The Candler School's Theology: Liberal Or Conservative?

is candler school of theology liberal

The Candler School of Theology is a graduate school at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. It is one of thirteen seminaries affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The school was founded in 1914 by Southeastern Methodists in response to tensions within the Methodist Episcopal Church, the need for more clergy in the South, and community boosterism. The school's mission is to educate faithful and creative leaders for the church's ministries worldwide through scholarship, teaching, and service. It offers a range of degrees, including foundational theological degrees, specialized master's-level degrees, and advanced degrees. The school has a diverse community, valuing diversity, equity, and inclusion, and is committed to the highest standards of theological and intellectual integrity.

Characteristics Values
Affiliated with United Methodist Church
Parent university Emory University
Location Atlanta, Georgia
Courses offered Master's, doctoral, and dual degrees
Student activities Thanksgiving Dinner, Poor Seminarian's Cook Off
Notable alumni Kiyoshi Tanimoto
Notable faculty Jan Love, Roberta C. Bondi
Library Pitts Theology Library
Financial aid Scholarships, grants, student loans, part-time employment

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The Candler School of Theology's affiliation with the United Methodist Church

The Candler School of Theology is one of thirteen seminaries affiliated with the United Methodist Church. It is also one of seven graduate schools at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.

The school was founded in 1914 by Southeastern Methodists in response to tensions within the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, a shortage of clergy in the South, and community boosterism. The school was named after Asa Candler, the founder of the Coca-Cola Company, who provided financial support to the Methodist General Conference Education Commission.

Candler School of Theology's mission is "to educate—through scholarship, teaching, and service—faithful and creative leaders for the church's ministries in the world." The school is committed to the highest standards of theological and intellectual integrity and is passionate about social justice and diversity.

Due to its affiliation with the United Methodist Church, students who are certified candidates for ministry are eligible for specific funds. Additionally, highly qualified students can compete for prestigious awards such as the Woodruff Fellowship, which covers full tuition and provides a generous living stipend.

The school offers a range of degrees, including foundational theological degrees like the Master of Divinity and Master of Theological Studies, as well as specialized master's-level degrees such as the Master of Religious Leadership and Master of Religion and Public Life. Advanced degrees include the Doctor of Theology in Pastoral Counselling.

Candler School of Theology has a diverse community with members from different backgrounds, ethnicities, nations, cultures, faith traditions, and beliefs. The school values diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential to excellence and lived faith.

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The school's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

The Candler School of Theology is a professional school of theology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. It is one of 13 seminaries affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The school's mission is to educate faithful and creative leaders for the church's ministries worldwide through scholarship, teaching, and service.

The Candler School of Theology has a long history of promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. In 1919, the school moved to Emory University's Druid Hills campus, and in 1922, it began admitting female students, despite the Methodist Episcopal Church, South not offering ordination for women. During World War II, the school trained students for military chaplaincy, with half of the graduating class of 1943 pursuing this vocation.

In 1958, nearly the entire theology faculty signed an open letter from Emory faculty and administrators calling for an end to segregation in Atlanta's public schools. In 1978, Roberta C. Bondi became the first female faculty member on the tenure track of the theology school. That same year, the school retained Paul Rudolph to design a new chapel.

The Candler School of Theology offers a range of degrees, including foundational theological degrees such as the Master of Divinity and Master of Theological Studies, as well as specialized master's-level degrees like the Master of Religious Leadership and Master of Religion and Public Life. Advanced degrees include the Master of Theology, Doctor of Theology in Pastoral Counseling, and the PhD, offered by the Emory University Graduate Division of Religion.

The school also provides numerous dual-degree programs in partnership with Emory University, including joint programs in bioethics, business, law, public health, and social work. In addition, the Office of Student Programming (OSP) offers various opportunities for members of the Candler community to engage with each other outside the classroom, fostering a sense of belonging and inclusion.

The Candler community values diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential to excellence and their lived faith. With a diverse student body and faculty from different backgrounds, ethnicities, nations, cultures, faith traditions, and beliefs, the school cultivates an inclusive environment where worship and spiritual formation are central.

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The school's academic offerings, including foundational and advanced degrees

The Candler School of Theology is a professional school of Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. It is one of seven graduate schools at the university and is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The school offers a range of foundational and advanced degrees to educate ministers, scholars of religion, and other leaders.

Foundational Degrees

Candler offers several foundational theological degrees, including the Master of Divinity (MDiv) and Master of Theological Studies (MTS). These degrees provide a solid foundation in theological studies and can be pursued in multiple formats, including in-person, hybrid, and online.

Advanced Degrees

The school also offers advanced degrees, such as the Master of Religious Leadership (MRL) and Master of Religion and Public Life (MRPL). These specialized master's programs equip students with advanced knowledge and skills in specific areas of religious leadership and public life. Additionally, Candler provides opportunities for doctoral studies, including the Doctor of Ministry (DMin) and Doctor of Theology (ThD) in Pastoral Counseling.

Dual Degrees

In partnership with Emory University, Candler offers several dual-degree programs. These include joint programs in bioethics, business, law, public health, and social work. These dual degrees allow students to pursue multiple areas of interest and customize their educational journey according to their calling and career goals.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Candler School of Theology provides access to a wide range of financial aid opportunities due to its affiliation with Emory University and the United Methodist Church. Students can explore scholarships, grants, student loans, and part-time employment options. Additionally, certified candidates for ministry through the United Methodist Church may be eligible for specific funds designated for their educational pursuits.

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The Pitts Theology Library, which is the second-largest theological collection in North America

The Candler School of Theology is a graduate school of Emory University, located in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia. It is a professional school that offers five master's, one doctoral, and nine dual degrees, along with foundational theological degrees and specialized master's-level degrees. The school is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and has a diverse community with students from various backgrounds, ethnicities, nations, cultures, faith traditions, and beliefs.

The Pitts Theology Library, named after Margaret Pitts and her father, William I.H. Pitts, is one of Emory University's six instructional libraries and is located within the Candler School of Theology. It is one of the largest and premier theological libraries in North America, housing more than 640,000 volumes and large microform and archival holdings. The library has extensive special collections, including over 144,000 rare or special books, such as the Richard C. Kessler Reformation Collection, the Wesleyana Collection, and the J. Michael Morgan English Bible & Psalmody Collection. The Pitts Theology Library also has a substantial periodical collection, subscribing to more than 800 periodicals, particularly those published in Africa, reflecting the globalization of Christianity.

The library's staff are well-trained in librarianship and theological studies, with most holding terminal degrees in these fields. They are also fluent in the ancient and modern languages represented in the collection. The Pitts Theology Library provides access to important bibliographic databases for religious and theological studies and has reciprocal agreements with other institutions, allowing students to borrow materials from hundreds of libraries worldwide.

The Pitts Theology Library is an invaluable resource for students and faculty of the Candler School of Theology, as well as researchers from around the world, offering a diverse range of theological materials and disciplines. Its state-of-the-art facility includes an exhibition gallery, open study spaces, group study rooms, and a special collections reading room, providing a wealth of opportunities for academic exploration and spiritual growth.

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The school's history, including its establishment in response to tensions within the Methodist Episcopal Church, South

The Candler School of Theology, established in 1914, is one of seven graduate schools at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. It is a university-based school of theology that offers various degrees, including foundational theological degrees such as the MDiv and MTS, and specialized master's-level degrees like the MRL and MRPL. The school is grounded in the Christian faith and shaped by the Wesleyan tradition of evangelical piety, ecumenical openness, and social concern.

The establishment of the Candler School of Theology is closely tied to tensions within the Methodist Episcopal Church, South (MECS). In March 1914, MECS and Vanderbilt University, a flagship institution for the church, severed ties. In response, MECS appointed an Educational Commission to establish a university in the Southeast that would cater to pastors-in-training. Asa Candler, the founder of The Coca-Cola Company, played a pivotal role in this endeavour by pledging one million dollars for the endowment of the university. The commission unanimously decided to locate the university in Atlanta, and Emory College in Oxford, Georgia, became its undergraduate division.

The theology school commenced instruction in September 1914 at Wesley Memorial Church before moving to the Druid Hills campus in 1916. In 1915, the trustees of Emory University voted to name the theology school "Candler," though it is unclear whether it was named after Asa Candler or his brother Warren Candler, who was the commission chair. The school's early years were marked by milestones, including the decision in 1922 to admit female students, despite the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, not providing a path to ordination for women at the time.

Over the years, the Candler School of Theology has undergone significant developments and contributed to theological education and the church. It has offered diverse learning opportunities, including courses, events, and public lectures, fostering a rich spiritual life and hands-on ministry preparation. The school has also played a role in addressing societal issues, such as advocating for racial integration in the 1950s and establishing scholarships for Black Church Studies students. Additionally, the school has expanded its resources, including the acquisition of the Hartford Theological Seminary library collection in 1975, which significantly enhanced its holdings.

Today, the Candler School of Theology continues to educate ministers, scholars of religion, and other leaders, offering a range of degrees and drawing students from various backgrounds, ethnicities, and faith traditions.

Frequently asked questions

The Candler School of Theology is a graduate school at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. It is one of 13 seminaries affiliated with the United Methodist Church and is grounded in the Christian faith and the Wesleyan tradition. The school is committed to the highest standards of theological and intellectual integrity and is passionate about social justice and diversity.

Candler offers foundational theological degrees such as the Master of Divinity (MDiv) and Master of Theological Studies (MTS), as well as specialized master's-level degrees like the Master of Religious Leadership (MRL) and Master of Religion and Public Life (MRPL). Advanced degrees include the Master of Theology (ThM), Doctor of Ministry (DMin), Doctor of Theology in Pastoral Counseling (ThD), and the PhD offered by the Emory University Graduate Division of Religion.

The mission of the Candler School of Theology is "to educate—through scholarship, teaching, and service—faithful and creative leaders for the church's ministries in the world."

The Candler School of Theology was founded in September 1914 by Southeastern Methodists in response to tensions within the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and the need for more clergy in the South. It was named after Asa Candler, founder of The Coca-Cola Company, who provided financial support. The school began instruction at Wesley Memorial Church and moved to the Druid Hills campus in 1916.

The Candler community values diversity, equity, and inclusion and offers a rich, diverse spiritual life. Worship is central, with chapel services held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Evensong on Wednesdays, and Eucharist on Fridays. The school also provides various student activities through the Office of Student Programming (OSP), such as Thanksgiving Dinner and the Poor Seminarian's Cook Off.

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