Purpose Statement
EDS Backgrounder

Acclaimed Academic Curriculum
Our Faculty

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About Episcopal Divinity School
Episcopal Divinity School prepares students to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century. EDS was formed in 1974 with the merger of the Philadelphia Divinity School and the Episcopal Theological School; both had distinguished traditions dating back more than 100 years. EDS continues the tradition as a respected center for study and spiritual formation for lay and ordained leaders. EDS has a strong commitment to inclusivity on the basis of race, gender, and sexual identity. Located on an eight-acre campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts near Harvard Square, the school provides immediate access to the rich cultural life of the Cambridge/Boston communities and of other nearby academic institutions.

Purpose Statement

The purpose of Episcopal Divinity School is to educate lay and ordained leaders for Christ's Church and for the world who serve and advance God's mission of justice, compassion, and reconciliation. A seminary for the Episcopal Church, USA, Episcopal Divinity School is grounded in the Anglican tradition and committed to growing in relationship with other Christian and faith traditions. Episcopal Divinity School is an academic community of biblical, historical, and theological inquiry that respects students as responsible learners with valuable experience, supports spiritual and ministerial formation, and provides tools for the life-long work of social and personal transformation.

The School's dedication to God's transforming mission challenges us to become an anti-racist and multicultural community, embodying diversity and seeking constructive change. These commitments lead to educational programs enlivened by theologies of liberation, especially the many voices of feminist, congregational, ecumenical, and global studies. In our educational life we value critical intellectual engagement, prophetic spirituality, and social action. Sustained by contemplation, worship, and prayer, Episcopal Divinity School forms leaders of hope, courage, and vision to witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Degrees and Certificates Offered
Master of Divinity
Master of Arts in Theological Studies
Doctor of Ministry
Certificate of Theological Study
Certificate of Advanced Theological Study
Other Educational Opportunities
Continuing Education courses
Minister-in-Vicinity Program
Procter Scholars
EDS Sabbatical Stay
Visiting Scholars Program
Community Lectures

Click here to download a printable version of our background information.

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Central to EDS' educational programs and community life is our emphasis on antiracist and multicultural learning. The curriculum also values adult learners and acknowledges the variety in students' ages, races, cultures, life experiences, motivations, preparation, and possibilities for ministry. As a result, students work in peer groups with faculty support (called "conferences") to create their own cogent and coherent learning goals and then set about acquiring and demonstrating the skills to fulfill those goals. The conferences become a crucible in which the integration of learning and working, doing, reflecting, and praying takes place.

The curriculum and course listings at Episcopal Divinity School are structured around the seven theological disciplines, the canonical areas required of candidates for ordination in the Episcopal Church: Biblical, Historical, Liturgical, Theological, Ethical, Pastoral, and Studies in Contemporary Society. In addition, EDS emphasizes throughout the curriculum three particular Areas of Emphasis, which intersect these seven theological disciplines and each other: Anglican, Global, and Ecumenical Studies (AGE); Congregational Studies (CSt); and Studies in Feminist Liberation Theologies (FLT). Together they promote an integrated theological education that is rooted in local communities of faith, committed to liberatory praxis, and critically engaged with global and ecumenical issues.

Episcopal Divinity School is a member of the Boston Theological Institute, a consortium of nine theological schools in the Boston area. Through this institute, those attending any one of the member schools may participate in the life of the other schools by registering for classes, using the libraries, or attending special lectures or workshops for classes.

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Theological education at EDS is an interrelated process of intellectual, spiritual, and professional formation of women and men for Christian ministry in the church and world. EDS seeks to foster a lifelong process of critical reflection upon faith and praxis. Through the hard work of our acclaimed faculty EDS strives to achieve all of our purposes in educating our students.

Our Faculty

Expertise in:

Anglican Church (History and Post-colonial Anglican Communion)
Dr. Fredrica Harris Thompsett
Mary Wolfe Professor of Historical Theology and faculty emerita
fthompsett@eds.edu

Anti-Racism/Anti-Oppression
Dr. Angela Bauer-Levesque
Academic Dean and Harvey H. Guthrie, Jr. Professor of Bible, Culture, and Interpretation
abauer@eds.edu

The Rev. Dr. William Kondrath
William Lawrence Professor of Pastoral Theology
bkondrath@eds.edu

The Rev. Canon Edward W. Rodman
John Seeley Stone Professor of Pastoral Theology and Urban Ministry
erodman@eds.edu

Biblical Studies
Dr. Angela Bauer-Levesque
Academic Dean and Harvey H. Guthrie, Jr. Professor of Bible, Culture, and Interpretation
abauer@eds.edu

Dr. Lawrence Wills
Ethelbert Talbot Professor of Biblical Studies
lwills@eds.edu

Yee, Gale
Nancy W. King Professor of Biblical Studies
gyee@eds.edu

Christian Theology
The Rev. Dr. Christopher Duraisingh
Otis Charles Visiting Professor in Applied Theology and faculty emeritus
cduraisingh@eds.edu

Dr. Kwok Pui Lan
William F. Cole Professor of Christian Theology and Spirituality
pkwok@eds.edu

Dr. Lawrence Wills
Ethelbert Talbot Professor of Biblical Studies
lwills@eds.edu

Ethics
The Rev. Dr. Joan Martin
William W. Rankin Associate Professor of Christian Social Ethics
jmartin@eds.edu

Feminism
Dr. Angela Bauer-Levesque
Academic Dean and Harvey H. Guthrie, Jr. Professor of Bible, Culture, and Interpretation
abauer@eds.edu

Yee, Gale
Nancy W. King Professor of Biblical Studies
gyee@eds.edu

Dr. Kwok Pui Lan
William F. Cole Professor of Christian Theology and Spirituality
pkwok@eds.edu

History of the Episcopal Church
Dr. Fredrica Harris Thompsett
Mary Wolfe Professor of Historical Theology and faculty emerita
fthompsett@eds.edu

Pastoral Theology
The Rev. Dr. William Kondrath
William Lawrence Professor of Pastoral Theology
bkondrath@eds.edu

Sexuality
The Rev. Dr. I. Carter Heyward
Howard Chandler Robbins Professor Emerita of Theology
cheyward@eds.edu

Dr. Kwok Pui Lan
William F. Cole Professor of Christian Theology and Spirituality
pkwok@eds.edu

Social Justice
Dr. Angela Bauer-Levesque
Academic Dean and Harvey H. Guthrie, Jr. Professor of Bible, Culture, and Interpretation
abauer@eds.edu

The Rev. Canon Edward W. Rodman
John Seeley Stone Professor of Pastoral Theology and Urban Ministry
erodman@eds.edu

The Rev. Dr. Joan Martin
William W. Rankin Associate Professor of Social Christian Ethics
jmartin@eds.edu

Spirituality
Dr. Kwok Pui Lan
William F. Cole Professor of Christian Theology and Spirituality
pkwok@eds.edu

Third-World Theologies
The Rev. Dr. Christopher Duraisingh
Otis Charles Visiting Professor in Applied Theology and faculty emeritus
cduraisingh@eds.edu

Dr. Kwok Pui Lan
William F. Cole Professor of Christian Theology and Spirituality
pkwok@eds.edu

World Christianity
The Rev. Dr. Christopher Duraisingh
Otis Charles Visiting Professor in Applied Theology and faculty emeritus
cduraisingh@eds.edu

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