Systematic Theology

In the service of “faith seeking understanding,” systematic theology explores the meaning, interrelatedness, and claims to truth of the Christian tradition's basic expressions of faith.

What will I study?

The program is designed to provide a broad background in the Christian tradition, with particular emphasis on the Catholic theological heritage. Through coursework, focused in-depth study in preparation for candidacy examinations, and dissertation research, students develop the hermeneutical and theological skills required for a critical and creative appropriation of the tradition.

Students are encouraged to develop either a minor in one of the other areas of the department or an area of concentration that draws from the resources of several areas of the department and/or University.

Theology faculty members offer a series of systematic seminars that focus on theological method, philosophical theology, and comparative theology, as well as the theological topics of trinity, Christology, ecclesiology, theological anthropology, eschatology, and Christian spirituality. Courses investigate the historical development of major doctrinal and theological themes and their contemporary interpretation from a plurality of theological perspectives.

 

Upcoming Events

Faculty

  1. Headshot of a man with short brown hair, wearing rimless glasses and a blue and white checkered shirt, smiling against a blurred background of mountains and a body of water.

    John Betz

    Associate Professor

  2. Headshot of a smiling priest wearing a black suit jacket, clerical collar, and glasses against a gray background. He has short brown hair and a small gold pin on his lapel.

    Terrence Ehrman

    Assistant Teaching Professor

  3. Headshot of a priest wearing a black suit jacket, black clerical shirt, and white roman collar. He has short graying hair, is wearing glasses, and smiling. He is posing against a plain gray background.
  4. Headshot of a priest with short blond hair, light eyes, and a slight smile. He wears a black clerical shirt with a white Roman collar and a dark suit jacket against a gray background.

    Kevin Grove, CSC

    Associate Professor

    Director of the Master of Divinity Program

  5. Headshot of a woman with short, curly auburn hair, wearing light brown, tortoiseshell glasses, small pearl earrings, and a tan plaid blazer over a white collared shirt. She smiles warmly against a plain gray backdrop.

    Kristin Haas

    Assistant Teaching Professor

    Associate Director of the M.A. Program

  6. Headshot of a smiling man with short graying hair, wearing a white hooded garment, likely a religious habit, against a blurred background of green foliage.

    Nicholas Lombardo, OP

    Associate Professor

  7. Headshot of a man with dark-framed glasses, short dark brown hair and long brown and gray beard, wearing a brown suit jacket, and light blue shirt with patterned tie. The background is light gray.

    Jay Martin

    Assistant Teaching Professor

  8. Headshot of a woman with shoulder-length brown hair and tortoiseshell glasses. She wears a black and white herringbone patterned jacket over a black top and a delicate gold necklace. The backdrop is a solid gray.

    Jennifer Newsome Martin

    Associate Professor

  9. Headshot of a woman with short, curly auburn hair and black-framed glasses. She smiles warmly at the camera. She wears a teal blouse with a distinctive brown and orange patterned collar, accented by a decorative pin depicting pink flowers. A blurred stone wall and greenery form the backdrop.

    Francesca Murphy

    Professor

  10. Headshot of a man with graying hair, a gray and white beard, and round, wire-rimmed glasses. He is wearing a gray sweater and a dark blue jacket. He is standing in a grassy field with trees in the background.

    Joel Rasmussen

    Associate Professor

  11. Headshot of a man wearing a light blue checkered dress shirt and a dark red tie. He has short brown hair, is wearing rectangular glasses, and is smiling at the camera against a gray background.

    Todd Walatka

    Teaching Professor

    Assistant Chair for Graduate Studies

Graduate Students

  1. A woman with long brown hair smiles at the camera. She wears a teal polo shirt. Blurred trees and white flowering bushes are visible in the background.
  2. A woman with dark curly hair and brown eyes smiles broadly, wearing a dark blazer and small gold earrings against a light gray background.

    Amirah A. Orozco

    Research Assistant, Kellogg Inst for Intrnl Studies

  3. A smiling man with short dark hair and a beard wears a dark jacket over a light patterned shirt against a gray background.