The administration at PHC recently approved the school’s newest major: Theology and the Bible. They plan to officially release it next year.
“There always seemed to be a place for this major at PHC, but the timing had to be correct and the issues and challenges had to be resolved,” said Executive Vice President Howard Schmidt.
Dr. Graeden Zorzi, Professor of Theology, and Dr. Matthew Roberts, Professor of Philosophy, spearheaded the new major’s curriculum development. They wanted to create a major that not only offered a foundation in strong Protestant theology, but also encapsulated PHC’s three core values: high academic rigor, fidelity to the spirit of the American founding, and an unwavering Biblical worldview.
“Dr. Zorzi and others wanted to create something unique, something different, something not offered at other colleges,” Schmidt said. Neither he nor Zorzi could find that same program at any other schools. After much research, prayer, and cooperation, they believe they have created it.
The major is founded on the Classical Liberal Arts core and has five key facets: theological depth, the Protestant tradition, graduate-level electives, ministry preparation, and a research capstone.
While the administration is not ready to release the course content quite yet, Schmidt offered a sneak peek.
The core will remain the same, and the major will likely require a classical language on campus: either Greek or Latin. Students looking to complete their apprenticeship credits may consider interning in a ministry setting, writing a senior thesis, doing an independent study in theology, or participating in forensics. The students will choose from four different vocational paths within the major elective courses: Philosophy (involving doctoral studies), Ministry, Biblical Studies, and Law and Politics. The major will add around ten new courses to PHC’s catalog—from Apologetics to Biblical Counseling.
PHC is now looking for a new professor of theology to teach classes for the new major. Besides Dr. Zorzi and the new professor, several adjunct professors will teach specialized classes.
Schmidt and the rest of the administration have high hopes for this major.
“PHC has seen a variety of students who want to go into ministry. PHC is one of their top two choices, but in the end, we tend to lose those mission-fit students to other colleges with a Theology or Biblical Studies major,” Schmidt said.
Freshman Caleb Vogel said that he plans to eventually go to seminary and is seriously thinking about majoring in Theology and the Bible. But he has his hesitations.
“I think theology is much easier to teach at a denominational school where you have a specific theology that you can actually teach … I worry that by the very nature of the major and the college, it would naturally become a pretty low-church theological perspective,” Vogel said.
Schmidt addressed this concern thoughtfully. “Being nondenominational is a challenge but manageable as long as we present and respect the various views within the Protestant faith …There is so much to be taught and to learn way beyond the traditional doctrinal differences of the various denominations,” he said.
Freshman Reid Ritter said he will most likely declare Theology and the Bible as his major. “I am excited that students will have the opportunity to study the character and nature of Yahweh, as well as His dealings with mankind, as a school subject,” he said.
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This story was originally published in PHC's student-run publication The Herald.
Patrick Henry College exists to glorify God by challenging the status quo in higher education, lifting high both faith and reason within a rigorous academic environment; thereby preserving for posterity the ideals behind the "noble experiment in ordered liberty" that is the foundation of America.
