Theology Minor Programs

Q: What skills does studying theology give you?

Studying theology can provide you with a deeper understanding of God, humanity, Jesus Christ, salvation, the church, as well as the church’s history and development. From this, you can gain the ability to develop theological reasoning, which can help you with your critical reading, interpretation, communication, writing and even research.

Q: Can I earn a theology minor if I am not a theology major?

Yes. A theology minor can be added onto any major. Some may choose a minor to supplement a related major, such as the Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies with an Emphasis in Philosophy degree. Others may choose a theology minor to gain more knowledge of a topic that’s of interest to them, while focusing their major studies on a lesser related area.

Q: What can you do with a philosophy minor?

Philosophy minor coursework covers topics such as ethics and knowledge and reality. Studying these topics can develop your ability to think ethically, as well as discuss complex philosophical topics in a clear and educated manner. These skills may be useful in your future career, or applicable to your daily life.

Q: What is the difference between a theology minor and a minor in biblical studies?

A minor in theology covers the historical studies of a religion as a whole and its applications. This can include covering various doctrines while analyzing their development and applications over time. A minor in biblical studies focuses solely on the study and application of the Bible and biblical principles. In this minor, you will be taught how to analyze and interpret scripture.

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College of Theology

Use this menu to discover more about the College of Theology and its resources.

Overview

Complement Your Major With a Theology Minor

GCU’s College of Theology offers a variety of theology minor programs that can prepare you for ministry and service through a deep biblical, theological and spiritual education. Our faculty strives to help you formulate your call to ministry by exploring the various directions that a call may take.

Earned in conjunction with a major degree, our minors can provide a well-rounded education within specific areas that may be of professional interest to you. Whether you minor in theology or Biblical studies, or pursue a worship arts or philosophy minor, our curriculum and faculty will demonstrate how you can develop character and integrity in many aspects of life.

Explore your options for minors in theology at GCU, relevant to many passion areas, ministries and areas of personal growth, below.

Minors

Worldview Studies and Philosophy Minors

Explore the worldview studies and philosophy minors offered by the College of Theology at GCU. These minors are designed to teach you how to analyze, apply and discuss your faith, through utilizing a Christian Worldview or studying philosophy.

Christian Worldview Studies Minor

A minor in Christian Worldview Studies can equip you with the knowledge to integrate a Christian worldview into your personal, academic and vocational pursuits. Those who complete this minor can deepen their understanding of the Christian worldview by assessing pre-modern, modern and post-modern worldviews. You will be taught to live out moral convictions in a pluralistic society, deepen your passion for the Christian community and become an advocate of justice and human flourishing.

The minor in Christian Worldview Studies at GCU is 16 credits and includes these courses:

Bible Survey (BIB-100)
Christian Life: The Way of Jesus (CWV-316)
World Religions (INT-244)
Christianity and Culture (INT-460)

Philosophy Minor

A Philosophy minor introduces you to philosophical studies in the key areas of knowledge and reality, ethics and philosophy of religion. The program complements foundational teachings addressed in Christian worldview by teaching you the competencies necessary to engage in ethical and philosophical discourse. As a Philosophy minor, you will be taught to analyze and assess ideas and ethical systems, as well as express those understandings to others.

The Philosophy minor at GCU is 16 credits and includes these courses:

Introduction to Philosophy and Ethics (PHI-103)
Knowledge and Reality (PHI-301)
Applied Ethics (PHI-307)
Philosophy of Religion (PHI-403)

Theology Minors for Media and Worship Ministry

GCU offers minors in media and worship ministry for those who are called to study and live out their faith through music, production and ministry leadership. Learn more about these minors and work toward a career leading others in faith through worship arts.

Media and Production Ministry Minor

A Media and Production Ministry minor is designed to teach you a basic understanding of the Bible and theology along with skill and knowledge of standard media and technology used in contemporary worship services. This minor is for those who have a calling to serve and lead within a worship ministry context. You can gain the knowledge and skills for leadership opportunities in worship media and production ministries.

The Media and Production Ministry minor at GCU is 20 credits and includes these courses:

Bible Survey (BIB-100)
Church Audio (WSA-123)
Digital Audio Workstation (WSA-320)
Theology of Worship (WSA-322)
Worship Leadership (WSA-423)

Worship Ministry Minor

A minor in Worship Ministry offers you a basic understanding of the Bible, theology, music and technology used in contemporary worship services. This minor is designed for those who have a calling to serve and lead within a worship ministry context. You can gain the knowledge and skills to serve as a worship pastor in a broad variety of ministry opportunities.

The minor in Worship Ministry at GCU is 20 credits and includes these courses:

Bible Survey (BIB-100)
Music Structures I (WSA-300)
Digital Audio Workstation (WSA-320)
Theology of Worship (WSA-322)
Worship Leadership (WSA-423)

Minors in Spiritual Formation and Missions

Learn how to communicate the Bible across different cultures and develop your Christian character by choosing a minor in spiritual formation or short-term missions. These minors can provide you with insight into different aspects of advancing your faith, either by deepening your spiritual formation or preparing for and engaging in short-term mission experiences.

Short-Term Missions Minor

A minor in Short-Term Missions provides you with basic biblical understandings and the ability to communicate the gospel effectively within cross-cultural contexts. Coursework surveys the Bible as a whole, introduces principles and practices for global and local missions and culminates in a mission experience. This minor is designed for those who want to understand how to share the Christian faith in word and deed within various cross-cultural contexts while gaining hands-on experience through short-term mission experiences in local and international contexts.

The minor in Short-Term Missions at GCU is 16 credits and includes these courses:

Bible Survey (BIB-100)
Christian Life: The Way of Jesus (CWV-316)
God-Centered Missions Lab (INT-101)
Cross-Cultural Missions Lab (INT-102)
Missional Skills Lab (INT-201)
Short-Term Missions Lab (INT-202)
Short-Term Missions Experience (INT-494)

Spiritual Formation and Discipleship Minor

A Spiritual Formation and Discipleship minor can provide you with knowledge and dispositions needed to cultivate spiritual formation and discipleship skills, giving you the opportunity to advance in your faith and further develop your Christian character. As a Spiritual Formation and Discipleship minor, you can gain additional insight into Christian life by completing coursework in biblical studies, character formation, evangelism and discipleship, along with studying history and theories of spiritual formation.

The Spiritual Formation and Discipleship minor at GCU is 16 credits and includes these courses:

Bible Survey (BIB-100)
Evangelism & Discipleship (INT-320)
Christian Character Formation (MIN-320)
History & Theories of Spiritual Formation (HTH-320)

Biblical Studies and Christian Theology Minors

Gain an understanding of the Bible, learn to interpret scripture and study the history of the church and historical contexts by choosing a biblical studies, Christian theology or Christian studies minor from GCU. These minors can complement any major and can provide you with a solid understanding of important fundamentals of your faith.

Biblical Studies Minor

A minor in Biblical Studies can provide you with basic knowledge of the Bible and ability to interpret Scripture effectively. Coursework surveys the Bible, introduces principles and practices for sound interpretation and applies interpretive skills to major divisions of the Bible. This minor is designed for those in any major who want to understand the Bible more fully and learn to interpret it faithfully.

The minor in Biblical Studies at GCU is 20 credits and includes these courses:

Old Testament Survey (BIB-106)
New Testament Survey (BIB-107)
Biblical Interpretation (BIB-355)
Old Testament Exegesis: Pentateuch (BIB-350)
New Testament Exegesis: Gospels and Acts (BIB-360)

Christian Ministry Minor (Pre-Seminary)

If you’re looking for the opportunity to progress toward a career in ministry, a Christian Ministry minor can put you on the right track. This minor can prepare you for pastoral leadership in your church or other Christian ministries. This pre-seminary track can also provide you with a pathway to the Master of Divinity degree. You will have the opportunity to develop a well-rounded theological education through studying personal and professional formation, as well as develop your ministerial abilities and ethics. You will complete lab-based experiences that are designed to strengthen your pastoral identity, spiritual formation, and relational and ministerial skills.

The Christian Ministry minor at GCU is 16 credits and includes these courses:

Pastoral Identity Lab (MIN-104)
Spiritual Formation Lab (MIN-114)
Relational Skills Lab (MIN-204)
Ministry Skills Lab (MIN-214)
Enchiridion on Ministry: Purpose, Principles and Practice (MIN-500)
Biblical Hermeneutics (BIB-650)
Ministerial Ethics (MIN-526)

Christian Studies Minor

A Christian Studies minor offers you a basic understanding of the Bible and theology. You will be taught ethical knowledge while exploring the virtues and habits that shape Christian character and morality. This minor complements foundational teachings introduced in the Christian worldview foundational course, with an emphasis on discipline and character development.

The Christian studies minor at GCU is 16 credits and includes these courses:

Bible Survey (BIB-100)
Christian Life: The Way of Jesus (BIB-316)
Christian Character Formation (MIN-320)
Christian Ethics (HTH-330)

Christian Theology Minor

As you pursue a Christian Theology minor, you can gain a basic understanding of theology and church history. Along with exploring Christian theology and its applications, you will complete coursework that covers all major doctrines while engaging in historical development, contextual diversity and practical applications of theology. If you seek to deepen your theological reasoning, you should consider this minor.

The Christian Theology minor at GCU is 16 credits and includes these courses:

Christian Theology I (HTH-201)
Christian Theology II (HTH-202)
Survey of Historical Theology (HTH-350)
Applied Theology (HTH-475)

FAQ

FAQs When Choosing Your Theology Minor

To further help you decide which theology minor is the best fit for you, read through some of our frequently asked questions to learn more about these different areas of study and how a theology minor could help prepare you for your future.

What skills does studying theology give you?

Can I earn a theology minor if I am not a theology major?

What can you do with a philosophy minor?

How are theology and the arts related?

Theology focuses on God’s nature, purposes and plans which includes his creation, human creatures and various aspects of the human experience — art is among these aspects. Studying theology may involve historical artwork related directly to the church, such as sculptures, paintings, music, or it may focus on biblical principles for the creation and enjoyment of the arts within the church and the broader culture. Worship arts may be understood as a particular type of artistic expression that relates directly to worship and the experience of worship by God’s people, collectively or individually.

What is the difference between a theology minor and a minor in biblical studies?

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