Emory Candler's Theology: Liberal Or Conservative?

is emory candler theology liberal

The Candler School of Theology is a graduate school of Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. It is a Christian institution with Wesleyan roots, emphasizing evangelical piety, ecumenical openness, and social concern. The school offers a range of degrees, including master's, doctoral, and dual degree programs, with a focus on educating leaders for the church and its ministries worldwide. With a diverse community and world-class faculty, Candler provides a unique environment for theological education, valuing scholarship, teaching, and service to the church. Its history includes notable events such as admitting women in 1922 and signing the Ministers' Manifesto in 1957, advocating for racial integration in schools. Candler's reputation and commitment to accessibility are reflected in its vision for 2036, aiming to remove financial barriers and expand access to theological learning.

Characteristics Values
Faculty World-renowned; distinguished; passionate; strong
Student body Diverse; creative; curious; socially engaged
Degrees Five master's; one doctoral; nine dual degrees; multiple formats
Learning Hands-on; academic preparation; hybrid
Worship Chapel; Evensong; Eucharist; spiritual formation
Resources Pitts Theology Library; unparalleled
Mission Educate faithful leaders; make a difference in the world; serve God and the church
Location Atlanta, Georgia
History Established in 1914; named after Asa or Warren Candler
Accreditation Accredited by the ATS since 1938

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The Candler School of Theology's mission and values

The Candler School of Theology is a graduate school at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. It is a university-based school of theology that educates ministers, scholars of religion, and other leaders. The school is grounded in the Christian faith and is shaped by the Wesleyan tradition of evangelical piety, ecumenical openness, and social concern.

The school's mission is to educate faithful and creative leaders for the church's ministries worldwide. Candler offers a range of degrees, including five master's, one doctoral, and nine dual degrees, as well as learning opportunities outside of its degree programs. The school's values include a commitment to teaching and learning, scholarship, openness, and dialogue, with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Candler's faculty is world-renowned, and the school offers a rich, diverse spiritual life with a variety of worship opportunities. The school's library, Pitts Theology Library, is among the premier theological libraries in the world, offering extensive resources for study and reflection.

Candler has a history of fostering social justice and standing against segregation. The school has also been at the forefront of curricular innovations in interfaith relations, reflecting the growing religious diversity in the United States. The school strives to make theological education accessible to more people, utilizing technology and partnerships with churches and community organizations.

Candler's mission and vision statements reflect its commitment to Christian tradition, intellectual integrity, diversity, ecumenical vision, social justice, and community-building. The school aims to prepare students for real-world impact, connecting the present with the past and emphasizing the role of ethics in decision-making.

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The school's diverse community and inclusive ethos

The Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, has a diverse and inclusive ethos that is grounded in the Christian faith and shaped by the Wesleyan tradition of evangelical piety, ecumenical openness, and social concern. The school's mission is to educate and prepare faithful and creative leaders for the church's ministries worldwide. This ethos has been reflected in various ways throughout the school's history.

Candler's diverse community is made up of individuals from different backgrounds, ethnicities, nations, cultures, faith traditions, and beliefs. The school values diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential to excellence and lived faith, fostering a community of belonging. This commitment to inclusivity has been demonstrated in historical moments such as the school's decision to offer admission to female students in 1922, despite the Methodist Episcopal Church, South not providing a path to ordination for women at the time.

The school's diverse spiritual life is also evident in its worship practices, with regular Chapel services, Evensong, and Eucharist, as well as other opportunities for spiritual formation throughout the week. The Candler Foundry, their public theological education initiative, offers courses and events for individuals and church groups, further contributing to the school's inclusive ethos.

Candler's diverse and inclusive nature is also reflected in its academic offerings. The school provides a broad array of learning opportunities, including five master's, one doctoral, and nine dual degrees, many of which are available in multiple formats such as in-person, hybrid, and online. The dual-degree programs, offered in partnership with top-ranked Emory programs, span fields such as bioethics, business, development practice, law, and public health. Additionally, the Contextual Education program integrates coursework, supervised field experience, and pastor-led reflection groups, providing a well-rounded educational experience.

The school's commitment to diversity and inclusion extends beyond its immediate community. Candler envisions making theological education more accessible to a wider range of populations, including those who identify as spiritual but not religious. By leveraging technology and partnering with churches and community organizations, they aim to enhance their capacity for public theological education. This inclusive ethos aligns with Emory University's reputation as an "intellectually vital, internationally distinguished, and intentionally diverse" institution.

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The range of degree programs offered

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 has a mission to educate faithful and creative leaders for the church's ministries worldwide.

The school offers a range of degree programs to match students' interests and calling. These include five master's, one doctoral, and nine dual degrees. The dual degrees are offered in partnership with other top-ranked programs at Emory University and are available within the Master of Divinity and Master of Theological Studies programs. The fields covered include bioethics, business, development practice, law, and public health.

Several degrees are available in multiple formats, including in-person, hybrid, and online learning. The school also offers a broad array of learning opportunities outside of its degree programs. For instance, the Candler Foundry is a public theological education initiative that provides courses and events for individuals and church groups. Additionally, the La Mesa Academy for Theological Studies offers a multi-language curriculum leading to a graduate certificate in theological studies.

The school's academic programs are complemented by a rich spiritual life, with worship at the heart of the Candler community. Chapel services are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Evensong on Wednesdays, and Eucharist on Fridays. The school also values diversity, equity, and inclusion, fostering a community of belonging for students from diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, nations, cultures, faith traditions, and beliefs.

With challenging academics and world-class faculty, the Candler School of Theology provides a well-rounded education for those seeking to serve in ministry and leadership roles within the church.

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The school's history and establishment

The Candler School of Theology is a graduate school of theology 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, shaped by the Wesleyan tradition of evangelical piety, ecumenical openness, and social concern.

The school's mission is to educate faithful and creative leaders for the church's ministries worldwide. It offers a range of degrees, including five master's, one doctoral, and nine dual degrees, as well as hands-on learning opportunities and a diverse spiritual life for its students. The school values diversity, equity, and inclusion and welcomes individuals from different backgrounds, ethnicities, nations, cultures, faith traditions, and beliefs.

The history of the Candler School of Theology dates back to the early 20th century. In March 1914, the Methodist Episcopal Church, South (MECS), and Vanderbilt University severed ties. MECS appointed an Educational Commission to establish a university in the Southeast, and Asa Candler, founder of The Coca-Cola Company, promised one million dollars for the endowment of this university. The commission chose Atlanta as the location, and in September 1914, the theology school began instruction at Wesley Memorial Church, later moving to the Druid Hills campus in 1916. The school was named after either Warren or Asa Candler, and in 1922, it began admitting female students, despite the Methodist Episcopal Church, South not offering ordination for women.

The Candler School of Theology has been an integral part of Emory University, contributing to its reputation as a top-ranked research institution. It celebrated its centennial in the 2014-2015 academic year, acknowledging its impact on theological education and its vision for addressing the challenges and opportunities in theology in the 21st century. The school has produced notable alumni, including Kiyoshi Tanimoto, a 1940 graduate who survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and devoted his life to helping survivors and advocating for nuclear disarmament.

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The school's notable alumni and faculty

The Candler School of Theology at Emory University has a rich history dating back over a century. With a mission to educate faithful and creative leaders for the church's ministries worldwide, the school has produced numerous notable alumni and faculty members who have made significant contributions in various fields.

One notable alumnus is Kiyoshi Tanimoto, a 1940 graduate of Candler, who was serving a Methodist church in Hiroshima when the atomic bomb was dropped. Tanimoto dedicated his life to aiding survivors and advocating for nuclear disarmament. The school's first black student, Otis Turner, enrolled in 1965, marking a step towards racial integration.

Candler School of Theology has also been home to distinguished faculty members. Jonathan Strom, a Professor of Church History and historian of Pietism, became the Mary Lee Hardin Willard Dean in 2024. E. Brooks Holifield, Carol A. Newsom, and Carl R. Holladay, all fellows of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, are among the accomplished faculty.

Additionally, Emory University as a whole boasts an impressive list of notable alumni and faculty. Michael A. Elliott, the 20th President of Amherst College, and Ha Jin, a Chinese-American writer and Pulitzer Prize finalist, are among the distinguished faculty members. Notable alumni include Michael J. Kuhar, a neuropharmacology professor, and David Malebranche, a Haitian-American physician working in HIV/AIDS research and treatment.

The diverse community at Candler values equity, diversity, and inclusion, fostering a sense of belonging. The school offers a range of degrees, including five master's, one doctoral, and nine dual-degree programs, providing a well-rounded education to its students.

Frequently asked questions

The Candler School of Theology is grounded in the Christian faith and shaped by the Wesleyan tradition of evangelical piety, ecumenical openness, and social concern. The school is one of 13 seminaries affiliated with the United Methodist Church. It is also a diverse community that values diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The Candler School of Theology offers five master's, one doctoral, and nine dual degrees. The dual degrees are offered in partnership with other top-ranked programs at Emory in the fields of bioethics, business, development practice, law, and public health.

The Candler School of Theology's mission is to educate faithful and creative leaders for the church's ministries throughout the world. The school aims to prepare real people to make a real difference in the real world.

The Candler School of Theology was founded in 1914 and began instruction at Wesley Memorial Church in Atlanta, Georgia. In 1916, the school moved to the Druid Hills campus. The school is named after Asa Candler, founder of The Coca-Cola Company, who promised one million dollars for the endowment of the university.

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