From past to present higher religious education in Europe: England example

This thesis examines the emergence and development of higher religious and theological education in Europe in general and in England in particular by focusing on the developments, understandings, thoughts, and events that have influenced the evolution of higher religious education from the past to the present. The study also compares the systems of higher religious education in England and Turkey. Since the late period of the Ottoman state, Turkey has preferred to reach the level of modern civilisation and prosperity with European norms. Education was seen as a vital element in achieving this goal. Moreover, nations and cultures, like individuals, learn from each other, which makes comparative studies more meaningful. However, there isn't enough research in Turkey, in the field of higher theological and religious studies about Europe and England in particular. The research aims to fill the research gap in this area. The conceptual framework of the research is the current position of higher theological and religious education in England, with its historical background and critical shifts. In order to combine theory and practice, part of the study was carried out in the target country, England*. Thus, the study used a distinctive method of description, comparison, on-site observation, and interviews with respected academics in the field in England, and then analysed the data with a historical perspective within the framework of religious, philosophical, scientific, and social developments and concepts. While Turkey experienced some interruptions in higher religious education at the beginning of the new republic, England has continued its theological studies uninterruptedly until today by reforming and transforming them in accordance with important factors from the establishment of the university, whose primary mission then was theological education at that time. The English model of higher religious education is characterised by its diverse, pluralist, inclusive, and rather complex nature with many alternatives. Turkey also has a unique model of theological education that is inclusive and non-denominational. Theology faculties in Turkey focus more on teacher training, whereas in England theology and religious studies are broader social programmes to educate intellectual individuals. Keywords: University and University History, British Universities, Theology, Religious Studies, Seminary Colleges, Ottoman Madrasas, Divinity, Comparison of Higher Religious Education Systems *The England part of the study was supported by TUBITAK-BIDEB within the framework of "International PhD Research Scholarship Scheme (2214-A, 2019/2)".