Within the Home Temple Divinity Degree Programme, the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) is our second-highest academic degree and represents an advanced level of theological, ministerial and spiritual formation. Completion of the M.Div. provides sufficient academic and ministerial preparation for appointment or consecration to the office of Bishop, subject to the wider ecclesiastical, spiritual and vocational requirements of the Home Temple.
The programme is designed as an interdisciplinary course of study that integrates theological scholarship, spiritual formation, mentored learning and practical ministry experience. It is intended to prepare students for ordained ministry, ecclesiastical leadership and other forms of advanced Christian and spiritual service within the Home Temple tradition.
Unlike conventional university programmes, however, the Home Temple M.Div. does not operate according to a fixed three-year timetable. Students undertake the degree according to their own circumstances, responsibilities, level of preparation and available study time. Some may progress more rapidly, while others may require a considerably longer period to complete the prescribed academic, practical and ministerial requirements. The emphasis is therefore placed not upon completing the degree within an arbitrary period, but upon the quality, depth and integration of the student’s learning and formation.
Bachelor of Divinity Degree (B.D.)
Prerequisite:
Successful completion of Ordination Studies to the Sacred Apostolic Priesthood or "fast track" through the Home Temple Diaconate and Priesthood modules for those already Ordained in other churches.
The Baccalaureate in Divinity is a seminary degree program offered to Priests and Priestesses of the independent Apostolic churches, including those of the Home Temple, as well as Ordained ministers of other churches and spiritual traditions. The emphasis of the program is immersion in the historical teachings of Mar Yeshua, the Master Jesus—as opposed to ecclesiastical dogma and theological doctrine offered by Christian churches. Through a study of the Aramaic language, vocabulary, Jewish Kabbalistic and Messianic concepts used by Jesus, we arrive at a new, unique, and profound understanding of the Master’s teachings.
Curriculum is supplied online through Dr. Lewis Keizer's Patreon YouTube site, the Home Temple Diaconate and Priesthood sites, and at www.wisdomseminars.org. In addition to submission of Spiritual Journal, Questions on Jesus, and Questions on the Bible, the student is required to complete the curriculum in EXEGESIS by writing (or dictating on cassette tape) a substantial paper interpreting five of the logia (davrim) and parables (mashlim) of Yeshua following clearly defined rubrics that earn specific percentages. A total of 70% is required for graduation and 90% for graduation cum laude (with honors).
Master of Divinity Degree (M.Div.)
Required Education for Office of a Bishop
The M.Div. Degree program, along with training in the First Order Empowerments of T:.H:.G:. (Temple of the Holy Grail), is required education for Candidates for Consecration to the Episcopate as a member of the Home Temple Synod of Bishops. T:.H:.G:. Initiation is offered once a year in Spring and there are $80 fees for the modules. See THG
Prerequisite:
Bachelor of Divinity Degree (B.D.) from Home Temple or equivalent seminary degree.
The Master of Divinity Degree program is designed to facilitate education of Home Temple clergy in World Religions, esoteric spirituality, and the Western Mystery Tradition. It helps qualify Priests and Priestesses for nomination to the Episcopate, since Home Temple Bishops are required to have knowledge and skills in esoteric as well as exoteric areas of spirituality.
Curriculum is supplied online. It consists of three core seminars and Major Emphasis elective seminars totaling at least twenty modules as described below. Exams or other required academic work must be passed in each of the three core seminars. An approved Masters Thesis specializing in a Major Emphasis topic from the elective seminars must be submitted in the required format.
Core Seminars:
- World Religions and Spirituality
- The Initiatic Mysteries of Classical Antiquity
- The Western Mystery Tradition: Medieval and Modern
Major Emphasis Courses from the WISDOM SEMINARS also available online at the lewiskeizer YouTube channel:
YESHUA STUDIES
- Yeshua Studies playlists on the lewiskeizer YouTube channel as appropriate
- The Kabbalistic Words of Jesus (text) and the Gospel of Thomas playlist on the lewiskeizer YouTube channel
- The Pre-Christian Teachings of Jesus (text) and playlists on the lewiskeizer YouTube channel TBA as appropriate
REQUIRED TEXTS:
- Yeshua: The Unknown Jesus (Novel)
- The Kabbalistic Words of Jesus in the Gospel of Thomas (Book)
- The Pre-Christian Teachings of Jesus (Book)
GNOSTIC STUDIES
- Gnosticism: Ancient and Modern in ESOTERIC CHRISTIANITY playlist on the lewiskeizer YouTube channel
- Rosslyn Chapel and Esoteric Freemasonry in ESOTERIC CHRISTIANITY playlist on the lewiskeizer YouTube channel
- The Gospel of Mary and Magdalenic Gnosis in ESOTERIC CHRISTIANITY playlist on the lewiskeizer YouTube channel
Two other elective seminars
REQUIRED TEXTS:
- Yeshua: The Unknown Jesus (Novel)
- The Kabbalistic Words of Jesus in the Gospel of Thomas (Book)
MAGDALENIC STUDIES
The Gospel of Mary and Magdalenic Gnosis in ESOTERIC CHRISTIANITY playlist on the lewiskeizer YouTube channel
The Kabbalistic Words of Jesus (text) and the Gospel of Thomas playlist on the lewiskeizer YouTube channel
Gnosticism: Ancient and Modern in ESOTERIC CHRISTIANITY playlist on the lewiskeizer YouTube channel
Two other elective seminars
REQUIRED TEXTS:
- Yeshua: The Unknown Jesus (Novel)
- The Kabbalistic Words of Jesus in the Gospel of Thomas (Book)
Master’s Thesis Requirements:
Minimum 50-page research paper in proper format submitted electronically as an MS Word, RTF, or PDF file.
Doctor of Divinity Degree (D. D.)
Prerequisite:
Bachelor of Divinity Degree (B.D.) from Home Temple.
Substitute for M.Div. as Required Education for Office of a Bishop
The Doctorate of Divinity may be undertaken instead of the M.Div. to meet educational rubrics for Episcopal training.
Curriculum of Studies:
Curriculum is supplied online. It consists of three core seminars, Major Emphasis elective seminars totaling at least twenty modules, and two Initiatic Paths of the Spiritual Practicums, as shown below. Exams or other required academic work must be passed in each of the three core seminars. An approved Doctoral Dissertation specializing in a topic from one of the Major Emphasis elective seminars must be submitted in the required format.
Core Seminars:
- World Religions and Spirituality
- The Initiatic Mysteries of Classical Antiquity ONLINE AT THE LEWISKEIZER YOUTUBE CHANNEL
- The Western Mystery Tradition: Medieval and Modern ONLINE AT THE LEWISKEIZER YOUTUBE CHANNEL
- Major Emphasis Courses from the WISDOM SEMINARS:
- YESHUA STUDIES ONLINE AT THE LEWISKEIZER YOUTUBE CHANNEL
- The Gospel of Mary and Magdalenic Gnosis
- The Kabbalistic Words of Jesus in the Gospel of Thomas Seminar
- The Lost Pre-Christian Teachings of Yeshua Seminar
- REQUIRED TEXTS: Yeshua: The Unknown Jesus (Novel)
- The Kabbalistic Words of Jesus in the Gospel of Thomas (Book)
- The Pre-Christian Teachings of Yeshua
- GNOSTIC STUDIES ONLINE AT THE LEWISKEIZER YOUTUBE CHANNEL (see above)
- MAGDALENIC STUDIES in ESOTERIC CHRISTIANITY playlist ONLINE AT THE LEWISKEIZER YOUTUBE CHANNEL (see above)
- Spiritual Practicum: The doctoral candidate will combine academic studies leading to a doctoral dissertation with Completion of First Order Temple of the Holy Grail (T:.H:.G:.),
Available in English and Spanish
www.hometemple.org/THG.htm
Doctoral Dissertation Requirements:
- 200-Page (Minimum) Typed Doctoral Dissertation in Proper Format submitted electronically as an MS Word, RTF, or PDF file.
- Presentation of Doctoral Thesis at Annual Synod of Home Temple Bishops in Late June or Early July
- If a student has completed the M.Div. Degree Program, he or she has already fulfilled the Core Seminars requirement, but must in addition complete two of the Initiatic Paths, and meet all of the Doctoral Dissertation Requirements listed above. The Master's Thesis must be expanded into a Doctoral Dissertation.
REQUIREMENTS: NOMINATION FOR CONSECRATION AS A BISHOP
- Completion of B.D. Degree program of the Home Temple School of Sacred Studies
- Minimum of two years in Priesthood
- Active ministry and spiritual leadership
- Regular contact with Bishop Lewis Keizer
- Successful completion of THG First Order Studies
- Weather Proving
- Dubbing as Knight or Dame of +OMR+
- Completion of all course work for the M.Div. or D.D. Degree programs of the Home Temple School of Sacred Studies as shown above including the EPISCOPAL STUDIES PLAYLIST HERE
- Approval of Thesis or Dissertation proposal
- Nomination approved by Synod of Home Temple Bishops
- Informally by telephone
- Formally at annual Board meeting
- Bishop may continue work on Master’s Thesis or Doctoral Dissertation after Consecration with promise to complete the dissertation or thesis within a year