Theology
THEO 5305 (3-3-0) Christian History and Heritage
This three-hour course is a survey of Christianity from the New Testament to the modern era. It will explore the great movements, persons, and events, that have influenced the development of Christianity and give special attention to Baptist identity, and several of the larger contemporary denominations which Christian ministers may encounter in today's world.
Requisites: None.
Offered: Fall, Spring, Online.
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 in its 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 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: Fall (odd years).
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 Theology and Religion
(RELI 4360)
This course examines and critically evaluates specified areas of interest related to biblical studies. Students will engage current issues through the exploration of designated topics that might be time-sensitive to the life and ministry of the student. 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 (even years).
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 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: Fall (even years).
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: Fall (odd years).
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: Spring (even years).
THEO 6325 (3-3-0) Old Testament Readings: Historical Books
This course is an in-depth study of the Historical Books of the Old Testament: Joshua to Esther. The study focuses on the historical and cultural context of these books as well as their basic themes. Additionally, the study will equip students with the interpretive principles needed to properly understand and apply these books to contemporary academic and ministry contexts.
Requisites: None.
Offered: Spring (odd years).
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: Spring (odd years), 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: Fall (even years), 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: Fall (odd years), 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: Spring (even years), Online.
THEO 6337 (3-3-0) Advanced Research in Biblical and Theological Studies
This course introduces the student to advanced biblical and theological research. Exegetical, survey, descriptive, historical, and theological methods will be examined. The form and structure of literature reviews, book reviews, and research papers/theses will be studied. Course assignments enable scholarly investigation in an area of the student's interest, relevant to the degree program purposes, with the end results of both a scholarly research document/presentation and application of scholarly research in a local ministry context. This course may be repeated for credit when the research content changes. If a grade for a particular Advanced Research in Biblical and Theological Studies course must be replaced, the student must repeat the course with the same topic and content.
Requisites: None.
Offered: Periodically.
THEO 6360 (3-3-0) Biblical Preaching
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.
THEO 6361 (3-3-0) Pastoral Theology and Ministry Practices
This course will examine from Scripture and pastoral training materials the office, functions, and ministry practices of the pastor of a New Testament church. A pastor-theologian model will be explored, with exemplars from church history appealed to and discussed as examples of clergy who practiced a biblical theology of pastoral leadership and ministry.
Requisites: None.
Offered: Summer, Online.