Harvard Divinity Joins 6 Schools In New Institute

Seven Boston Protestant and Roman Catholic theological seminaries, including Harvard Divinity School, signed articles of incorporation Friday forming the new Boston Theological Institute.

The institute was founded largely to lessen the denominational barriers between the seven schools. The venture "will provide clergy and laity with a unique opportunity to study theological and multidisciplinary conrses across denominational and disciplinary boundaries," Reverend Walter G. Muelder, BTI executive chairman and dean of Boston University's School of Theology, said Saturday.

Broader Scope

BTI plans to broaden the scope of education offered to theology students. Students registered at one of the seven schools in the institute will be allowed to cross-register at the other six.. They will probably be required to take only half their courses in the school where they are registered, according to Helmut H. Koester, John H. Morrison Professor of New Testament Studies at the Harvard Divinity School and a member of BTI's executive committee.

The Institute will also offer courses to students outside the seven institutions, Koester said. "We would like a more structured training for laity engaged in church responsibilities." These courses will be handled directly by the institute and will be paid for by outside funding.

Field Education

Another of BIT's objectives is to combine and enlarge the field education programs at the seven schools in the institute. A joint program would eliminate all competition for field opportunities. It would also mean that various denominations could share the same experiences.

Tjaard G. Hommes, assistant professor of Applied Theology at Harvard Divinity School who directed Harvard's successful field service program for the last two years, will be one of two interim secretaries fro BTI.