The PhD program covers areas of research identified as priorities by the collaborating schools. The unique contribution of such a program will be in the areas of Middle Eastern Christianity, Context-relevant biblical studies, Islamic Studies, Middle Eastern Cultures, and Historical, Political, and Economic issues necessary to the proper understanding of the region.

Middle Eastern Historical Studies

A deep historical understanding of the Christian past of the region will allow for the emergence of a proper picture of the religious wealth and diversity that constitute our current identity. A rereading of the history of the early church, reaching back into its origins in the Gospels, the Book of Acts, and the Pauline contribution to the emergence of Christianity as we know it, is imminently relevant to the development of faithful mission practice in the church today. An erudite exploration of the Antiochian and Alexandrian traditions, with their wealth of patristic and medieval literary heritage will contribute much to reinvigorating the historical roots of the church in the region. An analysis of this religious background will help foster the necessary vision for ecumenical collaboration in the present Middle East, as the Church seeks to grow creatively and healthily in the face of current challenges.

Context-Relevant Biblical Studies

A deep historical understanding of the Christian past of the region will allow for the emergence of a proper picture of the religious wealth and diversity that constitute our current identity. A rereading of the history of the early church, reaching back into its origins in the Gospels, the Book of Acts, and the Pauline contribution to the emergence of Christianity as we know it, is imminently relevant to the development of faithful mission practice in the church today. An erudite exploration of the Antiochian and Alexandrian traditions, with their wealth of patristic and medieval literary heritage will contribute much to reinvigorating the historical roots of the church in the region. An analysis of this religious background will help foster the necessary vision for ecumenical collaboration in the present Middle East, as the Church seeks to grow creatively and healthily in the face of current challenges.

Islamic Studies

Much of the understanding of Islam currently circulating among Evangelical churches does not do justice to the vast diversity of Islamic interpretations and expressions, both past and present. There is a dire need for the development of experts in the field of Islam who are conversant both in the classical Islamic sciences in line with traditional Islamic methodologies, and in the critical deconstructionist approaches that have developed in particular among western scholars. The classic apologetic and polemical approaches to Islam that reflect insular understandings of religion and/or foster stereotypical and simplistic understandings will not do for the Middle Eastern Church’s contemporary mission and discourse. Better-equipped students of Islam will allow for the emergence of the necessary discourse that encourages the Church into healthy, balanced, and creative engagement with its environment.

Middle Eastern Cultural Studies

Cultural anthropological studies remain an area of weakness in Middle Eastern seminaries, and without them we cannot develop a missiology for the church that connects appropriately with the region’s environment. The diversity of Islam and its points of contact with Christianity through history and today will come to light in new ways through the cultural anthropological approach. Recent writings have opened the door to an exploration of Islam. This exploration begs to be pursued through a better grasp and comprehension of the societies within which both Islam and Christianity prospered throughout the history of the region. Deep cultural anthropological research is relevant both to the study of scriptures and to the study of history and societies.

Middle Eastern Political and Economics Studies

And finally, the history of the region, including its political and economic issues and especially the intersection between Religion and Politics in the Middle East, is far from having been given proper attention within the local Christian academia. These disciplines will shed new light on our understanding of the present and will contribute significantly to a more holistic approach to the mission of the church in the region.