Theology at Episcopal is an academic discipline that exposes students to the Judeo-Christian heritage that undergirds Western civilization. It also teaches the analytic skills that allow one to wrestle with the human quest for meaning as a lifetime venture. Through exposure to classical as well as contemporary attempts to discern meaning in the midst of chaos, students find models for coping with the essential questions of life.

In class discussions and papers, they practice thinking for themselves. Although various religious and philosophic traditions are empathetically studied and systematically analyzed (especially in the senior electives), the courses and faculty, for reasons of tradition as well as commitment, approach the material primarily from a Western Christian perspective.

Entering ninth and 10th graders must take Biblical Theology (one-half credit) by the end of their 10th grade year. During the 12th grade year, seniors select a semester elective (one-half credit) offered by the Theology Department to complete the full credit required. Exceptions may be given for students taking four years of orchestra or choir. Biblical Theology may then be “bumped” to the first semester of the 12th grade with no additional senior theology required. Seniors taking six year long academic courses may also take one of the following courses for theology credit: Good and Evil in Literature or Greek.