Religion
Where is God in grief? How ought we to read and interact with the scriptures? Join us as we wrestle intellectually with our fundamental beliefs as Christians.
Overview
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By the numbers
- 13
- Faculty members in the religion department who hold PhDs in their fields
- 45
- Semester-long courses offered by the religion department
As a religion student at Calvin, you'll seek to better understand God, humanity and the world. Courses in this program emphasize biblical studies, theological studies and world religions. As with all the our programs at Calvin, you'll be taught by a uniquely Christian faculty and study religion within the context of a strong liberal arts core curriculum.
Careers in Religion
- International Relief Worker
- Administrator
- Chaplain
- Lawyer
- High School Teacher
- Minister
See job placement rates for Calvin grads.
Student involvement
Attend peer presentations; complete a 10-week internship as a Jubilee Fellow; compete in the Beets Paper Contest; join in department-wide events like lectures and the Theology Forum.
Course Requirements 2012-13
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Religion major
(30 semester hours)
- One course from: (Old Testament)
- One course from: (New Testament)
- One course from: (systematic theology)
- One course from: (historical theology)
- One course from: (religious studies)
- Three 300-level electives (excluding the course used to fulfill the religious studies requirement and REL-396)
- One additional electives in religion (excluding REL-121 and REL-131)
- REL-396 Religion Seminar
The religion major is designed for students seeking a strong background in biblical, theological, and religious studies as preparation for various professions, including Christian ministry, and for graduate education. A departmental interim course may be included as an elective course. As part of the departmental writing program, majors must designate one departmental course (excluding REL-121 , REL-131, REL-357 and REL-396) prior to their senior year as writing enriched. This course will include additional writing, a revision component, intensive evaluation, and will prepare the student for REL-396. Students considering seminary or graduate school should consult their advisor about a recommended language cognate. Admittance to the major program requires completion of a core course with a minimum grade of C (2.0).
Religion minor
(18 semester hours)
- One course from: (biblical studies)
- One course from: (theological studies)
- REL-230 The Doctrine of Revelation
- REL-231 The Doctrine of God
- REL-232 The Doctrine of Creation
- REL-233 The Doctrine of Christ and Reconciliation
- REL-234 The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit and Church
- REL-235 Eschatology
- REL-237 Christian Worship
- REL-241 General Church History
- REL-242 Christianity in America
- REL-243 History of Christian Theology I
- REL-244 History of Christian Theology II
- REL-251 Christianity and Religious Plurality
- One course from: (religious studies)
- One 300-level elective (excluding the course used to fulfill the religious studies requirement)
- Two additional electives in religion (excluding REL-121 and REL-131)
The religion minor is for students who seek to develop a biblical and theological perspective for work in other disciplines and for Christian service. A departmental interim course may be included as an elective course.
Scholarships
Dollar amounts reflect awards given for the 2012-13 academic year.
- Dr. and Mrs. Harvey J. Bratt Medical and Missions Scholarship
-
- award amount: $2,500
- junior or senior
- GPA of 3.00+
- financial need considered; interest in service to the poor and needy
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- Dr. John H. and Gladys A. Bratt Family Scholarship
-
- award amount: $1,450
- junior or senior
- GPA of 3.30+
- financial need required; pursuing parish ministry, missionary service or teaching religion
- apply through the religion department
- John and Marjorie Cooper Family Scholarship
-
- award amount: $2,200
- junior or senior
- GPA 3.0+
- financial need required; dedicated to the cause of Christian missions
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- Eugene and Joan Deur Scholarship
-
- award amount: $2,400
- sophomore or junior education major, pursuing a pre-ministry program or missions
- GPA 3.0+
- financial need required
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- Haverkamp Family Scholarship
-
- award amount: $2,500
- first-year
- financial need considered; demonstrate commitment to and evidence of volunteerism or student leadership
- automatic consideration
- Hoeks Family Scholarship
-
- award amount: $1,500
- junior
- GPA of 3.0+
- financial need required; preparing to teach Bible or religion studies at a Christian school
- apply through the religion department
- Gordon J. Spykman Memorial Scholarship
-
- award amount: $2,300
- junior or senior
- GPA of 3.0+
- financial need required; have an interest in a reformational worldview
- apply through the religion department
- William and Anna Vanden Bosch Scholarship
-
- award amount: $2,050
- junior or senior
- GPA 2.70+
- financial need required; have a record of being active in ministry in their local congregation or other Christian ministry; preference to those who plan to pursue ministry in the CRC
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- Martin P. and Florence DeGraaff Wiebenga Scholarship
-
- award amount: $2,000
- sophomore, junior or senior
- GPA 3.0+
- financial need required
- automatic consideration
- Dr. and Mrs. William J. Yonker Scholarship
-
- award amount: $2,000
- junior or senior
- GPA of 3.0+
- financial need not required; pursuing a career in Christian ministry or missions
- apply through the religion department
Faculty
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Kenneth Pomykala |
