Religion – Biblical and Theological Studies

From the Word to the World: An Introduction to Theological Study

An introduction to theology acquainting students with the major areas of specialization. While emphasizing that the areas overlap and are inter-related, the course examines the areas of theology according to their distinctive foci, methods, and goals.

Theological Interpretation of the Bible

An introduction to the theological reading and interpretative practices of reading Scripture. This course involves a survey of biblical interpretation and the variety of methodologies that have been used to study Scripture.

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Church History I

A study of the Christian Church from the first century through the Middle Ages, focusing on the development of doctrine and ecclesiastical institutions.

Church History II

A study of the Christian Church from the Reformation to the present, focusing on doctrinal development and divergence, the division of Western Christendom, the impact of the Enlightenment, and ecumenical initiatives.

Introduction to Biblical Greek I

An introduction to the basic structures, grammar, and vocabulary of biblical Greek (Koine).

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Introduction to Biblical Greek II

A continuation of REL-222.

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Reformation Theology

A study of the central doctrines of Reformed theology, as rooted in the bible, formulated by key theologians, including John Calvin and Herman Bavinck, and summarized in the ecumenical creeds and Reformed confessions. Students will have an opportunity to study the historical development of these theological doctrines, as well as their contemporary application.

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Foundations of Mission and Ministry I

An introductory study of the biblical and theological foundations and the historical development of mission. Selected current issues and problems will be examined.

Foundations of Mission and Ministry II

this course build on REL-253 in theological and practical ways. Students examine the Biblical imperative for Gospel proclamation in order to provide the theological framework for understanding the Church’s role in Missio Dei. Cultural anthropology addresses the question of the faithful contextualization of the Gospel in human contexts so that people believe and communities are transformed. Students will study intercultural communication theory and practice to encourage a greater awareness of the challenges and opportunities of announcing the Gospel of the Kingdom.

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Spiritual Formation for Ministry

This course seeks to ground students in an understanding of ministry shaped by Trinitarian theology. Furthermore, it offers a variety of tools to enable students to develop spiritual practices drawn from ancient, tested traditions to encourage a balanced spiritual life that can sustain the challenges and joys of ministry.

Reading Scripture with the Global Church

A seminar course surveying advanced hermeneutics and readings of Scripture in the church, historically and globally. This course examines some of the classic texts on the practices of interpreting Scripture.

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Old Testament Studies: The Pentateuch

An intensive study of the Pentateuch, paying special attention to historical context, critical methodologies, literary structures, and theological themes.

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Old Testament Studies: The Writings

An intensive study of literary and theological aspects of the poetic and wisdom literature of the Old Testament.

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New Testament Studies: The Gospels and Acts

An intensive study of the gospels and Acts in their historical, cultural, and literary context.

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New Testament Studies: The Pauline Epistles

An intensive study of the historical, literary, doctrinal, and ethical aspects of the Pauline Epistles.

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Philosophy of Religion

A treatment of philosophical issues as they arise in religious experience and in theological thought, such as the nature of religious language, the enterprise of proving God’s existence, and the prospect of defining or circumscribing religion.

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Theology in the Contemporary World

A seminar course exploring the nature and tasks of theological thought and practice. Traditional and contemporary resources, methods, and challenges will be engaged. Paradigmatic approaches in the history of the church and western culture will be surveyed.

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Leadership, Coaching, and Mentoring in Ministry

The purpose of this course is to develop an awareness of the leadership dynamics involved in youth ministry that flow from the intersection between four realities: the youth pastor, adolescents, the ministering context, and the cultural context. The ministering context will be used as the “anchoring reality” around which the others will be explored.

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Foundations of Evangelism and Discipleship

An examination of the character of discipleship in youth ministry, and an application of discipleship to many specific youth ministry practices.

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Teaching Scripture and the Christian Faith

This course is designed to prepare students to teach the Bible (other other foci of the Christian faith) in various ministry contexts. The course examines how different genres of Scripture require different hermeneutical and pedagogical methods. The course maps a path for education for life through a conversation with critical pedagogy as seen through the lens of the Kingdom of God.

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Youth Culture and Spiritual Formation

This course seeks to describe and analyze frameworks for understanding young adult spiritual formation in the light of North American social and cultural context. The objective is to equip youth workers for a deeper understanding of the developmental needs of their students and the cultural influences that may be forming, de-forming, and re-forming them.

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World Religions

A study of the history, belief-systems, and practice of the major non-Christian religions. Special consideration will be given to problems surrounding a missionary encounter and dialogue with these religions.

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Gospel, Church, and Culture

This course examines the relationship between Church, gospel, and the cultures found in North American cities so that students learn to communicate the gospel contextually and faithfully.

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Liturgies: Rhythms of Restoration, Hope & Grace

This course examines the biblical and theological principles, challenges, and opportunities that liturgies offer the church as God’s agent for reconciliation in a fallen world. Students will study and compose a variety of contextualized liturgies using a blend of ancient-future practices that draw from the deep tradition of the Church and make use of the richness of the arts as a way to communicate hope and grace.

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Conflict Transformation

This course prepares students to confront the challenges of conflict in ministry or communities with the necessary skills that can transform conflicts into opportunities for the collective growth of character. Conflict transformation practices promote healthy communities that are based on Biblical values of compassion, peacemaking and restorative justice.

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Poverty and Urban Development Design Project

This course provides students with the tools to design projects that will contribute to the well-being of the community from a uniquely Christian perspective as an essential component of an urban ministry program. Students will have the opportunity to participate in community projects.

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