This course provides a broad overview of the supernatural worldview of the biblical writers across the Old and New Testaments. Elements of this course include: (1) what the writers thought about the reality of spiritual entities loyal to, and in rebellion against, the God of Israel; (2) how the intersection (positive and negative) of spirit beings in the human realm propels the meta-narrative of biblical theology; and (3) how the engagement of the spiritual and human realm impacts other areas of biblical theology. The purpose of this course is to demonstrate the necessity and reward of interpreting biblical content in light of the writers’ ancient cultural, religious, and intellectual frame of reference.

In this course students will study the argument of the Pastoral Epistles (1 and 2 Timothy and Titus) are constructed and what they mean for the life of the church today. Special attention will be paid to the critical questions that have dominated modern research, but we will especially focus on the theological themes of the epistles. The purpose of this course is to develop a theologically focused approach to exegesis, through a sustained analysis of the Pastoral Epistles, and provide a strong basis for good communication of their message in a teaching ministry.

In this course students will study how the Bible has been interpreted through the course of Church history, with special attention being paid to the different methods used and the connections with doctrine and church life generally. Students will be introduced to the history of the interpretation of particular books of the Bible that have played an important role at different times.

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 course equips students with the hermeneutical and homiletical skills to preach Christ from the Law, Prophets, and Psalms in a manner that is faithful to the divinely intended message of the Old and New Testaments. The course stands upon two theological convictions about the Old Testament that arise primarily from Luke 24: 1) that the Old Testament is Christian Scripture, and 2) that the Old Testament speaks of Christ. For the capstone project, students will prepare five Christocentric sermons from selected Old Testament texts, thereby demonstrating the ability to communicate the “Christ centered, gospel driven, mission focused” message of Scripture.

DM888: This doctoral-level class combines a theological and philosophical study of ethical theory with the practical demands of ethical ministry work. By means of a survey of approaches to ethics, secular and theological, the class will approach ethical problems to examine them in the complexities of practical application. Students should expect to be equipped for the usual and expected ethical issues in practical ministry with congregants, with the means to approach the unusual and unexpected when they arise. Furthermore, students will be challenged to consider organizational structures to both define and provide accountability to appropriate ethical standards for themselves personally as ministry leaders and to the ministries to which they are called. 

This is the first of two courses that introduce students to the basic elements of Biblical Greek.