Why a New Theology Ph.D. at ORU? Four
There appears to be a growing “fad” in “global” or “world” Christianity. This discussion will take up a realistic issue: jobs! A new academic program assumes that there is a viable market demand for its graduates. Simply put it for the ORU Ph.D. program, “Will the graduates with a theology Ph.D. degree strongly oriented in global Christianity find good jobs?” My responses will be provisional as the discipline itself is fast emerging.
In 2018, I took a survey, and around 150 scholars from various parts of the world responded. When I asked, “Does your school have a professor whose title includes ‘Global or World Christianity’?” 40% responded “yes,” and 2% indicated that they plan to have one in the next 3 years. More impressive is the responses to the question, if they believe that “master’s and doctoral studies in Global/World Christianity is a growing area of study with an increasing demand for professors.” 85.5% (or 125 out of 142 respondents) marked “agreed” or “maybe.” Indeed, 25.5% (or 27 schools) ran master’s programs in Global/World Christianity, and 5% more are planning to add new programs.
This explains why we receive more job notifications for similar professorial posts. More universities are establishing new programs on Global/World Christianity and advertising them. (37 schools already have such master’s programs, and 7 more are planning in three years.) Then somebody will need to train these professors. Thus, the next question, “Does your school have a Ph.D. program in or with Global/World Christianity concentration/track?” 25.9% responded “yes,” and 2.8% to roll out their programs in three years! An overwhelming 86.2% “wish” that their schools to “develop such a program.”
Is the studies of global/world Christianity just a fad? The evidence says a loud “no”! The trick, however, is that any study on global Christianity will be multidisciplinary. One can approach from historical, theological, missiological, cultural anthropological, or religious studies. ORU decided to focus on the theological aspect of global Christianity and the Spirit-empowered movement. And the Contextual Theology track brings each context into the theological process. We just know what we are good at, and where our limitations are. But one thing is clear: our graduates will have a better chance to make a difference while employed well.