Master's of Interfaith Theology in
Feminine Divine Studies
The Master's of Interfaith Theology in Feminine Divine studies at Grace Theological College has a multi-disciplinary focus and is research based. It rests upon the paradigm that the divine feminine in many cultures is "normalized" through daily practices that are not recognized as having a foundation in feminine energy, while the hierarchial nature of religion as experienced through the lens of the divine male is accompanied by rites and rituals that are especially honored, experienced, and officially understood to be sacred.
The dichotomy between these two paradigms have manifested over the centuries in negative dynamics for persons (especially women), who have attempted to integrate the feminine divine and the male divine into a harmonized whole.
In some cultures this has led to a dehumanization of women both individually and collectively.
For many, it has negatively affected them physically, socially, psychologically, and economically. In some cultures this has led to derision and marginalization of their spiritual gifts. In some cultures it has led to accusations "witchcraft" and to capital punishments such as death by burnings, stoning, and drownings, sometimes by their neighbors, sometimes by member's of their faith, and in some cases by their governments.
While these negative histories must and will be studied, the positive roles of women in many spiritual / religious traditions is inherently fundamental in this curriculum. As such, this program seeks to stretch beyond human-generated gendered identities to that of spiritual energies, sacred wisdom, and practical applications that may be employed to achieve balance and healing. This will provide stability and recourse to the scholar's subject of research during the writing of their thesis or their master's project.
This is an Interfaith/Interreligous degree. The student must be receptive of both their faith-filled and their no creation-based peers. They must be receptive and open to learning about faith rites and rituals that have paradigms based in faiths / religions unlike theirs. Students who cannot do these things must transfer to another program to which they discern they are called, or withdraw from Grace Theological College with the Dean's recommendation and referral.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS: The master's degree may be awarded upon the completion of a minimum 30 credit hours above the Bachelor's degree for a total of 150 credits.The master's thesis or project must include original research. The degree must be completed within three (3) calendar years from acceptance into the program.
MANDATORY COURSES - 30 cr.
Community Chaplaincy - 1 cr.
Research Methodology - 1 cr.
Humanities - 9 cr. (Includes Languages)
Interreligious / Interfaith Theology - 3 cr.
Divine Feminine Studies - 9 cr. (Women centered Counseling, Leadership, Business, Arts)
Sacred Activism / Social Justice - 3 cr. (Walking the Talk)
Thesis - 4 cr.
DOCTORAL ADVISORY TEAM
Angela DeBry, M. Th., S.T. L., D. D.
Gymetta Fludd, D. Min.
Linda Jarvis, D. Min., S.T. D., Ph.D.
