Divinity is the study of Christian and other theology and religious ministry at a school, divinity school, university, or seminary. The term is sometimes a synonym for theology as an academic, speculative pursuit, and sometimes is used for the study of applied theology and ministry to make a distinction between that and academic theology. It most often refers to Christian study which is linked with the professional degrees for ordained ministry or related work, though it is also used in an academic setting by other faith traditions.
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Areas and specializations
Divinity can be divided into several distinct but related disciplines. These vary, sometimes widely, from church to church and from one faith tradition to another, and even among various programs within a particular church. A typical program will include many of the following:
Philosophical side of theology
Practice of worship
Ministry in the field
Scriptural study and languages
Etcetera
Degrees
Studying Divinity usually leads to the awarding of an academic degree or a professional degree. Such degrees, particularly in modern times the Master of Divinity, are prerequisites for ordained ministry in most Christian denominations and many other faith communities. Students earn such degrees at a free-standing seminary, theologate or divinity school, or at a university.
List of degrees
The following is a list of most of the common degrees in Divinity:
- Bachelor of Arts in Theology (B.A. or A.B.)
- Bachelor of Canon Law (J.C.B.)
- Bachelor of Divinity (B.D. or B.Div. - in the U.K., often a graduate degree)
- Bachelor of Hebrew Letters (B.H.L.)
- Bachelor of Religious Education (B.R.E.)
- Bachelor of Sacred Scripture (S.S.B.)
- Bachelor of Theology (B.Th; S.T.B.)
- Licentiate in Canon Law (J.C.L.)
- Licentiate in Sacred Scripture (S.S.L.)
- Licentiate in Theology (L.Th.; S.T.L.)
- Master of Arts in Theology (M.A. or A.M.)
- Master of Arts in Hebrew Letters (M.A.H.L. - used by some Jewish schools)
- Master of Divinity (M.Div. - the most common degree taken before ministry in North America)
- Master of Hebrew Letters (M.H.L. - used by some Jewish schools)
- Master of Religious Arts (M.R.A.)
- Master of Religious Education (M.R.E.)
- Master of Theology (M.Th., Th.M., M.S.T., S.T.M. or M.Theol.)
- Doctor of Canon Law (J.C.D.)
- Doctor of Divinity (D.D.)
- Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.)
- Doctor of Philosophy in Theology (Ph.D.)
- Doctor of Practical Theology (D.P.T., D.Th.P.)
- Doctor of Sacred Literature (D.S.Litt.)
- Doctor of Sacred Scripture (S.S.D.)
- Doctor of Theology (Th.D., Dr. Theol., D.Theol., S.T.D.)
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