Doctor of Theology in Reformed Studies
A research doctorate in historical theology, systematic theology, or Reformed liturgy and psalmody.
About the program
The school's own research doctorate, beside the three LCS doctorates in theology (Nouthetic Counseling, Puritan Studies and Church History). It has three tracks: Historical Theology (Scottish or Dutch); Systematic Theology; and Reformed Liturgy and Psalmody. Every student takes theological Latin and Dutch and the seminar on Turretin and high orthodoxy, completes 18 credits in the track and writes a dissertation from primary sources. It is church-recognized training, not an accredited degree, and may not transfer to other schools.
Admission
A ThM or equivalent; exceptional BD or MDiv graduates may be considered. Reading knowledge of Latin or Dutch and of the biblical languages.
Requirements
- Complete the common courses, 18 credits in one track and the dissertation.
- Reading at the doctoral standard: 600 pages per credit, and a 40-page research paper in each course.
- Submit the dissertation to readers the school will appoint when the program opens.
Courses
Common courses
6 creditsDissertation
12 creditsTracks
Choose one track. Its courses are added to the courses every student of the program takes.
Historical Theology (Scottish or Dutch)
Track courses (choose 18 credits)
18 creditsChoose 18 credits from the 30 listed
- SH501 The Scottish Reformation: Knox, Melville, the Scots Confession and the Books of Discipline 3 credits Self-study
- SH502 The Covenanters: National Covenant, Solemn League and Covenant, and the Killing Times 3 credits Self-study
- SH503 The Westminster Assembly: History, Scottish Commissioners and Documents 3 credits Self-study
- SH505 Scottish Divines: Rutherford, Durham, Gillespie, Boston, the Erskines and M'Cheyne 3 credits Self-study
- SH506 The Marrow Controversy and the Secession 3 credits Self-study
- SH507 The 1843 Disruption and the Free Church: Chalmers, Cunningham, Bannerman, Candlish 3 credits Self-study
- CR501 The Synod of Dort and the Canons 3 credits Self-study
- CR503 Bullinger, the Second Helvetic Confession and Zurich 3 credits Self-study
- CR504 The Dutch Further Reformation (Nadere Reformatie) 3 credits Self-study
- CR505 Federal Theology: Reformed Origins and the Cocceius-Voetius Debate 3 credits Self-study
With the common courses: 36 credits
Systematic Theology
Track courses
15 credits- ST501 Reformed Orthodoxy: Sources, Method and Prolegomena 3 credits Self-study
- ST505 Calvin's Institutes in the Continental Line 3 credits Self-study
- ST506 Federal and Catechetical Orthodoxy: Witsius, Ursinus, Leigh and Boston 3 credits Self-study
- ST507 Bavinck's Reformed Dogmatics 3 credits Self-study
- ST508 Reformed Apologetics: Revelation, Van Til, Bavinck and the Scottish Evidences 3 credits Self-study
Track elective (choose 3 credits)
3 creditsChoose 3 credits from the 9 listed
With the common courses: 36 credits
Reformed Liturgy and Psalmody
Track courses
15 credits- WP501 Psalmody and the Reformed Psalter 3 credits Self-study
- WP502 Reformed Liturgy: Calvin, Knox and the Westminster Directory 3 credits Self-study
- WP505 The Sacraments: Communion Seasons, Fencing and the Liturgical Forms 3 credits Self-study
- WP506 The Christian Sabbath in the Scottish and Continental Traditions 3 credits Self-study
- CR506 Preaching the Heidelberg Catechism 3 credits Self-study
Track elective (choose 3 credits)
3 creditsChoose 3 credits from the 9 listed
With the common courses: 36 credits