This is the first of two courses introducing the literature and theology of the Old Testament. We will cover the Pentateuch and the Historical books (Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, Chronicles, Ezra-Nehemiah). This course provides a detailed study of the text, history, and secondary matter in an effort to aid the reader/interpreter in their understanding of both the world from which the Old Testament comes to us as well as its present shape. Students will gain familiarity with the world of the Old Testament through a combination of course lectures, historical surveys, as well as reading the text itself. We will also interact with select ancient and modern readings of the Old Testament. 

This is the first of two courses examining the history of the Christian church.  Beginning with the Acts of the Apostles, this course provides a detailed study of key figures and their role in the development of Christian orthodoxy with specific attention paid to various issues including: orthodoxy and heresy; the social, political and theological context of the early church; doctrinal developments such as that of the Trinity and Christology; and church practice.  Students gain familiarity with these eras through a combination of video lectures, historical surveys and primary source texts from a wide array of early church fathers

Works of lyric literature are timeless; they are elegiac; they are poetic. This course itself is meant to be a timeless journey through some of the best pieces of poetic literature within the lyric literary genre in Western literature. Together, we will explore the key motifs and themes in classic lyric literature spanning the period from the ancient world up to modern times. In this class, we will learn how to define a lyric piece of literature, learn how to identify key works of literature as lyric, and study the main themes present in lyric works of literature. Along the way we will see how gospel themes of creation, fall, redemption, and restoration can be seen in lyric literature ranging the ancient Greeks up to the present time.  All of this will be studied with a view to seeing how the gospel of Jesus Christ has transformed and continues to transform literature, society, and culture.

This course addresses sermon preparation and delivery principles for pastors with an emphasis on textual exposition, sermon structures and delivery styles that are consistent with an understanding of the infallible truth and divine inspiration of all Scripture. A particular emphasis will be the way in which the grace that pervades Scripture and culminates in Christ affects textual interpretation and sermonic application.

This course presents critical and introductory issues in the scholarship of the Gospels and Acts. The issues will be such topics as the synoptic problem, seeming contradictions between the gospels and historical considerations in the book of Acts. This class will divide itself into three sections: first, the background of second-temple Judaism before the birth of Christ, second, the Gospels and particular exegetical issues inherent in Gospel’s scholarship including the life of Jesus, third, the book of Acts and introductory/historical issues that are particular to this important book of Church History.