Theological Studies

A study of the first five books of the Bible, Genesis through Deuteronomy. Special attention will be given to exploring the literary and theological themes in the Pentateuch, from creation to the formation of the nation of Israel. Covenant, law, election, worship, and other major topics will be studied considering their original context and in light of their interpretation in the New Testament.

In-depth study of the book of Acts. Topics include the progress of the gospel and the growth of the early church through the power of the Holy Spirit, the life of the Apostle Paul, methods of interpreting Acts, and consideration of how to apply the message of Acts in the modern church.

Spanning nearly 800 years of Israel's history, there are twelve books in this part of the Old Testament: Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther. These books were composed at different times and places but have been arranged in a sequence that tells the story of God's people from the conquering and possession of Canaan, the reigns of the judges, the establishment of kings, the division of Israel into the Northern and Southern Kingdoms, the fall of the Northern Kingdom to Assyria, the exile of the Southern Kingdom into Babylon, and the return to Jerusalem under the leadership of people like Nehemiah and Ezra, and the rebuilding of Jerusalem into the Persian period. An examination of each book’s principal themes and topics will be considered the story of God as revealed in this section of the Old Testament.

An overview of Romans through Revelation. The course primarily emphasizes the main themes and theological emphases of each book and their application to the modern church but also covers introductory issues such as authorship, setting, date, and literary structure of each book.

This course is designed to give the student advanced instruction and practice in the process of inductive Bible studies, focusing on the steps of observation, interpretation, and application, along with charting of Scripture. The goal is to improve the student’s ability to accurately study Scripture and apply it with relevance to unleash the transforming power of God’s Word.

*Prerequisites: BI 1303 or BI 1304 and GE 1301.

This course includes a study of the Old Testament's poetic books and wisdom literature. The Psalms regarding meaning, form, structure, and context will be studied. The wisdom books of Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes will be studied regarding message, form, structure, and wisdom theology.

Detailed study of the life and letters of the Apostle Paul. The course will emphasize the main themes of each of Paul's letters, the practice of good interpretational skills in Paul's letters, and the connection between theology and life exemplified in Paul's letters.

*Prerequisite: BI 1304

A study of the structure and content of Paul’s letter to the Romans and the Galatians, including the purpose and audience of these letters. Specifically, this course provides an analytical, exegetical, and expositional study of the biblical text and organized consideration of the doctrines of sin, justification, sanctification, law, and grace as based on the text.

*Prerequisite: BI 2306

BI 3/4000 Selected Topics in Biblical Studies Prerequisites: BI 1303, BI 1304, and BI 2306.

Greek I is designed to enable students to develop language skills to engage responsibly in the Greek New Testament. Students will practice speaking, engage in reading, begin writing, build vocabulary, and gain critical skills for the study of the New Testament, Septuagint, and other Ancient Greek literature.

*Prerequisite: BI 2306

The goal of Greek II, which builds on Greek I, is to continue developing language skills to responsibly engage the Greek New Testament. Students will practice speaking, engage in reading, practice writing, build vocabulary, and sharpen their skills for studying the New Testament, Septuagint, and other Ancient Greek literature.

*Prerequisite: GK 3301

Students will develop language skills in Hebrew I to responsibly engage the Hebrew Old Testament. Students will practice speaking, engage in reading, begin writing, build vocabulary, and gain critical skills for the study of the Old Testament and other Ancient Hebrew literature.

*Prerequisite: BI 2306

The goal of Hebrew II, which builds on Hebrew I, is to continue developing language skills to responsibly engage the Hebrew Old Testament. Students will practice speaking, engage in reading, practice writing, build vocabulary, and sharpen their skills for studying the Old Testament and other Ancient Hebrew literature.

*Prerequisite HB 4303

This course provides introductory principles for leadership at all levels of Christian leadership, from the newest ministry team members to the church's senior pastor.

A biblical and theological study of the call upon leaders and disciples to guide people to conform their lives to the likeness of Christ. Students will look at the life of Jesus as the exemplar of the biblical shepherding of people into their purpose. Old and New Testament “shepherds” will also be given attention to learn principles and practices in leading God’s people. Extensive attention will be given to what the Bible teaches about growth towards God’s created purpose for man for each student to develop a scripturally based theology of shepherding.

This course will explore servant leadership's ethical, practical, and meaningful aspects. It will begin with Christian ethics and the question: how should we live as Christians? That will be followed by accounts of leaders in the Old Testament, the teachings of Jesus, and the question: as Christians, how should we lead? Servant leadership will be defined, and the critical practices of servant leaders will be explored. Students will use their knowledge of servant leadership to evaluate the characters in an assigned movie and will identify a need in the community and develop a plan to meet the need.

This course exposes students to a comprehensive ministry strategy for the church. The course addresses the church ministry's goals, strategy, and implementation guidelines. Objectives such as evangelism, spiritual formation, service, leadership, fellowship, worship, and social justice are developed.

This course gives students a preaching philosophy and a practical understanding of creative sermon preparation and delivery. A one-hour preaching lab is included.

Prerequisite: BI 1303, BI 1304 and BI 2306

Students learn many basic skills needed to be influential pastors and counselors. General skills in listening and responding, diagnosis and planning interventions, use of self-helping, and specialized skills for grief ministry, crisis intervention, and others will be studied and practiced in the course.

Students will apply and integrate the skills learned throughout the ministry and leadership curriculum in hands-on ministry. Practical experience in baptism, administering the Lord’s Supper, assimilating new converts and church members, hospital and/or prison visitation, weddings, funerals, small group leadership, and preaching.

PM 3/4000 Selected Topics in Pastoral Ministry

The Pastoral Ministry Practicum usually must be completed in a church, but alternatives may be considered in light of a student’s ministry objectives. The purpose is to expose students to various aspects of pastoral ministry and to develop pastoral skills and competencies under the supervision of a qualified pastor/mentor. Experiences may include visitation, counseling, preaching, administration, and other areas of pastoral ministry that will enhance the student’s preparation for future service. A minimum of 120 hours of time invested is required per practicum, an average of 10 hours a week for 12 weeks. The practicum is generally completed in the student’s senior year. This is a pass/fail course.

Prerequisite: LD 3301

The Pastoral Leadership Practicum typically must be completed in a church, but alternatives may be considered considering a student’s ministry objectives. In this course, students can assume leadership responsibilities such as preaching, teaching, counseling, participation in leadership meetings, home and hospital visitation, baptisms, communion, and other church or ministry leadership activities. After this practicum, students will have had sufficient experience to enable them to serve in a pastoral leadership role. A minimum of 120 hours of time invested is required, an average of 10 hours a week for 12 weeks. The practicum is generally completed in the student’s senior year. This is a pass/fail course.

Prerequisite: PM 4330

This course introduces students to theological thinking and methodology and introduces the doctrines of God's revelation, theology proper (the person of God and the Trinity), Christology, anthropology (the nature of humanity), and hamartiology (the nature of sin).

This course develops the student's ability to think theologically and introduces the doctrines of soteriology (salvation and growth), pneumatology (the Holy Spirit), angelology, ecclesiology (the church), and eschatology (future things).

A contextual overview of the Christian church as it developed and spread through the world from its beginning in Jesus to the modern times. The cultural, intellectual, and political context of the growth of the Christian church will be considered, including the theological and doctrinal issues the church has contended with throughout history. Implications and application to our lives in the twenty-first century will be a significant dimension of this journey.