The Theology Department educates students toward a deeper understanding of the divinely-revealed mysteries that make up the Deposit of Faith, with a commitment to dynamic orthodoxy. As part of this commitment, we affirm the rich Franciscan theological tradition, along with a Marian model of receptivity to God’s Word and Spirit.
For all students, theology is the summit of liberal education, and a capstone for integrating studies across the liberal arts and sciences and in professional programs, in accord with the University’s mission. This is so because the truths theology considers are the highest truths about God and man, and they reveal the full significance and the coherence of other truths relevant to human life.
For undergraduate majors and graduate students, the study of theology is a necessary preparation for competent academic and apostolic work for Christ and the Church, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
The fulfillment of our mission entails reasoned investigation of God’s Word in Scripture and sacred Tradition, in the light of faith, in accord with the teaching of the magisterium. It also entails study of various theological issues and movements in the historical development of Christianity. Finally, it entails not only mastery of that which is proper to theology as an autonomous discipline, but also, from the perspective of such mastery, dialogue with other disciplines, insofar as our faculty are able to engage in it and draw students into it.
