BT 10 - BT 1480

Bibliographer: Theology

Date Revised: September 14, 1998

General Purpose:

The theology section (BT 10-BT 1480) of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library is primarily intended to support teaching and research for the degree programs of the Divinity School (M. Div, M.T.S.) and the graduate degree programs of the Graduate Department of Religion (M.A. and Ph.D.). To a lesser extent, the theological holdings support the undergraduate courses of the Religious Studies Department and the operations of the Kesler Circulating Library for clergy and church professionals.

Languages:

English language materials comprise just over 70% of the titles (excluding periodicals) in theological collection. Some 20% of the materials are in German, 5% in French, and 3% in other languages. Of note among these latter materials are those in Latin, of which there have been few recent acquisitions, and those in Spanish, which are on the increase.

Geographic Areas:

The collection is strong in materials which treat issues of concern to European and Anglo-American religious thinkers. In recent years greater attention has been given to the acquisition of works, usually in translation, which address themes of more interest to African and South and Central American theologians.

Chronological Limits:

The theology section focuses upon works of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. 1% of the titles date from prior to 1781 (Kant’s first Critique appeared in 1781); 4% from 1781 - 1834 (death of Schleiermacher); 4% from 1835-1870 (Ritschl’s Justification and Reconciliation); 14% from 1871-1914 (WWI); 41% from 1915-1968 (death of Barth).

Types of Material Collected:

Printed matter, i.e., monographs, serials, sets, Festschriften, collections of papers, published dissertations, and periodicals, make up most of the theological collection. Dissertations of particular interest to faculty and/or students are usually acquired in printed form, but most dissertations are added in microfilm.

Types of Material Excluded:

Cassettes, slides, and films are acquired for the theology section only when deemed of importance to the Kesler Circulating Library. Introductory textbooks are not routinely added. Fundamentalist literature is not acquired.

Other Factors:

There should be continued emphasis on the acquisition of materials which express the theological ideas of African and Asian and South and Central American thinkers, even as the special strength of the collection, i.e., the 19th and 20th century European and Anglo-American materials, are maintained and expanded.