Christian Studies and Philosophy Department
Dr. C. Budd, Chair
Professors: Dr. N. Anderson, Dr. C. Budd, Dr. O. Dickens, Dr. G. Miller, Dr. D. Rightmire
Associate Professors: Dr. K. Anderson, Dr. L. Shmidt
Assistant Professors: Ms. C. Brown, Mr. B. Hull
The Great Commission calls for active intellectual life and strong leadership among those who seek to engage the world’s cultures in the early decades of the 21st century. The Department of Christian Studies and Philosophy seeks to deepen understanding of the Christian faith and cultivate Christian worldview thinking, which are fundamental to the University’s mission with all students. In addition, the Department desires to prepare leaders for a variety of ministry vocations, as well as preparing students for seminary and other graduate studies.
The BIBLE AND THEOLOGY PROGRAM offers an in-depth exploration of biblical content and theology. Majors prepare men and women for vocational ministry and theological scholarship.
1. The Pre-seminary major equips students for seminary and graduate level education. Men and women in this program have opportunity to develop the writing and research skills necessary to succeed in graduate school and ultimately to serve in pastoral and other leadership roles in church and society.
2. The Pre-ministry major seeks to prepare men and women for ministry immediately following college. These students take courses, among others, in preaching, pastoral theology, biblical interpretation, Christian Ministries, and marriage or family in order to be as equipped as possible to enter some types of ministry without further seminary education.
Each of these two programs emphasizes biblical content, background, theological understanding, and exegetical skills. Both facilitate interpreting the Bible in its historical, cultural context and the ability to apply biblical principles to ministry in everyday life. In addition to studying individual books of the Old and New Testaments, students explore the rich historical and theological legacy of the Church and its implications for today.
As part of our goals for our students, the department provides opportunities for study abroad and cross-cultural experiences. In recent years our faculty members have sponsored study-tours to Greece, Turkey, and Israel. Some of our students have spent a semester in Israel earning course credit in biblical history and archaeology.
The CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES PROGRAM offers opportunity to increase understanding and thoughtful participation in the work of the church, with particular focus on the public worship, educational/discipleship, and missional components of that work. Majors demonstrate special concern for exploring ways to meet spiritual needs, from a Biblical perspective, as they exist individually and socially in various cultures.
A core of courses anchors students in Biblical/theological studies, including basic understandings of the Church and its mission in the world, in foundational practices of Bible study and other spiritual disciplines, and in experiences leading to effective ministry. Each program requires students to participate in a ministry Internship. Students may major in Christian Ministries, Missions, Youth Ministry, or Worship Arts; minors are also available in each of these areas.
1. The Christian Ministries Major prepares students for leadership in the disciple-making and teaching ministry of the church and parachurch. Preparation is supported through study of human developmental patterns and ministry approaches throughout the life cycle. A concern for organizational leadership and curricular resources contributing to spiritual formation is reflected in course offerings. The department’s Resource Center (housed in the Kinlaw Library) makes a wide variety of materials available for student study, as well as for applied ministry. Experiential learning occurs throughout the program.
2. The Missions Major prepares students for cross-cultural ministry in an international setting or among ethnic groups in the United States. This program seeks to equip students with knowledge and understanding of the issues of intercultural communication in general and cross-cultural communication of the Christian gospel in particular. Using a multidisciplinary approach, students learn to analyze intercultural problems, work within the arena of cultural diversity, and form the conceptual framework and practical skills needed for effective cross-cultural communication and ministry.
3. The Youth Ministry Major prepares students for leadership roles in ministry with adolescents in church and parachurch. Rooted in theological reflection and the study and understanding of the unique developmental journey of youth, the major equips students for evaluating various models of ministry with adolescents and developing their own consistent approach. A focus on teaching and mentoring youth is supported by study and practice in evangelism, discipleship, counseling, recreation, and assessment of cultural systems and influences that affect youth, with a goal of guiding youth to Christian maturity and participation in the Church’s ministry.
4. The Worship Arts Major equips students theologically, spiritually, and technically to play significant leadership roles in the worship arts in congregations. Building on a foundation of biblically- and theologically-informed study of the church and its worship, the program leads students in personal spiritual growth and in opportunity to develop abilities to lead in music, media ministry, drama, the visual arts, and intra-church relationships in today’s church.
The purpose of the PHILOSOPHY PROGRAM is to acquaint the student with the field of philosophy, including its relevance to the formation of a Christian world view. In this process, philosophy becomes an important element in preparation for both meaningful vocation and general intellectual life.
The curriculum in philosophy acquaints the student with the history of philosophy, the world’s great philosophers, basic schools of thought, key areas of philosophy, and the classic questions in the field. In addition to the information conveyed in the curriculum, philosophy at Asbury seeks to develop key cognitive skills in the student: clear thinking, analysis, logical argumentation, critique. Beyond the level of skill acquisition, the curriculum is also designed to nurture the higher intellectual functions of understanding and valuing, which have traditionally been associated with wisdom.
Philosophy serves as an attractive major or minor as well as an enriching elective for any other field of study. As an undergraduate major, philosophy serves as a basis for graduate work in philosophical, theological, or divinity programs. A student can also major in philosophy in order to do graduate work in other fields, provided that he or she has done the necessary preparation in that other field. Philosophy is a beneficial second major as well, since it equips the student with cognitive skills and expands his or her understanding. As a minor, philosophy fits well with any major, since it is flexible and provides additional insight into one’s first major and into intellectual issues more broadly. Simply taking some philosophy courses as electives helps the student in pursuing intellectual interests outside his or her major field.
Some career options open to philosophy majors are law, medicine, business, politics, government service, journalism, and writing. Historically, only philosophy majors score 5% or more above the mean on these important exams: LSAT, GMAT, GRE Verbal, and GRE Quantitative. Philosophy majors as a group have a higher mean score on the GRE Verbal than students in any other major. Surveys of medical schools indicate that philosophy is the preferred major for applicants who are otherwise qualified in chemistry and biology.
Philosophy is essential to being a truly educated person -- that is, to being a person who understands our cultural heritage, sees life holistically, discerns and critiques the assumptions of competing world views, and acts upon principle. This kind of education lays a ground work for success in any career because it enhances one’s ability to deal with a wide variety of ideas and perspectives represented among different people, to solve complex problems, and to articulate a vision.
BTH 100, OT 100, NT 100, and TH 300 are included as general education requirements for all students and do not apply to the majors and minors listed below.
BIBLE-THEOLOGY: PRE-MINISTRY (49 hour major + general education + electives)
[Courses used to satisfy general ed requirements do not apply]
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS (49)
BTH 475 Senior Seminar 1
Choose 1 class from: 3
CM 201 Dyn of Spirit Growth
CM 211 Instr Bible Study
CM 380 Organ Strat in Min
CM 213 Intro to Worship 3
COM 341 Com of Gospel 3
Choose 1 class from: 3
MIS 201 Christianity & Wrld Rel
MIS 311 Strat Intrcult Com
3 classes of NT (not NT 100) 9
3 classes of OT (not OT 100) 9
Choose 1 class from: 3
PHL 231 Ethics
PHL 361 Phil of Religion
SOC 341 Marriage & Family 3
TH 320 Biblical Interpretation 3
TH 340 Pastoral Theology 3
2 classes of TH (not 300, 320, 340) 6
BIBLE-THEOLOGY: PRE-SEMINARY (43 hour major + general education + electives)
[Courses used to satisfy general ed requirements do not apply]
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS (43)
BTH 475 Senior Seminar 1
Choose 1 class from: 3
CM 201 Dyn of Spirit Growth
CM 211 Instr Bible Study
CM 380 Organ Strat in Min
COM 341 Com of Gospel
MIS 311 Strat Intercult Com
Choose 1 class from: 3
HIS 313 Hist of Rel Amer
HIS 320 Ancient History
HIS 321 Hist of Christnty
PHL 211 Anc & Med Phil
PHL 231 Ethics
PHL 242 World Religions
PHL 361 Phil of Religion
PHL 411 Phil Theology
4 classes of NT (not NT 100) 12
4 classes of OT (not OT 100) 12
Choose 1 class from: 3
[*Not Used Above]
PHL 231 Ethics
PHL 361 Phil of Religion
3 classes of TH (not TH 300) 9
CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES (48 hour major + general education + electives)
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS (48)
CM 100 Ministry and Mission 3
CM 201 Dyn of Spirit Growth 3
CM 211 Instruct Bible Study 3
CM 235 CM Practicum 1
CM 380 Organiz Strategies 3
CM 435 Internship 3
CM 475 Senior Seminar 3
EM 220 Teaching in the Church 3
EM 280 Foundations Ed Min 3
MIS 201 Christ & World Rel 3
Choose 3 classes from: 9
EM 340 Children’s Ministry
EM 350 Youth Ministry
EM 360 Adult Ministry
SW 351 Family Life Educ
2 classes from CM/EM 5-6
2 classes from NT/OT (not 100) 6
MISSIONS (45 hour major + general education + electives)
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS (45)
CM 100 Min and Mission 3
CM 201 Dyn of Spirit Growth 3
CM 211 Inst Bible Study 3
CM 475 Senior Seminar 3
MIS 201 Christ & Wrld Rel 3
MIS 210 Cross Cultural Min 3
MIS 311 Strat Intercult Com 3
MIS 312 Mission Theo & Strat 3
MIS 435 Internship 3
Choose 2 classes from: 6
ENG 200 Intro Teach ESL
MIS 322 Christianity & Cult
MIS 323 Min in 2/3 World
MIS 330 Lat Amer Cult & Rel
MIS 340 Urban Ministry
MIS 350 Mission Trends
SOC 212 Intro Anthropology
4 classes of NT/OT (not 100) 12
PHILOSOPHY (30 hour major + general education + electives)
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS (30)
PHL 211 Ancient & Medieval Phil 3
PHL 212 Modern Phil 3
PHL 221 Logic 3
PHL 231 Ethics 3
PHL 393 Seminar 3
PHL 412 Contemp Philosophy 3
4 classes of PHL (not 200) 12
WORSHIP ARTS (44-54.5 hour major + general education + electives)
MAJOR REQS (44-54.5)
ART 354 Graphic Design I 3
CM 100 Min and Mission 3
CM 201 Dyn of Spirit Grwth 3
CM 213 Intro Worship 3
CM 361 Worship Thru Ages 3
CM 475 Senior Seminar 3
MC 225 Interactive Media I 3
MC 228 Live Audio & Sound 3
THA 221 Acting I 3
WA 200 Worship Arts Leadership 2
WA 435 Internship 3
AREA OF EMPHASIS (Choose 1):
A. VISUAL ARTS (14)
MTH 100 Fund of Music (2)
Choose 12 hours from:
ART 266 Photography I (3)
ART 300 Art Theory and Crit (3)
ART 452 Graphic Design II (3)
MC 121 Audio Production (3)
MC 261 TV Studio Prod (4)
MC 302 Digital Field Prod (3)
MC 371 Media Ministries (3)
MC 372 Interactive Media II (3)
THA 362 Approach to Design (3)
WA 393 Worship Arts Sem (1-3)
B. DRAMATIC ARTS (11)
MTH 100 Fund of Music (2)
Choose 9 hours from:
THA 251 Acting II (3)
THA 282 Screenwriting Fund (4)
THA 325 Fund of Directing (3)
THA 362 Approach to Design (3)
WA 393 Worship Arts Sem (1-3)
C. MUSIC (22.5)
[Entry by audition only.]
CHM 210 Music in Worship (2)
MTH 111 Written Theory I (2)
MTH 121 SS/Aural Train I (1.5)
MUS 150 Music Technology (1)
PNO 151 Beg Functional Pian (1)
WA 121 Cont Music Theory I (3)
WA 151 Worship Art Technology (2)
WA 221 Intro to Worship Band (3)
WA 311 Worship Band Ens (1)
WA 322 Cont Music Theory II (3)
Choose 3 hours from:
Private lessons INS, ORG, PNO, VOC (1-2)
CHM 472 Songs of the Church (2)
ENS _______ Ensemble (1)
VOC 104 Voice Thea & Worsh (2)
WA 311 Worship Band Ens (1)
WA 393 Worship Arts Seminar (1-3)
Note: Entry into the Worship Arts major is by audition only. Applicants may audition on guitar, keyboard, bass, drums, or voice. Students who do not pass this may begin their general core classes and re-audition during a later semester.
YOUTH MINISTRY (48 hour major + general education + electives)
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS (48)
CM 100 Ministry and Mission 3
CM 201 Dyn of Spiritual Growth 3
CM 211 Instruct Bible Study 3
CM 380 Organiz Strat 3
CM 475 Senior Seminar 3
EM 220 Teaching in the Church 3
EM 280 Foundations Ed Min 3
MIS 201 Christnty & Wrld Rel 3
YM 235 CM Practicum 1
YM 350 Youth Ministry 3
YM 435 Internship 3
Choose 1 class from: 2
YM 360 Youth Culture
YM 370 Pastoral Care of Youth
Choose 1 class from: 3
EM 360 Adult Ministries
SW 351 Family Life Educ
2 classes from CM/EM/YM 6
2 classes from NT/OT (not 100) 6
BIBLE-THEOLOGY (18 hour minor)
minor REQUIREMENTS (18)
[BTH 100, NT 100, OT 100, and TH 300 do not apply]
1 class of NT (not NT 100) 3
1 class of OT (not OT 100) 3
1 class of TH (not TH 300) 3
3 classes of NT, OT, or TH 9
CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES (18 hour minor)
MINOR REQUIREMENTS (18)
[May not be completed by YM majors.]
CM 100 Ministry and Mission 3
CM 201 Dyn of Spirit Growth 3
CM 380 Organiz Strategies 3
Choose 1 class from: 3
EM 340 Children’s Ministry
EM 350 Youth Ministry
EM 360 Adult Ministry
2 classes from CM/EM 6
MISSIONS (18 hour minor)
MINOR REQUIREMENTS (18)
CM 100 Min and Mission 3
5 classes of MIS 15
PHILOSOPHY (18 hour minor)
MINOR REQUIREMENTS (18)
Choose 18 hours of
PHL 211 or above 18
WORSHIP ARTS (22-24 hour minor)
MINOR REQUIREMENTS (22-24)
CM 100 Min and Mission 3
CM 213 Intro Worship 3
WA 200 Worship Arts Leadership 2
Choose 2 classes from: 6-7
ART 266 Photography I (3)
ART 300 Art Theory and Crit (3)
ART 354 Graphic Design I (3)
MC 225 Interactive Media I (3)
THA 221 Acting I (3)
THA 282 Screenwriting Fund (4)
THA 325 Fund of Directing (3)
THA 362 Approach to Design (3)
Choose 1 class from: 3-4
MC 121 Audio Production (3)
MC 228 Live Audio & Sound (3)
MC 261 TV Studio Prod (4)
Choose 4 hours from: 4
CHM 210 Music in Worship (2)
CHM 472 Songs of the Church (2)
CM 361 Worship Thru Ages (3)
WA 221 Intro to Worship Band (3)
WA 311 Worship Band Ens (1)
WA 393 Worship Arts Sem (1-3)
YOUTH MINISTRY (20 hour minor)
MINOR REQUIREMENTS (20)
[May not be completed by CM majors.]
CM 100 Ministry and Mission 3
CM 211 Instruct Bible Study 3
CM 380 Organiz Strat 3
YM 350 Youth Ministry 3
Choose 1 class from: 2
YM 360 Youth Culture
YM 370 Pastoral Care of Youth
2 classes from CM/EM/YM 6
The Christian Studies and Philosophy Department also offers a major in LEADERSHIP AND MINISTRY through the ADULT PROFESSIONAL STUDIES PROGRAM of the university. For information on that program see the ADULT PROFESSIONAL STUDIES WILMORE AND ORLANDO sections.
Bulletin 2011-2012 Revised 8/26/2011
