Do I have to be religious or pious to study theology?
Christianity is one of the key foundations of Western culture. Thus, everyone who wants to know more can study theology—whether a Christian or not, no problem.
What is the Bible?
The Bible is not merely a book. It is instead a collection of between 60 and 100 writings depending on the edition. The scriptures—written from the perspectives of different historical contexts—can be dated more or less precisely and comprise one book together. As Holy Scripture, this book has and has had an influence that swept through history and has repeatedly been the reason for heated debates. Even in the eleventh-century, books were already being written that pitted the opposing sides of biblical inconsistencies against each other.
Is everything in a theology degree about the Bible?
Yes and no. Although the Christian tradition is at the center of every discipline, we ask our questions in very different ways. The subjects of Old and New Testament are mainly focused on the biblical texts and their contexts. Historical Theology, on the other hand, may take up the question of how the Christian community went from being a persecuted minority to a superior state power or how the Church acted before and during the Second World War. Systematic Theology asks about the relevance of Christian statements in our lives. Dogmatics, for instance, is concerned with Christian truth claims and the diversity of religions. While ethics deals with current issues like abortion, pre-emptive war, and euthanasia. Practical Theology addresses topics including Christian life and practices in the Church and society, things like hospital counseling, church services, and educating the young. Each Semester we offer classes on interdisciplinary subjects: lectures on violence, events about the intersection of depth psychology and biblical interpretation or medicine and ethics, introductory classes on archeology, and much more. Classes in the empirical study of religions and Jewish studies teach exciting insights into other religious worlds.
Is the degree program about scholarship or personal faith?
Theology reflects on faith and life, God, and the world. The Faculty of Theology offers an academic/scholarly degree program. It is about the profound question of what faith is as such, not just personally! That is, what faith is, was and could be. As in other areas of study, different methods are applied to examine the subject. Despite a scholarly approach, one cannot ignore personal faith. Moreover, both influence each other. The study of theology leaves no one by the wayside.
Which strengths are necessary?
Studying theology raises more questions than not. You are suited to your choice of degree programs if you are not afraid to take a critical look at your religion. It requires curiosity and courage to discover new aspects of the Christian tradition and to question your conception of God and humanity.
How about other religions?
Other religions have played a determinative role since biblical times, and since its inception, Christian theology grew through encounters with other religious worlds. Additionally, we now live in a society in which people from different backgrounds live together and truth claims clash. It is, therefore, essential to consider other world religions like, for instance, Judaism. Studying theology opens up possibilities to do so.
Are there more exciting places to study theology?
There are not necessarily more exciting places; they are, perhaps, as exciting or they hold different interest. One specialty in Bern is its emphasis on an ecumenical direction. The Faculty of Theology unifies a Reformed Protestant and an Old Catholic direction under one roof, and the Roman Catholic Faculty of Fribourg is only 20 minutes away by train. There are many connections and our areas of cooperation are growing. Even practical education in Bern is impressive. For example, the core studies students can gain practical experience in social institutions, different companies, and in church communities for a semester. They can examine their questions in praxis and return to the university with new interests. Those who want to study Ancient Judaism or earlier cultures that significantly influenced the Bible (ANEC) can do so in Bern.
If I study theology, do I have to become a pastor/minister?
Many students do take up the pastoral office after they graduate with a degree in theology. Job descriptions show that ministry and other exciting career opportunities are out there for theologians.
