The Challenges for Theological Studies in the Middle East

Resumen

In Lebanon, there are four Catholic Faculties of Theology, one Greek Orthodox and one Protestant (NEST). And one can add the Faculty of religious studies at Saint Joseph University. As academic theological institutions, they constitute the main center of theological studies in the Arab world. Around 500 students study in these different institutions. The majority of them are in undergraduate programs. Most of these Faculties offer Master degrees and few a doctorate programs. Courses are offered in French or Arabic. Only courses at NEST are in English. Yet, the French programs have the connotation of being more scientific and having a higher academic level than the Arabic ones. They are reasons for this issue.