Thomas Luke, Ph.D.
Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Transformational Theology
(2003-2023)
The Board of Regents at Chaplains College School of Graduate Studies conferred the appointment, office, rank, and award of Distinguished Research Professor upon Thomas Luke, Ph.D., on June 15, 2023, stating:
“The Distinguished Research Professor will continue researching and teaching their curriculum to Ph.D. candidates at Chaplains College School of Graduate Studies and our chaplains at the Chaplaincy Training Institute.
“Chaplains College School of Graduate Studies distinguishes itself from other universities by its greater emphasis on the duration of research, requiring fourteen years compared to the conventional seven-year standard. Recognizing the hazardous nature of crisis response and crisis care chaplaincy, we prioritize expert training and rigorous scholarly theological education for our chaplains.”
The Distinguished Research Professor Award requires a minimum of two published textbooks, with accompanying curricula for at least one. When Dr. Thomas Luke was a Ph.D. candidate, the Board of Regents verified his eleven years of informal research. He also possesses an additional nine years of academic research, totaling twenty years of combined research in the same discipline (2003–2023).
Furthermore, Thomas Luke, Ph.D., submitted his published MA in Theological Studies capstone textbook, The Least of These, as his dissertation prospectus for a Ph.D. in Transformational Theology. A requirement for passing the Ph.D. dissertation defense at Chaplains College School of Graduate Studies is the submission of a publishable academic manuscript, which Dr. Thomas Luke fulfilled with Transformational Theology, the textbook version of his dissertation.
Transformational Theology is the spiritual approach to integrating survivors of sexual exploitation diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder. Rev. Dr. Thomas Luke’s profoundly effective spiritual integration counseling system is a central tenet of transformational theology, facilitating recovery and integration from traumatic experiences. Chaplain Luke clarifies that during his theological practicum, he only participated in the healing process, emphasizing that only the Spirit of Jesus integrated and healed the survivors he counseled [Philippians 1:19, EXB: “Because I know ·this trouble [this] will ·bring my [result in] ·freedom [deliverance; or salvation], through your prayers and the ·help of [support from] the Spirit of Jesus Christ”]. Dr. Luke credits Dr. Norman Wise, the founder of Living Water Christian Counseling, as his primary teacher regarding this unique and highly compelling integration methodology. In 2022, Dr. Wise supervised Rev. Thomas Luke’s theological practicum for a Ph.D. in Transformational Theology at Chaplains College School of Graduate Studies.
Thomas Luke, Ph.D., is recognized as the founding father of transformational theology and coined the term spiritual integration counseling system, a central tenet of this theological framework. Rev. Dr. Thomas Luke graduated with a Ph.D. in Transformational Theology on June 15, 2023. Dr. Thomas Luke served as a distinguished professor emeritus of transformational theology at his alma mater, Chaplains College School of Graduate Studies.
Two (2) scholarly textbooks with original research that made a significant contribution to the fields of theology and Christian chaplaincy.
Conventional Academic Requirements
Chaplains College Requirements
Must have a minimum of seven years (7) of research in the same discipline.
Must have a record of exceptionally distinguished research or creative activity.
Must have a minimum of two (2) peer-reviewed published journal articles.
Must demonstrate evidence of the potential for continued extraordinary productivity.
Must be a full-time tenured professor.
You must have national or international recognition for your research.
Must have a minimum of fourteen years (14) of research in the same discipline.
Thomas Luke, Ph.D., has twenty years (20) of research within the same discipline.
Must have a minimum of two (2) peer-reviewed published textbooks and a minimum of two (2) peer-reviewed published journal articles.
Must have a minimum of one (1) curriculum based on one of the Ph.D. candidates’ textbooks.
The extensive research years are considered the tenure.
You must have at least national and/or international recognition for your research by winning a minimum of six (6) distinguished academic awards, at least three (3) must be distinguished textbook awards, accompanied by official award certificates from the university.
A complete academic CV for the nominee.
Documentation that the nominee is a scholar in a discipline has been submitted and verified by no less than three (3) members of the Board of Regents and the Department of Graduate Studies, including the Department Chair.
Letter of recommendation from the appropriate Department Chair.
