Theta Chi Beta
Theta Chi Beta (ΘΧΒ) was a national honor society recognizing excellence in the study of religion. It was founded at Syracuse University.
| Theta Chi Beta | |
|---|---|
| ΘΧΒ | |
 | |
| Founded | 1915 Syracuse University |
| Type | Honor |
| Affiliation | Independent |
| Emphasis | Religion, Theological studies |
| Scope | National (US) |
| Motto | Progressive Revelations[1] |
| Symbol | 6-pointed star, Shield of David, Outline of a fish, ICHTHUS |
| Chapters | 3+ installed, 0 active |
History
Theta Chi Beta was formed in 1915 at Syracuse University as an honor society for students in the fields of Religious Studies and Theology.[1] It was the first and only society of its kind in the United States.[1] Several chapters were formed.[2]
The Aleph chapter (Alpha) remains active as the Theta Chi Beta chapter of Theta Alpha Kappa, a larger, national honor society for students in Religious studies. It was allowed to keep this name in recognition of its long history and formative role in establishing its own national society.[3]
The last remaining independent chapter of Theta Chi Beta was the Gimel chapter, (Gamma), formed in 1937 at Florida Southern College, which went dormant sometime after 2008.[4]
Traditions
Symbols of the Fraternity include the six-pointed Star called Magen David, the Shield of David, the outline of a fish symbolic of early Christians, and the Greek word and acronym, ICHTHUS, representative of "Jesous Christos Theou Uios Soter", or "Jesus Christ God's Son Savior".
Chapter officers used Hebrew designations:
- Melek (king) for president
- Sar (prince) for vice-president
- Sopher (scribe) for secretary/treasurer
- Maskir (rememberer) for recording secretary[2]
The emblem of the society was similar to other honor society keys, with the Hebrew letter Beth as a frame, in which was held an open book, the Bible, all rendered in gold.[2]
Chapters
The list of chapters of Theta Chi Beta was as follows:
| Chapter | Installation Date | College or University | Location | Status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aleph | 1915-1991 | Syracuse University | Syracuse, New York | Merged, became Theta Chi Beta chapter of ΘΑΚ in 1991 | |
| Beth | ≥1934–2008+ | St. Lawrence Theological School | Canton (village), New York | [5] | |
| Gimel | 1937-20xx | Florida Southern College | Lakeland, Florida | ||
| Daleth ? | ≥1937 |
This list is incomplete.
References
- Galpin, William Freeman; Barck Jr, Oscar Theodore (August 1984). Wilson, Richard R. (ed.). Syracuse University: Volume III: The Critical Years. Syracuse, N.Y.: Syracuse University Press. p. 268. ISBN 978-0-8156-8108-3. OCLC 1023038841. Archived from the original on 9 October 2020. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
- Peritz, Ismar J. (Summer 1938). "Theta Chi Beta - Bible Honor Fraternity". Journal of the American Academy of Religion. Oxford Academic: American Academy of Religion. VI (III): 146. doi:10.1093/jaarel/VI.III.146. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- Noted on the chapter's Syracuse portal, accessed 20 Nov 2021.
- Interlachen 2008
- Bulletin Volumes 10-11 By Council on the Study of Religion · 1979