Recognizing the responsibility of all Christians to complete Christ’s commission, this course gives an overview of the strategic and historical progress of worldwide missions today. The ways in which a local congregation can fulfill its worldwide biblical mandate are also considered.   

A general survey of the history of the Christian church from its founding at Pentecost to the present day.

A general survey of the history of the Christian church from the beginnings of the Protestant Reformation in the sixteenth century to the present time.

One of the great tragedies and great mysteries of the Christian religion is that is has on a number of occasions and in a number of regions begun to have a major impact only to be crushed by violent political and religious opposition. On no other continent have the followers of Jesus Christ encountered such large empires and extensive cross-cultural religious systems.

This course is an introduction to the civilizations of Mesopotamia, Anatolia, Egypt and the Levant from the rise of cities (ca. 3000 B.C.) to the Achaemenids (ca. 330 B.C.).  Relevant points of connection with biblical events and peoples will be highlighted with a view to situate the biblical text within its larger socio historical and theological framework for the period under consideration.   

Multiethnic and interactive class examines racism in terms of a black and white paradigm. A multidisciplinary analysis of this major social problem. Course includes graphic presentations, biblical, psycho social and ethical principles leading to challenging discussions.  

Seeks to develop the student’s theological ethical reflections, social analysis, and types of action for ministering to crucial social issues.  Our three step approach will be: 1) clarification, 2) conceptualization, and 3) confrontation. Issues include: urbanization, economic justice, and environmental ethics.            

This course explores the complex relationship between Christians and Muslims throughout the entire history of Islam, giving attention to the historical and scriptural sources that speak on or about each other and their usage by Christian and Muslim interlocutors.

Students with little or no prior knowledge of Greek study the basic grammar and vocabulary of New Testament Greek. Course comprises plenary lectures, smaller sectional meetings, translation of selected New Testament passages, tutorials, and computer assisted instruction.

Students with little or no prior knowledge of Hebrew study the basic grammar and vocabulary of Old Testament Hebrew Course comprises plenary lectures, smaller sectional meetings, translation of selected Old Testament passages, tutorials, and computer assisted instruction

Continues GL501 expanding grammar and vocabulary. Emphasis on translation and analysis of basic grammatical structures and functions. Students continue in same format and small sections as GL501. Permits concurrent enrollment in NT 502.

Continuation of OL 501 with sustained emphasis on mastery of grammar and vocabulary. OL 502 will emphasize reading from the Hebrew Old Testament with introduction of some rudiments of exegetical method.

A study of the grammar of biblical Aramaic, followed by a reading of the Aramaic portions of Ezra and Daniel, as well as short extra-biblical Aramaic texts.

Treats problems of communication in the city, using models of cross culturalism from cultural anthropology. The city is discussed as a complex system, and significant urban social problems are highlighted. Specialists in various areas of the urban environment will address the class.

This course addresses compassionate and holistic ministry to youth and families in church settings. Students will participate in the examination of the systems affecting families particularly, but not limited to the urban environment.

The foundational course in the Division of Practical Theology and an introduction to theological seminary. A beginning working knowledge of spiritual formation leading to a lifetime of continuing education. Spiritual exercise and small group practice for personal application and for leadership in the church.  

This course provides an overview of theory and practical tools of administration in the in the context of church, religious public benefit organizations, and parachurch. Students will work toward the goal of being healthy effective, and fruitul in their approach to administration.

Practical theological foundation for the practice of evangelism and for evangelistic leadership in the church. Includes content and communication of the gospel within cultural context at home and abroad. Preparation in class, followed by community experience. Prayer is primary throughout.

This course is designed to equip individuals to serve effectively as leaders, as agents of change, as facilitators of mission, as administrators in the parish or in other related vocational settings. Systems theory is utilized as the major theoretical/theological approach to the foundation of leadership.         

Empowering Marginalized Church Groups & the Urban Poor will prepare students to develop the mindset, behaviors, and goals in line with the concept of Redemptive Poverty Work. Redemptive Poverty Work is joining God in creative restoration through sacrifice in the personal lives and under-resourced neighborhoods of those who live in the condition of poverty. This concept emphasizes the role of the people of God in transforming communities towards the common good.

This course presents theories, techniques, and strategies for working with children, adolescents, and their families. Emphasis is placed on a multidimensional view of counseling interventions, giving attention to developmental, cognitive, behavioral, affective, cultural, educational, social, and environmental issues. Ethical and legal concerns are also considered. The course is designed to help students become more knowledgeable about current research
and approaches for working with this population.

Basic preparation for the complex task of pastoral care and counseling. The focus is upon the pastor in the congregational setting.

This is a course designed to discuss issues related to identification, intervention, and treatment of both victims and perpetrators of domestic violence and abuse. The approach and model is a comprehensive one, including: physical, emotional, cognitive, relational, and spiritual factors.  The method of instruction is an interactive, adult learning model.         

(Requires knowledge of Greek or Hebrew.) An introduction to the principles of preparing relevant biblical sermons. Lectures and exercises cover a stage-by-stage explanation of how preachers think as they prepare to preach. Recitation sessions provide opportunity for students to preach with critique by the professor.

(Requires previous preaching course.) Building on PR601, students will interact with the biblical material to prepare sermons that relate to a modern audience. Students will preach with critique by the professor.

This course will equip students to construct and deliver sermons in a way that cultivates reconciliation and unity in their congregations or ministry milieus. Students will be given the theological, theoretical, and practical tools to analyze themselves, their contexts, and the congregants they shepherd. Particular emphasis will be given to addressing ethnocentrism, sexism, classism, and political partisanship in the pulpit. PR601 is a prerequisite for the course.

Introduces history, literature and thought of Old Testament as reflected in its major divisions and individual books. Designed and recommended for those who have not had a systematic survey of the Old Testament, enabling them to proceed with seminary level studies.  

(Requires knowledge of Greek & exegetical techniques.) This exegetical study of the structure, theology and probable setting of Mark gives special attention to the person of Jesus and his mission.

A survey of selected Old Testament messianic prophecies, as well as messianic types which are identified in the New Testament as fulfilled in Christ. The emphasis will be on the interpretation of these texts within their Old Testament context.  

Introduction to the field of New Testament studies, highlighting central New Testament themes, issues, events, and persons.

(Requires knowledge of Greek & exegetical techniques.) Exegesis of the Apocalypse in its historical setting and Old Testament context, interpreting its meaning in both the first century and today. Special attention is given to the occasion and purpose, structure and theological content of the letter.

A study of the nature and techniques of Old Testament narrative in the Historical Books including: historical-grammatical exegesis and text criticism. Requires knowledge of Hebrew and exegetical techniques

The course offers a study of the origins and the growth of the early church resulting from the ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus, in the context of the history and the culture of the early Roman Empire, with particular attention to historical events, developments, and personalities, including chronological questions, exegetical interpretation of key New Testament and extra-biblical passages, and theological analyses of major trajectories.

A study of the nature and techniques of Old Testament poetry, including: metrics, line and strophic structure, historical-grammatical exegesis and text criticism. Special introduction to the various poetical books of the Old Testament and samples of exegesis. Requires knowledge of Hebrew and exegetical techniques

Introduction to the field of New Testament studies, highlighting central New Testament themes, issues, events, and persons.

Introduces history, literature and thought of Old Testament as reflected in its major divisions and individual books. Designed and recommended for those who have not had a systematic survey of the Old Testament, enabling them to proceed with seminary level studies.  

The subject of this course is the cultural anthropological and missiological study of culture. It is designed to both challenge and support students to grow in their cultural awareness, and to also develop cross-cultural competence for building healthy and God-honoring relationships with diverse communities.

This course will be an in depth examination of the biblical, patristic, and modern understandings of the person and work of the Holy Spirit, with special focus on developments since the modern Pentecostal revival, and current attempts in constructive pneumatology.   Attention will be given to the relationship between the doctrines of the Holy Spirit and Trinitarian theology, and to the implications of this study for ministry in the church and personal spirituality.          

This course presents Barth’s life and theology through lectures, readings and discussions in order to gain a critical understanding of the main themes in his theology and their relevance for our own understanding of Christian faith and ministry.

A study of the person and work of Christ, predestination, conversion, justification, sanctification, and the work of the Holy Spirit; perseverance; the nature and mission of the church; sacraments; eschatology.

Spirituality represents the interface between ideas and life, between Christian theology and human existence. This course on Reformation Era Spirituality is at once Christological, eschatological, and experiential. Highlights the distinctive contributions of the reformers over against the background of medieval spirituality.

We map out the workplace, its challenges, opportunities, arenas, topics, and trends. Then we build a biblical theology of work in the perspective of Creation, Fall, Providence, Incarnation, Redemption, and Fulfillment. We identify the starting points, backgrounds, perceived callings, and desired goals of each member of our cohort.

Special attention given to various approaches to New Testament theology, the theological relationship between the testaments, inaugurated eschatology and related themes. May focus on the distinctive themes of various New Testament authors or on a specific author or theme. Prerequisite: GL502 and NT502.