We are submitting this grant proposal to kindly request an annual funding of $80,000 p.a. Singapore dollars. This funding is intended to support seminary activity at Oikos Fellowship/GBG, a program that stands out for its commitment to academic excellence and research in the fields of Theology, Family and Human Formation. The program is uniquely designed to provide full scholarships for up to 15 distinguished modalities researchers from various nations. This will facilitate their in-depth study and research culminating in a Masters in Theology (Thesis track) and non-levitical ordination for successful candidates. The ordination will be a significant milestone, marking the researchers' transition into new phases of their academic and professional journeys in their respective specialisations.
The seminary activity we propose is a comprehensive and rigorous 5-year program. It has been carefully designed to deepen theological understanding and research acumen. The program will provide full scholarships for a maximum of 15 researchers, with a focus on modalities research. This will be an opportunity for the researchers to study and contribute to the field of theology without the burden of financial constraints. The program will be led by experienced theologians and academics from Oikos Fellowship/GBG, who will provide mentorship, guide the research process, and ensure a high standard of academic rigour.
Prelude music for Commencement (Hanoi 2024)
The annual budget of $80,000 Singapore dollars will be allocated to cover tuition fees, research resources, and ab initio training modules for the scholars including study accelerators and academic tours. This budget is designed to ensure that financial barriers do not prevent the most promising researchers from participating in the program. By providing for the scholars' educational and study needs, the budget will enable them to fully commit to their studies and research, thereby contributing to the program's goals of advancing theological knowledge and research.
Assessment will be continuous and will include the submission of a thesis. Candidates who fulfil all program requirements within the stipulated time period will graduate with a Masters in Theology and may be eligible for non-levitical ordination, subject to the discretion of the ordaining body at Oikos Fellowship/GBG. The continuous assessment and thesis submission will ensure that candidates are consistently engaged with and contributing to the field of theology. The possibility of ordination will provide an additional motivation for the candidates to excel in their studies and research.
This grant proposal supports Oikos Fellowship/GBG's mission of advancing theological education and research. By providing full scholarships for international researchers, this program will contribute to the global body of theological knowledge and practice. The program will enhance the researchers' academic and professional development, and their contributions to theology will, in turn, enrich the global academic community and society at large.
Over the course of 5 years, student researchers will progress through a series of stages, from their initial entry into the program to their graduation. This journey is designed to provide a deep and comprehensive understanding of Theology, with a specific focus on the 7 modalities paradigm and the insights of the 7 parts 1 body metaphor. Each year of the program is carefully structured to build on the previous year's learning, ensuring a gradual and in-depth exploration of Theology.
In the initial year of the seminary program, students will be introduced to the fundamental concepts of Theology, providing a solid groundwork for their future studies. This introduction will be complemented by an in-depth exploration of the specific modalities that the program focuses on, allowing students to appreciate the breadth and depth of the field from the outset. In addition to this, they will also start to explore the 7 parts 1 body metaphor and how it relates to the archetypes in Romans 12:6-8. This exploration will serve to enrich their understanding of Theology, providing them with a unique lens through which to view the field. This year, therefore, serves as the foundation of their theological journey, equipping them with the essential knowledge and skills they will need to navigate the more advanced aspects of the program in the subsequent years.
In the second year, students will begin to specialise in their chosen modality and start their research projects. This specialisation will allow students to delve deeper into their areas of interest, applying the general theological principles they learned in the first year to specific modalities. In addition to this, they will also continue to explore the 7 parts 1 body metaphor, focusing on how each part of the body maps to their corresponding archetype. This exploration will serve to further enrich their understanding of Theology, providing them with a unique lens through which to view the field. This year, therefore, marks the transition from general theological studies to more focused and in-depth research, allowing students to apply their foundational knowledge to specific areas of interest. Each student will be provided with an open researcher contributor ID, which will serve as a unique identifier for the student in the research community. This ID will be linked to a central research repository, where the student will be able to store, retrieve, and keep track of all of their research under one administrative “roof”. This repository will serve as a central platform for the student to manage their research, ensuring that they can easily access and share their work with the wider research community.
In the third year, students will engage in advanced theological studies, applying their research to real-world contexts. This application will allow students to appreciate the practical relevance of Theology, challenging them to think critically and creatively about how their research can contribute to the field. In addition to this, they will also explore the natural endowments in 2 Pet 1:5-7 and how they relate to the 7 modalities paradigm. This exploration will serve to further enrich their understanding of Theology, providing them with a unique lens through which to view the field. This year, therefore, is designed to deepen the students' understanding of Theology and its practical applications, challenging them to think critically and creatively about how their research can contribute to the field. The central research repository will continue to serve as a valuable tool for the students, allowing them to store and share their research with the wider community. This will enable the students to receive feedback on their work, fostering a collaborative and dynamic research environment.