Catalog Course Descriptions
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MASTER OF DIVINITY
CHH 621 – 3
CHH 622 – 3
CHH 623 – 2 hours Baptist Heritage This course is a study of Baptist origins, development, principles, leaders, and current trends with emphasis on Baptists in the
CHH 822 – 3 hours Classics of Christian Devotion (Prerequisites: CHH 621 & CHH 622) This course introduces students to selected Christian devotional classics through the disciplines of history, spirituality, and personal reflection.
CHH 900 – 2 hours Thesis Writing I for Church History The first semester of required thesis writing for Academic Research track students specializing in Church History.
CHH 901 – 2 hours Thesis Writing II for Church History The second semester of required thesis writing for Academic Research track students specializing in Church History.
CRE 682 – 3 hours Faith Development This course introduces the issues of how faith is nurtured in individuals and communities, and how the church can fulfill its mission of faith education. Students will study a range of developmental processes in children, adolescents, andadults, and how learning occurs through the life-stages of individuals, families, andcommunities. Practical issues of how Christian education can be structured and developed in the local church will also be addressed.
CRE 684 – 3 hours Church Administration (May count towards the Christian Education Track) This course is an introductory study of administration in the congregational context. Issues of ongoing management, long-range planning, goal-setting, finances, budget-planning, committee structures and church polity will be discussed.
CRE 685 – 3 hours Ministry with Children (May count towards the Christian Education Track) This course will take the theories of faith development and apply them to practical ministries for children in the church. Students will learn how to plan and implement educational programs, worship services, mission projects and fellowship opportunities that will enhance the spiritual learning and growth of children.
CRE 686 – 3 hours Ministry with Youth (May count towards the Christian Education Track) This course will take the theories of faith development and apply them to practical ministries for youth in the church. Students will learn how to plan and implement educational programs, worship services, mission projects and fellowship opportunities that will enhance the spiritual learning and growth of youth.
CRE 687 – 3 hours Ministry with Adults (May count towards the Christian Education Track) This course will take the theories of faith development and apply them to practicalministries for adults in the church. Students will learn how to plan and implementeducational programs, worship services, mission projects and fellowship opportunities that will enhance the spiritual learning and growth of adults.
CRE 883 – 3 hours Church Pedagogy and Curriculum Development (May count towards the Christian Education Track) This course will introduce students to the notion that sound teaching methodology and challenging content are both integral to the mission and ministry of Christian Education in the local church. Therefore, students will practice and evaluate various models of teaching and they will learn the basics of good curriculum development.
CRE 882 – 3 hours Theological Approaches to Christian Education (May count towards the Christian Education Track) This course will attempt to integrate and probe the conversation between the disciplines of education and theology about the processes by which Christian faith is embodied, communicated and re-formed within the church and culture. It will address, from the perspective of Christian education, some of the crucial theological issues central to the educational task.
ETH 610 – 3 hours Christian Ethics, Law, & Public Policy (Prerequisite: Min. 54 hrs completed or permission of instructor. May count towards Christian Social Ethics Track) This course will explore social-ethical issues arising at the intersection of law, Christian ethics, and public policy. The key purpose of the course is to offer an interdisciplinary engagement with major social issues as these are contested in courts of law and public opinion, and not least, in the church itself. Taught as a joint Law/Theology course, the class aims to enhance learning through the intellectual encounter between Law and Theology/Ethics and the personal encounter between law students, ministry students, and faculty from both fields.
ETH 612 – 3 hours Ethics of Human Dignity (Prerequisite: ETH 641) This course offers an intensive engagement with diverse theological and moral thinkers, most of whom have in common a passion for the analysis, recognition, and advance of human dignity. The presupposition of the course is that human dignity—the equal, immeasurable, and inviolable worth of each and every human being, and the just and dignified treatment which appropriately follows—ought to be viewed as a central human and Christian moral norm (knowing) and ought to shape the personal, ecclesial, and social character (being) and behavior (doing) of all followers of Jesus Christ.
ETH 800 – 1 to 3 hours Special Topics Baptist Social Ethicists (Prerequisite: ETH 641) An investigation of important Baptist thinkers and activists who have influenced Church and society for social change in the application of the gospel. Students will engage in research on a specific Baptist with attention primarily to actors within the twentieth century.
ETH 900 – 2 hours Thesis Writing I for Ethics The first semester of required thesis writing for Academic Research track students specializing in Ethics.
ETH 901 – 2 hours Thesis Writing II for Ethics The second semester of required thesis writing for Academic Research track students specializing in Ethics.
EVM 601 – 3 hours Faces of Jesus: A Global Perspective This course will examine ways in which Jesus is perceived through the lens of many of the world's religious traditions.It will examine Jesus as an historical person, as a spiritual figure, and as Savior.Emphasis will be given to a view of Jesus from the two-thirds world.Students will be encouraged to discover ways to talk about Jesus with persons from other faith traditions and to explore new avenues of missiological encounters.
EVM 602 – 3 hours Mission of God in the 21st Century This course assesses the church's role in the mission of God in the twenty-first century through the lens of previous historical shifts in the church's understanding of this mission, cultural realities that have shaped Christian mission, emerging missiological perspectives, and the shaping influence of churches in the eastern and southern hemispheres. Mission leaders from around the world will be conversation partners to assist students in understanding the twenty-first century context.
EVM 603 – 3 hours Mentoring: Urban Mission (Required for Urban Mission Track) Students in the Urban Mission track are required to complete a semester of placement.In consultation with the professor, this is to be in an urban setting within the I-285 loop in Atlanta.
EVM 605 – 3 hours Mentoring: Global Christianity (Required for Global Christianity Track) Students in the Global Christianity track are required to complete a semester of placement.In consultation with the professor, this is to be a cross-cultural, preferably overseas, mentoring experience.
EVM 606 – 3 hours Church Planting This course will overview the current missiological conversations around starting new churches. Issues around the postmodern situation, ecclesiology, and missional church will be explored as these relate to starting a new church in the current cultural realities. Readings will explore specific contexts such as urban mission and ministry as well as practical questions of administration and polity necessary for setting in place an infrastructure of starting a new church.
EVM 661 – 3 hours Evangelism and Mission I Taught in two sections, this course gives the student an introduction to mission and evangelism in the life of the church. Biblical theology, history, and practical theology will help to focus the discussion. Students will be exposed to research in sociology and contextualization issues that relate to mission and evangelism. Special attention will be given to practical application and to creative approaches to mission and evangelism that will effectively penetrate the multi-cultural context.
EVM 662 – 3 hours Evangelism and
EVM 800 – 1 to 3 hours Special Topics
EVM 801 – 3 hours Understanding Urban Mission (Prerequisite: EVM 661; Required for Urban Mission Track. May count towards Christian Social Ethics Track) This course will introduce historical, sociological and theological understandings of the city and explore various approaches to the mission of the church in the urban context.
EVM 802 – 3 hoursPeace, Justice, and Reconciliation This course explores the philosophical roots of justice, peacemaking, and reconciliation as foundational building blocks in an emerging mission theology.
EVM 861 – 3 hours Postmodernity: Its Impact on
EVM 865 – 3 hours History of Evangelism This course is a survey of significant periods in the history of evangelistic movements. Evangelism prior to Pietism, pioneers of pietistic evangelism, evangelistic movements ofthe 18th century, evangelism in the age of mission, the Second Great Awakening, and evangelism since World War I. The course will close with an examination of evangelism unique to the Southern Baptist Convention.
EVM 866 – 3 hours Mission Immersion Experience (Prerequisites: EVM 661 & EVM 662) The mission immersion experience gives students the opportunity to participate in mission opportunities outside their own culture. The focus of the experience will be on ministry and mission in the 2/3rds world or at home. Students will experience different cultures, worldviews and lifestyles and hopefully gain further appreciation for world mission opportunities, which can be incorporated into their call to ministry.
EVM 867 – 3 hours Introduction to World Religions (May count towards Global Christianity Track) This course introduces the student to the diverse historical, philosophical, and spiritual foundations from which several major religions have developed. The course will consist of a survey of selected religions and include an examination of the impact these religions have made on the world. Basic principles of Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Chinese Religion, Shintoism, Judaism, Christianity and alternative paths will be examined in the context of social, cultural, geographic, political, and economicconditions in which they developed.
EVM COL – 3 hours Colloquium: The City and The Church (Prerequisite: EVM 661; Required for Urban Mission Track) A reading and discussion colloquium examining issues related to urban ministry with attention to the processes of urbanization, the impact of global urbanization on the church and strategies for congregational effectiveness in the urban context with focus on metropolitan
MIN 610 – 3 hours How to be an Effective Pastor This course will help students to define, discern, and articulate the role of the pastor; increase their love for the pastorate; strengthen their faith in the church as a valid setting in which to perform effective ministries for Christ; and prepare to do well in pastoral ministry, including how to survive first and then thrive.
MIN 652 – 3 hours Leading Congregations and Ministry Organizations (Meets Leadership Requirement) An examination of the processes of leading as a minister.The language of leadership as a static noun is shifted to the more dynamic quality of leading as a verbal reality. The focus of the course is on the elements that distinguish congregations and ministry organizations as organic organizations that involve multiple elements of being, knowing, and doing for relating to laity and staff to fulfill the mission of God in the world.
MIN 653 – 3 hours Leadership in the Black Church (Meets Leadership Requirement) This course serves as a broad introduction into leadership in the Black Church. The course focuses extensively on the theoretical, ideological and practical implications of leadership opportunities and challenges present within the Black Church. It also delves into several specialized and contextual topics in black church dynamics, including socio-economic structures, political influences, management of financial resources, gender roles, black family life, and the relevancy of the Black Church in the life of the community and its people. Leadership will be developed through the engagement of multiple elements of being, knowing, and doing in order to fulfill the mission of God in the world.
MIN 800 – 1 to 3 hours Special Topics African American Religions This course is intended to familiarize the student with the religious expressions of African Americans, past and present. Special attention will be given to the histories and practices of religious expressions of African Americans and the synthesis in the varieties of religious expressions, enabling the student to apply these learnings to ministry opportunities.
MIN 801 – 3 hours Change and Conflict in the Church (Required for Urban Mission Track) This course will be an examination of the nature and dynamics of change and conflict in churches and religious institutions. The course studies the leadership role of the minister in effecting change and understanding conflict with focus on the skills needed to serve as a change agent.
MIN 802 – 3 hours Congregational Song The study of congregational music used in worship, including hymns, choruses, and scripture songs. The course includes the study of the historical development of hymns, analysis of the literary, scriptural and theological content of congregational songs, inclusion of world music (
MIN 803 – 3 hours Judaism: History thought, & Practice Judaism reflects the story of a complex amalgam of a particular people seeking God and of God reaching out to that people.That four thousand year old drama is still playing out among Jewish communities here in Atlanta, in Jerusalem, Cape Town, Moscow, London, Paris, Berlin, Buenos Aires, Singapore, Mumbai and just about anywhere one's finger could land on a spinning globe. This course attempts to provide a historical, theological, and practical introduction to Judaism and the Jewish community.
MIN 851 – Campus Ministry An introduction to developing and implementing Christian ministry on the college campus with an emphasis on involving local congregations.
MIN 853 – 3 hours Women: Believing, Worshiping and Ministering This course will focus on women in the church and how a feminine perspective shapes and influences theology, worship and ministerial roles. Special attention will be given to issues that affect women ministers both spiritually and vocationally.
MIN 901 – 3 hours Mentoring for Congregational Ministry (Prerequisites:
MIN 902 – 3 hours Mentoring for Contextual Leadership (Prerequisites:
MIN 903 – 3 hours Capstone The Capstone course is required for graduation and must be taken in a student's last year. The objective of the course is to help students to integrate the various facets of the Master of Divinity curriculum in preparation for graduation and entry into a full-time ministry position. To that end it involves students in critical reflection on issues in ministry from biblical, historical, theological and pastoral perspectives.
MIN 906 – 3 hours Supervised Teaching Ministry This course will provide faculty supervision for students who are teaching a single course in a pre-approved academic (non-ecclesial) capacity. Faculty supervisors will consult regarding syllabus construction, provide coaching for students throughout the course, and evaluate student pedagogy. Students must secure the teaching placement, solicit a faculty supervisor, and gain approval of the master's degree program committee prior to registration.
NTG 608 – 3 hours Gospel of Matthew (Prerequisite: NTG 611) The goals of this course are to lead you to understand the life setting of the Gospel of Matthew; appreciate its literary design and subtleties of meaning; recognize the contribution of this Gospel to the theology of the early church; be able to interpret passages from Matthew, with a keen sensitivity to Matthean themes and theology; relate the Gospel to contemporary ethical, social, and religious issues; and cultivate an appreciation for Matthew as a source of spiritual nurturance and direction.
NTG 609 – 3 hours The Bible and Popular Culture (Prerequisites: At least one introductory course in Old Testament and one introductory course New Testament. Cross-listed as OTH 609) This course develops skills for analyzing contemporary culture, biblical literature, and the intersection between the two. Participants will engage biblical allusion and interpretation in a variety of genres, including, but not limited to: film, television, music, literature, art, political rhetoric, and the like. The course will also enable participants to engage popular culture in teaching the Bible in either church or academic settings.
NTG 611 – 3 hours Jesus and the Gospels This course seeks to enable students to become more informed readers and more skilled interpreters of the Gospels. It engages historical questions about Jesus and the writing of the Gospels, it introduces various methods of interpretation, and it probes the meaning of Gospel texts for contemporary believers.
NTG 612 – 3 hours Paul and the
NTG 613 – 3 hours Greek Exegesis I This course provides students with an introduction to New Testament Greek. Basic grammar and very frequent words are covered with the intentional goal of attaining a beginning competency, not only in translation, but also in exegesis of New Testament texts.
NTG 614 – 3 hours Theology & Ethics in Paul (May count towards Christian Social Ethics Track) This course will examine key theological and ethics issues in the New Testament writings attributed to the Apostle Paul.It will also examine the interpretation of Paul in one or more Christian thinkers (e.g., Augustine, Luther, Wesley, Barth, Tillich) through an examination of two or more of their sermons.Methodist students who choose Wesley may satisfy the Methodist doctrinal requirement for ordination.
NTG 803 – 3 hours Greek Exegesis II (Prerequisite: NTG 613) This course, a continuation of NTG 613, will complete the introductory grammar and stress not only translational skills, but also Greek exegesis of particular texts, including hermeneutical exploration and contemporary application.
NTG 805 – 3 hours Apocalyptic Literature (Prerequisite: One of the following NTG 611, NTG 612, OTH 604, or OTH 605) This course is a study of the rise and development of apocalypticism from the second temple period to the mid-second century CE in Judaism and early Christianity. While several books will be read, the course will focus upon Daniel and Revelation.
NTG 808 – 3hours The Kingdom of God This course is a comprehensive study of the kingdom of God sayings of Jesus with particular attention to exegesis and dialogue with the considerable body of scholarly publications.
NTG 809 – 3 hours The Book of Ephesians (Prerequisite: NTG 612) This course is an examination of the meaning and message of the book of Ephesians within its cultural context, its place in the Pauline corpus, and its role in contemporary discussions.
NTG 810 – 3 hours Miracles of Jesus The Miracles of Jesus is an elective in New Testament based on the English text. This course will examine the miracles of Jesus with a particular focus on the healing narratives, inclusive of the exorcisms in both the Synoptics and John. It will raise scientific and critical issues, place the miracle tradition in historical context, involve the students in careful exegesis of the texts, and pay some thoughtful attention to contemporary relevance.
NTG 811 – 3 hours The Gospel of John The objective of this course is to lead students into a life-long love affair with the Gospel of John. This Gospel is at once the simplest and the most profound of the Gospels; and it has had a formative impact on our understanding of Jesus and on the church's Christology. This course leads the student into an intense reading of the Gospel in conversation with some of John's leading interpreters.
NTG 813 – 3 hours The Gospel of Mark The Gospel of Mark has been at the center of modern scholarship on Jesus and the study of the synoptic Gospels. This course examines the composition of Mark, its leading themes, and its theological distinctives. It also acquaints the student with Markan scholarship, and the power of the gospel story in worship and preaching.
NTG 814 – 3 hours Jesus in Contemporary Research (Prerequisite: NTG 611) Taught as a seminar, this course surveys the history of scholarship on Jesus from David Friedrich Strauss to the present, with particular emphasis on the methodology, resulting portraits, and theological significance of the work of the leading contributors to contemporary studies of the historical Jesus.
NTG 815 – 3 hours The Gospel of Luke This course is an examination of the Gospel of Luke as an apologetic presentation of the ministry and significance of Jesus Christ, its literary and theological features, and the message of Luke for contemporary Christians.
NTG 816 – 3 hours The Book of Acts This course is an examination of the book of Acts as an example of Greco-Roman historiography and as the companion volume to the Gospel of Luke which concentrates on the ministry of the Apostles and apostolic figures in the expansion of the Christian movement. Possible lessons for the contemporary church shall also be examined.
NTG 817 – 3 hours Sermon on the Mount (May count towards the Christian Social Ethics Track) The purpose of the course is to encounter the various texts of the Great Sermon with an acute sense of radical discipleship and its implications. The primary template will be the SM but with constant correlation with the SP.
NTG 818 – 3 hours Interpretation of the Parables of Jesus This course is a critical analysis of the body of the parabolic literature in the synoptics, interacting with the most recent scholarship, including the Jesus Seminar. Using a triangular model, attention will be given to the historical, theological and literarydimensions, with particular emphasis upon the latter. The primary focus will fall upon the text as performative act in the ministry of Jesus, but with eventual interest in the practicalhermeneutical implications for the life of the church and the world.
NTG 819 – 3 hours African-American Biblical Interpretations An historical and theological examination of the role of the Bible in the African-American church from 1800 to the present, examining the writings and sermons of such leading figures as Richard Allen, David Walker, J.W.C. Pennington, Mitzi Smith, Henry McNeal Turner, Benjamin Mays, M.L. King, Jr., Jacqueline Grant, Cain Felder, and Clarice Martin. This course will be ecumenical and theologically diverse.
NTG 820 – 3 hours The Book of Revelation (Prerequisite: NTG 612) This course is an examination of the book of Revelation within the historical continuum of Jewish and Christian apocalypticism and also within the cultural context of the first century Roman Empire. The course shall also examine the theological, ethical, and cultural dimensions of the book of Revelation.
NTG 900 – 2 hours Thesis Writing I for New Testament The first semester of required thesis writing for Academic Research track students specializing in New Testament.
NTG 901 – 2 hours Thesis Writing II for New Testament The second semester of required thesis writing for Academic Research track students specializing in New Testament.
OTH 603 – 3 hours Hebrew Exegesis I This course introduces the study of biblical Hebrew for the purposes of exegesis. Students will learn basic phonology, morphology, syntax and grammar and will concentrate on building and using tools in the study of biblical Hebrew. Students will also be introduced to a variety of exegetical methods.
OTH 604 – 3 hours Old Testament I This course introduces the study of the Old Testament and gives students tools for continuing study of this portion of the scriptures. Special attention will be given to the Old Testament's backgrounds in history, canonical formation, language and translation,literary form and reading, history of interpretation, and use in the Christian church.
OTH 605 – 3 hours Old Testament II (Prerequisite: OTH 604) This course continues and completes the introduction to the Old Testament begun inOTH 604.
OTH 606 – 3 hours The Book of the Twelve (Prerequisite: OTH 604) This course is an in-depth study of the Book of the Twelve. Special attention will be paid to the canonical shape of the Book of the Twelve as well as the different theologies and messages of each individual prophet.
OTH 607 – 3 hours The Literature of Ugarit (Prerequisite: OTH 806) This is an introductory course to the Literature of Ugarit. The goal of the course is that students will: understand the basic structure and vocabulary of Ugaritic; study the content of a number of the epic poems of Ugarit; examine how the Ugaritic texts contribute to our understanding of the God of the Old Testament; and develop tools for continuing study of this important aspect of Old Testament studies.
OTH 609 – 3 hours The Bible and Popular Culture (Prerequisites: At least one introductory course in Old Testament and one introductory course New Testament. Cross-listed as NTG 609) This course develops skills for analyzing contemporary culture, biblical literature, and the intersection between the two. Participants will engage biblical allusion and interpretation in a variety of genres, including, but not limited to: film, television, music, literature, art, political rhetoric, and the like. The course will also enable participants to engage popular culture in teaching the Bible in either church or academic settings.
OTH 800 – 1 to 3 hours Special Topics
OTH 803 – 3 hours Teaching from the Wisdom Literature Roland Murphy writes that wisdom literature is "exciting" because it deals directly with life. This course will explore the phenomenon of "wisdom" in the ancient Near East and in the Hebrew Bible, examine the Books of Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, The Wisdom of Sirach and the Wisdom of Solomon, and discuss how the "wisdom" of the Hebrew Bible can be appropriated into the everyday life of Christians.
OTH 804 – 3 hours Using the Psalms in Pastoral Care (Prerequisite: OTH 603) The Psalter is the most well-known and widely-used portion of the Old Testament in the Christian church. The psalmists sing hymns of praise to God, cry out against God, cryout to God for help and deliverance, invoke the wrath of God upon their enemies, and celebrate the sovereignty of God over all creation. Using a variety of methods, this course will explore the ways ministers can use the riches of the Psalter in their daily care of people.
OTH 806 – 3 hours Hebrew Exegesis II (Prerequisite: OTH 603) This course is a continuation of Hebrew Exegesis I. Students will complete their study of basic biblical Hebrew grammar and begin reading selected texts in Hebrew. Attention will be given to the Hebrew form of the texts and to particular issues that present themselves in the process of reading. Students will complete a major exegetical project incorporating their learning of exegetical method with their newly acquired translation skills.
OTH 808 – 3 hours Social Justice in the Old Testament (Prerequisite: OTH 604; May count towards the Christian Social Ethics Track) Students in this course will investigate issues of social justice, focusing on the problem of wealth and poverty in different portions of the Hebrew canon (includinglegal material, narratives, prophets, and wisdom). The goal of the course is to provide resources for developing a biblical perspective on social ethics. The course will include analyses of historical and societal norms in ancient Israel and Judah as well as findingpoints of comparison and contrast to contemporary social and economic structures.
OTH 810 – 3 hours The Book of Psalms (Prerequisite: OTH 806) The book of Psalms is perhaps the most well-known and best-loved of the books of the Old Testament and the Hebrew Bible.In it, human beings find words to express to express their joys and sorrows, their questions and concerns, their utter wonder and complete despair in the presence of God.Nahum Sarna, a Jewish scholar, writes:"In the Psalms, the human soul extends itself beyond its confining, sheltering, impermanent house of clay.It strives for contact with the Ultimate Source of all life.It gropes for an experience of the divine Presence.The biblical psalms are essentially a record of the human quest for God" (On the Book of Psalms:Exploring the Prayers of Ancient Israel [New York:Schocken Books, 1993], 3). As the course title suggests, the participants in this course will examine the overall structure and message of the book of Psalms, its individual components, and its interpretation by and influence on the people of God throughout the millennia. The students will undertake a particularly close study of the wisdom psalms, their structures and components, and their contribution to the shaping of the Psalter. In this course, students will: critically study the shape and story of the macro and micro components of the Psalter; integrate the words of the Psalter into their own striving for contact with the "Ultimate Source" of all life; and discover ways in which they might be able to help others appropriate the words of the Psalter in their own quests for communicating with God.
OTH 811 – 3 hours Ezekiel and the Theology of Exile (Prerequisite: OTH 603) This course explores the book of Ezekiel with special consideration given to the theological and ethical responses to the destruction of
OTH 812 – 3 hours History of the Bible This course is designed as an in-depth study of the History of the Bible.Our emphasis will be on the English translations of the text. The study will begin withthe formation of the Old and New Testament Canons and early translations in Latin and other Indo-European language. It will then move to examine the development of English versions of the Bible from the time of the English Reformation to the twenty-first century.
OTH 813 – 3 hours Biblical Aramaic (Prerequisite: OTH 806 or permission of instructor) In this course, students will read and study the Aramaic portions of the Old Testament found in the books of Daniel and Ezra.The goal of the course is that students understand the basic structure and vocabulary of biblical Aramaic, that they be able to deal with and reflect on the Aramaic texts in both personal faith and public ministry, and that they develop tools and methods for continuing to study this portion of Scripture.
OTH 814 – 3 hours Northwest Semitics Texts (Prerequisite: OTH 806) In this course, students will read and study texts written in various dialects of Northwest Semitic, including, among others, The Mesha Inscription, the Karatepe Inscription, the Tell Dan Inscription, the Deir Alla Text, and the Siloam Tunnel Inscription. The goal of the course is that students develop an understanding of the Northwest Semitic language group and that they gain greater insight into the biblical text through their studies of texts from surrounding "contemporary" cultures.
OTH 900 – 2 hours Thesis Writing I for Old Testament The first semester of required thesis writing for Academic Research track students specializing in Old Testament.
OTH 901 – 2 hours Thesis Writing II for Old Testament The second semester of required thesis writing for Academic Research track students specializing in Old Testament.
PAC 603 – 3 hours Dreams as a Resource for Pastoral Care (Prerequisite: PAC 671) This course will enable students to understand and make use of dreams as a resource for pastoral care. Students will learn and integrate psychological, Biblical, theological and spiritual perspectives on interpreting dreams. Learners will explore in depth their own experiences with dreams. Students will develop and practice skills to use dreams effectively in their work of ministry.
PAC 604 – 3 hours The Coaching Minister (Prerequisite: PAC 671) This course will introduce students to the knowledge, skills, and personal attributes needed for the practice of coaching within a ministry context.Students will explore theological, theoretical, spiritual and practical aspects of ministry coaching.Learners will observe, critique, and practice a process that guides persons to move toward their goals for change.
PAC 671 – 3 hours Pastoral Care This course will integrate theology and pastoral care in both personal and congregational dimensions of the minister's life in order to improve both theory and practice for ministry effectiveness in the community of faith and the world. The student's compassion and service will be nurtured and focused by dialogue with the findings of psychology of religion and the disciplines of spiritual development.
PAC 800 – 1 to 3 hours Special Topics Psychology of Religious Experience (Prerequisite: PAC 671) This course enables students to understand religious experience from a variety of psychological perspectives and to explore in depth their own religious experiences. Learners will also develop skills to interpret and facilitate religious experiences in their ministries.
PAC 801 – 3 hours Emotional Competence in Ministry (Prerequisite: PAC 671) This course introduces students to the literature and practices of emotional intelligence as a resource for pastoral ministry. Students will assess this material from pastoral theological perspectives. Students will also integrate these resources into their practice of ministry. Students will develop a beginning level of competence in the core areas of emotional intelligence: emotional self-awareness, management of one's own emotions, awareness of the emotions of others, and appropriate responses to other people's emotions. Students will explore the use of these skills in pastoral ministry.
PAC 802 – 3 hours Pastoral Care with Families (Prerequisite: PAC 671) This course addresses pastoral care and counseling with families. Students will be introduced to theories of family systems and their applications to pastoral care and counseling. Students will also be introduced to research about relationships, marriage, divorce, and child–rearing that informs pastoral care and counseling with families. Students will explore the effects of their own family experiences upon their pastoral relationships with families. Students will also develop an awareness of the emotional processes of families and how to use this awareness to enhance their pastoral care and counseling with families.
PAC 803 – 3 hours Pastoral Care with Groups and Congregations (Prerequisite: PAC 671) This course addresses pastoral care and counseling with groups and congregations. Students will be introduced to theories of group process and their applications to pastoral care and counseling with groups and congregations. Students will also be introduced to pastoral theological applications of systems theory to congregational and group care. In addition, learners will explore how their own experiences with groups and congregations affect their ministries in these settings. Students will develop an awareness of emotional processes in groups and congregations and how to respond effectively to them in pastoral care and counseling with groups and congregations.
PAC 805 – 3 hours The Theory and Practice of Pastoral Counseling (Prerequisite: PAC 671; Required for M.Div./M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling dual degree program) This course will introduce students to the ministry of pastoral counseling. It will explore pastoral counseling from a perspective that integrates theory and practice. Psychological and theological approaches to pastoral counseling will be introduced and integrated. In addition, the life and work of the pastoral counselor will be addressed. Students will gain knowledge of and appreciation for pastoral counseling.
PAC 806 – 3 hours Pastoral Theological Integration in Pastoral Care and Counseling (Prerequisite: PAC 671) This course will introduce students to the process of pastoral theological integration in the practice of pastoral care and counseling. Students will begin to develop an integrated understanding of human beings. Students will explore the following pastoral theological questions: 1) "How do people change?" 2) "How do people grow?" 3) "How do people heal?" and 4) "How do pastoral counselors facilitate these processes?" In this course, students will gain knowledge of and appreciation for pastoral theological integration in pastoral care and counseling.
PAC 807 – 6 hours Addiction and Grace (Prerequisite: PAC 671 or concurrent with PAC 671) This course will enable students to understand the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, social and theological aspects of the processes of addiction and recovery. Both substance and process addictions will be addressed. Learners will explore in depth their own experiences with addiction and grace. Students will develop and practice skills to minister effectively with addicted persons.
PAC 872 – 6 hours C.P.E. Basic Unit Elective This course gives three hours elective credit for students accepted into and completing satisfactorily an off-campus basic unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (C.P.E.). (ACPE accredited) C.P.E. is done under the direction of a certified C.P.E. supervisor in a hospital, church or other institution who aids the student in developing skills in pastoral care, interpersonal relating and theological reflection.
PAC 873 – 6 hours C.P.E. Basic Unit II Elective This course gives three hours elective credit for students accepted into and completing satisfactorily a second off-campus basic unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (C.P.E.). (ACPE accredited) C.P.E. is done under the direction of a certified C.P.E. supervisor in a hospital, church, or other institution who aids the student in developing skills in pastoral care, interpersonal relating, and theological reflection.
PRC 605 – 3 hours Ministry of Writing Effective ministry is enhanced by effective writing.This course is directed at developing students' understanding of writing as a ministry and honing their skills.Texts and discussions will introduce the principles and disciplines for a fresh, ongoing ministry of writing.In the manner of a Christian writing workshop, students will compose, share, and discuss a variety of forms of writing in service to the church.
PRC 606 – 3 hours Preaching the Gospel of Mark (Prerequisite or concurrent with: PRC 651) This course focuses on the preaching possibilities contained in the Gospel of Mark. Students will examine recent approaches to analyzing and interpreting Mark, with attention to the proclamation of particular texts. Each student will preach at least two sermons.
PRC 651 – 3 hours Preaching This course introduces the principles and disciplines of effective preaching. It offers the tools for the fresh, ongoing interpretation of scripture into the lives of listeners. Students will study cultural and congregational factors in the preaching event, methods for interpreting texts, the process of sermon development, and the practical issues of oral communication.
PRC 652 – 3 hours Worship (Prerequisite: CHH 621)
This course will introduce students to the history, theology and practice of Christian worship. Explorations will be made of the varieties of worship inPRC 654 – 3 hours Preaching and Christian Ethics (Prerequisite or concurrent with: PRC 651; May count towards Christian Social Ethics Track) This course deals with how preaching may function prophetically to address the Word of God to contemporary social structures and systems. Students will explore the interpretation and communication of the biblical witness in the context of American society. Principles will be established for how such preaching may be faithfully and effectively done in the context of pastoral ministry.
PRC 655 – 3 hours Preaching and Pastoral Care (Prerequisite or concurrent with: PRC 651; May count towards Pastoral Care Track)
PRC 800 – 1 to 3 hours Special Topics Preaching the Life of Jesus (Prerequisite or concurrent with: PRC 651) This course focuses on the life of Jesus as depicted in the four canonical Gospels. Attention is given to both the person and the actions of Jesus, and the challenges of putting into sermonic form a faithful witness to the wonder and the mystery of the event of Incarnation.
PRC 851 – 3 hours The Practice of Preaching (Prerequisite or concurrent with: PRC 651) Designed for all students whose vocation will include preaching, this course will expand the student's comprehension of the preaching task, and will give particular focus to the development and application of homiletical skills. The course includes a strong component of guided classroom preaching, discussion and response.
SPF 701 – 2 hours Spiritual Formation for Ministry I This is the first of two required courses in Spiritual Formation. It emphasizes learning to ask the right questions in order to integrate personal, academic, and professional foundations around a center of spiritual maturity. Discussion of these issues will be pursued in a context of community in a small group.
SPF 702 – 2 hours Spiritual Formation for Ministry II (Prerequisite: SPF 701) This is the second in a sequence of two required courses in spiritual formation. This course focuses on the spiritual disciplines of the inward and outward Christian journey with emphasis on aspects particular to Christian ministers and their role as spiritual guides. The purpose of the course is to help students develop discernment and delight in the experience of the Presence of God to the end that they form and lead communities in doing and speaking the truth in love; furthering the heritage of Christian spirituality; and increasing in love, trust, and obedience to Christ.
THE 901 – 2 hours Research and Design Colloquium This course is a requirement for all Academic Research Track students. The course will introduce students to the task of identifying an original research problem, establishing a research methodology, setting limits to one's research and building a bibliography. The course seeks to work with the student in conjunction with his or her academic supervisor in order to present a completed Thesis prospectus by the conclusion of the term.
THP 631 – 3 hours Theology/Philosophy I (Prerequisite: Church History Recommended) An introductory study which develops the foundations for a biblical and theological world view, this course surveys briefly the history of Western thought. It then focuses on the nature, sources and scope of systematic theology and philosophy of religion, and the foundational doctrines of revelation, God and humanity. Consistent emphasis will be given to practical application in contemporary ministry.
THP 632 – 3 hours Theology/Philosophy II (Prerequisite: Church History Recommended) This course continues THP 631 with emphasis on practical issues in theology and philosophy of religion. Theological issues include the doctrines of the church, Christian life and eschatology. Philosophy of religion issues include religious authority, epistemology, history, language, aesthetics, science, evil and suffering, and world religions. These studies will be applied throughout the semester to the practice of ministry.
THP 633 – 3 hours The City & the Church: A Global Perspective (May count towards Global Christianity Track) This course will examine cities from a global perspective and will address the unique challenges urban churches face as they seek to be witnesses of the gospel.The course investigates the diverse concerns of emergent global cities and enables the student to reflect theologically and practically on those concerns. The course will emphasize networks that can be established that link global Christians to each other.
THP 800 – 1-3 hours Special Topics African Traditional Religions (May satisfy required course for Global Christianity Track) According to most scholars (e. g., Laurenti Magesa, Douglas E. Thomas, Peter J. Paris), African religion is an institutional response to the radical needs and the inner enigmas of the human existence on the continent. It is therefore delineated as "nondogmatic lifestyle religion." The course explores the challenging reality of the African Traditional Religion (ATR). It begins with the study of its manifestation, that is, the experience of death through the "Phiku" ritual of the "Yaka Ethnic Group" in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). It will also provide a view on the methodological approach and understanding of ritual, myth, etc. In the following sections, this course will introduce the idea of religion and its holistic relevance in the contemporary world, presenting the anthropology and cosmology of the African Traditional Religion, its concept of God, and the hierarchies of the invisible and visible world.
THP 831 – 3 hours Christian Theology and Culture (Prerequisite: THP 631) This course examines the dynamic interaction of faith in life. It seeks to develop the student's competence in identifying descriptions of "Culture" and Christianity which "respectfully appreciate" and "critically evaluate" the particular worldview in his or her place of ministry. The students are encouraged to use Christian theology as a skill to be applied in a local community context through biblical interpretation, pastoral counseling, preaching, and teaching.
THP 832 – 3 hours Suffering and Evil (Prerequisite: THP 631) This course examines the philosophical and theological challenges of the problem of evil and suffering for the Judeo-Christian tradition. Various historical theological responses are evaluated such as: the free-will defense, temporal dualism, Soul-making models, protest theodicy and evolutionary models. The student is encouraged to construct his or her own theological response.
THP 833 – 3 hours Atonement and Reconciliation (Prerequisite: THP 631) This course examines the human predicament of alienation from God, from oneself and from others. The primary metaphors of the Christian tradition "sin and bondage of thewill" are examined through a survey of biblical theology and the Western Christian tradition. The course emphasizes the need for a culturally relevant Christianunderstanding of atonement and reconciliation in light of the life, ministry and death of Jesus Christ.
THP 834 – 3 hours Models of God (Prerequisite: THP 631) Models of God are central to the identity of any culture, nation, tribe, and family or self. This course asks a series of questions related to this assumption. What is the psychological and sociological basis for our search and need for the sacred? How does the religious tradition of
THP 835 – 3 hours Religious Language (Prerequisite: THP 631) The Religious Language course examines the nature, status and reference of religious metaphor and language. In order to address these issues the course must briefly identify a history of semantic theory and its relationship to religious communities. The course will introduce key personalities, terminology and ways of creating composite metaphors and image schemes for use in worship, prayer and devotional settings.
THP 836 – 3 hours Religion, Science, and the Sacred Self (Prerequisite: THP 631) This course provides an introduction to the religious view of "the Self" and its interface with contemporary science. Religion as a cultural activity is linked with the creation and maintenance of certain kinds of self-conceptions. Religion transforms biological human identity into a supernatural related self through the use of symbols. Science is called upon to describe the "what am I" question or biological identity while religious language and theology focus on the "who am I" question of supernatural identity. It is the interplay between the languages of science and theology that we see the emergence of the responsible self who asks, "How should I act" within the community. This course encourages cross-cultural communication as a context whereby participants will benefit from the diverse backgrounds and knowledge of others. This will lead to a broader and hopefully wiser understanding of oneself.
THP 837 – 3 hours Theology After the Holocaust (Prerequisite: THP 631 or THP 632; May count towards the Christian Social Ethics Track) This course is a critical consideration of the moral, religious and theological implications of Nazi Germany's "war against the Jews," the intentional and calculated destruction of some 6 million European Jews (accompanied by the enormous suffering and losses experienced by other "undesirable" groups) which is referred to as the Shoah, or Holocaust. The course considers the psychological and social worldviews of those "victimized," "the executioners," and the "bystanders." Contemporary Jewish and Christian theologies are analyzed to understand the challenges of this tragic history on both religious communities.
THP 900 – 2 hours Thesis Writing I for Theology The first semester of required thesis writing for Academic Research track students specializing in Theology.
THP 901 – 2 hours Thesis Writing II for Theology The second semester of required thesis writing for Academic Research track students specializing in Theology.