematic and historical theology appropriate for vocational ministry.
3. Demonstrate a spiritual maturity and skills within a ministry setting.

Master of Divinity

The Master of Divinity degree is often the preferred degree for entry into vocational ministry. Cairn MDiv graduates are prepared for service in the church across a broad spectrum of denominations and models of ministry through a Christ- and Bible-centered curriculum. Graduates are taught to care for the people of God as teachers and shepherds who are themselves spiritually fit followers of Jesus Christ.

The MDiv program is designed for students to:

• Learn the essentials of pastoral ministry that will prepare them for a variety of church ministry models.
• Prepare to preach and teach in the church with in-depth training in the exegesis of biblical texts and a thorough study of biblical Greek and Hebrew, hermeneutics, and homiletics.
• Connect theology, exposition, and service in a program that integrates academic study with ministry experience.
• Study coursework that emphasizes both biblical and systematic models of theology.
• Learn under the teaching and guidance of ministry-oriented faculty and ministry mentors.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, the student will be able to:

1. Articulate a master’s level understanding of the Bible appropriate for vocational ministry.
2. Articulate a master’s level understanding of systematic and historical theology appropriate for vocational ministry.
3. Demonstrate exegetical skill in the original languages of the Bible.
4. Demonstrate expositional skill in communicating God’s Word.
5. Demonstrate shepherding skills of caring for and leading God’s people within a ministry setting.
6. Demonstrate evidence of mature Christian character necessary for vocational ministry and lead God’s people to spiritual maturity as one who models the same.

Master of Theology

The Master of Theology is an advanced degree designed to provide qualified students with a deeper preparation for teaching and preaching ministries or further post-graduate study. The ThM program requires an additional 24 credit hours beyond the MDiv and can be completed in one full-time year of study. Students already holding an MDiv or its appropriate equivalent from an accredited institution may be considered for admission into Cairn’s ThM program.

The ThM program is designed for students to:

• Study in small seminar settings, benefitting from interaction with faculty and peers.
• Work closely with School of Divinity faculty in one-on-one and small group settings.
• Complete a thesis capstone project, consisting of original research in a field approved by the faculty and overseen by an appropriate advisor from the faculty.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, the student will be able to:

1. Engage in post-graduate level research and writing in the area of biblical and theological studies.
2. Make a contribution to the literature in a particular field - Old Testament; New Testament; Systematic Theology; Historical Theology.

Advanced standing for any School of Divinity program may be granted for Bible/Theology credits earned at an accredited Bible college, Christian liberal arts college or university, or seminary. Credits will be granted on a course-by-course basis.

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