Why Major in Faith & Social Justice?
The Faith and Social Justice major equips you to reflect on the social and political implications of the Christian faith. As you move through the program, you develop the intelligence, courage, and practical wisdom necessary to work for justice in faith, hope, and love.
The program offers numerous opportunities for gaining hands-on experience. Our students have mentored refugee families, assisted with art therapy for the homeless, participated in inter-religious dialogue, served as ministry interns with local congregations, and served in numerous other contexts. They have traveled to sacred sites in Israel, Jordan, and Greece, worked with Tanzanian nonprofits to address the AIDS epidemic, and ministered on mission trips both in the United States and in numerous countries abroad.
In an age of rampant injustice, your gifts and commitment are sorely needed. Whether you aspire to advocate for political issues, serve disadvantaged communities, work in a non-profit, become a local pastor, engage in mission work, or pursue your calling in some other context, the Faith and Social Justice major offers a solid foundation for living a life of faithful and committed service.
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What You'll Learn
- You will think deeply about the social and political implications of faith.
- You will learn about real-world people who have devoted their lives to service.
- You will gain valuable hands-on experience in a variety of settings.
- You will have great conversations about topics that really matter.
- You will grow intellectually, spiritually, and socially.
- You will explore what it means to be wise and to live a good life.
- You will be mentored by excellent professors.
Program Details
Curriculum
The Faith & Social Justice major pairs with a variety of minors and leads to the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.). It requires a total of 128 credit hours of coursework:
- BELL core requirements: 55 hours (includes 9 hours of specific religion courses)
- Religion Core courses: 18 hours
- Bible and Theology Area courses: 15 hours
- Minor Area: 18 hours
- General Electives: 22 hours
Core Courses
- REL 1410, Vocation and the Christian Life
An introduction to the study of religion with emphasis on research skills, writing, and personal development. - REL 2310, Turning Points in Christianity
A survey of the history of Christianity from the first century to the present that explores significant ideas, persons, movements, and institutions. - REL 2350, Who is God?
A study of the basic doctrines of the Christian faith. - REL 2360, Interpreting the Bible
Course explores the practices of interpretation, biblical interpretation, and the influences of culture, environment, and presupposition in the interpretive experience. - REL 2410, Spiritual Formation
An emphasis upon using an entire lifetime to be formed by God. The course focuses upon personal discipline, spiritual reading, journal keeping, and dream interpretation as means of being attentive to God. - REL 2510, The Meaning of Life
An introduction to Christian ethics, with attention given to methodology, biblical foundations, types of ethical thought, and Christian responsibility in relation to current social problems.
Area Courses
- REL 3510, Poverty and Justice
A study of poverty and homelessness in the United States and the world in light of social, biblical, and theological approaches to economic justice. - REL 3520, Faith and Justice
An introduction to a theology of justice in the history of Christian thought, to theories of justice in the Western intellectual tradition, to contemporary practices of justice and the issues which initiated them, and the contemporary components of social change that draw up on the rich tradition of justice grounded in Christian faith. - REL 3540, Eco-Justice and Faith
This course explores ways in which theologies, spiritual traditions, and social ethics guide and motivate human beings in their interaction with the environment. The course examines the tensions between religion and science in order to see how those have an effect on the way we think about the environment. - REL 4560, Moral Vision of the Bible
An examination of the Bible as a primary source for Christian ethics. Attention will be given to the moral norms, critical challenges, and interpretive methodologies that accompany the function and place of the Bible in Christian moral discourse. This course will make explicit the relationship between Christian ethics, the Christian canon, and the life of the church. - REL 3550, Faith and Popular Culture Course explores the cultural dimensions that affect faith formation and attitudes. Examines how faith acts to enable individuals to construct meaning, understand life purpose, and move toward greater authenticity.
- REL 3210, Gender and the Bible
Students will investigate the interplay of male and female in scripture and in religious contexts, the dynamic of gender in biblical narratives, the teachings of scripture related to gender and religious traditions. - REL 3220, The Pentateuch
A comprehensive study of the first five books of the Bible. Some attention is given to theories of composition, with the primary focus being the literary structure of the final form of the text. - REL 3250, Johannine Literature
A study is made of the Gospel of John, the epistles of John, and the Revelation. - REL 4220, The Prophetic Literature
A survey of the Old Testament Prophets in their cultural and historical setting, with a focus on the literary structure of the prophetic scrolls and their theological teachings. - REL 4250, Life and Letters of Paul
A study of the Acts of the Apostles as it relates to the life and work of Paul, also the Pauline epistles as related to the history of Acts. - REL 3440, Internship
A field experience designed to provide practical experience in a ministry setting. - REL 4015, Senior Capstone*
A colloquium designed as a capstone experience for majors which integrates biblical, theological, historical, and practical studies. The course focuses on the student as a practicing theologian.
* Hours for this course reside in the BELL Core requirements
Every major in the School of Theology and Christian Ministry aims at whole person formation. Students are invited into a vibrant and supportive academic community and are offered numerous opportunities to grow intellectually, spiritually, and socially. As they learn to see in the light of Christ and grow in knowledge and wisdom, students develop the skills and habits they need to creatively pursue lives of meaning and purpose. This process happens inside and outside the classroom as students make use of the wide range of opportunities available to them.
- Explore the world. From addressing the AIDS epidemic in Botswana to visiting important biblical sites to walking pilgrimage in Scotland or Spain, our numerous study-abroad programs immerse you in transformative experiences around the globe.
- Engage in service. From mentoring refugee families to providing art therapy for the homeless, you will find countless opportunities to serve.
- Gain practical experience. Our internship program offers hands-on opportunities to explore your vocation and receive valuable insight from mentors. Our students gain experience in ministry, media, education, legal advocacy, non-profit work, community arts, and countless other settings. They are involved in everything from educating children to opposing human trafficking and food insecurity to leading worship and offering pastoral care.
- Join a club. From honor societies to faith-based groups, our student organizations help deepen your faith while broadening your horizons and creating enduring friendships.
- Conduct original research. Our students partner with professors, create original research, travel to deliver papers at academic conferences, participate in Belmont’s SPARK Symposium, and engage in numerous other forms of research.
The STCM has benefitted from the generosity of many donors over the years. This allows us to award scholarships to multiple students each year, including two full-tuition scholarships: the Madden Scholarship and the Servant Leader Scholarship. If you apply to any STCM major before December 1, you will automatically be considered for scholarships.
Learn from the Best
Our Christ-centered faculty represent a wide range of Christian traditions and theological perspectives. Each is an excellent teacher and mentor to students, and many are also well-known scholars and authors.
Christina Carnes Ananias
Marty Bell
Email: marty.bell@belmont.edu
Office Location: Ayers 2022
Manuel Cruz
Email: manuel.cruz@belmont.edu
Office Location: Ayers 2033
Cynthia A. Curtis
Email: ca.curtis@belmont.edu
Office Location: Ayers 2004
David Dark
Email: david.dark@belmont.edu
Office Location: Ayers 2026
Bradley Daugherty
Email: brad.daugherty@belmont.edu
Office Location: Ayers 2060
Steve Guthrie
Email: steve.guthrie@belmont.edu
Office Location: Ayers 2025
Darrell Gwaltney
Email: darrell.gwaltney@belmont.edu
Office Location: Ayers 2037
Sally Holt
Email: sally.holt@belmont.edu
Office Location: Ayers 2009
Young Bok Kim
Email: youngbok.kim@belmont.edu
Office Location: Ayers 2035
Kimbell Kornu
Email: kimbell.kornu@belmont.edu
Office Location: FCOM 5004
Donovan McAbee
Email: donovan.mcabee@belmont.edu
Office Location: Ayers 2024
Mark McEntire
Email: mark.mcentire@belmont.edu
Office Location: Ayers 2028
Amanda Miller
Email: amanda.miller@belmont.edu
Office Location: Ayers 2012
Adam Neder
Email: adam.neder@belmont.edu
Office Location: JMC 303D
Nicholas Norman-Krause
Email: nicholas.krause@belmont.edu
Office Location: Ayers 2013
Gideon Park
Email: gideon.park@belmont.edu
Office Location: Ayers 2033
Adam Perez
Email: adam.perez@belmont.edu
Office Location: Ayers 2015
Steve Reed
Email: steven.reed@belmont.edu
Office Location: Ayers 2060
Beth Ritter-Conn
Email: beth.ritterconn@belmont.edu
Office Location: Ayers 2018
Judy Skeen
Email: judy.skeen@belmont.edu
Office Location: Ayers 2008
Andy Watts
Email: andy.watts@belmont.edu
Office Location: Ayers 2021
Jordan Wood
Career Possibilities
As students are formed by their experiences in the Faith and Social Justice major, they grow in knowledge and wisdom, and they develop the skills employers across all industries today are seeking: clear and persuasive communication; the capacity to see issues from multiple perspectives; the ability to listen with empathy and curiosity; the emotional intelligence to work well in teams; the creativity to solve complex problems; and the patience and attention needed for deep literacy and conceptual analysis. Here are just a few of the career paths Faith and Social Justice majors take:
A pastor leads a congregation in worship, teaching, and community outreach while advocating for communities. The Faith and Social Justice major prepares students to shepherd congregations as pastors by making theological and Biblical connections between justice, love, and community wellbeing. Students learn how to be church leaders with a deep commitment to justice, compassion, and advocacy.
Chaplains provide emotional and spiritual support in settings such as hospitals, prisons, or the military. With a foundation in Faith and Social Justice, students are prepared to offer care that respects human dignity, seeks human flourishing, understands power, and speaks to both personal and systemic challenges.
Nonprofit leaders manage mission-driven organizations that address critical social issues and serve vulnerable populations. The Faith and Social Justice major prepares students to lead ethically, prioritize equity, and advocate justly, and theologically understand systems and structures of power influencing nonprofit work.
These directors oversee agencies that provide essential services such as housing, mental health, and family support. The Faith and Social Justice major prepares students to lead with empathy, address root causes of inequality, and build systems that reflect compassion and fairness. Students are introduced to the dynamics of public policy and government activity for community welfare.
Attorneys advocate for clients, interpret laws, and work to ensure justice within legal systems. The Faith and Social Justice major prepares future lawyers with a strong ethical foundation and a passion for defending the marginalized and transforming unjust systems. Experience in and out of the classroom provides students with exposure and experience to theological and moral questions arising from the discipline of law.
Social workers support individuals and communities facing social, emotional, and economic challenges. With a Faith and Social Justice background, they are equipped to pursue both immediate care and long-term change grounded in values of equity, dignity, and service. Students in the Faith and Social Justice major engage the legal, social, economic, and theological dynamics of social wellbeing.
Teachers educate and empower students while shaping the culture of schools and communities. The Faith and Social Justice major prepares students to be educators who foster inclusive classrooms through attention to critical thinking, fairness, respect for the dignity of all, and the needs of the whole person. Faith and Social Justice students will encounter the history of education as a powerful system of both flourishing and oppression.
Social entrepreneurs develop innovative solutions to address complex social problems through ethical business models or community initiatives. The Faith and Social Justice major prepares students to be visionary leaders who combine faith, justice, and creativity by examining systems and structures of wellbeing. Students learn from others how to drive sustainable impact in communities thirsty for health and hungry for opportunity.
Bella Ravella
Faith & Social Justice
“My experience in the STCM was transformative. As a Faith and Social Justice major, I valued that the STCM provided a place for foundational learning in doctrine, ethics, and history, and that it also opened the floor for dialogue about contemporary issues. In a single day, I might have engaged in age-old theological debates with classmates and then worked alongside community partners addressing issues such as poverty, homelessness, or recovery. My time in the STCM encouraged me to understand that people of faith are not blind to what affects our neighbors. Today, I feel more equipped to have ecumenical dialogue with others, to practice spiritual disciplines in community, and to preach the Good News in both word and deed. I am so grateful for what I learned in the STCM and for my peers and professors—people who will continue to champion me and to champion God's work of renewal in the world.”
Jessie King
Faith & Social Justice
“My time in the School of Theology and Christian Ministry provided opportunity after opportunity to have incisive and engaging conversations with my peers and professors alike. Studying Faith and Social Justice situated each of these conversations in the evolving world around me. The STCM community is one of deep care and was the perfect setting to grow, both as a student and as a person, and I am deeply grateful for the way I was and continued to be transformed.”
FAQs
Belmont is a Christ-centered ecumenical university. Our faculty are committed Christian scholars and teachers who represent a wide range of Christian traditions and theological perspectives.
God’s love for the world in Jesus Christ is known and received as individuals and communities love God and love their neighbors, especially those in need. Therefore, theology and practice, faith and politics, are inseparably related to one another.
Yes. All four majors in the School of Theology and Christian Ministry include an internship. These internships are in a wide variety of contexts. Study abroad and international mission opportunities are widely available.
Contact Us
College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
Addison Wallace
Admissions Coordinator
615.460.8335