Wonder. Love. Praise
As a student in the Welch School of Theology & Christian Ministry, be prepared for your journey of faith and learning to come alive. Here you will not only experience wonder, love, and praise, but you will also be invited to wonder, to love, and to praise. These three words — both nouns and verbs — describe our work in the Welch School of Theology. Wonder, love, and praise are what we explore and what we do — together.
Scholarship Opportunity
Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship for Theological Education
The Martin Luther King, Jr. scholarship assists prospective students from underrepresented groups who are exploring theological education and Christian vocational leadership.
Student Spotlight
Kevin Portillo, M.Div. (14)
As a pastor, Kevin Portillo’s (14) passion for theology, the church, and ministry aren’t surprising. But they weren’t always a part of his life. Today, Portillo is an associate pastor of discipleship at Faith Community Church of the Nazarene in Lodi, California. However, he didn’t grow up in a Christian environment.
Opportunity for Engagement
Community Classroom
Do you have a desire to serve or work in a multicultural or cross-cultural setting? Do you want to better understand and communicate with your congregation, clients, or constituents, no matter their ethnicity, language, or culture?
Faculty Spotlight
Dr. Michael Lodahl
As you step into Dr. Michael Lodahl’s office, you’re instantly immersed in the heart of academia. Shelves brimming with countless books, ranging from rabbinic theology to 18th century philosophy, adorn the quaint, scholarly room.
The motto of Wonder, Love, and Praise is drawn from the last line of Charles Wesley’s hymn entitled, “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling,” and it pushes us to:
- Dive more deeply into what we believe about God, the world, and ourselves in relation to God
- Humbly explore the deep questions of faith, seeking wisdom from Scripture, reason, tradition, and experience
- Seek the knowledge of Scripture, theology, and philosophy, and to gain practical experience for ministry and service
- Learn how to love God fully and love others deeply
Ultimately, we do all this and more as we come together in wonder, love, and praise.
Wonder
Studying the Bible, theology, philosophy, and ministry is an invitation to wonder.
Wonder encourages us to imagine beyond familiar patterns and stereotypes, leading to a bigger understanding of God’s calling and love. Wonder invites us to be curious, ask questions, and bravely consider new ideas. It helps us cultivate a sense of mystery, where we find answers while allowing some questions to remain open as we seek deeper truth. Wonder also pushes us to explore and roam across diverse areas of study, moving beyond single approaches or narrow perspectives. It beckons us beyond our own understanding into a divine invitation of life and reconciliation.
Love
Studying the Bible, theology, philosophy, and ministry teaches us about love and calls us to love.
As we lean into our studies, we begin to learn what it means to love God, love others, and love all living things. The love we discover helps our care for those around us grow and brings profound meaning to our work. We express this love for God and others through our studies by reading and listening charitably to Scripture, stories, other texts, and each other. We begin to put love into practice through service, compassion, and social action, especially for persons who are vulnerable and marginalized.
Praise
Studying the Bible, theology, philosophy, and ministry is like singing a doxology (praise song).
Praise means our study orients us toward something bigger than our current moment. It helps us achieve our goal of looking beyond ourselves and our experiences to God’s dreams for the world and to better visions of truth, beauty, and goodness. Praise helps us keep our debates and public wrestling anchored in a broader perspective of the work we are doing. It reminds us that our work is ultimately a communal project — a chorus made of many different voices, backgrounds, and stories.
In the Welch School of Theology & Christian Ministry,
we are pilgrims together,
moving toward wonder, love, and praise.
Reuben Welch School of Theology & Christian Ministry Programs
An education in the humanities cultivates deep critical-thinking, problem-solving, writing, communication, and research skills that will prepare you for a variety of meaningful careers. Programs in Christian studies and philosophy provide the opportunity to pursue your passions and interests.
Undergraduate
- Christian Studies, B.A.
- Philosophy, B.A.
- Theology, Justice, and Peace, B.A.
- Biblical Studies, minor
- Christian Mission and Intercultural Ministry, minor
- Christian Studies, minor
- Philosophy, minor
- Science and Christian Faith, minor
- Vocational Ministry, minor
- Worship Arts, minor
- Youth and Family Ministries, minor
Graduate Studies
Opportunities for Engagement
Developing into an individual inspired and guided by purpose doesn't only happen inside the walls of the classroom — it happens by coming face-to-face with new opportunities, people, places, and ideas. From student-run clubs and honor societies to opportunities to reach out to the surrounding community, lecture series, research conferences, and more, the Reuben Welch School of Theology & Christian Ministry offers a diversity of opportunities for meaningful engagement with big questions.
Department News & Events
Faculty
Our faculty serve as both teachers and mentors, committed to guiding you through a full and purposeful education. By helping you explore thought-provoking and influential ideas, analyze complex and difficult questions, and evaluate competing claims, you'll have access to an environment devoted to a meaningful exchange of ideas. An education at PLNU is both transformative and deeply impactful.
Contact Us
If you would like to learn more about the Reuben Welch School of Theology & Christian Ministry or any of our majors and minors, please reach out to us!
Sophia Starner
Administrative Assistant
sophiastarner@pointloma.edu
(619) 849-2234
PLNU is committed to continuous and transparent alignment of our curriculum with the highest national standards. Learn about assessment.
