In this course, students will examine the application of the gospel to individuals and to the whole earth. We will focus on the application of salvation (ordo salutis), the means of grace, and the kingdom of God. The students will be introduced to pertinent biblical texts and themes, theological terms, key figures, and the importance of culture and history in framing various debates. As the last of three courses in systematic theology, particular attention will be given to the eschatological shape of all Christian theology. 

This course explores many of the historical, political, and cultural factors that influenced and shaped the Reformed tradition and spirituality. Students will consider the biblical, philosophical, and intellectual development of Reformed churches and confessions. Course readings include the Westminster Confession of Faith, John Owen’s Communion with the Triune God, and Edward Fisher’s The Marrow of Modern Divinity.

This course examines basic philosophical topics and historical philosophical thought in order to prepare students to understand current theological issues and interpret historical theology.

The course is designed to help the student prepare for the future use of the skills in the ministry of the Word.  Doing sound exegesis is more a way of thinking about the actual text of the Bible than it is a simple method of Bible study.  It involves learning how to ask the right questions in the process of interpreting the text and answering them within the proper guidelines of what the language, the context, and the theology provide. The method will include the study of syntax, words, poetics, textual criticism, biblical theology, and practical exegetical exposition of the different parts of the Old Testament.

 The course is not a course in reading Hebrew and parsing the verb forms, although it will include both.  It is a course in developing the various skills needed to do a thorough job of Old Testament exegesis.  This course builds on the first year Hebrew courses and it is not a remedial Hebrew course, but in the process of analyzing the text it will afford the student the opportunity to review points of morphology and grammar. 

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 is an exciting journey through the epic literary genre in Western literature. Together, we will explore the key motifs and themes in classic epic literature spanning the period from the ancient world up to modern times. In this class, we will learn how to define an epic, learn how to identify key works of literature as epics, and study the main themes present in epic works of literature. Along the way we will see how gospel narratives of creation, fall, redemption, and restoration can be seen in the epic genre. 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 introduces the mission of the Church.  It seeks to ground missions in Scripture in order to analyze and develop biblical mission theory and practice. It will cover different perspectives on the meaning of “missional” and explore what it means to be “gospel centered” in our mission and practice, both locally and globally. Above all, it is designed to encourage a passion for the glory of God as revealed in the salvation of the peoples of the earth.

By its nature, the Old Testament is difficult to preach and teach in a contemporary twenty-first century Christian context. While filled with exciting stories, profound poems, pithy wisdom, and scintillating prophecies, it is often hard to know how to bridge the horizon from the ancient world to the modern world. But it is especially problematic when it comes to certain difficult topics, such as those that deal with (among other topics) slavery, patriarchy, sexuality, creation/evolution, and divine violence. Through lecture and reading we will address the continuing relevance of the Old Testament for the church in the twenty-first century with a particular focus on these particularly difficult issues.