NORTHWIND
Institute
Offering accessible, affordable, quality, online theological education to local pastors, bi-vocational leaders, second career clergy, lay ministers, and life-time learners with
faithful and creative ministry in a postmodern era for the NeXtChurch—the “New Thing” or the "next Re-formation"
Director of The Center for Theology, Spirituality, and Ministry at Northwind
Professor of Theology & Spiritual Formation
Academic Dean, Senior Faculty
Meet Michael J. Christensen (M.A., Yale; Ph.D., Drew University), Professor of Theology and Center Director. Michael is the author of C. S. Lewis on Scripture, contributor to The C. S. Lewis Study Bible, former Resident Scholar at The Kilns in Oxford, and author and/or editor of eleven books on spirituality and social justice.
According to Professor Christensen, “Romantic Theology represents as cross-current of Theology and Literature focused on creative imagination as a portal of divine revelation. Its romantic and religious themes foster spiritual formation and ministry applications. The spirited collaboration of the Inkling writers produced a body of work worthy of the name.”
“A romantic theologian does not mean one who is romantic about theology, but one who is theological about romance, one who considers the theological implications of those experiences which are called romantic.”
—C. S. Lewis in Essays Presented to Charles Williams
The Romantic Theology Certificate Program offers life-long learners a formative way to read or review the creative works of the Oxford Inklings. This 3-course Certificate is offered as a Self-Guided Audit Course, a CEU Course, and an Academic Course. All of these courses are open enrollment. The Academic Course may be transferred into the Northwind Seminary Doctor of Theology and Ministry: Romantic Theology Degree following the standard application process for that degree program.
Romantic Theology Course List
Click Course Title to go to the enrollment page:
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Michael Christensen
C.S. Lewis on Scripture and Romantic Theology
Faculty Mentors: Dr. Michael Christensen and Dr. Charlie Starr
J.R.R. Tolkien on Truth in Story and Myth
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Charlie Starr
Charles Williams on Theology of Romantic Love
Faculty Mentors: Dr. Michael Christensen, et.al.
Owen Barfield on Creative Imagination and Consciousness
Faculty Mentors: Dr. Charlie Starr, et.al.
Honorary Inklings: Dorothy Sayers, G.K. Chesterton, George MacDonald, Warren Lewis,
Joy Davidman, et.al.
Faculty Mentors: Dr. Chrystal Hurd and Dr. Terry Glaspey
Northwind Institute has met the requirements of the Oklahoma Board of Private Vocational Schools to offer certificates of completion for theological and ministry-related courses.
Courses in the Romantic Theology Certificate Program may be transferred to Northwind Seminary's Master in Contextualized Ministry, Master in Specialized Ministry, or Doctor in Specialized Ministry Degree Programs after completing the Seminary's Application Process.