What is it?

Trinity’s Theology & Philosophy major prepares faithful leaders for the challenges of thinking, living, and believing in our day. 

• Encounter historical, biblical, systematic, and philosophical theology
• Connect sophisticated theory to real world wisdom and ethics
• Study both analytic and postmodern traditions
• Excellent faculty mentors help prepare students for leadership roles and graduate school

Theology & Philosophy at Trinity

We welcome students with various perspectives to join our program. While professors are rooted in a robust Christian faith, students bring distinct insights, questions, and commitments to classes – leading to stimulating, stretching conversations. We have a lot of fun in the process, engaging both the standard issues of the modern era, as well as emerging trends in postmodern thought.

When you study Theology & Philosophy at Trinity, you'll experience intimate class sizes with dedicated faculty, study the treasures of the past and apply them to cutting-edge issues, explore what you believe (and why), develop lifelong friendships with other passionate students, and learn be a critical thinker and writer.

What degree will I get?

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Theology & Philosophy

What can I do with it?

We learn to apply what we study to practical issues in the church, popular culture, leadership, and politics. Some students from the program will go on to church professions; others will pursue careers in nonprofit leadership, law, writing, or education. 

Program Faculty

In Trinity's Theology & Philosophy program, students enjoy our dedicated faculty mentors—with doctorates from places like Oxford, Aberdeen, and Penn State—who prepare them for lives of leadership and entrance to graduate school. Learn more about our faculty team and department head Dr. Jeff Mallinson.

Resume-building internships

The Theology & Philosophy major doesn’t require internships, but they are offered as an option for the capstone project. Examples of upcoming possible internship options include providing assistance with a professional journal, helping to create a unique online theological community, and teaching ministry in a local church.

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Course Sampling

RELI 301 Loci Communes (Theological Topics in Romans)
This class is Trinity’s distinctive introduction to theology that is inductive, biblical, historically grounded, and an exercise in applying the essentials of the Christian faith to important issues today. Following Paul’s Letter to the Romans, the class discusses themes such as faith and natural science, human nature, human sin, the nature of Christ, justification, sanctification, the world’s destiny, and the church. The class combines study of ancient documents, historical texts, and readings on contemporary challenges in the church.

HIST 310 Reformation History
Study one of the most dynamic times in church history and learn about the origins of the major Christian faith traditions that exist today. We will also discuss the relationship between theology and culture in the early modern era, especially as it relates to the history of ideas.

PHIL 335 The Postmodern Turn
Postmodern thought is sometimes misunderstood, and often misapplied, in today’s religious communities. Students will learn to form a thoughtful response to intellectual trends in Continental thought and the so-called emerging church movements. Students and faculty will have different perspectives on the value of the thinkers and ideas studied, but they will be well equipped to engage the subject in the marketplace of ideas.

PHIL 320 Philosophy of Religion
In this compelling class, we discuss the toughest issues that face people of faith. We cover issues  such as religious language, the problem of evil, and proofs for the existence of God. We also examine  apologetics and the challenges to Christianity from the so-called new atheists and others who find religious belief intellectually problematic. Students will leave this class equipped to provide a thoughtful, faithful, and authentic response to the big questions about all humans face. They will also leave as lifelong students, never content with simplistic answers.