NORTHWIND DOCTORAL PROGRAM IN ROMANTIC THEOLOGY
Michael J. Christensen, Ph.D., Professor of Theology and Center Director
The Doctor in Theology and Ministry degree (DThM) with a concentration in Romantic Theology at Northwind Seminary is believed to be the first of its kind in theological education. According to Professor Christensen, “Romantic Theology represents a cross-current of Theology and Literature focused on creative imagination as a portal of divine revelation. Its romantic and religious themes foster spiritual formation and ministry applications. The spirited collaboration of the Inkling writers produced a body of work worthy of the name.”
“A romantic theologian does not mean one who is romantic about theology, but one who is theological about romance, one who considers the theological implications of those experiences which are called romantic.”—C. S. Lewis in Essays Presented to Charles Williams
The Romantic Theology concentration offers life-long learners a formative way to read or review the creative works of the Oxford Inklings, do original research in the field of Inklings Studies, and contribute to the future of Romantic Theology. The program features six core courses followed by an Oxford Pilgrimage to visit historic sites, meet other Inklings scholars, and do portfolio research in University libraries supervised by a faculty mentor at Northwind. Visiting Faculty and Distinguished Lecturers (noted Inklings scholars) serve as faculty mentors, discussion leaders, and doctoral committee members. The program is designed to be completed in two years.
Learn more about Romantic Theology as a discipline in this blog post from Center Director Michael J. Christensen.
What is a Doctor in Theology and Ministry degree (DThM)?
A Doctor in Theology and Ministry degree is a professional research doctorate. An academic alternative to the Ph.D. degree, the DThM is directed and examined in the same way as a Ph.D. course of study.
The DThM requires 36 credit hours of systematic study and original research leading to a doctoral treatise and oral defense before a faculty committee.
This degree is ideal for those who desire independent research, supervised by doctoral faculty, connected to the core discipline of theology, with direct application to the practice of ministry.
Director of The Center for Theology, Spirituality, and Ministry at Northwind
Professor of Theology & Spiritual Formation
Academic Dean, Senior Faculty
Meet Michael J. Christensen (M.A., Yale; Ph.D., Drew University), Professor of Theology and Center Director. Michael is the author of C. S. Lewis on Scripture, contributor to The C. S. Lewis Study Bible, former Resident Scholar at The Kilns in Oxford, and author and/or editor of eleven books on spirituality and social justice.
Course of Study for Doctor of Theology & Ministry - Romantic Theology
36 credit hours
2022 Tuition $500 per credit
The Oxford Inklings - 3 credits
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Michael Christensen
New Enrollments are not processed during the months of July and August.
J.R.R. Tolkien on Truth in Story and Myth - 3 credits
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Charlie Starr
New Enrollments are not processed during the month of July.
C.S. Lewis on Scripture and Romantic Theology - 3 credits
Faculty Mentors: Dr. Michael Christensen and Dr. Charlie Starr
New Enrollments are not processed during the months of July and August.
Charles Williams on Theology of Romantic Love - 3 credits
Faculty Mentors: Dr. Michael Christensen and Dr. Terry Glaspey
New Enrollments are not processed during the months of July and August.
Owen Barfield on Creative Imagination and Consciousness - 3 credits
Faculty Mentors: Dr. Charlie Starr, et.al.
New Enrollments are not processed during the months of July and August.
Honorary / Other Inklings: - 3 credits
Dorothy Sayers, G.K. Chesterton, George MacDonald, Warren Lewis, Joy Davidman, et.al.
Faculty Mentors: Dr. Chrystal Hurd and Dr. Terry Glaspey
Dissertation Research - 6 credits
Faculty Mentors: Dr. Michalel Christensen with assigned Faculty Mentors
Dissertation Writing - 6 credits
Faculty Mentors: Dr. Michalel Christensen with assigned Faculty Mentors
Dissertation Defense - 6 Credits
Faculty Mentors Chaired by Dr. Michael Christensen
Faculty Mentors in Northwind’s Doctorate in Romantic Theology
Core faculty, visiting professors, and guest lecturers serve as Faculty Mentors in the program, offering original lectures, recommend resources, and periodic participation in group discussions and doctoral committees. In addition to Professor Christensen, this year’s program faculty include:
DR. CHARLIE W. STARR, (Doctor of Arts, English)
Visiting Faculty for Inklings Studies
Charlie is the author of seven books, including The Faun’s Bookshelf: C. S. Lewis on Why Myth Matters, and is hailed as the world’s leading expert on C. S. Lewis’s handwriting.
DR. CRYSTAL HURD (Ed.D., Educational Leadership)
Visiting Faculty for Inklings Studies
Crystal is the Reviews Editor for Sehnsucht: The C.S. Lewis Journal, Recipient of the Clyde S. Kilby Research Grant for Inkling Research 2020, and contributor of “The Enduring Influence of Flora Lewis” in Women and C. S. Lewis, by Carolyn Curtis and Mary Pomroy Key, eds.
TERRY GLASPEY (Master of Arts, History)
Associate Professor for Spiritual Formation and Inklings Studies
Terry is an editor, author, and international speaker on C. S. Lewis and the Visual Arts; and author of The Spiritual Legacy of C. S. Lewis, Discovering God Through the Arts, and other noted books and articles on great books and the visual arts.
Distinguished Lecturers
Noted Inklings scholars are scheduled to present Featured Lectures on special topics at Northwind, including:
Grandson of Owen Barfield, Trustee of the Owen Barfield Literary Estate, artist, and overseer of the publication of many of his grandfather’s books in a series of
modern editions
SORINA HIGGINS
M.A.
Ph.D. Candidate at Baylor University, faculty member at Signum University, and editor of The Inklings
and King Arthur
Adjunct faculty at Signum University, Regent College, University, and The Kings College, and contributor to Both Sides of the Wardrobe
ANDREW LAZO
M.A.
Candidate for priesthood at Virginia Theological Seminary and Doctoral candidate at Northwind, co-editor of Mere Christians, guest host of Pints With Jack, and noted C.S. Lewis expert
REV. DR. MALCOLM GUITE
Ph.D.
English poet, singer-songwriter, Anglican priest, author of The Singing Bowl and other volumes of poetry, and academic in Cambridge
DR. LOUIS MARKOS
Ph.D.
Professor in English at Houston Baptist University and author of sixteen books, including C. S. Lewis: An Apologist for Education
DR. DIANA PAVLAC GLYER, Ph.D.
Professor in Honors College, Azusa Pacific University, and author of The Company They Keep and Bandersnatch: C. S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and the Collaboration of the Inklings
DR. SUZANNE BRAY
Ph.D.
Professor of British Literature and Civilisation at Lille Catholic University in France, noted Inklings’ scholar, coeditor of Charles Williams and His Contemporaries
REV. DR. MICHAEL WARD
Ph.D.
Senior Research Fellow at Blackfriars Hall, University of Oxford, Professor of Apologetics at HBU, author of Planet Narnia and co-editor of The Cambridge Companion to C. S. Lewis