On Applying to PhD Programs in Religion

What if our well-intentioned efforts to promote mental health inadvertently perpetuate systems that cause mental unwellness? What if the resilience we encourage only equips individuals to endure rather than challenge structures detrimental to their well-being? Why do mental health experiences vary so drastically across cultures, with Western societies seemingly posing the greatest challenges for certain conditions? Against the backdrop of escalating ecological dramas that devastate our world and its climate, do we ever wonder what ecological suffering might imply for our mental health? With this poignant, impassioned book Seeking Sanctuary, Finding Shalom, John Swinton invites us to begin exploring avenues toward addressing these daunting and interrelated issues. John Swinton is a consulting faculty member at Duke Divinity and professor in practical theology and pastoral care and chair in divinity and religious studies at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. For more than a decade he worked as a registered mental health nurse. He also worked for a number of years as a hospital and community mental health chaplain alongside of people with severe mental health challenges who were moving from the hospital into the community. In 2004, he founded the University of Aberdeen's Centre for Spirituality, Health, and Disability. He has published widely within the area of mental health, dementia, disability theology, spirituality and healthcare, end-of-life care, qualitative research, and pastoral care. Swinton is the author of a number of monographs including a previous book, Finding Jesus in the Storm: The Spiritual Lives of People With Mental Health Challenges (Eerdmans 2020), which won the Aldersgate book price for interdisciplinary theological research, and his book Dementia: Living in the Memories of God, which won the Archbishop of Canterbury's Ramsey Prize for excellence in theological writing. Swinton is a fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and was recently elected as a fellow of the British Academy.

In today's episode, Philip Ziegler joins the podcast to talk about his new Baylor Press book God's Adversary and Ours. Ziegler leads us on a cautious but determined biblical-theological exploration of the identity, ontology, and agency of "that old serpent," the Enemy, whose image becomes most discernible and salient in direct contact with the person and work of the Savior. Fixing attention upon the figure of the devil in a soteriological context confronts us with what the devil does; what the devil might be trails behind. Treating diabolical temptation, demonic possession, and devilish falsehood in turn, Ziegler demonstrates what resistance to—and faithful disbelief of—these three aspects of the devil’s business might mean for the shape of a Christian life.Professor Philip G. Ziegler is a theologian specializing in systematic theology, historical theology, and ethics. He holds the personal chair of Professor of Christian Dogmatics at the University of Aberdeen's School of Divinity, History, Philosophy & Art History. Previously, he taught at the Atlantic School of Theology in Canada and held postdoctoral fellowships at Princeton University. Ordained in the United Church of Canada since 1996, he also serves as an associated elder at St Machar Cathedral and Trustee of the Church of Scotland's General Assembly. His research focuses on Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Karl Barth, and apocalyptic theology, with recent work exploring Christology, ethical responsibility, and divine freedom.

In this conversation, Beverly and Jamie discuss their new books, exploring themes of Pauline theology, the concept of 'theology on the run', and the interplay between apocalyptic and pastoral elements in Paul's letters. They delve into the cosmic implications of sin, death, and God's glory, emphasizing the transformative power of the gospel and its relevance to contemporary issues. Jamie Davies (PhD, St Andrews) is Tutor of New Testament and Director of Postgraduate Research at Trinity College, Bristol (UK). His research largely concerns apocalyptic thought in the New Testament and other Second Temple Jewish and Christian literature, with a focus on the letters of Paul and the book of Revelation.Dr. Beverly Roberts Gaventa is Distinguished Professor of Religion in Baylor University’s College of Arts and Sciences. She is a graduate of Phillips University (BA), Union Theological Seminary (MDiv) and Duke University (PhD). Dr. Gaventa is one of the leading New Testament scholars in the world who engage in theological and historical interpretation of the Christian Scriptures, particularly the letters of Paul, and has lectured on university and seminary campuses around the world. The author or editor of 14 books, including Our Mother Saint Paul and When in Romans, she also has published more than 70 articles and essays and is currently writing a commentary on Paul’s Epistle to the Romans for the New Testament Library Series.

In this episode of Currents in Religion, a panel of graduate students from Baylor University shares their experiences and insights on applying to PhD programs and navigating graduate school. They discuss the importance of organization, seeking advice, handling rejections, and the emotional support needed throughout the process. The conversation also highlights the excitement of interviews, the challenges of the first year, and the impact of faculty relationships and classes on their academic journeys.

When applying to different PhD programs, prospectivestudents will hopefully make it to the interview process at multiple schools. While each school has its own procedure, Baylor’s Religion Graduate School hosts Preview Weekend. In today’s episode, Michelle Hunt and Madde Ely join me to talk about Preview Weekend, what to expect, and more.Michelle Hunt is a doctoral candidate in the Religion Department, with a concentration in Old Testament/Hebrew Bible. She has a B.A. in Christian Ministry (University of Mary Hardin-Baylor), an M.A. in Biblical History and Geography (Jerusalem University College), and an M.A. in Theological Studies (Houston Christian University). Michelle’s research focuses on the compositional development of Joshua 18–19 and how later scribal initiatives may have been motivated by other literature in the Hebrew Bible, such as Numbers, Judges, and Chronicles. Before coming to Baylor, Michelle taught Bible and biblical language classes at a Christian high school in Houston.Madde Ely is a PhD student in Religion with a concentration in Old Testament/Hebrew Bible. She has a B.A. in Biblical Languages and a M.Div. from Truett Theological Seminary. Madde's research focuses on the intersection of food, politics, and justice throughout the Hebrew Bible.

Are you applying to PhD programs but not sure where to start? In today's episode, Susan Benton joins Claire to talk about choosing schools, the statement of purpose, and more to help you prepare for the PhD process. Susan E. Benton joined the faculty in Religion in Fall 2023 as a Lecturer and member of the Ministry Guidance team. Susan’s recent research focuses on examining inscriptions featuring women in leadership roles in ancient Greco-Roman associations and pointing to how those roles can allow us to reimagine the activities of women in early Christ groups. Her first book, Women Patrons and Mothers in Associations and the New Testament (Mohr Siebeck), presents a profile of responsibilities and influence for envisioning the work of Phoebe as a deacon and a patron, and of Prisca as a leader of a local ekklesia. 

In this episode we are featuring more work from participantsof the Baptist Scholars International Roundtable which you will hear often as BSIR for short. We’ve had some episodes highlighting BSIR before and you can find links to some of those in the episode description. Joao Chavez will be ourguest host for this episode. Dr. Chavez is a professor is an Assistant Professor of the History of Religions in the Americans at Baylor University. He specializes in the history of religion in the Americas, US Protestantism’s impact in Latin America, and Latin American/Latinx religious networks in the U.S. He has authored several books, including Migrational Religion and many others. He’s also a co-director of BSIR. He speaks with a researcher with BSIR, Grace Vargas. Dr. Grace Vargas is currently an Assistant Professor of Latinx Religious Traditions at Texas Christian University. Inspired by Rubem Alves, Dr. Vargas sees the task of history as one of recovery and sacramental dissemination. Her work centers on the history of Christianity in Latin America, particularly the Protestant Church.

In this episode, Zen speaks with Katherine Ellis about gettinga PhD in Baylor's Religion Department. We talk about the various stages of the program, from course work to dissertation. We talk about funding and what it's like to be at an R1 institution in Waco. Katherine also confirms that I am the most fun person in the Department. This episode will be of interest to prospective students who would like to know more about our doctoral program. If you still have questions, you can email the new host at [email protected] Ellis is an alumni from Baylor University's Religion Department. She has a Ph.D. in theology.

Are you applying to PhD programs in religion? Or thinking about it? This episode is for you.In this episode, Zen shares about the process for applying to Baylor's graduate program in religion. He speaks with current students, Lanie Walkup and Tyler Fulcher, and Carlos Cardoza-Orlandi, a graduate faculty member. They discuss how to write a strong application and how to survive the process.The episode also includes a promo for "The End of Civility" by Ryan Andrew Newson, a new book from Baylor University Press. Learn more here.

In today’s episode, Claire is joined by Baylor faculty member and GPD Deirdre Fulton. She is a zooarchaeologist that specializes in animal bones in the Southern Levant. Her excavations in Ashkelon, Tel Shimron and as part of the Jezreel Valley Regional Project help inform questions related to diet, sacrifice, and economy. Learn more about this branch of study and how “man’s best friend” shows up in ancient Near Eastern archaeology.Deirdre Fulton joined the Department of Religion at BaylorUniversity in the fall semester 2013. Her area of research focuses on the Persian Period, specifically the books of Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah. Fulton is also interested in zooarchaeological related research, connecting text and artifact. She is involved in several ongoing excavations in Israel, including the Leon Levy Ashkelon Excavations, Tel Shimron Excavations, and also the Jezreel Valley Regional Project. Her interest in archaeology helps inform questions related to diet, sacrifice, and economy.Deirdre is a member of the Steering committees on Literature and History of the Persian period for the Society of Biblical Literature and the Feasting and Foodways for the American Schools of Oriental Research. She is also a member of the Catholic Biblical Association and American Institute ofArchaeology.