Degrees and Programs Religious Studies

A New Testament and Greek scholar who explores how New Testament authors understand and quote from Old Testament texts.

Studying world religions and Christian mission takes him to Southeast Asia and the Pacific

A New Testament scholar who studies the family and violence in the Bible and biblical worlds

Church historian who examines early Christian attitudes and practices regarding wealth and poverty

Brings Old Testament characters to life by exploring their world

A theologian who trains students to think like Christians

Dr. VanDyke began her studies of the Old Testament at Grove City College where she received a B.A. with a double major in History and Biblical and Religious Studies. She then earned two M.A.s at Westminster Seminary California in Biblical Studies and Theological Studies. Her Ph.D. is from the University of California Los Angeles in Near Eastern Languages and Cultures, with a specialization in Hebrew Bible. Her dissertation investigated the Golden Calf cult as described in the book of Hosea, and she is currently working on turning that work into a monograph. She also has research interests in scribalism, kingship, and the Northern Kingdom of Israel.

Patrick Oden is the Director of Academic Integration for Fuller Equip, Fuller Seminary’s developing non-formal theological education platform. In this work, he helps to develop courses and lead teams in democratizing theological education for a wider audience in the US and around the world. He is also an Affiliate Associate Professor in Theology and Church History and Research Associate Professor of Theology at Fuller Seminary, teaching 5-6 courses a year.

He’s the author of four books, most recently Hope for the Oppressor: Discovering Freedom Through Transformative Community, co-editor of two others, as well as writing a number of articles and essays on theology, ministry, and church history. Patrick is also  an ordained minister in The Wesleyan Church and serves pastorally in his work at Fuller Seminary, in other educational opportunities, and in regular guest preaching for area congregations. 

Patrick is married to Amy Oden, a worship leader currently getting her MA in Theology at Fuller. His daughter Vianne was born in 2012, and shares a birthday with Jürgen Moltmann. His son Oliver was born in 2014, and shares a birthday with Harry Potter.  The Odens currently live in Lake Arrowhead, CA.

Email: krphillips@westmont.edu
Tel: (805) 565-6169
Office: Porter Center Room  1A

Religious Studies increased our awareness of the diverse and complex world views held globally. This global perspective has in turn changed not only how we interact with the global context but our local community. Our understanding of culture and religion inside the classroom grew into an active passion which flowed into our local church, neighborhoods, and city of Santa Barbara. This understanding of how we view the world “glocally” pushes us to learn even far beyond our graduation day from Westmont College.

I hadn't even thought about majoring in RS until my sophomore year, when a friend talked me into switching majors over lunch. Best impulse decision I’ve ever made! My RS professors and classmates taught me to love God with my mind. They helped me think through issues of faith I had never considered, and recognize the extraordinary richness of the Bible I had read all my life. After graduating from Westmont I completed an MDiv, then spent a year on staff at a church in South Africa. Now I'm working on a Ph.D. in New Testament at Duke University, where I get paid to study Paul's letters and teach seminary students about the Bible. This is a calling I had never imagined for myself before Westmont, and I’m so glad the RS department helped me find it!

Left Westmont for a semester to work full time at a domestic violence shelter and discovered her calling. After graduating with a double major in sociology and religious studies, she completed a Master of Social Work at Rutgers University in New Jersey. She became a licensed social worker in mental health counseling working with victims of abuse and trauma and earned a doctorate at Rutgers. She directs research and evaluation at Safe Horizon, a New York City organization that serves victims of domestic violence at shelters, centers and sites such as family courts and police precincts.

An immigrant from Argentina, began his career with Young Life (YL) as an intern during college. Passionate about the poor Latino community he grew up with, he became an area director in Chicago. He developed a holistic vision for healthy urban families, seeking to support kids from sixth grade through age 30. He takes a community-development approach, preaching Christ and meeting immediate needs. He helps start businesses that employ kids, such as designing T-shirts, and builds partnerships with local churches. He now serves YL in southwest Denver, which is 91 percent Latino. He is completing both an MBA and a master’s in spiritual formation at North Park Seminary.

Joined the staff of Evergreen Baptist Church in Los Angeles in 2004, beginning as a senior associate pastor for college and young adults, then shifting to young adults and mission before spending eight years leading mission and community life. In 2016, she became executive director of American Baptist International Ministries. “This has long been God’s call on my life,” she says. “I’m excited to head an organization whose main goal is facilitating mission.” She earned a Master of Divinity at Fuller Theological Seminary and a Master of Arts in theology focused on global mission and hermeneutics. She is completing a Doctor of Ministry at Fuller in leading change.