MF Norwegian School of Theology

Norwegian School of Theology (MF)

Det teologiske Menighetsfakultet
Motto	In Principio Erat Verbum
Type	Private
Established	1907
Rector	Vidar L. Haanes
Administrative staff	100
Students	1,100
Location	Oslo, Norway
Affiliations	The Norwegian Association of Higher Education Institutions; IMHE; the Nordic University Association
Website	mf.no

Norwegian School of Theology (1908), formerly the Free Faculty of Theology (Norwegian: Det teologiske Menighetsfakultet) is an accredited Norwegian Specialized University focused on Theology, Religion, Education, and Social Studies, located in Oslo, Norway.^[1] With three departments (the Department of Theology, the Department of Religious Education and Pedagogical Studies, and the Department of Religion and Society), the Norwegian School of Theology educates scholars (PhD), teachers, ministers, and other professionals at the undergraduate and graduate level for leadership and service both nationally and internationally. It is Norway’s largest school of theology, religion and social sciences, and enrolls approximately 1200 students from both Norway and other countries. ^[2]

Beginning as a confessional school, today it is an ecumenical inclusive school offering education specific to a number of denominations (Lutheran, Methodist, Catholic, Salvation Army and Pentecostal).^[3]

History

Campus

MF was founded in 1907 by a body of people (Norwegian academics, politicians, clergy and lay people) wanting to build the education and research on the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions.

The main reason for the establishing of the School was an appointment to a professoriate at the Faculty of Theology at University of Oslo. The Chair of Systematic Theology was vacant after the death of Fredrik Petersen in 1903, and in 1906 the liberal theologian Johannes Ording was appointed to the Chair. Ording was appointed after a lengthy debate which almost led to a crisis in the Government of Norway. It was not supported by the other leading professors at the faculty, and Sigurd Odland at the Faculty of Theology and the Minister of Church Affairs Christopher Knudsen in the Government left their positions following the appointment. ^{[4] [5] [6] [7]}

Notable people in the society and the Church gathering around Odland then took steps to found an independent institution training the clergy. The founding charter was signed October 16, 1907, and the School was opened in the autumn of 1908 with only 8 students (a number that increased to 14 before the end of the first term). The earliest teachers were Sigurd Odland (New Testament), Edvard Sverdrup (Church history), Peter Hognestad (Old Testament), Ole Hallesby (Systematic theology). From 1919 the members of academic staff was granted the right to call themselves professors.^{[8] [9] [10]}

The School grew steadily, and in 1913 MF was given the right to offer degrees in Theology, and also in Practical Theology from 1925. The School expanded in 1967 and an institute of Christian theology was founded giving a minor, major and a master's degree in Christian Studies. 1977 the school started to train Christian Educators (catechists). A major step was the right to award the doctoral degree in 1990. The School was the first private school given the right to do this, and in 2005 the school was accredited as a specialized university institution by the Norwegian authorities.

Academics

MF Norwegian School of Theology awards the following degrees: bachelor, master, candidatus/a theologiae and Ph.D.

It offers the following programmes of study that results in the mentioned degrees:

• At undergraduate level
  • Introductory Studies in Christianity and Religious and Ethical Education (1 year),
  • Introductory Studies in Social Studies (1 year),
  • Introductory Studies in Cross-cultural Communication (1 year),
  • Bachelor of Arts, specializing in Christianity and Religious and Ethical Education (3 years),
  • Bachelor of Arts, specializing in Religion and Society (3 years),
  • Bachelor of Arts, specializing in Youth Ministry (3 years),
  • Bachelor of Arts, specializing in Social Sciences (3 years),
  • Bachelor of Theology (3 years).
• At postgraduate level
  • Master of Arts in Religious Education (1 ½ years, part-time studies),
  • Master of Arts in Religion, Society and Global Issues (2 years, offered in English),
  • Master of Arts in History of Religions (2 years, offered in English),
  • Master of Theology (2 years, offered in English) specializing in Hebrew Bible/Old Testament Studies, New Testament Studies, Church History, or Theology, Mission and Society,
  • Master of Theology (5 years, one-tier, together with BA degree),
  • Master of Philosophy in Religious Education (2 years),
  • Master of Philosophy in Educational Ministry (2 years),
  • Master of Philosophy in Diaconal Ministry (2 years),
  • Master of Practical Theology,
  • Master of Christian Clinical Counseling,
  • Professional Degree in Theology and Ministry (6 years, leading to the cand.theol.-degree),
  • Professional Teaching Degree in Religious Education and Social Studies lektor/adjunkt.
• At PhD level
  • Philosophiae doctor (Ph.D.) in Theology (3 ½ years), specializing in Hebrew Bible/Old Testament Studies, New Testament Studies, Church History, or Theology, Mission and Society.
  • Philosophiae doctor (Ph.D.) in Religious Education (3 ½ years).

Notable alumni and faculty staff

References

External links

• Det teologiske Menighetsfakultet Official website

Coordinates: 59°55′57.99″N 10°42′48.67″E / 59.9327750°N 10.7135194°E / 59.9327750; 10.7135194