Would credentials in (Christian) Theology make one qualified to research and write on non-Christian religions?

[Pieman333272]

I have a hypothetical question. Say I got a Ph.D. in Theology and wanted to research and write on the history, texts, beliefs, geography, and similarities and differences between Christianity, Islam, Wicca and Manichaeism. Would my degree in theology give me the credentials to be taken seriously in the non-Christian religions, with proper research, or would it be wiser to have gotten a Ph.D. in comparative religion or religious studies?

 

[Sister_Amy]

I have a hypothetical question. Say I got a Ph.D. in Theology and wanted to research and write on the history, texts, beliefs, geography, and similarities and differences between Christianity, Islam, Wicca and Manichaeism. Would my degree in theology give me the credentials to be taken seriously in the non-Christian religions, with proper research, or would it be wiser to have gotten a Ph.D. in comparative religion or religious studies?

I’ve seen authors write about Islam who are not at all qualified to do so–and they have advanced studies in Christian theology only. But the reason they aren’t really qualified is because they failed to actually do proper research. Or even any research. And I’ve seen “religious studies” types also author books which are misleading.

And I’ve read authors which have been able to discuss multiple religions credibly. But I don’t think it had to do with their specific field of graduate study. And I’m only speaking from one non-Christian religion, but that is my personal opinion.

Study what you think is most important to you. If you want to write about other religions, then some exposure to them and their sources/texts in school is definitely a good idea. But I don’t think you need to specialize in comparative religion in school in order to speak credibly about other religions.

So… I answered because you did post on a forum, after all. But really, your professors would probably know better. What do they suggest?

 

[Nine_Two]

Academically a PhD is just your specialty. If you have the knowledge and if you’ve done the research you should be able to write if you wish. You don’t even need a Ph.D to be “qualified” to do such, you just need to know what you’re talking about - and it will show.

 

[kenofken]

I’ve seen authors write about Islam who are not at all qualified to do so–and they have advanced studies in Christian theology only. But the reason they aren’t really qualified is because they failed to actually do proper research. Or even any research. And I’ve seen “religious studies” types also author books which are misleading.

And I’ve read authors which have been able to discuss multiple religions credibly. But I don’t think it had to do with their specific field of graduate study. And I’m only speaking from one non-Christian religion, but that is my personal opinion.

Study what you think is most important to you. If you want to write about other religions, then some exposure to them and their sources/texts in school is definitely a good idea. But I don’t think you need to specialize in comparative religion in school in order to speak credibly about other religions.

So… I answered because you did post on a forum, after all. But really, your professors would probably know better. What do they suggest?

You pretty well hit it on the head here. “Scholar is as scholar does.” Ones field of graduate study is really only an indication of what you - and your faculty sponsor - were interested at the time you did it. Louis Pasteur did his early work on the chirality of molecules, a concept which continues to bedevil young organic chemists to this day. He made his mark, of course, in microbiology.

Not only is it permissible for outsiders to research and write about religions they’re not a part of, I would argue that it’s critically important as a way of providing new perspectives and balance. Natives of a faith have the great advantage of insider knowledge, but it’s also a bit of a blind spot at times too.

If you want to do credible work, approach it with integrity and a critical eye and a sense of workmanship. Do the legwork to understand another tradition through the eyes of its adherents as well as the world around them. From that basis, observations and criticisms can be fairly made. That’s the stuff of real debate. Too often around here, it sinks to the level of “hack apologetics” by people who make sweeping judgments about other faiths (often mine) with ZERO knowledge of what they speak.

As an aside, I can also tell you that “credentials” are established through your work. If you make a good first impression on your colleagues in comparative religion, you’ll earn a presumption of authority over time. Pick a topic that interest you, and one that has a fresh angle to it. Research it very well and write it up in such a way that people in the faiths you cover can recognize themselves while also giving them something original to consider…

 

[Pieman333272]

OK, thanks all for the answers. This is more out of curiosity than college planning, but which would be better (more efficient/more helpful/more informative) to study in the scenario above, even though both work, for the topics of research listed above?

 

[Sufjon]

OK, thanks all for the answers. This is more out of curiosity than college planning, but which would be better (more efficient/more helpful/more informative) to study in the scenario above, even though both work, for the topics of research listed above?

Hi Pieman: My opinion is that the latter would be better if you wanted to be taken more seriously when writing about non-Christian religions. A ThD program is usually very much geared toward Christianity, with a few classes here and there on other religions. I think Duke and Harvard have ThD programs, as well as Catholic University. If you look at the curriculum listed for these programs, (probably on their websites) you could see how many hours they offer that deal with things other than Christianity. I don’t think it’s a lot, but I could be wrong.

Your friend
Sufjon

 

[Pieman333272]

Hi Pieman: My opinion is that the latter would be better if you wanted to be taken more seriously when writing about non-Christian religions. A ThD program is usually very much geared toward Christianity, with a few classes here and there on other religions. I think Duke and Harvard have ThD programs, as well as Catholic University. If you look at the curriculum listed for these programs, (probably on their websites) you could see how many hours they offer that deal with things other than Christianity. I don’t think it’s a lot, but I could be wrong.

Your friend
Sufjon

Thanks Sufjon. One more question:

Would it be intellectually dishonest to use skills in religious studies for apologetics, so long as you keep your apologetics separate from your other work in the field (i.e. Not writing a study of Zoroastrianism to support Catholicism, but using your knowledge of Zoroastrianism to refute an atheist’s claim about monotheistic origins so long as it is true)? I know not for theology or philosophy, but religious studies is designed to be used from a secular perspective. Either way, thanks for the info so far.

 

[Dave_Noonan]

I have a hypothetical question. Say I got a Ph.D. in Theology and wanted to research and write on the history, texts, beliefs, geography, and similarities and differences between Christianity, Islam, Wicca and Manichaeism. Would my degree in theology give me the credentials to be taken seriously in the non-Christian religions, with proper research, or would it be wiser to have gotten a Ph.D. in comparative religion or religious studies?

Actually, to be taken seriously by non-Christians, it would be unwise to get a PhD in Theology–you will (perhaps unfortunately and unfairly, but that’s what happens) always be seen as an advocate of/apologist for Christianity, even if your work is appropriately balanced and comparative. If you feel you absolutely need further grounding in Christianity, then get a master’s degree in Theology (say, an MTS) and then go on and do a PhD in another field.

If this is really your calling and you want to be taken seriously, then I would recommend getting your Ph.D. in Comparative Religion, Near Eastern Studies–or even in the religion that you want to do your comparative work in–e.g. Jewish Studies or Islamic Studies (just as examples). Another option would be to get a PhD in Sociology and as part of that do a concentration in sociology of religion. To be taken seriously, one should steer clear of theology degrees if at all possible.

 

[Dave_Noonan]

Thanks Sufjon. One more question:

Would it be intellectually dishonest to use skills in religious studies for apologetics, so long as you keep your apologetics separate from your other work in the field (i.e. Not writing a study of Zoroastrianism to support Catholicism, but using your knowledge of Zoroastrianism to refute an atheist’s claim about monotheistic origins so long as it is true)? I know not for theology or philosophy, but religious studies is designed to be used from a secular perspective. Either way, thanks for the info so far.

Unfortunately, apologetic work (even if kept separate from other academic work) will taint how the rest of your work is viewed. As I said in my other post, this is perhaps unfair in some cases, but how the world works. As an example, even though Scott Hahn is very popular in Catholic circles, his work will never taken seriously by secular or say, Jewish or Protestant scholars because he has published too widely in apologetics. Thus all of his scholarship is dismissed as mere apologetics.

 

[Pieman333272]

Actually, to be taken seriously by non-Christians, it would be unwise to get a PhD in Theology–you will (perhaps unfortunately and unfairly, but that’s what happens) always be seen as an advocate of/apologist for Christianity, even if your work is appropriately balanced and comparative. If you feel you absolutely need further grounding in Christianity, then get a master’s degree in Theology (say, an MTS) and then go on and do a PhD in another field.

If this is really your calling and you want to be taken seriously, then I would recommend getting your Ph.D. in Comparative Religion, Near Eastern Studies–or even in the religion that you want to do your comparative work in–e.g. Jewish Studies or Islamic Studies (just as examples). Another option would be to get a PhD in Sociology and as part of that do a concentration in sociology of religion. To be taken seriously, one should steer clear of theology degrees if at all possible.

Yeah. If I were to go into scholarship instead of apologetics, I would probably go with a Doctorate in Comparative Religion or Religious Studies. Maybe philosophy but that’s a little broad. I’m also considering being a priest, but from my understanding of some priests in the field clergy are oddly, but for the better, not (unfairly) considered biased by the secularists in the field. Either way, thanks all for the info.

 

[Dave_Noonan]

Yeah. If I were to go into scholarship instead of apologetics, I would probably go with a Doctorate in Comparative Religion or Religious Studies. Maybe philosophy but that’s a little broad. I’m also considering being a priest, but from my understanding of some priests in the field clergy are oddly, but for the better, not (unfairly) considered biased by the secularists in the field. Either way, thanks all for the info.

Your point about priests is well-taken. A secularist would likely consider the usual degree for the priesthood (M.Div.) as sort of “lightweight.” Even the pontifical degrees (e.g., STD) involve less work than a PhD and thus are looked down upon by many scholars. BUT there’s nothing stopping you from being both a priest and a PhD, particularly if you join a religious order. I don’t think I’ve ever met a diocesean priest who also has a PhD, but I suppose they may exist.

Good luck on your discernment!!

 

[Esdra]

Your point about priests is well-taken. A secularist would likely consider the usual degree for the priesthood (M.Div.) as sort of “lightweight.” Even the pontifical degrees (e.g., STD) involve less work than a PhD and thus are looked down upon by many scholars. BUT there’s nothing stopping you from being both a priest and a PhD, particularly if you join a religious order. I don’t think I’ve ever met a diocesean priest who also has a PhD, but I suppose they may exist.

Good luck on your discernment!!

I know priests with a PhD (in Austria that’s called literally translated “Doctor-title”)!
Our former parish pastor had a PhD in Theology and Christian Philosophy if I remember correctly!

 

[Dave_Noonan]

I know priests with a PhD (in Austria that’s called literally translated “Doctor-title”)!
Our former parish pastor had a PhD in Theology and Christian Philosophy if I remember correctly!

Interesting. Here a ThD is also called a “Doctor” but that distinction (ThD versus PhD) may not exist in Austria. To compound the confusion, here in the US we ALSO have a proliferation of D.Min.s (Doctors of Ministry), which are also sometimes referred to as doctors.

But interesting nonetheless.

 

[Esdra]

Interesting. Here a ThD is also called a “Doctor” but that distinction (ThD versus PhD) may not exist in Austria. To compound the confusion, here in the US we ALSO have a proliferation of D.Min.s (Doctors of Ministry), which are also sometimes referred to as doctors.

But interesting nonetheless.

Hi

yes, I think we’ll know what the other means in 10 years or so, when all European will also have the BA, MA and PhD system of the US.
Have you watched European News? The “Bologna-Process” wants to unify all titles you can get at the Universities in the EU using the US System as a role model.

So to be more accurate: This priest had: “Dr. Dr. XXX XXX”
So one for theology and one for philosophy.

 

[Dave_Noonan]

Hi

yes, I think we’ll know what the other means in 10 years or so, when all European will also have the BA, MA and PhD system of the US.
Have you watched European News? The “Bologna-Process” wants to unify all titles you can get at the Universities in the EU using the US System as a role model.

So to be more accurate: This priest had: “Dr. Dr. XXX XXX”
So one for theology and one for philosophy.

NO! I didn’t see that. How interesting. There are a LOT of inconsistencies between the systems, so that would be very helpful, imo.

 

[Esdra]

NO! I didn’t see that. How interesting. There are a LOT of inconsistencies between the systems, so that would be very helpful, imo.

I have a (wikipedia) link for you.

Yeah, I actually also think that comparing Academic titles will be easier then if this Process is fully established throughout Europe.
However, at the moment it is causing a lot of confusion on Universties throughout the EU…

 

[Dave_Noonan]

I have a (wikipedia) link for you.

Yeah, I actually also think that comparing Academic titles will be easier then if this Process is fully established throughout Europe.
However, at the moment it is causing a lot of confusion on Universties throughout the EU…

Thanks for the link! I think this is an admirable goal.