The Department of Religion is a community of faculty members, staff, undergraduate and PhD students, who work together on issues of religious identity and the journey of faith in our world. We affirm Baylor’s mission for Christian higher education—our academic reputation highlights vigorous research and teaching, service to the church and the academy, and collegiality.
Our undergraduate program in religion invites students to inquire more deeply into the Christian faith, to gain an enhanced appreciation of the contributions of Christianity to the development of twenty-first century culture, and to prepare for life-long lay or career ministry. We offer courses of study in Biblical Studies, Historical Studies, Theological Studies, Practical Studies, and World Religions.
Our Religion Department provides the context for a flourishing Ph.D. program with concentrations offered in the Old Testament, New Testament, Historical and Theological Areas. Faculty are committed to a strong research agenda, and that agenda is tied to the Baylor tradition of providing the very finest in classroom instruction. Baylor continues to move toward its goal of becoming a top tier university and the department along with the university remains friendly to faith and to church, thus providing a distinctive setting in American higher education.
The faculty of the Department of Religion is made up of top scholars in the fields of biblical studies, church history, theology and ethics, world religions, and practical studies, and offer students an opportunity to join with them on a journey together towards truth and understanding. While committed to academic excellence, our faculty members also understand that helping to shape students’ whole their vocation as helping to shape students’ lives. They strive to connect with students, and upper-level courses are intentionally kept small in order to help foster greater interaction between students and faculty.
The Ministry Guidance program at Baylor University is designed to help students who are exploring careers in ministry - referred to as ministry students - to clarify and affirm their call to ministry and to introduce them to ministry as a vocation. Coordinated through the Ministry Guidance office in the Department of Religion, the program seeks to assist students who feel called to vocational ministry, including preaching, missions, music, religious education, youth, recreation, as well as various other ministries.
Apr
14
2022
After a 15-month renovation that started in 2020, Tidwell Bible Building reopened for the start of the fall 2021 semester. With the renovation, Tidwell is now able to display artifacts from biblical times that were acquired with the help of Dr. Bruce Cresson, a former professor in the Department of Religion.
Dec
2
2021
The Department of Religion is honored to display a portrait of Rev. Robert L. Gilbert in the 1st floor lobby. Rev. Robert L. Gilbert — an influential educator, pastor and civil rights leader in the Waco area — graduated from Baylor in 1967 with a B.A. in religion. In 1970, he became the first African-American to enroll in Baylor’s graduate program in the department of religion.
Aug
25
2021
WACO, Texas (Aug. 25, 2021) – During a ceremonial ribbon cutting, Baylor University today celebrated the opening of the newly-renovated Tidwell Bible Building, one of many historic buildings that make up the core of the University’s campus.
May
16
2022
May
30
2022
Jun
3
2022
Jun
20
2022
Jul
4
2022
