Course Descriptions (School of Theology)

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COURSES OF STUDY: BIBLICAL STUDIES DIVISION

This section contains descriptions of the courses which constitute the master's-level curriculum of the Biblical Studies Division of the School of Theology. This curriculum is subject to change through normal academic channels. A schedule of courses and expanded course descriptions are published in advance of each quarter. The information in these publications supersedes the information in this catalog.

Common abbreviations and terms that appear in certain course descriptions are explained below:

MDiv core: OTC. Meets a Master of Divinity core requirement. The capitalized letters that follow indicate the core area which the course meets in the Master of Divinity curriculum. Refer to the complete list of these core area abbreviations in the Master of Divinity degree program section of the catalog. These abbreviations also appear in quarterly class schedules.

MA: SPIR. Meets a requirement in one of four areas of certain MA degrees: SPIR (Spirituality), GLBL (Globalization), MINF (Ministry Foundations), or IDPL (Interdisciplinary). These abbreviations also appear in quarterly class schedules.

Crosslist: For the course description, locate the course number that follows in the PhD Courses section of this catalog.

 

BIBLICAL STUDIES DIVISION FACULTY

  • John Goldingay, David Allan Hubbard Professor of Old Testament
  • J. Andrew Dearman, Professor of Old Testament
  • Joel B. Green, Professor of New Testament Interpretation
  • Christopher B. Hays, D. Wilson Moore Assistant Professor of Ancient Near Eastern Studies
  • Seyoon Kim, Professor of New Testament
  • J. R. Daniel Kirk, Assistant Professor of New Testament
  • Marianne Meye Thompson, George Eldon Ladd Professor of New Testament Interpretation
  • Richard C. Beaton, Associate Professor of New Testament
  • James T. Butler, Associate Professor of Old Testament
  • Richard J. Erickson, Associate Professor of New Testament
  • Mignon R. Jacobs, Associate Professor of Old Testament
  • Pamela J. Scalise, Associate Professor of Old Testament
  • David J. Downs, Assistant Professor of New Testament Studies
  • Love L. Sechrest, Assistant Professor of New Testament
  • Leslie C. Allen, Senior Professor of Old Testament
  • Donald A. Hagner, George Eldon Ladd Professor Emeritus of New Testament and Senior Professor of New Testament
  • Arthur G. Patzia, Senior Professor of New Testament
  • Russell P. Spittler, Senior Professor of New Testament

BIBLICAL LANGUAGE STUDIES (LG)

The teaching of Hebrew and Greek is under the supervision of the Old Testament and New Testament Departments. The beginning courses are taught by resident or adjunct faculty and by Graduate Teaching Fellowsñgraduate students pursuing the Th.M. or Ph.D. degrees who are committed to the teaching and use of Greek and Hebrew.

Biblical Hebrew. A knowledge of biblical Hebrew that is sufficient to begin exegetical work in the Old Testament is a prerequisite for the required Old Testament book study (designated OTBE or OTCE in the quarterly course schedule). LG502 Beginning Hebrew (8 units) is designed to give a student this ability. Students who have already acquired a knowledge of biblical Hebrew, either by course work or self-study, may meet this requirement by passing a reading evaluation examination in biblical Hebrew and may then substitute electives of their choice. Students may contact the Theology Academic Advising Office to schedule the examination.

New Testament Greek. A reading knowledge of New Testament Greek is a prerequisite for many of the New Testament courses in the M.Div. and D.Min. programs.

Reading knowledge means a knowledge of Greek vocabulary and grammar that is sufficient to begin exegetical work in the New Testament. LG512 Beginning Greek, an intensive course (12 units), designed to give a student this ability, is offered three quarters of each year on the Pasadena campus. It is also offered in a format over three quarters, beginning in the Fall Quarter.

Students who have already acquired a knowledge of New Testament Greek, either by course work or by self-study, may meet this requirement by passing the Greek Waiver Examination, which may be scheduled through the Theology Academic Advising Office. The examination is designed to test the student's ability to read and translate the New Testament in Greek, to recognize and identify common words and forms, and to explain the more common syntactical constructions. Students who pass this exam receive a waiver for the triple course (12 units) requirement in New Testament Greek in the M.Div. curriculum and may substitute electives of their choice. Passing of the exam also meets the Greek prerequisite for New Testament courses requiring Greek. In any case, no credit is granted for passing the exam.

The Divided Course Option. Normally, Beginning Hebrew and Beginning Greek will also be offered as divided courses, spread over two or three quarters respectively for four units per quarter. This option is provided for part-time students, students with low language aptitude, those whose schedules preclude taking the intensive course, those who wish to extend their study of a biblical language over a longer period of time, or those who wish to take other classes at the same time. Students taking Hebrew or Greek in the divided course option must continue in the sequence with the same section (same instructor and meeting time) in subsequent quarters. In the event that a student fails to complete a sequence successfully for any reason, when they resume the study of Hebrew or Greek, they will be required to audit or retake parts of the course previously completed, in accordance with the guidelines of the Biblical Division.

LG 502 Beginning Hebrew. The elements of Hebrew vocabulary, morphology and grammar. Offered as a two-quarter course, four units per quarter. Also offered as an intensive course in one quarter. Also taught in Spanish. 8 units. M.Div. core: HEB.

LG 506 Advanced Hebrew Grammar. This course is devoted to discussing and elucidating problems in Hebrew phonology, morphology, and syntax beyond the work possible in LG502 and the M.Div. exegetical core courses. In order to accomplish this goal, the course surveys the History of the Hebrew Language from its origins up until the Rabbinic period (ca. 1400 BCE-200 CE). Attention will be paid to diachronic aspects (e.g., archaic Hebrew, late Biblical Hebrew, Rabbinic Hebrew), dialects (e.g., northern vs. southern), and register (e.g., poetry vs. prose, vernacular vs. literary). Prerequisite: LG502 and permission of instructor.

LG 507 Hebrew Reading. This course helps students to reinforce skills learned in beginning Hebrew classes and to become acquainted with the variety of literature found in the Hebrew Bible. The class sessions and assignments emphasize reading, translating, and enjoying the Hebrew Bible. Prerequisite: LG502.

LG 512 Beginning Greek. The elements of New Testament Greek vocabulary, morphology and grammar, along with concentrated experience in reading from the Greek New Testament. Offered as a one-quarter intensive course or over three quarters. Also taught in Spanish. 12 units. M.Div. core: GRK.

LG 517 Greek Reading. Selected readings in biblical Greek designed to enable students to read extended passages with facility. Course can be repeated one time for credit as LG518. Prerequisite: LG512.

LG 518 Greek Reading. Same course as LG517 but with a different selection of readings. Course can be repeated one time for credit as LG517. Prerequisite: LG512.

LG520 Intermediate Greek. This course is designed to go beyond the typical beginning course in Greek to help the student develop a more intimate acquaintance with the grammar and syntax of the Greek language of the New Testament, the resources for studying it, and the Greek text itself. It will include (1) a survey of the major grammatical and lexical resources and their history, strengths, and weaknesses; (2) working systematically through an intermediate Greek grammar; (3) a special focus on 6-8 of the most exegetically significant areas of syntax; and (4) reading from the New Testament in order to help keep the study of grammar, syntax, and lexicography grounded in the text. Prerequisite: LG512.

LG 525 Biblical Aramaic. The elements of biblical Aramaic learned through study of the Aramaic portions of Ezra and Daniel. Prerequisite: LG502.

LG 533 Beginning Ugaritic. This course, the first of a two-course sequence, will provide the student with an introduction to the orthography, phonology, morphology, and syntax of the Ugaritic language. Since it is necessary to provide the unvocalized text with vowels, the course is also an excellent introduction to Comparative Semitic phonology and morphology. Prerequisite: LG502.

LG 534 Advanced Ugaritic. This course, a continuation of Beginning Ugaritic, LG533, will be devoted to further reading of Ugaritic literature. Prerequisite: LG533.

LG 535 Beginning Akkadian. A graded introduction to the grammar and writing system of Old Babylonian Akkadian. During this course we will read, in cuneiform copies and transliteration, a variety of genres of Akkadian texts: contracts, laws (Hammurabi's Code), omens, letters, royal inscriptions and hymns and prayers. Along our journey we will pay some attention to the history, culture, and religion of the Ancient Near East, the background of the Old Testament. Prerequisite: LG502 or permission of instructor.

LG 536 Advanced Akkadian. This course continues the graded introduction to the grammar and writing system of Old Babylonian Akkadian begun in LG535/835. During this course we will read, in cuneiform copies and transliteration, a variety of genres of Akkadian texts: contracts, laws (Hammurabi's Code), omens, letters, royal inscriptions and hymns and prayers. Along our journey we will pay some attention to the history, culture, and religion of the Ancient Near East, the background of the Old Testament. Prerequisite: LG535.

LG 546 Northwest Semitic Texts. This course will introduce the student to the more important remains of the literature of the NW Semitic sphere from the first millennium B.C., i.e., Old Phoenician, Old Aramaic, Old Hebrew, and Moabite. Prerequisite: LG502.

LG 590 Directed Study in Language. Advanced study or special projects may be arranged through the Old Testament or New Testament departments.

 

NEW TESTAMENT EXEGESIS (NE)

NE 502 Exegetical Method and Practice. Basic principles and practice of exegesis in the Greek New Testament, with attention to methodological and bibliographical resources. Also taught in Spanish. Prerequisite: LG512. M.Div. core: HERM.

NE 503 Biblical Interpretation. This course surveys the practice of interpretation from the first century to the present, examines the methods of interpretation for the different genres of the Old Testament and the New Testament, and applies the results of interpretation to worship, theology, teaching, and spiritual formation.

NE 505 Biblical Hermeneutics and Counseling. Designed to enable counselors to use the Bible accurately and effectively in their profession. Reviews foundational issues in biblical interpretation, evaluates the worldviews of counselors and various psychological disciplines which inform their understanding of the biblical text. Will attempt to develop biblical models for the role of the counselor. Second-year School of Psychology students only.

NE 506 New Testament Exegesis (Greek text). Advanced exegetical study of the Greek text of a New Testament book or books or portions of a New Testament book. Prerequisites: LG512 and NE502. NS500 or NS501 may be required for some classes. M.Div. core: NTE.

NE 517 New Testament Exegesis (Modern text). Exegetical study of the text of a New Testament book or books or portions of a New Testament book in a modern language. Prerequisite: NS500 or NS501, depending on the book.

NE 560 Afrocentric Biblical Hermeneutics. The course will examine the historical roots of hermeneutical ideologies and methodologies that marginalize the presence and influence of Africa and those of African descent upon the Bible and biblical interpretation. In addition, the course will explore the distinctives of Afrocentric hermeneutics and the contributions it makes to biblical interpretation in general.

NE 567 New Testament Exegesis (Modern text). Exegetical study of the text of a New Testament book or books or portions of a New Testament book in a modern language.

NE 590 Directed Study in Hermeneutics or New Testament Exegesis.

 

NEW TESTAMENT STUDIES (NS)

NS 500 New Testament 1: Gospels. An introduction to the literature of the four Gospels, including attention to the background, critical issues, and theological motifs. Also taught in Spanish. M.Div. core: NT1.

NS 501 New Testament 2: Acts-Revelation. An introduction to the literature of Acts through Revelation, including attention to the background, critical issues, and theological motifs. Also taught in Spanish. M Div. core: NT2.

NS 509 Life of Jesus. A study of the Gospels which focuses on the content of Jesus' message, the events of his life and his understanding of his mission. Prerequisite: NS500. M.Div. core: NTT.

NS 510 The Person and Work of Jesus. The aim of the course is to gain a critical appreciation of the understanding of the person and work of Christ in the New Testament texts. The course will examine and evaluate the development of christology and soteriology against its background in Judaism and the Hellentistic world. Particular attention will be given to the teaching of Jesus himself, to the growth of thought in the early church and to its literary deposit in the major authors of the New Testament. Several major texts of theological importance and the main christological titles will be examined. Prerequisites: NS500 and NS501, or NS502. M.Div. core: NTT

NS 511 Emergence of the Church. A study of the nature of the church in the New Testament through an examination of the biblical theology of the church, resurrection, the Holy Spirit, ministry, baptism and the Lord's Supper. Prerequisite: NS501. M.Div. core: NTT.

NS 512 Jesus and the Kingdom of God. A study of the central message of Jesus. His proclamation of the Kingdom of God is examined together with his actualization of it in his ministry. His Kingdom parables receive a special treatment, but his attitude to the law and the Temple is also examined. The course is focused on the question of Jesus' self-understanding and his aim expressed in his Kingdom preaching, and it climaxes with an exploration of the relationship between Jesus' Kingdom preaching and the apostolic gospel. Prerequisite: NS500. M.Div. Core: NTT.

NS 521 New Testament Ethics. The ethics of Jesus, early Judaism and Christianity as disclosed in the New Testament and related documents from antiquity. Special attention is given to key ethical matters as they arise from the texts and their bearing on issues in our contemporary world. Prerequisite: NS500 or NS501 or NS502. M.Div. core: NTT. Also taught in Spanish.

NS 524 Johannine Theology. An advanced seminar primarily for doctoral students open on the 500 level on a limited basis to qualified master's-level students. Crosslist: NT824. Prerequisites: NS500, NS501, NE502 and permission of the instructor.

NS525 The Cross in the New Testament. A study of the rich and various interpretations of the death of Jesus in the New Testament. Attention will be paid to Jesus' own understanding of the purpose of his death; various images used in the New Testament to articulate the significance of his death, particularly within the context of the Old Testament Scriptures; and contemporary objections or questions raised with respect to traditional expositions of the death of Jesus. Prerequisites: NS500 and NS501, or NS502. M.Div. core: NTT.

NS526 The Church in the New Testament. An exegetical and theological study, this course will focus upon key passages from the New Testament and trace the development of the church's thinking about itself. Although the course will consider historical questions, it is primarily concerned with the understanding of the church as presented in the New Testament and how this ecclesiology might impact present conceptions of the church. Prerequisites:NS500 and NS501 or NS502. M.Div. Core: NTT.

NS 531 Pauline Theology. A study of Paul's theology against his Jewish and Hellenistic background and in the light of his life and missionary situations. The course concentrates on a systematic exposition of christology, soteriology, eschatology and other leading themes. Yet Paul's relationship to Jesus-tradition and the pre-Pauline tradition, his use of Scripture, and his response to the needs in his mission fields are also examined in order to delineate the development of his theology and to understand his method of theologizing. Also taught in Spanish. Prerequisite: NS501 or NS502. M.Div. core: NTT.

NS532 Paul and the Law. This course is a study in the so-called "new perspective on Paul" as it has been discussed especially in the area of Paul and the Law. The study will be accomplished by (1) reading the major contributors to the debate, including traditional and newer approaches, (2) studying the key texts in the debate (Romans 1-11; Galatians; 2 Corinthians 3; Philippians 3), and (3) analyzing the impact of the new perspective for church ministry and theology. Prerequisite: NS501. M.Div. Core: NTT.

NS 539 Early Christologies. A study of the forms and developments of christological thought in the New Testament with attention to the Jewish and Greco-Roman contexts and to the history of scholarship on this issue. Prerequisites: NS500 and NS501. M.Div. core: NTT.

NS 543 Jesus and Paul. An advanced seminar primarily for doctoral students open on the 500 level on a limited basis to qualified master's-level students. Crosslist: NT843. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

NS 546 Community and Leadership in Paul. The content of this course is similar to NS545, except that it does not assume an introductory knowledge of the New Testament and therefore gives more attention to basic Pauline ideas and background.

NS 551 Worship in the New Testament and Today. An exegetical, historical and practical blend of New Testament study, liturgical study and the theology of worship. Prerequisite: NS501. M.Div. core: NTT.

NS 564 Second Temple Judaism. Provides an introduction to the emergence of formative Judaism in the postexilic period, the era of the second temple. Explores the variety of Judaism of this period through primary and secondary sources with special attention to its relation to Christianity and the Judaism of the Mishnah and Talmuds.

NS 590 Directed Study in New Testament Theology.

 

OLD TESTAMENT (OT)

OT 501 Pentateuch. The contents and theology of the first five books of the Old Testament. Primary attention will be given to literary nature and structure and theological message. Theories of origin and genetic development will also be covered. Also taught in Spanish. M.Div. core: OTA.

OT 502 Hebrew Prophets. The content and literary qualities of the Former and Latter Prophets in light of their historical background and their developing theological content. M.Div. core: OTB.

OT 504 Writings. A study of the books of Hagiographa with special attention to the nature of Hebrew poetry, the literary structure and importance for biblical theology of the wisdom writings. Exegesis of representative passages. M.Div. core: OTC.

OT 506 Old Testament Exegesis: Prophets. Exegetical study of the Hebrew text of an Old Testament book or portions of an Old Testament book in the Prophets. Prerequisite: LG502. M.Div. core: OTBE.

OT 507 Old Testament Exegesis: Writings. Exegetical study of the Hebrew text of an Old Testament book or portions of an Old Testament book in the Writings. Prerequisite: LG502. M.Div. core: OTCE.

OT 517 Old Testament Exegesis (Modern text). Exegetical study of the text of an Old Testament book or portions of an Old Testament book in a modern language. Prerequisite: OT507.

OT 531 The Geography of Palestine. A study of the physical and historical geography of Palestine as a necessary background to Old Testament interpretation. Slides will be used to illustrate the terrain and topography.

OT 534 Old Testament Theology. An introduction to the various approaches to the problematic nature of Old Testament theology. Emphasis given to the theology of the Psalter and to the relationship between the Old and New Testaments. Prerequisite: OT501. M.Div. core: OTB or OTC.

OT 554 Ancient Near Eastern and Ancient Israelite Religion. An advanced seminar primarily for doctoral students open on the 500 level on a limited basis to qualified master's-level students. Crosslist: OT854. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

OT 567 Old Testament Exegesis (Modern text). Exegetical study of the text of an Old Testament book or portions of an Old Testament book in a modern language.

OT569 Old Testament Theology Seminar. An advanced seminar primarily for doctoral students open on the500 level on a limited basis to qualified master's-level students. Crosslist: OT805. Prerequisites: LG502, OT501, OTB and OTCE or OTBE and OTC and Permission of instructor.

OT 570 Job and Human Suffering. Examines critically the book of Job from the perspectives of its meaning in its ancient context and its continuing significance for the modern community of faith. Addresses thematic and structural issues and explores parallels with other ancient Near Eastern representatives of theodicy literature.

OT 572 Spirituality of the Psalms. A descriptive study of the integration of theological truths and the realities of human experience illustrated in the Psalms, with opportunity for discussion of its prescriptive validity.

OT 583 Ancient Near Eastern History, Literature, and Culture. A study of Ancient Near Eastern history, literature and culture which begins with the emergence of culture in the Fertile Crescent and includes events until the division of Alexander's empire. Special attention is directed to the Sumerians, Babylonians, Assyrians, Phoenicians, and Hebrews.

OT 588 Old Testament Critical Approaches. An advanced seminar primarily for doctoral students open on the 500 level on a limited basis to qualified master's-level students. Crosslist: OT801. Prerequisites: LG502; OTA; OTB and OTCE or OTBE and OTC; and permission of instructor.

OT 590 Directed Study in Old Testament.

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COURSES OF STUDY: THEOLOGY DIVISION

THEOLOGY DIVISION FACULTY

  • James E. Bradley, Geoffrey W. Bromiley Professor of Church History
  • Colin Brown, Professor of Systematic Theology
  • William A. Dyrness, Professor of Theology and Culture
  • Robert K. Johnston, Professor of Theology and Culture
  • Veli-Matti Karkkainen, Professor of Systematic Theology
  • Howard J. Loewen, Professor of Theology and Ethics
  • Richard J. Mouw, Professor of Christian Philosophy
  • Nancey Murphy, Professor of Christian Philosophy
  • Cecil M. Robeck, Jr., Professor of Church History and Ecumenics
  • Charles J. Scalise, Professor of Church History
  • Marguerite Shuster, Harold John Ockenga Professor of Preaching and Theology
  • Glen H. Stassen, Lewis B. Smedes Professor of Christian Ethics
  • John L. Thompson, `Professor of Historical Theology and Gaylen and Susan Byker Professor of Reformed Theology
  • Grayson Carter, Associate Professor of Church History
  • Todd E. Johnson, William K. and Delores S. Brehm Associate Professor of Worship, Theology, and the Arts
  • Erin E. Dufault-Hunter, Assistant Professor of Christian Ethics
  • Nathan P. Feldmeth, Assistant Professor of Church History
  • Oscar A. Garcia-Johnson, Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology

  

CHURCH HISTORY AND HISTORY OF DOCTRINE (CH)

CH 500 Early Church History. A survey of the early church from the post-apostolic fathers through the Council of Chalcedon. Also taught in Spanish. M.Div. core: CHA.

CH 501 Patristic Theology. A survey of doctrinal development in the early church from the second century A.D. as far as Augustine in the West and John of Damascus in the East. M.Div. core: CHA.

CH 502 Medieval and Reformation History. The further development of the church, especially in the West, from Gregory the Great through the Reformation. Also taught in Spanish M.Div. core: CHB.

CH 503 Medieval and Reformation Theology. A survey of doctrinal development in the West emphasizing the Augustinian heritage both of the medieval scholastics and of the Reformers, from the fifth to the 16th century. M.Div. core: CHB.

CH 504 Modern Church History. The shaping of modern movements and churches from the Reformation to the Ecumenical Movement and Second Vatican Council. Also taught in Spanish. M.Div. core: CHC.

CH 505 Post-Reformation and Modern Theology. A survey of Christian thought from the English Reformation to the present, emphasizing Protestant orthodoxy, Puritanism, Pietism, and the theology of Wesley, Schleiermacher and Barth. M.Div. core: CHC.

CH 506 American Church History. A survey of the American church from Puritanism to the present, outlining significant issues affecting the history of the American church. M.Div. core: CHC.

CH 508 Historiography. An advanced seminar primarily for doctoral students open on the 500 level on a limited basis to qualified master's-level students. Crosslist: CH808. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

CH 516 Church and State Seminar. An advanced seminar primarily for doctoral students open on the 500 level on a limited basis to qualified master's-level students. Crosslist: CH801. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

CH 517 Christian Spirituality. A survey of the practice of piety in the Roman Catholic, Reformed and Arminian traditions with a focus upon the distinctive theology of each. M.A.: SPIR.

CH547 History and Development of Pentecostal-Charismatic Movements. An advanced seminar primarily for doctoral students open on the 500 level on a limited basis to qualified master's-level students. Crosslist: CH847. Prerequisites: CH504, 505 or 506 and permission of instructor.

CH 549 Presbyterian Creeds. Designed to enable students to enter into the theological ethos of the Presbyterian tradition. Reformed theology, culture, and tradition will be studied in its historical context and applied to the contemporary church. Special attention will be given to the Reformed confessions. Students who have not completed the M.Div. core requirements in Systematic Theology and/or Church History are advised to consult with the professor before registering for this course.

CH 551 American Presbyterian History and Programs. Study of Presbyterianism from Scotland to the American Colonies and throughout the States with focus upon the development of distinctive themes in Presbyterianism.

CH 564 Korean Church History. The primary objective of this course is to identify and understand the identity of the Korean church from a historical perspective by focusing on the introduction of the Gospel to Korea and its historical background; the sociological and political contexts of the time; the influence of the Gospel on the traditional Korean society; an evaluation of the rapid growth of the Korean church in a relatively short period of time. The future of the Korean church will also be explored. Taught in Korean.

CH 568 History of the African-American Experience. An introduction of the study of the religious movements and institutions of African-Americans from the period of slavery to the present. Topics include African religions in America, religion of the slaves, the rise of independent black Protestant churches, gender relationships within African-American religion, religious aspects of the civil rights movements, and the modern role of religion in African American life.

CH 571 History of Pentecostal-Charismatic Movements. This course is designed to introduce students to the history of the various Pentecostal, Charismatic, and related "Spirit Movements" of the twentieth century, using a variety of disciplinary starting points (e.g., history, sociology, anthropology, psychology, etc.)

CH 575 Women in Church History and Theology. This course seeks to explore the experiences and contributions of women in the church from the post-apostolic period through the Protestant Reformation, together with the theologies and presuppositions which sometimes supported but more often discouraged their full participation in church and religious life.

CH 579 The Church in Modern Society. An advanced seminar primarily for doctoral students open on the 500 level on a limited basis to qualified master's-level students. Crosslist: CH879. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

CH 584 Post-Vatican II Catholic Church. This course will allow students to read the primary documents from the Second Vatican Council and to follow a variety of subsequent debates and discussions in Roman Catholic circles in order to understand the profound nature of some of the changes that have occurred in terms of the church, ecumenism, liturgy, scripture, clergy, spirituality, human rights, etc.

CH 590 Directed Study in Church History.

  

CHRISTIAN ETHICS (ET)

ET 501 Christian Ethics. This basic introduction to ethics aims to develop a systematic way of thinking about Christian morality, bringing biblically based convictions to bear on important moral problems. Also taught in Spanish. M.Div. core: ETH.

ET 503 Bible and Social Ethics. An examination of the variety of normative roles that Scripture has played in social analysis and criticism within the 20th century, with special emphasis on evaluating the normative role that Scripture should play as an "authority" in social ethics. M.Div. core: ETH.

ET 513 Perspectives on Social Ethics. An exploration of the sociopolitical implications of biblical faith, with reference to such topics as political authority, the task of the state, and the ground of Christian political involvement. Differing Christian perspectives will be examined. M.Div. core: ETH.

ET 520 Biblical and Practical Peacemaking. This course addresses the topic of Christian peacemaking through an examination of both theological rationales and practical techniques. Differing Christian ethical approaches to peace and war will be discussed, as well as strategies for nonviolence in the context of contemporary culture and its challenges.

ET 525 Ethics of Bonhoeffer. A concentrated address to Bonhoeffer's ethics as a means of understanding how Jesus Christ can be served in the conflicts of this world. M.Div. core: ETH.

ET 527 Values in the Workplace: Ethics From 9 to 5. Explores, through case studies, a range of conflicts, dilemmas and pressures that arise in any occupation, along with the role of vocation, integrity, priorities, community and social responsibility in the workplace.

ET 532 Method for Concreteness in Christian Ethics. An advanced seminar primarily for doctoral students open on the 500 level on a limited basis to qualified master's-level students. Crosslist: ET832. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

ET 533 Christian Discipleship in a Secular Society. A study of urgent ethical issues in the church's ministry to persons caught in the cross-pressures of secular society with concentration on Bonhoeffer's Cost of Discipleship, family ethics, the economic debate and welfare reform, racism, nationalism, Christian community and an authentically transformationist understanding of the church's mission in the world. M.Div. core: ETH.

ET 548 Love, Justice, Community and Postmodern Ethics. An advanced seminar primarily for doctoral students open on the 500 level on a limited basis to qualified master's-level students. Crosslist: ET848. Prerequisites: one course in Ethics and permission of the instructor.

ET 572 Toward a First World Theology of Justice and Peace. As the challenges of liberation theology continue to shape the life of the global church, how will North Americans respond? Taking clues from Mark's Gospel, this course will teach "critical literacy" of our own cultural texts and practices.

ET 585 Social Ethics for the African-American Church. This course will investigate ethical problems facing the African-American community and present the insights of Christian ethics as prescriptions for theological praxis.

ET 590 Directed Study in Ethics.

THEOLOGICAL LANGUAGE STUDIES (LG)

Auditing of the following courses is not permitted without transcript evidence of prior study. All courses must be taken for a grade (Pass/Fail is not an option).

LG 565 Theological French. This course is designed for students with little or no prior knowledge of French. Students will be introduced to French vocabulary and grammar necessary for reading and translating the Bible, theological journal articles and books in academic research. Students will also be introduced to available resources and tools for reading and translation of French texts.

LG 566 Theological German. This course is designed to introduce theological students to a reading knowledge of the German language with special emphasis on theological German. No knowledge of German is presupposed.

LG 567 Theological Latin. This course will submerge the student in the Latin language through daily readings in classical, medieval, and modern Latin texts.

  

PHILOSOPHY (PH)

PH 504 Christian Worldview and Contemporary Challenges. An introduction to basic themes in a Christian perspective on reality, with a focus on the differences between Christian thought and such contemporary movements as secular humanism, the New Age cults, and recent "post-modern" philosophical perspectives. Explores the proper contours of a biblically grounded world-and-life view. M.Div. core: PHIL.

PH 508 Issues in Apologetics. An examination of assorted challenges to Christian belief, and a survey of resources for meeting those challenges. Sample topics: the problem of evil, challenges from science, the plurality of religions and worldviews. M.Div. core: PHIL.

PH509 Faith and Reason. Socrates' dictum "The unexamined life is not worth living" seems to have a modern corallary in the claim that the unexamined faith is not worth believing. But what does it mean to submit faith to rational scrutiny? This course will explore options for understanding the nature of religious belief and the relation of belief to human reason. After a brief historical survey the bulk of the course will be devoted to twentieth century thinkers. M.Div. Core: PHIL

PH 510 Christian Apologetics. An introduction to the history and methods of apologetics in a pastoral context. The course includes development of a pastoral method of apologetics and the application of this method to various apologetic problems. M.Div. core: PHIL.

PH 512 Christianity and Western Thought. An introduction to philosophical thinking, exploring the historical relationship between Christianity and Western thought. The course is based on a selective study of thinkers and movements from Plato to the present day. Also taught in Spanish. M.Div. core: PHIL.

PH 514 Topics in Philosophy of Religion. An examination of three major areas in philosophy of religion: (1) faith and reason (including epistemology, the justification of religious belief, theological method); (2) the relation between Christianity and science (including historical issues, evolution and creation, the apologetic value of science); and (3) the nature of the human person (dualist and physicalist accounts, religious experience, life after death). M.Div. core: PHIL.

PH 529 Philosophy of Spirituality. This course addresses three related philosophical questions that are relevant to the devotional practices of the Christian life: theology anthropologyñi.e., body-soul dualism versus holism; the nature of religious experience; and the evidential value of religious experience. M.Div. Core:PHIL.

PH 543 Philosophical Issues in Theology and Science. Historically, the conversation between theology and science has given rise to a series of perplexing questions regarding the nature and domain of both disciplines. In what ways is science "theological?" In what sense can theology be considered "empirical?" Must theology and science talk past each other when considering the problem of origins? Eschatology? Divine action? This course utilizes contemporary trends in Anglo-American philosophy to suggest that the relationship between scienc and theology can fruitfully be described in terms of mutual aesthetic training.

PH 548 Theological Uses of Postmodern Philosophy. An advanced seminar primarily for doctoral students open on the 500 level on a limited basis to qualified master's-level students. Crosslist: TH806. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

PH 552 Methods in Philosophy. An advanced seminar primarily for doctoral students open on the 500 level on a limited basis to qualified master's-level students. Crosslist: PH852. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

PH 590 Directed Study in Philosophy of Religion.

  

THEOLOGY (ST)

ST 501 Systematic Theology I: Theology and Anthropology. The doctrines of revelation and Scripture. The doctrines of God, God's attributes, and God's trinitarian mode of existence. The doctrines of creation and providence. The origin and nature of humankind; the doctrines of the fall and sin. Also taught in Spanish. M.Div. core: STB.

ST 502 Systematic Theology II: Christology and Soteriology. The doctrine of divine election, the covenant of grace, the person and work of Christ the Mediator. The doctrines of divine calling, regeneration, repentance, faith, justification, adoption and sanctification. Also taught in Spanish. M.Div. core: STB.

ST 503 Systematic Theology III: Ecclesiology and Eschatology. The doctrine of the church, its nature and authority. The worship of the church, the sacraments and prayer. The doctrine of last things, death and resurrection, the final judgment, heaven and hell. Also taught in Spanish. M.Div. core: STC.

ST 511 Orientation to Theological Studies. This course is designed as an introduction to theological research tools for incoming students. Research methods along with scholarly presentations will be discussed in an attempt to assist students as they appropriate and develop their own theological insights and resources. Also taught in Spanish.

ST 523 Theological Challenges of Religious Plurality. Religious pluralism is currently, as it was also in the beginning of Christianity, the most predominant challenge to Christian theology and mission. After a survey of various approaches to pluralism, this course analyzes and critically dialogues with the views regarding pluralism of John Hick, and attempts to offer a viable Evangelical theology of pluralism. M.A.: GLBL.

ST 525 Theologies of the Holy Spirit. This course is designed to study theological reflection on the person and ministry of the Holy Spirit in various contemporary expressions. Theological traditions, both older and more recent, as well as approaches of some representative theologians will be discussed including contextual and intercultural pneumatologies. Related topics such as Spirit-baptism, charisms, relation of the Spirit to church, to mission, to liberation, and to ecological concerns among other things are included.

ST 529 Theological Method. An advanced seminar primarily for doctoral students open on the 500 level on a limited basis to qualified master's-level students. Crosslist: ST829. Prerequisites: Courses meeting M.Div. core in the following areas: STA, STB, STC, PHIL, and permission of the instructor.

ST 532 Current Issues in the Korean Church. This course is designed to provide Korean students with theological analysis and assessment of the current theological, ethical, and cultural issues in the Korean Church including the immigrant churches in America, such as secularization, fundamentalism, religious pluralism, mysticism, woman in office, ecumenism, homosexuality, church growth, pastor succession and worship renewal. Also, it aims for them to be acquainted with a history of Korean theology as well as Korean religions that is helpful for in-depth understanding of such issues. Taught in Korean.

ST 536 Issues and Trends in Theology. Survey of major issues and trends in the development of biblical, historical and systematic theology from the first century to the present, as well as technical terms and the basic methodological perspectives of theology.

ST 555 Latino(a)/Hispanic Theology in Context. This course introduces the student to the major themes of Latino (a)/Hispanic theological discourse. The approach is to incorporate the student in a critical dialogue between Latino(a)/Hispanic theological discourse and competing an current theologies. A way of doing Latino(a)/Hispanic collaborative theology in interlocution with these other theologies will be attempted.

ST 568 The Theology of W. Pannenberg. An advanced seminar primarily for doctoral students open on the 500 level on a limited basis to qualified master's-level students. Crosslist: ST868. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

ST 572 Bonhoeffer: Life and Thought. Traces the development of Bonhoeffer's theology through the major stages of his life and critically evaluates his contributions to contemporary theology.

ST 574 Theology of C. S. Lewis. A survey of the entire range of C. S. Lewis's theological and imaginative writings with a view to his major themes, both apologetic and spiritual.

ST 582 Womens' Theologies. This course will provide an introduction to feminist theology, including contextualized feminist perspectives such as womanist, mujerista, Asian American and those outside North America and Europe. The course will consider traditional Christian doctrine through the lens of feminist theologies, evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of feminist method and theology.

ST 588 Theology of Africa, Asia and Latin America. A survey of theological themes arising in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Important thinkers and movements are studied in their cultural context. M.A.: GLBL.

ST 590 Directed Study in Theology.

  

THEOLOGY AND CULTURE (TC)

TC 500 Theology and Culture. This course is an introduction to contemporary culture, its philosophies and practices, and the challenges and opportunities it presents to effective Christian ministry and mission.M.A.: CULT, IDPL

TC 510 Theology, Pop Culture, and the Emerging Church. This course will focus on the intersections between theology, popular culture, and new forms of church emerging around the globe. The student will explore how popular culture has enabled the emergence of new incarnations of the Christian faith uniquely focused on meeting the needs of postmodern society. The class will focus on three main areas: (1) contemporary theologies which are engaging postmodernity and exegeting popular culture; (2) new-paradigm church expressions from around the globe (with particular emphasis on models in North America and Europe); (3) contemporary theories of the emerging global culture.M.A.: IDPL

TC 511 Theology and Hip-Hop Culture. This course is an introduction to the basic issues of a Christian interpretation of hip hop culture. Its purposes are to briefly introduce students to the major theological and biblical perspectives that have been developed in approaching hip-hop culture and to develop in the student a practical and biblical wisdom whereby cultural artifacts may be understood and engaged. The purpose in the broadest sense is to develop a hip-hop cultural literacy. A major part of the course will focus on particular cultural texts in order to practice strategies of reading and interpretation that are informed by Christian perspectives. M.A.: IDPL

TC 512 Theology and Media Culture. The course will investigate visual media culture, with an emphasis on television, exploring the theological implications of television and mass media upon culture, and in turn seek a theological engagement with the diverse and varied contours of visual media. We live in an age where television is acquiring a renewed influence upon society. Cable networks, advances in media technology, and access are making television a prime location for cultural reflection and impact. M.A.: IDPL

TC 516 Theology, Worship, and Art. This course is an introduction to Christian reflection and practice in the visual arts. Emphasis will be on developing a Christian perspective on the arts and aesthetics that is informed by biblical, historical and theological resources and that is familiar with ways the major Christian traditions have made use of the arts. By lectures, discussions, projects and museum visits, students will engage with significant examples of art as a way of developing a critical appreciation and a Christian appropriation of this dimension of life--with respect to its value for worship and witness. M.A.: IDPL.

TC 521 Theology and Contemporary Literature. This course will explore (1) modern and post-modern attitudes toward the "spiritual/transcendent/God" found in selected American literature and (2) a variety of means for theological dialogue with these works. Writings by Kesey, Updike, O'Connor, DeVries, Potok, Morrison, Robbins, Kingsolver, and Lamott, as well as selected essays in critical theory will be read. While debunking or listening, symbolizing or secularizing, arguing or affirming, American fiction over the last fifty years is often found interacting with the religious/spiritual currents that pervade our culture. As such, it invites dialogue from a theological perspective. M.A.: IDPL.

TC 530 Theology and Film. This course will consider one particular aspect of a theology of culture, theology and film. The course will view and discuss selected films, provide the student the critical skills helpful for film interpretation, and explore possible theological approaches to film criticism. M.A.: IDPL.

TC 531 Postmodern Theology, Film, and Youth Culture. Seeking to introduce students to the theological and social dimensions of the forces that shape contemporary human culture, this course will engage postmodernity theologically by studying one of adolescents' primary sources of meaning: the movies. This course will investigate some of the social, ethical, and psychological implications of postmodern film upon theology, and in turn seek a theological engagement with these movies. M.A.: CULT, IDPL.

TC 551 Theology and Theatre. This course explore the theological meaning of the event known as theatre. Theatre occurs, in part, when one tells the story by manifesting (incarnating) the story. As Christian disciples we are invited to tell the story of the gospel by embodying it in our daily lives. This course will explore three theological categories that define the theatrical event: Incarnation, Community and Presence. These three categories will be developed in light of their theological corollaries: Christology, Trinity and Sacramentality. Using these three categories, this course will explore the history of theatre and its relationship to the Church, as well as the current issues existing between theatre and the Christian faith. We will do this against the backdrop of prevailing cultural narratives and a developing culture of sensationalism. M.A.: IDPL

TC 556 Theology and Contemporary Spirituality. The course will explore the emergence of a new generation of religious ideologies and organizations that has the potential to change the shape of western religion, and will in turn seek a theological engagement with the diverse and varied contours of these contemporary spiritualities. While grounded in older cultural and religious movements such as Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism, these new and progressive spiritual movements are helping to forge new religious identities, rituals, and frameworks for practicing faith. This course will explore the theological implications of this largely overlooked cultural dynamic. M.A.: IDPL

TC 565 Worship and Culture. This class will explore the relationship of cultures, their values, symbols, and rituals to Christian worship. It will explore national and ethnic cultures, as well as generational, class, artistic, and technological cultures. The course will also focus on gaining an understanding leading to an application of theories of culture and worship.

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COURSES OF STUDY: MINISTRY DIVISION

MINISTRY DIVISION FACULTY

  • David W. Augsburger, Professor of Pastoral Counseling
  • Chapman R. Clark, Professor of Youth, Family, and Culture
  • Julie Gorman, Professor of Christian Formation and Discipleship
  • Yea Sun Eum Kim, Professor of Family Counseling and Korean Family Studies
  • Richard V. Peace, Robert Boyd Munger Professor of Evangelism and Spiritual Formation
  • Marguerite Shuster, Harold John Ockenga Professor of Preaching and Theology
  • Mark Lau Branson, Homer L. Goddard Associate Professor of the Ministry of the Laity
  • Scott Cormode, Hugh De Pree Associate Professor of the Leadership Development
  • Carolyn L. Gordon, Associate Professor of Communication
  • Mark A. Labberton, Lloyd John Ogilvie Associate Professor of Preaching
  • Juan F. Martinez, Associate Professor of Hispanic Studies and Pastoral Leadership
  • Clayton J. Schmit, Arthur DeKruyter/Christ Church Oak Brook Associate Professor of Preaching
  • Ralph C. Watkins, Associate Professor of Society, Religion, and Africana Studies
  • Kurt N. Fredrickson, Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry
  • Ronald J. Kernaghan, Assistant Professor of Presbyterian Ministries and Pastoral Theology
  • Douglas H. Nason, Assistant Professor of Communication
  • Kara E. Powell, Assistant Professor of Youth and Family Ministries
  • Dale S. Ryan, Assistant Professor of Recovery Ministry
  • William E. Pannell, Senior Professor of Preaching

  

CHRISTIAN FORMATION AND DISCIPLESHIP (CF)

CF 500 Teaching for Christian Formation. An introductory course in developing a biblical philosophy of Christian formation through the practice of personal, corporate, and instructional disciplines. Includes a study of the uniqueness of learning theory when it comes to being transformed by biblical content, with implications for the nature, processes and goals of Christian formation ministries in the church. M.Div. core: MIN4

CF 501 Teaching and Leading in the Church. A leadership course on the teaching ministry of the church, including biblical and theological foundations, the role of the pastor, the ministry of the Christian education specialist, the organization, administration and evaluation of formational ministries, and a survey of curricula and programs.

CF 504 Formational Bible Study. A course where students learn Bible study methods to enable change in the life of the participants. Designed to equip the student with tools for seeing, studying, applying and teaching the World of God.

CF 505 Teaching the Bible. How to teach adults with a biblical text so that God's Word speaks to contemporary life, working with distinctive Christian dynamics and relationships. M.Div. core: MIN4

CF 507 Building Christian Community Through Small Groups. Actual development of communities that utilize biblical and social principles while engendering mutual ministry and growth within Christian small groups, particularly in local congregations. Lecture and laboratory. M.Div. core: MIN4

CF 514 Small Group Bible Study. Using the inductive Bible study paradigm, the nature and process of small group Bible study is explored with an eye to producing capable Bible study leaders who have the ability to adapt and/or write their own materials.

CF 525A Transitioning into Ministry I. This course to be taken in combination with Transitioning into Ministry II seeks to reduce the percentage of seminary graduates who experience ministry "fallout" by mentoring students through formational learning experiences. These include developing the inner person, discovering leadership style, learning how to "read" one's ministry, finding and preparing for a ministry after Fuller. The intended outcome is that the student's ministry values and habits will become more formational in nature and will translate into ministry which fosters spiritual development. Credit: 2 units. Prerequisites: Two courses in Christian Formation and Discipleship or permission of the instructor.

CF 525B Transitioning into Ministry II. This course continues and completes the educational goals of Transitioning into Ministry I. Credit: 2 units. Prerequisite: CF525A. M.Div. core: MIN6 (upon successful completion of CF525A and CF525B)

CF 528 The Spirituality of Children. This course explores the role and influence of spirituality in the child ages two to eleven. It seeks to understand how the spiritual life of the child forms and how adults in the faith community can enhance that formation. Drawing upon classic interview and research into the childës awareness of God even in the very early years, this course invites students to do further research into how children relate to God.

CF 530 Christian Formation of Children. The biblical and educational perspectives of the foundational years, including needs, skills and abilities of the child; the basis for moral and value training; factors in building self-esteem and socialization in the person of the child. Recommended background: CF500 or CF501 or CF510. M.Div. core: MIN4

CF 540 Philosophy and Models of Youth Ministry. An examination of adolescent development from junior high through college age with special focus on the church's ministry with youth.

CF 547 Developmental Strategies for Incarnational Youth Ministry. An overview of the theory and practice of developing incarnational youth ministry. Topics include the developmental process of adolescents, partnerships with the church and parachurch, working with parents of adolescents, and new models of camping experiences for discipleship and outreach.

CF 550 Adolescent Culture. Components of youth culture influencing adolescent behavior, value systems and attitudes will be studied. The course will include lectures with case studies and research.

CF 554 Spirituality and Discipleship in College and Young Adult Settings. Exploration of the spiritual life and equipping ministry of those involved in working with collegians. M.A>: SPIR.

CF 560 Adult Formation and Discipleship. A biblical focus on ministering to adults, with a survey of adult psychological and developmental theories, goals in adult formation, developing adult learning designs, and discipleship models of adult enablement. Recommended background: CF500. M.Div. core: MIN4

CF 565 Empowering the People of God. Explores practical ways in which all Christians can assist each other to understand their faith, deepen community, engender mutual ministry and integrate faith and life, and considers the implications of these for developing a lay spirituality and restructuring the church. M.Div. core: MIN4

CF 566 Ministry to Single Adults. A presentation of both proven and experimental methods of developing an effective ministry, through the church, to the single adult. Recommended background: CF500 or CF560.

CF 580 Formation Seminar. An integration seminar for students who have taken CFD courses and desire to bring together biblical, theological, ministry and personal concerns. Provides opportunity for reflection on experiential learning. Prerequisites: Two CF courses or permission of instructor.

CF 590 Directed Study in Christian Formation and Discipleship.

  

COUNSELING (CN)

CN 503 Personality, Theology and Pastoral Counseling. The development of personality, a theology of human nature, and the study of religious experience will be examined as a theoretical, theological, experiential, and practical base for pastoral caregiving and pastoral counseling. The work of Freud, Jung, Adler, Klein, Horney, Erikson, Miller, Gilligan, Piaget, Kohlberg, Fowler, and others will be critiqued by and correlated with theology and Christian experience. M.Div. core: MIN5

CN 504 Family Therapy and Pastoral Counseling. Family therapy, theology and therapeutic interaction will be integrated as the student explores his or her own multigenerational family system. M.Div. core: MIN5

CN 506 Conflict and Conciliation. Conflict in personal, familial, congregational, and communal life are continuing problems and possibilities in Christian ministry. This course offers an experiential, clinical, theological, and pastoral approach to the management, resolution, transformation, and utilization of conflict in both personal and pastoral perspectives. As an interdisciplinary approach it will draw on communication theory, therapeutic process, conflict studies, and mediation skills. Prerequisite: 96 units completed

CN 520 Pastoral Counseling. Treats the individual, marital and family problems normally confronting the pastor as counselor. M.Div. core: MIN5

CN 522 Basic Counseling Skills. Examines the relational aspects of counseling with particular emphasis on the practice and attainment of relationship skills within the context of the local congregation. M.Div. core: MIN5.

CN 523 Intervention Counseling. A continuation of CN522 providing models and strategies for behavioral change. Application is made to specific problem areas such as depression, phobias and anxiety. Prerequisite: CN522.

CN 525 Pastoral Counseling in the African-American Church. Provides basic counseling skills for pastors working in Black churches. M.Div. core: MIN5

CN 531 Theology of Faith and Human Development. Provides a psychological interpretation of human development in our culture with an emphasis upon moral and religious development through the life span and the implications of this study for the minister or Christian educator. M.Div. core: MIN5.

CN 533 Recovery Ministries in the Local Church. The theological foundations of recovery ministry, the personal dynamics of recovery (with particular reference to pastors), and the practical concerns and how-to's of developing a local church-based recovery ministry.

CN 535 Grief, Loss, Death and Dying. These major crises of life will be explored experientially, psychologically and culturally. The focus will be on personal growth as the preparation for pastoral presence, caregiving and counseling. M.Div. core: MIN5

CN 543 Psicología Pastoral. Designed to equip the pastor and other leaders with fundamental psychological skills to deal knowledgeably and effectively with the growing marital, family and individual problems that are affecting the church. Taught only in Spanish. M.Div. core: MIN5.

CN 547 Models of Korean Family Ministry. The objectives of this course are to explore the interplay of family, culture and theology, to understand the Korean family in transition, to explore the various possibilities of developing family ministry for Korean churches, to review family life education programs and family counseling models developed in the U.S.A., and to propose contextualized models of family life education and family counseling for Korean churches. Taught in Korean. M.Div. core: MIN5

CN 548 Building Healthy Korean Families. The purpose of this course is to enable church leaders to understand their own and their congregation's family dynamics and to lead various family ministry programs in their church settings. The major areas to be covered are family ministry to Korean congregations, Christian families, functional and dysfunctional families, family life cycle, Korean families, conjugal conflicts, anger management, stress management, family communication, conjugal sex life, intimacy, child raising and problems of the aged. Taught in Korean. M.Div. core: MIN5

CN 550 Family Perspectives in Counseling. An overview of the major approaches to family counseling. Students will also gain an understanding of their own families of origin and the impact of their family history on their approach to counseling and ministry. Offered only at Fuller in Colorado for Young Life staff.

CN 544 Pastoral de la Niñez. Children have been neglected in the pastoral ministry of the church. This course is a critical analysis of those factors (biblical, theological, missiological, psychological, spiritual) which provide a basis for understanding the pastoral work with children in a Hispanic context. It is a specialized study of pastoral ministry with children as a distinctive approach to the work of the church. It provides useful tools to carry out this ministry with effectiveness in the local church. Taught in Spanish. M.Div. core: MIN5

CN 546 Familia Hispaña e Identidad Cultural. This course will explore the psychological issues affecting Hispanic families in the United States, within the context of pastoral ministry. Reviewing the concepts of family systems and dynamics, the course seeks to provide students with basic tools to understand generational issues, the concept of the identified patient, and the common stressors faced by families in transition. Students will be challenged to understand their own family dynamics by articulating the behavioral scripts from their cultural heritage by country of origin. Taught in Spanish. M.Div. core: MIN5

CN 560 Pastoral Counseling Across Cultures. A seminar for the advanced student for examination of major issues in cross-cultural pastoral counseling and psychotherapy. The interface of psychological anthropology, pastoral care and counseling, and transcultural theological reflection will be explored and an appreciation of what is universal, cultural, and individual will be achieved. Prerequisite: Two prior courses in basic counseling, personality, conflict, or significant ministry or cross-cultural experience. This course is for second- or third-year students or those with ministry experience. M.Div. core: MIN5

CN 590 Directed Study in Counseling or Psychology.

NOTE: Certain courses in the School of Psychology are open each quarter to qualified theology students

  

COMMUNICATION (CO)

CO 500 Communication. Building practical communication skills in various public speaking situations. Credit: 2 units. M.Div. core: MIN2

CO 503 Advanced Communication. Further nurturing of communication skills in public speaking. Credit: 2 units. Prerequisite: CO500

CO 518 Creative Arts and the Bible. This course provides a biblical foundation for the use of the arts in contemporary worship and witness, and also includes training in practical ministry skills such as liturgical dance, drama, mime, clowning, and storytelling. Practical parish management strategies for incorporating the arts into regular church life will also be discussed.

CO 590 Directed Study in Communication.

  

DENOMINATIONAL POLITY (DP)

Fuller Seminary is committed to offer whatever courses in denominational distinctives are required for a student's ordination. These courses are offered under the instruction of officially appointed denominational representatives.

In addition to the courses listed in this section, see the following related courses offered in the Church History Department:

  • CH 549 Presbyterian Creeds
  • CH 551 American Presbyterian History and Programs
  • CH 571 History of Pentecostal-Charismatic Movements
  • CH 583 History of Armenian Christianity

DP 500 Reformed Church in America Polity. A study of the Reformed Church in America worship and polity, with emphasis on their ecclesiological underpinnings and their practical outworking. Credit: 2 units. M.Div. core: MIN6

DP 502 Wesleyan Tradition. A historical and comparative survey of the primary theological movements within the United Methodist Church from John Wesley to the present.

DP 503 Reformed Church Creeds. A contextual study of the confessional statements of the Reformed Church in America designed to enable the student to gain the theological ethos of the Reformed Church.

DP 504 Reformed Worship. This course focuses on the theology, history and practice of worship in the reformed tradition. Helps develop an awareness of worship from a biblical, incarnational and trinitarian perspective and traces the development of Reformed worship patterns from the Reformation to the present. Explores issues related to the ministry of worship in Presbyterian and Reformed congregations, including the sacraments, prayer, hymnody, weddings, funerals, children and youth in worship, and personal devotion. M.Div. core: MIN6

DP 505 Presbyterian Polity and Worship. Comprehensive perspective on the worship, ecclesiology, confessional heritage, structures and activities of the Presbyterian Church. M.Div. core: MIN6.

DP 508 Baptist Doctrine, History, and Polity. Basic Baptist emphases, polity and practice from an historical perspective. Distinctive programs of particular Baptist groups, especially American Baptists. M.Div. core: MIN 6.

DP 509 American Baptists Today. An introduction to the denominational structure, ministerial support systems, Christian education, missions, and stewardship and program resources of the American Baptists.

DP 512 United Methodist Polity. An introduction to the institutional nature and functioning of the United Methodist Church. Its connectional system, ordination and ministry, legislation, theological contributions and ecumenical relationships. M.Div. core: MIN6.

DP 513 United Methodist History. A survey of the events, issues, doctrines and key persons in the development of the United Methodist Church from its origins in England and America to the present.

DP 514 Nazarene Polity and Doctrine. Rise and development of the denomination, organizational patterns and functions, ordination requirements, and the Nazarene understanding of Wesleyan doctrine will be discussed in preparation of candidates for minister's license and ordination in the Nazarene Church.

DP 515 Assemblies of God Polity. Preparation of candidates for licensure and ordination in the Assemblies of God; its development and organizational patterns. M.Div. core: MIN6.

DP 517 Foursquare Polity. Preparation of candidates for licensure and ordination in the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel, with an examination of the history, basic doctrine and polity of that movement. M.Div. core: MIN6.

DP 522 United Church Polity. An introduction to the historical foundations of the Congregational Christian Church, including the theological basis for its polity and practice. M.Div. core: MIN6.

DP 523 Congregational Polity (CCCC). An overview of Congregational history and the origins of the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference. M.Div. core: MIN6.

DP 525 Disciples of Christ Polity. A historical survey of the Disciples of Christ Church: beginnings, growth and thought development.

DP 531 Theology of the Armenian Orthodox Church. Apostolic, Protestant and Catholic positions on key issues will be discussed. Special attention given to future directions of Armenian theology. M.Div. core: MIN6

DP 533 History of the Armenian Evangelical Movement. Survey of the history of the evangelical (Protestant) Armenian church, with attention given to present status and future goals.

DP 535 The Mission of the Vineyard Movement. This course is a study in applied theology and focuses on the mission, values, and vision of the Association of Vineyard Churches. It is designed for emerging pastors and leaders who seek to serve in the Vineyard. M.Div. core: MIN6

DP 590 Directed Study in Denominational Polity.

  

EVANGELISM (EV)

EV 500 The Art of Evangelism. A foundational course which explores evangelism from a biblical, theological, historical, and practical vantage point as it seeks to equip students for creative and effective outreach in a variety of settings. M.Div. core: MIN3, M.A. MINF

EV 501 Theology of Incarnational Witness. The doctrines relevant to evangelism as derived from their biblical roots Offered only at Fuller in Colorado for Young Life staff.

EV 503 Foundations for Communicating the Gospel. This foundational course is designed to establish a theological basis, spiritual dynamic and practical guidelines for evangelistic effectiveness in today's world. It is concerned with the need both to live out and to articulate the gospel. The classes provide opportunities in small group settings to develop skills in sharing personal faith stories and in presenting the gospel in ways appropriate to particular groups and individuals. M.Div. core: MIN3.

EV 509 Spirituality and Creativity for Evangelism and Worship. This course focuses on the need for effective evangelization in today's church, and the opportunities and challenges of the contemporary cultural context in which Christians minister. Its basic premise is that worship is fundamental to the evangelistic enterprise, and consequently the affirmation and renewal of congregational spirituality will be a vital component in effective sharing of faith. This course includes practical exploration of new ways in which this can be facilitated, based on an awareness of the present crisis in modernity, and incorporating insights from the New Testament as well as the experience of the world church, and reflecting current debates on the theology of creativity and the arts and related discussions of creation-centered spirituality and the impact of New Age thinking on the Christian community.

EV 511 Small Group Evangelism. Small groups are the ideal vehicles for communicating the essence of Christian faith to Baby Boomers and the X Generation. In this hands-on course, students will learn both how to do small group outreach and to train lay Christians in this art. M.Div. core: MIN3

EV 514 Urban Evangelism. Concentrates on the city as the locus for ministry at the close of the century. Emphasis will be placed on the peculiar ethos of the city, the church's approach to the urban milieu, and models of current ministry in urban settings. Includes field trips and exposure to persons from urban ministries. M.Div. core: MIN3

EV 519 Evangelismo entre Hispanos. The nature, methods and approaches of evangelism in relation to the nature, problems and needs of urban Hispanic communities. Taught only in Spanish. M. Div. core: MIN3.

EV 522 The Theory and Practice of Evangelism. An advanced seminar primarily for doctoral students open on the500 level on a limited basis to qualified master's-level students. Crosslist: EV822. Prerequisites: Permission of instructor.

EV 523 Evangelism and Media Culture. This class aims to design a theology of evangelism that acquires an appreciation for and a selective appropriation of our media culture. The class will provide a creative environment to discern the communication patterns in the biblical text and learn from contemporary technologies of communication. M.Div core: MIN3.

EV 525 Contemporary Culture and Evangelism. By blending together communication theory and cultural analysis, the process of evangelism is considered from the point of view of the one being evangelized. Reaching baby boomers and Generation X will be a special focus. M.Div. core: MIN3

EV 526 Evangelism Among Intellectuals. Explores the crucial dimensions of the evangelism mandate for the stimulating context of intellectuals in North American culture. The course will consider the nature of intellectuals and why it is important to communicate the Gospel to this group. There will be exposure to a theology of evangelism utilizing scripture, church traditions, and current experiences in reasoning. M.Div. core: MIN3.

EV 552 Conversion. An advanced seminar primarily for doctoral students open on the 500 level on a limited basis to qualified master's-level students. Crosslist: EV852. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor

EV 590 Directed Study in Evangelism.

  

FIELD EDUCATION (FE)

Students desiring to receive credit for field education must first (1) enroll with the office of Field Education, which coordinates approved positions in churches and other organizations; (2) register for academic credit within regular quarterly registration deadlines; and (3) complete a preparatory workshop. The completion of the part-time local church internship course yields two units of core credit. This course also requires participation in a theological reflection group which meets during the second quarter of the three quarter internship, and attendance at a minimum of four Ministry Enrichment seminars. A second course, selected from the variety of experiences offered, in a setting approved by the Office of Field Education, is required for the M.Div. degree and also earns two units of credit. Additional field education courses may be taken as electives.

Students and their respective pastors/supervisors must complete quarterly evaluation reports and submit them to the Office of Field Education. At the request of the student, these reports will be forwarded to designated authorities to meet the requirements of certain denominations. Students are also required to meet with a member of the staff of the Office of Field Education for an half-hour interview during the first quarter of their internship.

NOTE: Field Education courses FE501-556 are graded only on a "Pass/Fail" basis, and are also offered in the Extended Education Program.

FE 501 Nine-Month Part-time Church Internship. A planned, supervised and evaluated practical experience for nine months (three consecutive quarters) in a church setting with pastoral supervision. M.Div. core: MIN7. Credit: 2 units.

FE 502 Full-Time Church Internship. An approved, planned, supervised and evaluated practical experience under the supervision of a pastor/supervisor in a church, institutional or mission setting for one quarter. Credit: 2 units.

FE 503 Part-Time Internship. An approved, planned, supervised and evaluated practical experience for nine months (three consecutive quarters) in a church, institutional or mission setting. Credit: 2 units.

FE 546 Hospital Internship. Orientation and experience in a medical or psychiatric hospital setting for one quarter under the supervision of the hospital chaplain. Credit: 2 units.

FE 556 Correctional Institution Internship. A practical ministry experience in a correctional institution, either juvenile or adult, for one quarter under the direct supervision of a chaplain. Credit: 2 units.

FE 561 Leadership I: Foundations for Incarnational Youth Ministries. Practicum in the basic methods of evangelistic youth outreach, emphasizing the development of personal relationships with young people through relevant forms of group ministry. A portion of the course focuses on the recruitment, training and ongoing enabling of volunteers for outreach ministries to youth. Offered only at Fuller in Colorado for Young Life staff. Credit: 4 units.

FE 562 Leadership II: Building Resources for Incarnational Youth Ministries. This course is designed to build the skills of people in youth ministry as well as their ability to train others in the areas of discipleship, adult ministry, camping, and fundraising. Offered only at Fuller in Colorado for Young Life staff. Credit: 4 units.

FE 570 Campus Ministries Practicum. Practicum for first-year InterVarsity staff in the basic skills of college campus ministry. It emphasizes the history and basics of InterVarsity ministry, fund development, campus strategy, developing students on campus, inductive Bible study, small group leadership and strategy, and new student outreach. Offered only at Fuller in Colorado for InterVarsity staff. Credit: 4 units

FE 571 Campus Ministries Practicum II. This practicum course for second-year InterVarsity staff builds on the basic skills in FE570. It covers the content areas of developing a philosophy of ministry, campus evangelism, conference planning and administration, basic caregiving skills, stewardship of life, crosscultural ministry, and multiethnicity. Offered only at Fuller in Colorado for InterVarsity staff. Credit: 4 units

FE 577 Urban Ministry Practicum.

FE 578 Evangelism Practicum

FE 590 Directed Study in Field Education.

  

GENERAL MINISTRY (GM)

GM 503 Foundations for Ministry 1. This is the first of a three quarter course sequence which explores the practice of ministry as defined by the Great Commandment. GM503 focuses on the nature of ministryólearning to love others. Issues such as the call to ministry and models for ministry will be considered as well how to design and structure successful small groups. Each quarter's format consists of three plenary seminars and seven small group sessions. Although one may begin the sequence with either GM504 or GM505 as well as with GM503, completion of the entire sequence of GM503/504/505 within three quarters (excluding summer quarter) is required for the M.Div. core requirement in Ministry Foundations (MIN 1); the sequence also fulfills the MINF for the M.A. in Theology. Credit: 1 unit

GM 504 Foundations for Ministry 2. This is the second of the Foundations courses; refer to GM503 above. GM504 focuses on the minister as a personólearning to love yourself. Issues of discerning gifts and talents and identifiying individual problems and issues which impact ministry will be discussed, based on a comprehensive set of personality tests taken by each student. The various roles which people play in small groups will also be examined. Credit: 1 unit

GM 505 Foundations for Ministry 3. This is the third of the Foundations courses; refer to GM503 above. GM505 focuses on the spiritual disciplinesólearning to love God. Issues such as the nature of spiritual experience, the practice of various disciplines, and spiritual direction will be considered. The role of the small group leader will also be examined. Credit: 2 units. M.Div. core: MIN1; M.A. MINF

GM 507 Social Analysis and Urban Ministry. This course will focus on models of urban ministry that reflect varying relationships with and analyses of community and cultural contexts. Following discussion of historical and sociological analyses of church and culture, in combination with the important studies currently emerging in the field of congregational studies, the class will work to identify both the variety and the trajectory of urban ministry models, and focus on how their diagnoses of community and culture lead to certain expressions of ministry in cities. M.Div. core: MIN8; M.A.: GLBL.

GM 514 The Pursuit of Wholeness. The image of the Christian life as a goal-oriented pilgrimage is used to explore the nature of wholeness in six areas: the cognitive, the affective, the behavioral, the relational, the physical, and the spiritual. The emphasis will be on structuring growth-oriented experiences in the church context. The skills of spiritual journaling and spiritual autobiography will be taught. M.A.: SPIR

GM 518 Introduction to Urban Studies. This course is designed to introduce students to the complexity of urban studies. Students will interact with professionals who are involved in urban life. Such persons will be guest lecturers and panelists who will integrate social responsibility and religion from various points of view. Perspectives will include politics, business and economics, health and human services, law enforcement, race relations, immigration, and arts and leisure. M.Div. core: MIN8; M.A.: GLBL

GM 519 Christian Perspective on Popular Culture. A sociologically and theologically informed critique of the world view and values presented by film and television today, together with an estimation of their impact and the development of a proactive Christian response. Integration Seminar for School of Psychology students

GM 525 Liberating the Laity Across Cultures. Explores on a biblical and historical basis contemporary models for developing the full potential and ministry of the people of God in the church and the world, in several cultural settings. MA: MINF.

GM 526 Influential Lay Christian Thinkers. Explores the contribution of several 20th century lay theologians who grappled creatively with the challenges posed to Christianity by the modern world, and analyzes why they were such highly effective communicators with people inside and outside the church.

GM 544 Ministry to the Urban Poor. This course should serve as a practical guide for urban ministry among the poor and homeless that is both compassionate and thoroughly rooted in the gospel. Instruction will focus on the comprehension of the biblical basis for urban ministry, the examination of the characteristics of the poor and the factors contributing to their deprivation, and the operations of social service programs in local communities.

GM 547 Christianity and Urban Culture. An overview of the biblical and theological basis for ministry in the urban setting. Students will also look at the impact of racism, class structure, ethnicity, culture, and the civic and religious structures which influence opportunities for ministry. Offered only at Fuller in Colorado for Young Life staff.

GM 550 Leadership and Character Development. This course takes a general look at leadership theory and practice from the light of spirituality and character formation. Additionally, the course looks at the practice of leadership with a focus on self insight, giftedness, personality and styles of leadership. Students produce personal mission statements that allow them to place their leadership contexts in perspective. M.A.: MINF.

GM 554 Leadership and Diversity: Gender, Multicultural, and Ethnicity. This course will provide an overview of the different dimensions and sensitivities that frame the leadership context. Gender, multicultural and ethnicity issues will be explored in relationship to leadership style and practice. Students will be challenged to consider their own blocks to effective leadership in diverse settings. M.A.: MINF

GM 560 Historia y Cultura Hispana. Focuses on the history and culture of the Hispanic community and the role of the church. Taught only in Spanish.

GM 577 African-American Church and Community. Assists the seminary community in gaining a better understanding of the role of the pastor and the meaning and use of power in society.

GM 578 Ministerio Urbano Hispano. The course uses a theological/sociological approach designed to enhance the student's understanding of the complexities of doing ministry in the urban Hispanic/Latino context. Instructors will expose the students to a variety of disciplines such as urbanology, social psychology, missiology and theology in search of an integrative model of ministry in the city. The course involves doing theological reflections and designing practical ways of developing ministries geared towards effecting social transformation in the Hispanic/Latino communities. Taught in Spanish

GM 579 Preparando al Pueblo de Dios para el Ministerio. Explores the biblical, pedagogical, and cultural bases for lay formation in the Hispanic/Latino Church and provides students with skills for evaluating and choosing or designing a discipleship/lay leadership training program for use in his or her church. Taught only in Spanish.

GM 586 Lay Leadership and Development Church Practicum. A supervised experience connected with a student's work in a congregation in development of leadership skills in lay ministry. Prerequisite: CF565 or GM525.

GM 587 Lay Leadership and Development World Practicum. A supervised experience connected with a student's work in the marketplace in development of leadership skills in lay ministry. Prerequisite: CF565 or GM525.

GM 588 Christian Witness in Public Policy. Helps students reflect on the meaning and direction of their public responsibility by examining the roles of local government and the church in the formation of public policy. Instructors will advance a theological-social-ethical framework for dealing with public policy and suggest goals in several areas of urban concern today.

GM 590 Directed Study in General Ministry,

  

PASTORAL MINISTRY AND THEOLOGY (PM)

PM 500 Foundations of Pastoral Ministry. An introduction to the various aspects of pastoral ministry in a congregational setting. Interaction with those proficient in pastoral ministry. M.Div. core: MIN6.

PM 501 Theology of Pastoral Care. Purposes and practices of shepherding as described in the Bible and in moral and systematic theology, with special emphasis upon the application of theology to specific pastoral problems. M.Div. core: MIN6.

PM 502 Ministry to the Dying and Bereaved. A study of the psychological and theological aspects of dying and bereavement in relationship to the pastor, psychologist and layperson.

PM 503 Pastoral Theology. Theology of the ministry, theology and conduct of worship, liturgy, hymnody, parish responsibilities and procedures, church administration, community relations and ministerial ethics. M.Div. core: MIN6

PM 507 Equipping Pastor. Principles and dynamics useful to the pastor who seeks to enable lay renewal, nurture and ministry in a congregational setting. M.Div. core: MIN6. Ogden

PM 511 Person and Practice of Ministry. Integrates the practice of ministry from spiritual, practical, and psychological perspectives. The focus of the course is on the person of the developing minister. M.Div. core: MIN6.

PM512 Christian Worship. This course will explore the theological and practical dimensions of Christian worship. It will provide an overview of liturgical history, consideration of theological issues relating to worship and the practice of sacraments and ordinances, a look at the range of worship/liturgical styles presently at use in the Church (including traditional and "contemporary" styles), consideration of worship music issues, and criteria for evaluation of technological resources for worship use. In addition, the course will give students practical experience in the roles of worship leadership. These include prayer leadership, public reading of scripture, presiding, use of voice and body, and issues of liturgical presence. M.Div. Core: MIN6

PM 517 African-American Church Administration and Leadership. This course is designed to enhance the leadership and administrative skills of those who are called to lead Black congregations. M.Div. core: MIN6.

PM 520 Church Management. The process of planning and implementing administration in accordance with theological and denominational purposes of the church; leadership styles for pastor and people. M.Div. core: MIN6.

PM 527 Teología Pastoral. This course seeks to develop an awareness in students of the nature and forms of ministry. To that end, the course deals with a theology of church and ministry, reviews concepts and styles of leadership and enabling, and seeks to continue a process of the development of skills and resources for ministry. Taught only in Spanish. M.Div. core: MIN6.

PM 529 Pastoral Staff Relationships. Explores issues and roles involved in being on a pastoral staff. Examines personal assets and develops perspectives, philosophy of ministry, and offensive strategies for strengthening and surviving as a team

PM533 Text, Image and Sound: Multimedia Arts in Worship. In this course students will learn to use computer software to develop multimedia resources for corporate worship. We will explore the difference between worship and entertainment, the generational tensions which divide the church, and the underlying values of N. American culture. Students will write a major exegetical paper on a passage of their choice, which will be come the basis of the multimedia interpretations designed for use in corporate worship services. Prerequisite: Written Permission of Instructor.

PM535 Leading and Developing a Church to Maturity. Churches, like people, go through a maturation process; this process can lead to mature, yet still growing, ministry or life-strangling traditions. This course focuses on how clergy and laity can lead congregations in vibrant, innovative ministry by understanding and nurturing the maturation process. Applying biblical principles and using the case study method, students will learn to evaluate life cycles of churches and to develop strategies to bring about mature congregations. M.Div. core: MIN6

PM540 The Korean Family and Korean Churches. This course is designed to promote understanding of Korean families from cultural, sociological and psychological perspectives, and to equip students with an indepth understanding of Korean churches as a context for marriage and family ministry froma historical perspective of the Korean church. Taught in Korean.

PM 580 Leadership Development. Introduces students to dimensions of leadership including character development, spirituality, styles of leadership, and organizational context, as well as theological and philosophical reflections on leadership. Offered only at Fuller in Colorado for Young Life staff.

PM 590 Directed Study in Pastoral Ministry and Theology.

  

PREACHING (PR)

PR 500 Homiletics. Both theological and practical questions about the nature of preaching are explored and discussed. A practicum element is an essential part of this course. Also taught in Spanish. Prerequisites: LG512 and NE502. M.Div. core: MIN2

PR 501 Preaching in the African-American Tradition. Focuses on written and oral communication in the Black church, with particular attention to the preparation and delivery of sermons.

PR 502 Predicación Hispana. The nature, methods and channels of communication in contemporary preaching in relation to the nature, problems and perspectives of the Hispanic community. Taught only in Spanish.

PR 505 Advanced Preaching Seminar. An advanced course for those who have already shown special aptitude for the preaching ministry. Prerequisite: PR500. M.Div. core: MIN2. By invitation of professor only

PR 509 Evangelistic Preaching. A practicum utilizing the preaching models relevant for most types of evangelism today. Credit: 2 units. Prerequisite: PR500. M.Div. core: MIN2

PR 511 Preaching Practicum. A practicum centered on student preaching with an emphasis on self and group assessment. The use of videotape will be offered. Course may be repeated once for credit. Credit: 2 units. Prerequisite: PR500. M.Div. core: MIN2.

PR 512 African-American Preaching Seminar. A practicum providing preaching opportunities with personal and group evaluation. Videotape replay may be utilized. Course may be repeated once for credit. Credit: 2 units. Prerequisite: PR501.

PR 514 Making Doctrine Live. A practicum focusing on preaching on great doctrinal themes in ways that show their relevance for modern life. Credit: 2 units. Prerequisite: PR500. M. Div. core: MIN2

PR 515 Preaching in Postmodern Times. This course is designed to offer practical experience in preaching and sermon preparation with attention to ideas and angles for preaching in postmodern times. Each student will prepare and present two sermons which will be evaluated and discussed by class members under the direction of the instructor. Credit: 2 units. Prerequisite: PR500. M.Div. core: MIN2

PR 516 Variety in Preaching. A practicum focusing on promoting variety (with respect to sermon design, occasions, genres of biblical literature) in text-based preaching. Credit: 2 units. Prerequisite: PR500. M.Div. core: MIN 2

PR 517 Preaching for Occasional Services. This preaching practicum is designed to provide students with practice in preparing sermons for special ministry occasions. Preaching texts will be assigned to address pastoral situations such as funerals, weddings, baptisms, the celebration of the sacrament/ordinance of the Lord's Supper, a revival meeting, and an interdenominational service of worship. Credit: 2 units. Prerequisite: PR500. M.Div. core: MIN 2

PR 520 Preaching from [a specific biblical book]. A preaching practicum designed to give students experience in preaching as well as clarify how the preacher's exegetical work shapes and is expressed in the sermon. Students enrolled in this practicum must be enrolled at the same time in the appropriate Old Testament or New Testament course. Professors will facilitate integration of the tasks of exegesis and sermon preparation. Prerequisite: PR500. M.Div. core: MIN2

PR 525 Foundations for Biblical Preaching. A homiletics course for those in M.A. programs who also feel called to preach. The purpose of the course is to introduce the student to the elements of sermon preparation and delivery. It will place emphasis upon the character of the preacher and the challenge of communicating the Gospel in today's cultural milieu. The course includes a practicum component. Prerequisites: at least one course in biblical studies. This course will meet the requirements for CO500 and CO503 in the M.A. in Theology Biblical Studies and Theology format and in any M.A. in Theology concentration requiring CO500 and CO503. The course will not meet the MIN2 requirements for the M.Div. degree.

PR 590 Directed Study in Preaching.

  

SPIRITUALITY AND SPIRITUAL DIRECTION (SP)

SP 501 The Spiritual Life. An introduction to the concepts and contents which underlie a mature spiritual life. The course will focus on developing a conceptual foundation for understanding and approaching the spiritual life, will identify and develop some of the major topics of the spiritual life and ask students to apply those topics to their own lives. It will also deal with the implications of these understandings for spiritual directors and for spiritual friendship. Limited to students admitted to the Spirituality/Spiritual Direction concentration.

SP 502 The Art of Spiritual Direction. This course offers an introduction to the principles and practice of spiritual direction, through a combination of lecture/discussion of course readings, guest speakers who present a variety of approaches to direction and applied work. It is taken in conjunction with SP 584, 585, 586, Advanced Practicum in Spiritual Direction. Limited to students admitted to the Spirituality/Spiritual Direction concentration.

SP 505 Prayer and the Spiritual Life. This course will examine biblical, theological, psychological and historical foundations for prayer in order to help the student reflect critically on various practices of prayer, develop a personal knowledge of prayer, and develop a life of personal prayer and intimacy of God that will aid the student in maintaining a life "full of faith and the Holy Spirit" in the midst of the disillusionments, frustrations and time pressures encountered in ministry today. SPIR

SP 507 Spiritual Direction in Small Groups. While spiritual direction is generally thought of in one-to-one terms, in fact there is a tradition of group spiritual direction. This course will explore how small groups can be used as a tool for spiritual direction. The aim is to develop skills which can be used in a wider church context. In addition to the focus on discernment in the group context, students will learn small group leadership skills. Limited to students admitted to the Spirituality/Spiritual Direction concentration

SP 508 The Spiritual Disciplines. An introduction to the classic disciplines of the Christian life, set in the context of spiritual theology and the history of spirituality with an emphasis on understanding and practicing these disciplines. M.A.: SPIR

SP 515 Introduction to Christian Spirituality. An introduction to the classic disciplines of the spiritual life, examined biblically, historically and experientially, with special reference to the responsibilities of ministry. M.A.: SPIR.

SP 517 Spirituality and Everyday Life. Focuses on family life, work, friendship and leisure as spiritual disciplines, and on the home, workplace, neighborhood and creation as sacramental spaces. M.A.: SPIR.

SP 520 Foundations for Spiritual Life. The maintenance of vital faith and personal devotion in the face of the pressures and problems of Christian service today, with a focus on prayer. M.A.: SPIR.

SP 559 African-American Spirituality. Beginning with the religion of slaves, surveys the influence of African-American women, the music of the Black church, and the writings of poets and preachers upon African-American spirituality. Compares the themes of community, connectedness, and prayer in the lives and writings of Howard Thurman and Martin Luther King, Jr. and explores contemporary themes in African-American spirituality. M.A.: SPIR.

SP 581 Practicum in Spiritual Direction. A practicum course covering the application of the concepts of spiritual direction to field settings. To be taken in conjunction with SP501 The Spiritual Life. Limited to students admitted to the Spirituality/Spiritual Direction concentration.

SP 582 Practicum in Spiritual Direction. A practicum course covering the application of the concepts of spiritual direction to field settings. To be taken in conjunction with SP501 The Spiritual Life. Limited to students admitted to the Spirituality/Spiritual Direction concentration.

SP 583 Practicum in Spiritual Direction. A practicum course covering the application of the concepts of spiritual direction to field settings. To be taken in conjunction with SP501 The Spiritual Life. Limited to students admitted to the Spirituality/Spiritual Direction concentration.

SP 584 Advanced Practicum in Spiritual Direction. An advanced practicum required of second-year students in the concentration in Spirituality/Spiritual Direction, taught in conjunction with SP502 The Art of Spiritual Direction, which applies the concepts in practicum settings. Students will do both individual and group spiritual direction. Limited to students admitted to the Spirituality/Spiritual Direction concentration.

SP 585 Advanced Practicum in Spiritual Direction. Continues the work of SP584. Limited to students admitted to the Spirituality/Spiritual Direction concentration.

SP 586 Advanced Practicum in Spiritual Direction. Continues the work of SP585. Limited to students admitted to the Spirituality/Spiritual Direction concentration.

  

MISSIONS (TM)

TM 505 Multiculturalism Today. The purpose of this course is to explore the varied experiences of multiethnic, multicultural people groups, to learn from their historical journeys, and to develop cultural sensitivities. Initial foci for this study will center on the African-American, Hispanic American, Korean American, and Chinese American experiences. M.Div. core: MIN8. M.A.: GLBL

TM 506 Contemporary Evangelism and Mission. Engages the student in the theology of evangelism and mission, the current discussions over the relationship between evangelism and social responsibility in mission, and the relationship between the gospel and culture in the church's evangelistic task. Attention is given to motivating local congregations to participate in the evangelistic and missiological tasks. M.Div. core: MIN8

TM515 Comparative Religions and the African-American Community: The TheologicalChallenges of Religious Plurality. This course provides a comprehensive introduction to religious plurality in the USA, with the African-American community serving as a case study for the examination and investigation of topics related to varieties of African-American religious experiences. On the basis of an examination of the biblical, theological and contextual basis for Christian missions, the course will then seek to understand from a phenomenologicl perspective how other religioous communions have developed as well as their encounters with Christianity. M.Div. core:MIN8; M.A.:GLBL

TM 540 Iglecrecimiento en el Contexto Catolico Romano Hispano. The course is a critical analysis of those factors (historical, cultural, sociological, psychological, and spiritual) which provide a basis for understanding church growth and church planting ina Hispanic Roman Catholic context. It is a basic introduction to church growth as a scientific field of study, as a distinctive approach to practical missiology, with emphasis of the development of Christian mission in Roman Catholic contexts, such as the Hispanic community in the USA. Taught in Spanish. M.Div. core: MIN8

NOTE:Several School of World Mission courses are also available for M.Div. core: MIN8. See the M.Div. core listing earlier in the School of Theology section of the catalog for a list.

  

WORSHIP STUDIES (WS)

WS 500 Christian Worship: Leadership and Practice. This course will explore both the practical and theological dimensions of worship leadership. It will examine issues relating to contemporary, blended, and traditional worship and will consider the theological and aesthetic responsibilities that are a part of worship leadership roles, including forming and participating in leadership teams that shape worshipping congregations. A significant part of the course will be devoted to the actual practice of worship leadership and to th careful theological planning of worship events. Among the specific practical issues to be considered are contemporary music leadership, leading in prayer, public reading of scripture, use of body and voice, presiding over ritual, liturgical presence, and serving with hospitality and grace. MA: MINF

WS 504 African-American Sacred Music Styles. This course is a study of the various facets of African-American sacred music styles and the social history that helped to shaped them. Music literature will be reviewed and the ministry of African-American sacred music will be examined.

WS 507 Christian Worship: History and Theology. This course will explore the historical and theological dimensions of Christian worship. It will provide an overview of liturgical history, consideration of theological issues relating to worship and the practice of sacraments and ordinances in various denominational and liturgical traditions, a critique of the range or worship/liturgical styles presently at use in the church (including Eastern and Western practices and so-called "traditional" and "contemporary styles), consideration of a theology of church music, and criteria for the evaluation of technological resources for worship use. A significant objective of the course will be for students to begin to develop a theology of worship

WS 508 Ministry and Media: Theory and Production. This course will explore the theological and practical dimensions of the use of media in ministry. Students will both practice the use of media and technology and learn to evaluate their effectiveness in worship. Such production tools as film, studio recording, electronic amplification, staging, and computer graphics will be addressed and applied.

 

YOUTH, FAMILY, AND CULTURE (YF)

YF 500 Foundation of Youth Ministry. An introduction to youth ministry, for those new to or away from the field for some time. Topics include: characteristics of young people at various age levels; listening, teaching, speaking and program skills; planning and organizing activities; principles of recruiting, training and supervising volunteers. For those who work directly with youth and those who oversee others in youth program leadership. M.Div. Core: MIN4. M.A.: MINF

YF 501 Introduction to Youth Ministry. This course gives an overview of youth ministry philosophy, models and theology while providing an opportunity for interaction with a wide variety of youth ministry leaders and organizations. Offered in conjunction with the Youth Specialties Convention; students will be exposed to a specifically identified and personally tailored experience in order to enhance their ministry training and expertise. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Youth Ministry Certificate Program. M.Div. core: MIN4

YF 502 Leadership in Youth Ministry. Strategies for implementing a youth ministry: recruitment, budgeting, administration, planning.

YF 503 Youth Outreach and Evangelism. This course explores the biblical mandate to "go and make disciples" as it relates to the adolescent subculture. Students will learn how to articulate and pass on to others the biblical and theological view of evangelism and outreach. Through readings, lecture, projects, and discussion, students will learn how to design an incarnational as well as relational ministry program which takes seriously Christian care and evangelism with unbelievintg students. Issues covered are: the content and message of the Gospel as it relates to an age-specific population, contemporary models of youth evangelism, and the partnership and networking of local parishes and the parachurch. M.Div.core: MIN3

YF 504 Introduction to Family Ministry. This course presents an analysis of the current understandings and "modes" of "family ministry" over against a theological, sociological and developmental understanding of the contemporary culture. Various models of family ministry will be examined, and through the use of case studies, lectures and research, students will learn how to create a family ministry that best suits the needs and vision of a given church or ministry organization. M.Div. core: MIN4

YF 505 The Changing Family. This course seeks to provide a biblical, theological, sociological, psychological and historical understanding of the family. Through lecture, discussion, reading, personal reflection and research, each student is encouraged to see how their own understanding and experience of family and other related systems affect who they are and how they operate. This process in turn will equip the students to be more effective in serving people in the name of Christ in a variety of ministry settings.

YF 506 Urban Youth Ministry. Begins with a definition of urban and the need for middle class investigators to be sensitized to poverty, racism, and classism. Analyzes urban realities and the subcultures of urban youth and considers issues of gangs, drugs, crime, pregnancy, and welfare before dealing with social strategies and responses of youth leaders.

YF 507 Youth Ministry Communication. This course is designed to help students understand and analyze the development of youth disciples within the context of communication theory and praxis. It provides an understanding of Christocentric communication in four primary youth ministry contexts: evangelism, small groups discipleship, instructional teaching, and biblical preaching to an adolescent audience. Special emphases will be placed on integrating elements of the contemporary youth subculture, family dynamics that affect youth's receptivity to the gospel, and expanded training implementation for volunteer youth leaders.

YF 508 Youth Ministry as Worship and Mission. This course offers an exploration of incarnational and trinitarian thought as a spiritual discipline of prayer and worship from which mission among young people may grow. The starting point will be the Youth Minister as Christ image in the world. This is expressed as an embodied truth where the youth minister as agent of Christ becomes Christ-like through worship and mission. Drawing upon Johannine and Pauline theologies of union with Christ, the course will also include and introduce Orthodox spiritual theology. M.A.: SPIR.

YF 590 Directed Study in Youth, Family, and Culture.

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DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY AND MASTER OF THEOLOGY COURSES

The following classes and seminars are offered in support of the School of Theology's Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Theology programs, through the Center for Advanced Theological Studies. Unless otherwise noted, all seminars are offered for 6 units of credit.


DIVISION OF BIBLICAL STUDIES

LG 806 Advanced Hebrew Grammar. This course is devoted to discussing and elucidating problems in Hebrew phonology, morphology, and syntax beyond the work possible in Beginning Hebrew and the M.Div. exegetical core courses. In order to accomplish this goal, the course surveys the History of the Hebrew Language from its origins up until the Rabbinic period (ca. 1400 BCEñ200 CE). Attention will be paid to diachronic aspects (e.g., archaic Hebrew, late Biblical Hebrew, Rabbinic Hebrew), dialects (e.g., northern vs. southern), and register (e.g., poetry vs. prose, vernacular vs. literary)

LG 807 Hebrew Reading. This course helps students to reinforce skills learned in beginning Hebrew classes and to become acquainted with the variety of literature found in the Hebrew Bible. The class sessions and assignments emphasize reading, translating, and enjoying the Hebrew Bible.

LG 833 Beginning Ugaritic. This course, the first of a two-course sequence, will provide the student with an introduction to the orthography, phonology, morphology, and syntax of the Ugaritic language. Since it is necessary to provide the unvocalized text with vowels, the course is also an excellent introduction to Comparative Semitic phonology and morphology.

LG 834 Advanced Ugaritic. This course, a continuation of Beginning Ugaritic, LG833, will be devoted to further reading of Ugaritic literature

LG 835 Beginning Akkadian. A graded introduction to the grammar and writing system of Old Babylonian Akkadian. During this course we will read, in cuneiform copies and transliteration, a variety of genres of Akkadian texts: contracts, laws (Hammurabi's Code), omens, letters, royal inscriptions and hymns and prayers. Along our journey we will pay some attention to the history, culture, and religion of the Ancient Near East, the background of the Old Testament.

LG 836 Advanced Akkadian. This course continues the graded introduction to the grammar and writing system of Old Babylonian Akkadian begun in LG835. During this course we will read, in cuneiform copies and transliteration, a variety of genres of Akkadian texts: contracts, laws (Hammurabi's Code), omens, letters, royal inscriptions and hymns and prayers. Along our journey we will pay some attention to the history, culture, and religion of the Ancient Near East, the background of the Old Testament.

LG 846 Northwest Semitic Texts. This course will introduce the student to the more important remains of the literature of the NW Semitic sphere from the first millennium B.C., i.e., Old Phoenician, Old Aramaic, Old Hebrew, and Moabite

NT 801 New Testament Research Methods. This seminar focuses on the methods, the bibliographic resources and the cultural/historical contexts for advanced research in the New Testament; matters of writing, developing a thesis, constructing an argument, citation of sources and footnotes also receive attention. The various methods used in historical research and their appropriate functions in New Testament studies are considered, including an overview of the current state of New Testament studies. Bibliographic resources are identified, used and evaluated. Selected, relevant primary source writingsóJewish (apocrypha, pseudepigrapha, Dead Sea Scrolls, Josephus, Philo, rabbinical texts), Greco-Roman (religious and philosophical texts; historical, political and cultural texts) and early Church (Apostolic Fathers, Justin Martyr, Nag Hammadi texts and other second century literature)óare read and evaluated for their use and importance in New Testament studies. The value and use of nonliterary sources (archaeology, papyri, coins) are also identified and discussed.

NT 802 History of New Testament Scholarship. This seminar entails a survey of critical New Testament studies from the eighteenth century to the present with emphasis on the major movements and their leading proponents. Requirements will include extensive reading in the works that have proved to be watersheds in the discipline.

NT816 Contemporary Quests of the Historical Jesus. This seminar focuses on recent developments in the quest of the historical Jesus, paying particular attention to the issues of method and the relationship of faith and history in scholarly investigation of Jesus. Representative works of the Jesus Seminar and the "Third Quest" will be considered.

NT 819 Approaches to New Testament Exegesis. This seminar is designed to assist students in exegetical method. The texts chosen will be relevant to the students' interests and themes of investigation, and should prove helpful for the writing of dissertations on biblical topics.

NT 821 Apostolic Fathers. This seminar is a literary, historical and theological study of the corpus of early Christian literature known as the Apostolic Fathers. The texts included will be: 1 Clement, 2 Clement, the Letters of Ignatius, the Letter of Polycarp to the Philippians, the Martyrdom of Polycarp, the Didache, Barnabas, the Shepherd of Hermas, the Epistle to Diognetus and the fragments of Papias.

NT 822 Apocryphal New Testament. This seminar is a literary, historical and theological study of the corpus of early Christian literature known as the Apocryphal New Testament. Emphasis will be given to the Apocryphal Gospels and the Apocryphal Acts, but the Apocryphal Epistles and Apocalypses will receive some consideration. Special attention will be given to the critical textual problems of this literature, to the place and function of this literature in second century Christianity and to the history of scholarship on this literature.

NT 824 Johannine Theology. This seminar will focus on Johannine christology, particularly as that christology is developed and presented vis-a-vis Judaism. Study of selections from primary sources, including the Old Testament Apocrypha, Philo, the Dead Sea Scrolls and rabbinic texts, will acquaint students with the contours on Johannine christology, as well as with some of the issues which arise in interpreting the Fourth Gospel against the background of these texts.

NT 838 Paul and Judaism. This seminar will focus on a new understanding of Judaism in the New Testament era, and then upon Paul's soteriology, especially in connection with his statements about Jews and the Law. To be evaluated is the adequacy of the new perspective on Paul in explaining the data and especially in its exegesis of the relevant Pauline texts.

NT 843 Jesus and Paul. A discussion focusing on the continuity and discontinuity between the historical Jesus and the kerygma of Paul, with concentration especially on Paul's use of the Jesus tradition for his theology.

NT 876 New Testament Ethics Seminar. This course examines the ethics of Jesus and early church leaders as disclosed in the New Testament, compares their ethical perspectives to alternatives in the first century, and interacts with contemporary ethical issues.

NT 884 Paul and Israel. A study of Paul's developing understanding of Israel within the context of the eschatological fulfillment experienced by the church. Given the new salvific reality, how is one to understand God's purposes with Israel? The course will include not only reading and discussion of secondary literature, but also exegesis of key passages in the New Testament, Old Testament and Second Temple Jewish literature.

OT 801 Old Testament Critical Approaches. A seminar devoted to the various approaches used in current scholarship and their value in elucidating the Old Testament.

OT 805 Old Testament Theology Seminar. The first topic will be method in the study of Old Testament theology and the final topic will reconsider questions of method in the light of the seminar's study. In the intervening weeks the seminar will cover main themes of Old Testament theology, giving a week or two to aspects of its various themes, such as the God of Israel, the people of Israel, the spirituality of Israel, the hope of Israel and the world of Israel.

OT 865 Old Testament Ethics. The seminar will consider the methodology for studying Old Testament ethics and the way in which the Old Testament may be a resource for Christian ethics, noting the varying functions of narrative, law, prophecy, wisdom and psalmody. It will look from an ethical perspective at the nature of God in the Old Testament and at significant Old Testament themes such as creation, humanity, sex, sin, covenant, nationhood, justice, war and shalom.

OT 883 Ancient Near Eastern History, Literature, and Culture. This course surveys the history and culture of the ancient Near East from the earliest periods to the death of Alexander the Great in 323 b.c. Credit: 2 units.


DIVISION OF THEOLOGY

CH 801 Church and State Seminar. This seminar examines the political thought of leading twentieth-century theologians, including Barth, Bonhoeffer, Moltmann, Cone and Segundo, with emphasis on questions of authority, natural rights, equality, and liberation.

CH 808 Historiography. Designed as a seminar for graduate students in the fields of church history, historical theology and systematic theology. The theory and method of historical study will be examined in order to facilitate graduate level scholarship. On the theoretical side, students will be asked to think through issues of form and structure, of pattern and meaning; to recognize a distinction between "fact" and interpretation, primary datum and derivative account. On the side of method, the course will endeavor to acquaint students with a wide variety of historical tools. In addition, the question of method in research, compilation and final formulation of historical and theological theses will be addressed with a view to aiding students in their work on dissertations and subsequent scholarly publications.

CH 829 Ecclesiology in Historical Perspective. How the church conceives of itself inevitably leads to what the church perceives its role to be. Its self-understanding informs and dictates its mission in the world. Throughout its history, various leaders and theologians have suggested different working models of the church. Some of these models have been biblically based (e.g. the People of God, the Body of Christ), while others have been based on more pragmatic rationale. Some of these models have been more successful than others in motivating people to actions, or in preserving the significance of the church in society. In this course, students will survey a number of these models with particular attention being given to their theological bases as well as their intended and utilitarian purposes. Students will be led through a series of discussions on the development of ecclesiological thinking and will be encouraged to explore a particular model of the church and its usefulness as an expression of God's purpose in the world.

CH 839 Texts and Topics in Reformation Theology. A seminar designed to allow graduate students in all fields to explore the historical roots of their interests at the point where Catholic and Protestant parted company. Texts and topics vary annually.

CH 847 History and Development of Pentecostal-Charismatic Movements. This course is designed to introduce students to the history of the various Pentecostal-Charismatic, and related "Spirit Movements" of the twentieth century. Students will be guided in discussions related to a number of historiographical concerns, as well as to studies using a variety of disciplinary starting points (e.g., history, sociology, anthropology, psychology, etc.) The establishment of sources for the study of these movements, as well as issues that range from primitivism and restorationism, autocephality, independence, social structure, institutionalization, and ecumenism will be covered.

CH 853 Seminar on Calvin and Calvinism. An introduction to the thought of John Calvin in his sixteenth-century context by reading and analyzing his Institutes and other selected works.

CH 858 Contemporary Ecumenical Issues. This course will explore several of the critical issues which currently divide the church. Recent discussions on baptism, eucharist, ministry, sexuality, Mary, the meaning of apostolicity, and racism will be among the items reviewed. This course is designed to inform as well as look for ways past the critical impasse in some discussions.

CH 863 Evangelical Theology and History. A cross-disciplinary study of the historical roots, theological formulation and current practice of American evangelicalism.

CH 879 Church in Modern Society. This course surveys pivotal crises in the Church and society since the Enlightenment, particularly in Britain and North America, with attention given to leading theories of secularization.

ET 832 Method for Concreteness in Christian Ethics. A systematic and comparative analysis of essential ingredients in an ethical method adequate for developing Christian character and grappling with concrete issues. An analytical model of essential ingredients will be used to compare representative methods in Christian ethics.

ET 841 Theological Ethics of Reinhold and H. Richard Niebuhr. A careful, critical, common reading and analysis of eight books by the two most influential Christian ethicists in the United States in this century; comparison and critical assessment of their approaches to theological and social ethics in their historical context and current importance. Themes include the meaning of revelation, responsible selfhood and human nature, historical relativism and postmodernism, Christian realism, church practice, understanding of God's action in history, love and justice.

ET 848 Love, Justice, Community and Postmodern Ethics. The seminar will confront some constraints and constructive directions suggested by a postmodernist and communitarian criticism of Enlightenment influences on modern ethics. Some selected constructive responses to the criticism will be analyzed and compared, focusing on their normative definitions of love, justice and community. The seminar will seek to develop a constructive, historically situated understanding of love and justice that gives concrete guidance to community formation.

PH 850 Issues in Theological Higher Education. This seminar will examine issues that have been discussed in recent literature regarding the aims and purposes of theological education: What does it mean for the leadership of the Christian community to be "capacitated theologically?" What goes into a well-formed theological curriculum? What is the most plausible way of formulating the relationship between seminary and church? Special attention will be given to issues that are important for the evangelical community.

PH 852 Methods in Philosophy. The aims of this course are, first, to familiarize students with changing conceptions of the nature of philosophy and a philosophy of methods since the beginning of the Modern period; and, second, to investigate the consequence of methodological changes for philosophy of religion, philosophical theology (i.e., theological method), and apologetics. In the historical section of the course, Cartesian rationalism, empiricist foundationalism, Kantian critical method, and Hegelian idealism are examined, followed by consideration of four current options: analytic philosophy, continental philosophy, pragmatism, and MacIntyre's tradition-constituted inquiry. Required of all CATS students in the areas of philosophical theology and philosophy of religion.

PH 870 Advanced Theology and Science Seminar. This course examines in depth the theological issues related to one branch of science (e.g., evolutionary biology, neuroscience).

ST 819 Contemporary Christology I: European Trends. This advanced seminar is designed to examine the writings of a cross-section of leading European Protestant and Catholic theologians. Attention will be paid to theological method, and biblical and philosophical orientation. Texts to be studied will be selected from the writings of the following: Jürgen Moltmann, Wolfhart Pannenberg, Dietrich Ritschl, Edward Schillebeeckx, Hans Küng, Karl Rahner, Walter Kasper, and Piet Schoonenberg.

ST 821 Contemporary Christology II: Trends in Britain and North America. This advanced seminar is designed to examine the writings of a cross-section of leading British and North American theologians. Attention will be paid to theological method, and biblical and philosophical orientation. Texts to be studied will be selected from the writings of the following: Thomas F. Torrance, Colin Gunton, James D.G. Dunn, Richard Bauckham, John Hick, John A.T. Robinson, Maurice Wiles, Don Cupitt, Wilfred Cantwell Smith, Paul F. Knitter, and Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza.

ST 829 Theological Method. A critical examination of competing methodologies in contemporary theology based on a study of recent writing. The seminar will examine such topics as types of ethnic theology, feminism, and liberation theology, forms of postmodernity, the nature of doctrine, and models of constructive theology. Required of Theology majors.

ST 833 The Politics of Jesus. This advanced seminar is designed to investigate the politics of Jesus in the context of social, economic, political and religious life in Second Temple Judaism under the Romans. Attention will be paid to primary sources including the Gospels, Josephus, and the Dead Sea Scrolls , in light of contemporary research. The purpose of the seminar is to promote a deeper understanding of Jesus and the politics of his day for students working in the fields of christology, New Testament and ethics.

ST 841 Practical Pastoral Theology. This seminar provides an experience of theological reflection on critical issues related to questions about the nature of God, divine providence, the problem of evil, and human suffering. It develops a foundation for practical theology based on a trinitarian theology of ministry with special emphasis on the issues and needs which arise in the church's pastoral ministry to persons who experience broken relationships, the trauma of tragedy, crises of faith, the problem of evil, as well as general issues related to pastoral care and spiritual formation.

ST 850 The Quest for Community. Community has resurfaced as a major theme in contemporary life. As current religious and social scientific surveys suggest, there is an increasing search for community in both the church and the world. A focus on community is also present in some of the biblical, systematic and pastoral theologians, as well as in some writings on ethical, social and political thought. The seminar will examine a number of these works, concentrating on definitions, dimensions and dynamics of community in congregational and everyday life.

TH 806 Theological Uses of Postmodern Philosophy. An examination of recent changes in English-language philosophy that provide valuable resources for rethinking such issues as the nature of apologetics, theological method, and theological language.

TH 809 Healing and Pastoral Theology. The interrelationship between reconciliation, forgiveness, and healing will be explored in depth utilizing theological, ethical, anthropological, and psychological fields of study and reflection on human alienation and brokenness. Particular attention will be paid to dynamics of alienation and our therapeutic response, including areas such as prejudice, racism, ethnocentricity, hatred, psychic abuse, and nationalism, war, and genocide.


DIVISION OF MINISTRY

CN 831 Sexuality, Intimacy and Integrity. The nature of human sexualityógender, development, orientation, function and dysfunctionóand the experience of human intimacyórelational, covenantal, communalówill be explored theologically, psychologically, sociologically, ethically to extend the participants' understandings of how sexuality and spirituality interrelate in the search for integrity.

CN 850 Religion and Psychotherapy. The major theories of psychology and sociology of religion will be explored and critiqued as they address issues in the practice of psychotherapy. The focus will be on integration of theory and practice, theology and therapy, religious experience and human growth and liberation. (This course will be team taught with a clinical psychologist and a pastoral theologian.)

EV 822 The Theory and Practice of Evangelism. This seminar will explore evangelism as an academic discipline. It will consider such matters as research methods appropriate to an interdisciplinary subject; key issues in the areas of theology, history, and biblical studies; the use of the social sciences; and various movements and approaches to evangelism.

EV 852 Conversion. An advanced seminar which examines the phenomenon of conversion from seven different vantage points: the biblical, theological, historical, psychological, sociological, anthropological, and experiential (personal documents). The aim of the course is to understand better the process of Christian transformation by using the experience of conversion as an extended case study.

PM 810 Pastoral Theology and Theological Reflection. This seminar will consider pastoral roles, religious experience, congregational processes and leadership dynamics from the viewpoints of theological understandings an the social/behavioral sciences. The approach could be considered psycho/theological or theo/psychological.

PM 820 Disorder, Diagnosis and Discernment. Pastoral diagnosisóthe process of identifying and defining the various disorders of the human mind and spiritóis an important task in pastoral counseling and psychotherapy. This seminar will carry out dialogue between theories of abnormal psychology, the diagnostic categories of clinical treatment, and the discernment processes of pastoral theological reflection.

  

Directed Readings and Independent Studies

Students in the PhD and ThM programs design their programs in conjunction with their mentor. The student and the professor whose specialty the student desires to pursue agree together to participate in a directed readings or independent studies course and decide on the contents and requirements of the course before the quarter of study begins. The student must make arrangements for the course with the CATS program director before registration, and must register for academic credit within normal quarterly registration deadlines. The student is responsible to meet with the professor throughout the quarter of study to discuss his or her progress and the completion of the paper. All regular CATS policies and procedures apply to directed readings and independent studies courses.

 

Auditing Courses

Auditing of 800-level seminars in SOT will not generally be permitted. Exceptions may be made in the case of those PhD students who have already passed, or are currently taking, Comprehensive Examinations, or for CATS PhD or ThM graduates. Such exceptions require approval by the faculty member responsible for the seminar and by the student's mentor. Auditing of combined 800/500 level courses at the 500-level is not permitted.

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