12 Theology and Divinity Degree Programs in Japan

The Faculty of Theology is the core of Seinan Gakuin University, with over a century of history having been established in 1907 when the school was called Fukuoka Baptist Theological Seminary. The Department of Theology of the Department of Theology bases its studies on the Bible and strives to discern the essence of the spirit and culture of Christianity through the study of Christian thought, philosophy, and art. At the same time, the Faculty aims to educate students who will actively assume this spirit and culture in order to shape the spiritual culture of Japan and the world and contribute to the promotion of world peace and works for the good of all humanity. Two courses The Faculty of Theology offers two courses of study: the "Theology Course" and the "Christian Humanities Course." The "Theology Course" is for those students who are preparing to be leaders in the Christian world, preachers and ministers of churches, etc. The "Christian Humanities Course" is open to anyone, including non-Christians. Its purpose is to train people who will be able to contribute to society based on the Christian spirit.

The doctoral candidates will be engaged in advanced creative theological research with integrated methods in theology. This program aims to train theological researchers and educators who are able to contribute to an increasingly complex church and society concerning theological issues at TCU and other universities and theological institutions inside and outside of Japan and to train leaders who possess high levels of theological expertise and research abilities who can serve in churches, mission organizations, and Christian NPO/NGOs.

Initially aimed at training Catholic church clergy and religious education, it is now open to anyone seeking to learn Christian ethics and culture. Based on Christian values, we will look at various problems in the modern world, acquire solid values ​​in a confused modern society, and seek out the true form of human beings and society. As the only Catholic theology department in Japan, we train priests/priests, believers, religious teachers, and people who acquire Christian ethics and culture and contribute to the international community.

Based upon its founding principles, and in accordance with the Fundamental Law of Education and the School Education Act, Tokyo Christian University (TCU) Graduate School of Theology aims to contribute to the peace and development of church and society through educating Christian women and men in scholarly theory and praxis in the theological disciplines.

The Graduate School of Christian Studies was established in April 2009 to significantly expand the Graduate School of Arts’ Program in Systematic Theology. Christianity at Rikkyo University inherits the traditions of the Anglican Church, but the Graduate School of Christian Studies does not restrict itself to particular denominations or faiths, instead of taking an ecumenical stance with an emphasis on the academic, multifaceted analysis and research of matters surrounding Christianity. A distinguishing feature of this program is that in addition to traditional academic approaches such as Bible Studies, Biblical Archaeology, Church History, Systematic Theology, Religious Studies, and the History of Christian Music and Art, there are also numerous practical skill subjects in which students can engage in Field Studies and Service Learning or Church Music such as organ performance and choral conducting. In this way, we aim to study Christianity in contact with real society, not just within the University or seminar rooms. The Graduate School of Christian Studies serves a major role within Rikkyo University as a center of research and education that relates to our founding principles and has twelve full-time faculty members providing research guidance. Through earnest research and passionate education, we explore the possibilities of twenty-first-century Christian Studies as a field that responds to the needs of modern society. Conscious of the global arena, we aim to develop the center for Christian Studies into a leading research institution for Christian Studies in Japan and East Asia.

The Department offers courses in various fields of Buddhism, ranging from China to Japan, from the earliest days of Zen Buddhism to the present, and from its teachings and philosophy to its arts.

Buddhist Studies is an academic discipline that studies the Buddhist understanding of human existence and proposes how humanity can live together in harmony. The students in this department study all aspects of Buddhism, including its philosophy, history, and culture, with the aim of developing their sensibilities to observe and empathize with others.

The goal of the Graduate School of Practical Shin Buddhist Studies is to conduct education and research on how religious people can respond to complex and varied contemporary issues through studying religious teachings and truths. It also aims to foster religious practitioners with the highly specialized expertise expected by society. Nurturing Qualified Professionals The graduate school aims to foster religious practitioners who can understand other people from a global perspective. This perspective is based on Buddhist concepts of human nature and cosmology and aims to find the meaning of existence and to cultivate a zest for living. Also, it aims to nurture religious practitioners capable of exercising leadership over a wide range of activities in order to make religious organizations and facilities all over the nation function effectively and contribute to the revitalization of local communities as one of their strongholds.

Students are required to serve at least two years in a Japanese-speaking church as partial fulfillment of their Christian Ministry and Field Education requirements (exceptions may be permitted in special cases). Students are strongly encouraged, therefore, to continue their study of the Japanese language beyond the first two years of required coursework.

The aim of this major in Liberal Arts education is not necessarily to educate specialists. It is to critically scrutinize principles associated with notions such as "meaning" and "value" that we as humans all possess, in order to cultivate the ability to develop ideas from a reliable foundation. The study of philosophy and religion invokes fundamental questions concerning humanity and life and constitutes the core of a Liberal Arts education that aims to cultivate reverent and independent individuals.

The Department provides English courses to strengthen students' English proficiency and courses on English and American literature, poetry, theatrical performance, film and arts culture, and history. The Department also offers courses on English linguistics ranging from the history of English to variation in English.

Through the three offered courses of religious culture, Buddhist culture, and Zen culture, this department aims to develop in students a broad view of religions and the ability to think deeply. The goal of our religious cultural studies is to produce graduates who are prepared to participate in a global society.