Master of Arts in Theology

An Anabaptist Vision: Standing on the Shoulders of Giants

The Great Commission of our Lord (Matt. 28:18-20) is a costly

commandment. It requires our life (Matthew 16:24-25). For the Gospel is the heartbeat of Christianity (Romans 1:16-17), the focus of each local church founded upon the Scriptures (Matthew 16:18), and the centrality of who we are as Truett-McConnell College.

Here at Truett-McConnell, we stand on the shoulders of giants, men and women from centuries past that have literally given their lives for the Gospel. These heroes, nicknamed Anabaptists, point us to a simple and biblical Christianity based solely on His Word and sustained solely by His grace.

This rich heritage is also our future. Our graduate program honors our past by equipping a new generation, both theologically and practically, to invest their lives for His sake, and for the sake of a generation yet to hear the Gospel (Acts 2:40-41).

We hope you will join the movement. A lost and hopeless world awaits men and women who will clearly and boldly proclaim the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

Dr. Emir CanerPresident

“God by means of His sent Word gives power to all people to become his children.”Balthasar HubmaierFreedom of the Will, II

Balthasar Hubmaier

Truth is Immortal:At Truett-McConnell, we continue to hold to this testimony from

Balthasar Hubmaier, the sixteenth century Anabaptist. For Hubmaier, the immortal truth was Scripture. He described the Bible as “eternal and unchanging” and referred to “the plumb line of Holy Scripture.” The heartbeat of the Master of Arts in Theology program is a commitment to the inerrant Scripture as the centerpiece for all aspects of ministry. The program will train you to serve the Church through interpreting, expounding, and applying biblical truth to the hearts and lives of those God has called you to impact.

•CS 501 : HERMENEUTICS

•PH 501 : LOGIC AND CRITICAL THINKING

•GK 501: FOUNDATIONS OF BIBLICAL GREEK

•GK 601: NEW TESTAMENT EXPOSITION IN GREEK

•HB 501 : FOUNDATIONS OF BIBLICAL HEBREW 1 & 2

•HB 601 : OLD TESTAMENT EXPOSITION IN HEBREW

•CS 640 : SERMON PREPARATION

•CS 641 : PREACHING LAB

Dr. Emir Caner - PresidentProfessor of History and Christian Studies

•Ph.D., University of Texas at Arlington•M. Div., Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

•B.A., Criswell College

Dr. Maël DisseauAssociate Professor of Christian Studies

• Ph. D., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary • M. Div., Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

• Ph.D., Georgia Institute of Technology • M.S., Georgia Institute of Technology• B.S., Georgia Institute of Technology

Theology is not an academic exercise:At Truett-McConnell, theology is not mere academics. While

maintaining high academic standards, this rigorous sixty credit hour program will stretch your mind and challenge you intellectually. More importantly, it will stir your spirit and deepen your walk. The goal transcends knowledge because in ministry eternal destinies are at stake. Our biblically-centered and distinctively Baptist approach to theology will equip you to “contend earnestly for the faith which was once handed down to the saints” (Jude 3, NASB).

• CS 530: BAPTIST HISTORY

• CS 532: CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY 1

• CS 533: CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY 2

• CS 534: DOCTRINE OF REVELATION

• CS 535: ECCLESIOLOGY

• CS 632: CONTEMPORARY APOLOGETICS

Dr. Jason GraffagninoAssistant Professor of History/Christian Studies - Chair

•Ph. D., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary•M. Div., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

•B.S., Louisiana State University

Dr. Gary FangmannAssistant Professor of Business

•Ed. D., Southern Baptist Theological Seminary•M.A., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

•B.A., Southwest Baptist University

•MI 601: CROSS-CULTURAL MINISTRIES PRACTICUM

•CS 551: MINISTRY ADMINISTRATION & LEADERSHIP

•MI 501: EVANGELISM, DISCIPLESHIP, & CHURCH PLANTING

•CS 632: ETHICS IN MINISTRY

•PY 601: BIBLICAL COUNSELING

•CS 699: LOCAL CHURCH INTERNSHIP

RECLAIMING THE FIRST CENTURY CHURCH FOR THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY:

At Truett-McConnell, we strive to serve the local churches of the twenty-first century by training leaders who are committed to

reclaiming the principles of the New Testament churches. The local congregations planted by those first century apostles provide the model for ministry today. The Master of Arts in Theology at Truett-McConnell will equip you to lead a church in the twenty-first century to reclaim the principles of the first century congregations and instill a fire for spreading the gospel to the entire world.

Dr. Holly HaynesAssociate Professor of Behavioral Sciences

•Ed. D., Harvard University•Ed. M., Harvard University

•A.B., Harvard College

Dr. H. Edward PruittAssociate Professor of Christian Studies/Missions

•D. Theo., University of South Africa•M. Theo., University of South Africa

•M. Div., Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary•B. Th., Florida Baptist Theological College

Dr. Philip RobertsProfessor of Christian Studies

• Ph.D., Free University of Amsterdam• Post-Graduate Research Student, Oxford University

• M. Div., Southern Baptist Theological Seminary • B.A., Georgetown College

Dr. Van SandersAssociate Professor of Missions and Evangelism

•Ph.D., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary•M. Div., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

•B.A., The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Dr. Michael WhitlockAssistant Professor of Christian Studies

•Ph.D., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary•M. Div., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

•B.A., Sam Houston State University

Dr. Joseph Wiegand Associate Vice President for Academic Services

Associate Professor of Law and Government• Ed. D. studies, Liberty University

• LL.M., University of London, King’s College• J.D., Regent University School of Law

• M.A., Regent University School of Government• B.A., Michigan State University

WE ARE TRUETT!

ACCREDITATIONTruett-McConnell College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate and masters degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Truett-McConnell College.

DISCIPLINE SPECIFIC ACCREDITATIONS • National Association of School of Music • Bachelor of Science in Education degree approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. • Georgia Board of Nursing

On July 23, 1946, the Georgia Baptist Convention founded Truett-McConnell College, and the school opened it doors with 55 students in temporary quarters on the town square of Cleveland, Georgia, in September 1947.

Initially accredited in 1966 to confer two-year degrees, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools approved the college to offer four-year degrees in 2002. In December 2013, SACS approved Truett-McConnell to offer a Master of Arts in Theology degree.

From its humble beginnings in what is now a hardware store, the school stands today on more than 200 acres in the beautiful foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Northeast Georgia.

Because of the school’s distance from Southern Baptist seminaries, Truett-McConnell’s original intent included training men for pastoral ministry. And although the same is still true, the liberal arts college offers more than 40 programs of study, thus equipping graduates for religious and marketplace career paths that include pastoral ministry, missions, Christian studies, music, nursing, education, business, history, humanities, psychology and more.

The college’s enrollment history reveals growth spurts and declines. However, in 2008, trustees called Dr. Emir Caner as president. Since his arrival, the enrollment of about 450 has rocketed consistently upward in double-digit percentage growth. At the time of this writing (spring 2014), enrollment is 1,600, representing a near quadrupling of the student body in six years.

Under Dr. Caner’s leadership, the college’s growth of curricular offerings, programs of study, faculty, and the expansion of facilities reflect the remarkable upswing in enrollment.

In the fall of 2011, the college completed a renovation that doubled the dining hall’s size, added classroom and office space to Miller Hall, and completed a new residence hall that will house almost 200 students.

Significant to the college’s multi-faceted growth and expansion is the vision President Caner brought with him in 2008. This vision included a required, 16-hour Great Commission Minor for all students, and the commitment for every graduate to “love the Lord, love His Word, love His Church, and love the lost.”

Members of the college’s governing board of trustees say that Dr. Caner’s vision and the grace of God have brought the school thus far; and they, along with Georgia Baptists, anticipate the Lord’s blessings to continue with Dr. Caner at the helm of Truett-McConnell College.

Bridge the gap between past and present and enjoy the Northeast Mountains’ scenic beauty, natural treasures and small-town

delights. The mountains provide you with a simple escape from life’s daily rigors.

Stunning scenery amid Northeast Georgia’s gentle peaks and rushing waters makes this region a natural paradise for visitors.

Discover the many possibilities:

Rest – Spend time relaxing at the many spas, resorts, and bed & breakfastsDiscover –Gold Mines, Arts & Crafts Fairs, and historic townsExplore – Tumbling waterfalls and a variety of beautiful, pristine lakes

Cleveland, Georgia Attractions

• Babyland General Hospital, Home of the Cabbage Patch Kids• Gold’n Gem Grubbin’ Mine• “Shoot the Hootch” river tubing in nearby Helen• Mountain climbing on Mount Yonah• Canoeing and fly fishing in the Chattahoochee River

View more information at www.exploregeorgia.org*

EXPERIENCE BEAUTIFUL NORTH GEORGIA

* Content from http://www.exploregeorgia.org

Admission Requirements for the MA in Theology Applicants should meet the following minimum requirements for full admission to the graduate program:

1. Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution. 2. Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 on a 4.0 scale.

Applicants must submit the following as a part of the general admission requirements:

1. Official application for admission form. 2. Official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate coursework. The transcript from the institution granting the bachelor’s degree is necessary for all applicants. If the degree program is incomplete when the application is filed, a transcript of work-to-date must be submitted, and after graduation, a final official transcript must be furnished indicating the degree received.

Admission Requirements for the MA in Theology

Full admission to the Master of Arts in Theology may be granted to applicants who meet the College’s minimum graduate admission criteria and the following qualifications:

1. A Statement of Call and Commitment to Christian Ministry. The written statement should document:

• Conversion experience • Family background • Spiritual development • Call to Ministry • Vocational/Ministry goals • Educational Goals

2. Spouse/Fiancé(e) Information Form. This form, completed by the spouse or fiancé of the applicant, asks for biographical information as

Application Options1. Apply Online at www.truett.edu

2. Apply by Mail • Download an MA in Theology printable application (PDF) and mail to the Office of Admissions • To receive an application by mail, email admission@truett.edu or call (706) 865-2134, ext. 129

Please mail application pieces to:

Office of AdmissionsTruett-McConnell College100 Alumni DriveCleveland, GA 30528

well as a description of present Christian service and understanding of the commitment to vocational Christian Ministry.

3. Church Endorsement Form: This form, completed by the church where the applicant is currently a member, gives evidence of the applicant’s sincere commitment to Christian Ministry. The current pastor should provide reference information on the church endorsement form. If the endorsement covers a period of membership for less than one year, an additional church endorsement from a second church may be required by the Admissions Committee.

4. Personal Recommendation Forms: Two personal references are required from persons other than relatives who have known the applicant personally for at least two years.

5. Any additional information as requested by the Admissions Committee. All forms can be downloaded from www.truett.edu.

100 Alumni Drive • Cleveland, Ga. 30528706-865-2134 • www.truett.edu