Whitworth Theology Department

05/22/2026

Learn about this year's department events and graduating seniors, and enjoy the annual messages from our current and emeriti faculty by reading our 2026 Theology Department Newsletter, available online at https://www.whitworth.edu/cms/academics/theology/newsletter/

05/20/2026

Congratulations to our 2026 Theology majors who graduated on Sunday, May 17! We’re so proud of you! May you honor God, follow Christ and serve humanity!

05/08/2026

On May 6 we celebrated the upcoming retirement of Debbie Stierwalt, our theology department program assistant for the past 18 years! Debbie has spread joy & kindness to our faculty & students over the years, organized countless department social events and six faculty retirements, and helped us stay grounded in Christ and focused on our mission. We wish her God’s blessings in her retirement years.

04/24/2026

What a special evening celebrating our five theology majors graduating in May—Jayda, Charis, Jasmine, Zaanan, and Isaiah. So grateful to Jonathan and Stacy for hosting! It was encouraging to hear how much these students have grown and how their time at Whitworth has shaped their lives. Praying for each of them as they step into what God has next.

02/14/2026

Donut Day allowed our faculty & majors to spend sweet time together Wednesday afternoon. We shared Jan Term highlights and kicked off spring term with treats from Retro Donuts! Happy Valentines Day to our beloved students! 🥰 🍩

12/09/2025

We are blessed with wonderful theology majors like Marisol!

What Is It Like? | Theology

Marisol Mendez '27, a double major in theology and environmental science, shares about studying theology at Whitworth:

"I decided to study theology because I had a lot of questions about religion and wanted to dive deeper into my understanding of faith and God. Growing up, I was told what to believe, but I wanted to understand why I believed that. Studying theology has helped me to ask and wrestle with deeper questions about faith.

"A unique experience I’ve had is the theology backpacking trip with faculty and other students. This was a great opportunity for fellowship and to build a stronger community. The time was spent away from technology, simply enjoying nature and great conversations. I’m thankful Whitworth offered this unique opportunity to get to form deeper connections.

"Professor Jonathan Moo has made one of the greatest impacts on my studies at Whitworth. He joyfully and humbly teaches his students and carefully listens to their answers. He’s not a professor who is satisfied with a simple answer; rather, he asks deeper questions to provoke a critical response. Also, Associate Professor Haley Jacob is one of the greatest humans on earth! Her genuine care for students is seen through the way she teaches. I remember being in my Old Testament Theology class, wrestling with hard concepts, and she approached me with compassion for my wrestling and helped me process.

"Currently, my dream job is to integrate my theology and environmental science majors – something like doing environmental education with a spiritual formation aspect.

"[If you're thinking about majoring in theology,] I would say go all in! Do it! Get plugged in and take every opportunity possible to get to know the faculty and students in this major. When I first came to Whitworth, I was trying to discern what major to choose. It was helpful to take as many classes as possible in the areas I was interested in and to talk with the faculty. Through the things I was studying and people I was talking to, it made me realize that theology was my passion."

11/10/2025

Congratulations to Whitworth theology major Charis Anne Gonzales Tiamson who won the student Preaching Award for her sermon, "To Bear the Image of God is to be Loved First", at the Great Lakes Theology and Preaching Conference held at Western Theological Seminary on November 6-7th. Our own Dr. Jonathan Moo was the plenary lecturer and preacher for the conference. They both had a great weekend at the conference and connecting with the large group of Whitworth grads now attending WTS.

10/30/2025

Crisp and sunny autumn afternoon for our annual s’mores theology gathering yesterday afternoon! 🍁

10/20/2025

Come enjoy s'mores and conversation around the campfire in Pirates Cove (behind Oliver Hall) on Wednesday, October 29! All current and prospective theology majors & minors are invited & encouraged to attend!

10/15/2025

Jonathan Moo and students from his Redemption of Creation class enjoyed beautiful fall weather on their hike at Verbrugge Environmental Center October 4th.

10/02/2025

Our 4th annual theology backpack trip Sept 20 & 21 at Upper Priest Lake was a huge success! Four theology faculty and 14 majors enjoyed great camp food, lots of sun, few bugs, warm water for swimming, good conversations around the campfire, amazing stars, Sunday morning worship amid nature’s beauty, and a weekend rich in relationship-building. We feel so grateful and blessed for this time together to kick off the school year!