Theology
THEO 5307 (3-3-0) Old Testament Literature and Interpretation
This course provides a survey at intermediate level of the canonical literature of the Old Testament. The study focuses on using exegetical methods to interpret each writing it is appropriate historical and cultural context. It treats individual passages according to their literary genre in order to apply key concepts from the biblical writings to the contemporary setting.
Requisites: None.
Offered: Fall, Online.
THEO 5308 (3-3-0) New Testament Literature and Interpretation
This course provides a survey at intermediate level of the canonical literature of the New Testament. The study focuses on using exegetical methods to interpret each writing it is appropriate historical and cultural context. It treats individual passages according to their literary genre in order to apply key concepts from the biblical writings to the contemporary setting.
Requisites: None.
Offered: Spring, Online.
THEO 5309 (3-3-0) Romans
An intensive study of one or more of the epistles of Paul.
Requisites: None.
Offered: Periodically.
THEO 5310 (3-3-0) The Gospels
(RELI 4307)
An intensive study of one or more of the gospels (Matthew-John). This 5000-level course is cross-listed with a 4000-level course and includes specific graduate course requirements which reflect appropriate deeper learning experiences and rigor in the higher-level course.
Requisites: None.
Offered: Spring, Online.
THEO 5313 (3-3-0) Applied Hermeneutics
The course provides an introduction to advanced methods of Bible study. Students gain proficiency in using Bible software for searches, word studies, grammatical analysis, and translation comparison. Students learn to use tools for exegetical study such as Bible atlases, Bible dictionaries, lexicons and commentaries. Most importantly, students develop a careful approach to the exposition of Scripture, moving from the biblical text to interpretation with suggestive applications for today.
Requisites: None.
Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer, Online.
THEO 5317 (3-3-0) Baptist Heritage and Polity
This course is a survey of Baptist history, including origins, theological distinctives, key personalities, major movements, ministry expressions, and polity structures from the seventeenth century to the present. Special attention will be given to contemporary Baptists both in North America and around the world.
Requisites: None.
Offered: Periodically.
THEO 5321 (3-3-0) The Early Life and Letters of Paul
(RELI 4321)
Historical and exegetical study of the early life of Paul and his epistles to the Thessalonians, Corinthians, and Galatians. This 5000-level course is cross-listed with a 4000-level course and includes specific graduate course requirements which reflect appropriate deeper learning experiences and rigor in the higher-level course.
Requisites: None.
Offered: Fall, Online.
THEO 5322 (3-3-0) The Later Life and Letters of Paul
(RELI 4322)
Historical and exegetical study of the later life of Paul and his epistle to the Romans, prison epistles, and pastoral epistles. This 5000-level course is cross-listed with a 4000-level course and includes specific graduate course requirements which reflect appropriate deeper learning experiences and rigor in the higher-level course.
Requisites: None.
Offered: Spring, Online.
THEO 5336 (3-3-0) The General Epistles
(RELI 4336)
An intensive study of one or more of the General Epistles (James-Jude). This 5000-level course is cross-listed with a 4000-level course and includes specific graduate course requirements which reflect appropriate deeper learning experiences and rigor in the higher-level course.
Requisites: None.
Offered: Fall, Online.
THEO 5345 (3-3-0) Christianity in a Pluralistic World
(INCS 4345, RELI 4345)
This course introduces a Christian understanding of, and a response to, a pluralistic world utilizing biblical truths. This 5000- level course is cross-listed with a 4000-level course and includes specific graduate course requirements which reflect appropriate deeper learning experiences and rigor in the higher-level course.
Requisites: None.
Offered: Fall, Online.
THEO 5360 (3-3-0) Special Topics in Religion
(RELI 4360)
This course examines and critically evaluates, on a graduate level, specified areas of interest related to religious and/or biblical studies. Students will engage current issues or explore specialized areas of study through the analysis of designated topics in religion or certain books of the Bible. This course may be repeated for credit when the content of the Special Topics course changes. If a grade for a particular Special Topics course must be changed, the student must repeat the course with the same topic and content. This 5000-level course is cross-listed with a 4000-level course and includes specific graduate course requirements which reflect appropriate deeper learning experiences and rigor in the higher-level course.
Requisites: None.
Offered: Periodically.
THEO 6303 (3-3-0) Biblical Greek Linguistic and Exegetical Tools
An introduction to the New Testament Greek alphabet, pronunciation, word formation, the verbal system, and syntax. Course will assist students in developing skills in the use of online concordances and lexica, as well as the use of various linguistic helps, differing Bible translations, and other exegetical tools useful in preaching and teaching.
Requisites: Baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited college or university.
Offered: Fall, Periodically.
THEO 6305 (3-3-0) Christian History and Heritage
The course overviews the history of Christianity from New Testament times until the modern era. The study focuses on the major movements, persons, and events that have influenced the development of Christianity with attention to some of the largest contemporary denominations including special emphasis on Baptist history, doctrine, and polity.
Requisites: None.
Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer, Online.
THEO 6306 (3-3-0) Systematic Theology
This course surveys the following Christian doctrines: revelation and the Bible, God, humankind, sin, the person of Christ, the work of Christ, the Holy Spirit, salvation and the Christian life, the church, and last things.
Requisites: None.
Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer, Online.
THEO 6311 (3-3-0) Issues in Early Christianity
This course examines the major issues, ideas, individuals, and events which shaped Christianity from its beginnings to 600 AD. Special attention is given to guided research in areas of historical, theological, ethical, and philosophical significance with respect to the development of Christianity.
Requisites: None.
Offered: Periodically, Online.
THEO 6312 (3-3-0) Issues in Medieval Christianity
This course examines the major issues, ideas, individuals, and events which shaped Christianity from A.D. 600 to A.D. 1500. Special attention is given to guided research in areas of historical, theological, ethical, and philosophical significance with respect to the development of Christianity.
Requisites: None.
Offered: Periodically.
THEO 6313 (3-3-0) Issues in Reformation Studies
This course examines the major issues, ideas, individuals, and events which shaped Christianity from the rise of the Renaissance to the Peace of Westphalia in A.D. 1648. Special attention is given to guided research in areas of historical, theological, ethical, and philosophical significance with respect to the development of Christianity.
Requisites: None.
Offered: Periodically, Online.
THEO 6314 (3-3-0) Issues in American Christianity
This course examines the major issues, ideas, individuals, and events which shaped Christianity in the United States from Colonial beginnings to the present day. Special attention is given to guided research in areas of historical, theological, ethical, and philosophical significance with respect to the development of Christianity.
Requisites: None.
Offered: Periodically, Online.
THEO 6315 (3-3-0) Issues in Contemporary Christianity
This course examines the major issues, ideas, individuals, and events which shape contemporary Christianity, A.D. 1900 to the present day. Special attention is given to guided research in areas of historical, theological, ethical, and philosophical significance with respects to the development of Christianity.
Requisites: None.
Offered: Periodically, Online.
THEO 6318 (3-3-0) Issues in Baptist Studies
This course examines the major issues, ideas, individuals, and events in Baptist studies. Attention is given to specialized research in areas of historical, theological, ethical, and philosophical significance with respect to the development of the Baptist movement.
Requisites: None.
Offered: Periodically.
THEO 6321 (3-3-0) Biblical Backgrounds
This course is designed to give students an understanding of the geography, history, and archaeology of the biblical world that will provide them with a cultural and chronological framework for further study of both the Old and New Testaments.
Requisites: None.
Offered: Periodically, Online.
THEO 6322 (3-3-0) Old Testament Readings: Pentateuch
This course examines the Old Testament legal books – Genesis through Deuteronomy—with special emphasis upon themes and passages of great theological import. The place of the Pentateuch in the religion of Israel, the totality of Scripture and in current life will be discussed.
Requisites: None.
Offered: Periodically.
THEO 6323 (3-3-0) Old Testament Readings: Prophets
This course examines the Old Testament prophetic and post-exilic literature with special emphasis upon themes and passages of great theological import. The place of the Old Testament prophetic and post-exilic literature in the religion of Israel, the totality of Scripture and in current life will be discussed.
Requisites: None.
Offered: Periodically.
THEO 6324 (3-3-0) Old Testament Readings: Psalms and Wisdom Literature
This course examines the Old Testament Psalms and wisdom literature with special emphasis upon themes and passages of great theological import. The place of the Psalms and wisdom literature in the religion of Israel, the totality of Scripture and in current life will be discussed.
Requisites: None.
Offered: Periodically.
THEO 6332 (3-3-0) First Century Christianity
This course examines the emergence and development of Christianity in the first century A.D., with special attention to a literary, historical, sociological, and theological analysis of the Acts of the Apostles.
Requisites: None.
Offered: Periodically.
THEO 6333 (3-3-0) New Testament Readings: Synoptic Gospels
This course examines the gospels of Mark, Matthew, and Luke from historical, literary, and theological perspectives. It will examine the unique perspectives of each of these gospels, as well as common significant elements and themes. This exploration will involve examination of the literary and historical context of the Synoptic Gospels, the methods and results of scholarly study of the gospels, and the practice of exegesis.
Requisites: None.
Offered: Periodically, Online.
THEO 6334 (3-3-0) New Testament Readings: Johannine Literature
This course examines the Gospel of John, the Johannine letters, and the Revelation of John from historical, literary, and theological perspectives. It will examine major Johannine themes and, in the case of Revelation, the apocalyptic movement in general. This exploration will involve examination of the literary and historical context of the Johannine Literature, the methods and results of scholarly study, and the practice of exegesis.
Requisites: None.
Offered: Periodically, Online.
THEO 6335 (3-3-0) New Testament Readings: Pauline Epistles
This course examines the Pauline Epistles from historical, literary, and theological perspectives. Attention will be given to the ministry and teaching of the Apostle Paul as recorded in the Pauline Epistles, with attention given to the life setting of each letter as related to Paul’s ministry journeys. This exploration will involve examination of the literary and historical context of the Pauline Epistles, the methods and results of scholarly study, and the practice of exegesis.
Requisites: None.
Offered: Periodically, Online.
THEO 6336 (3-3-0) New Testament Readings: General Epistles
This course examines the General Epistles from historical, literary, and theological perspectives. Attention will be given to the theological message of each epistle in light of its historical circumstances. This exploration will involve examination of the literary and historical context of the General Epistles, the methods and results of scholarly study, and the practice of exegesis.
Requisites: None.
Offered: Periodically, Online.
THEO 6350 (3-3-0) Christian Ethics
This course examines the process of Christian decision-making on moral and ethical issues in contemporary life, finding its foundations from the perspective of Scripture and Christian tradition. This examination will include insights from history, philosophy, and the sciences to aid in developing a biblically-informed Christian ethical perspective. Theoretical and practical problems will be addressed.
Requisites: None.
Offered: Periodically.
THEO 6355 (3-3-0) Philosophy of Religion
This course is a philosophical examination of fundamental religious beliefs and concepts with primary focus on the claims and warrants of Christian theism. Special attention will be given to classical and contemporary perspectives on the relationship of faith and reason, the nature of religious language, arguments for the existence of God, religious experience, the nature and persistence of evil, miracles, death and immortality, and the relationships of Christianity and other religious traditions.
Requisites: None.
Offered: Periodically.
THEO 6360 (3-3-0) Proclamation
This course is an introduction to the nature, theology, and process of preaching and teaching Christian Scriptures, with an emphasis on the application of Scriptures to the modern audience. Students will study the exegetical, hermeneutical, theological and pastoral dynamics of preaching and teaching Scriptures, including the development and utilization of various kinds of sermons and teaching lessons. Emphasis will be given to the development of sermons and teaching lessons from a variety of Scriptural genres.
Requisites: None.
Offered: Spring, Online.