BIBLE COURSES | NEW TESTAMENT COURSES | OLD TESTAMENT COURSES | PHILOSOPHY COURSES | THEOLOGY COURSES
BIBLE COURSES
BTH 100 (3) Foundations of Biblical Thought
A biblical and theological study of the Holy Scriptures as the revelation of God and his saving purposes in the Church and the world. While giving attention to the literary, historical, and cultural diversity within Scripture, this course focuses on the theological unity of the canon, grounded in the saving aims and character of God in his holiness and self-giving love.
BTH 475 (1) Senior Seminar
A discussion-oriented course examining issues in biblical and theological studies. Requirements include readings and written reflections, with a required ministry experience for pre-ministry majors. Credit/no credit. Passing grades are based on fulfillment of requirements, attendance and participation.
NEW TESTAMENT COURSES
NT 100 (3) Understanding the New Testament
New Testament literature understood in the light of its historical contexts, its literary forms, and its diversity and unity of theological ideas.
NT 300 (3) Synoptic Gospels
A study of the basic teachings of Jesus in the Synoptic Gospels and the Synoptic Problem in light of critical studies. Prerequisite: NT 100 or BTH 100.
NT 310 (3) The Growth of the New Testament Church
A study of the emergence of Christianity in relation to the historical, religious, and philosophical milieu of the first century. Attention is given to the birth and development of the apostolic church and the variety of ways in which it witnessed to the revelation of God in Christ. Prerequisite: NT 100 or BTH 100.
NT 320 (3) Prison Epistles
A study of the letters of Paul written in captivity. Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon will be examined with special attention given to Pauline Christology. Prerequisite: NT 100 or BTH 100.
NT 330 (3) Hebrews and General Epistles
Detailed exposition of Hebrews, James, I & II Peter and Jude. Each letter is interpreted in its historical, cultural and literary context. Prerequisite: NT 100 or BTH 100.
NT 340 (3) The New Testament and the End Times
A study of New Testament passages that deal with the end times, especially the Revelation. Various theological interpretations of the data are presented for analysis and discussion. Prerequisites: OT 100 and NT 100, or BTH 100.
NT 350 (3) Writings of John
A study of the Gospel of John and the three Epistles of John. Distinctive literary and theological features of the Johannine literature will be considered. Prerequisite: NT 100.
NT 391 (1-3) Independent Study
A directed and supervised investigation of a selected research problem or issue in biblical studies, including the preparation of a scholarly paper. A student may not take more than four (4) hours of independent study. Prerequisites: OT 100 and NT 100, or BTH 100, 3.0 gpa. and approval of instructor. Contract.
NT 393 (1-3) Seminar
Selected topics in Bible or Theology.
NT 400 (3) Galations and Romans
An analysis of Paul's letters to Galatia and Rome, with special emphasis on the theological content of Pauline soteriology. Prerequisite: NT 100 or BTH 100 and one NT course at 300 level.
OLD TESTAMENT COURSES
OT 100 (3) Understanding the Old Testament
Old Testament literature understood in the light of its historical contexts, its literary forms, and its diversity and unity of theological ideas.
OT 300 (3) Pentateuch
An analysis of the general content and spiritual teachings of each of the first five Old Testament books, with special attention to historical and theological features. Prerequisite: OT 100 or BTH 100.
OT 310 (3) History of Israel
A study of the history of ancient Israel from the conquest and settlement of Canaan to the post-exilic community are examined against the background of ancient Near Eastern literature, geography, and archaeology. The focus is on Israel's historical development within its political, social, and religious context. Prerequisite: OT 100 or BTH 100.
OT 320 (3) Eighth Century Prophets
The prophecies of Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, and Micah examined in their historical, literary, and theological context, utilizing a variety of exegetical approaches. Prerequisite: OT 100 or BTH 100.
OT 330 (3) Wisdom Literature
A study of wisdom in the Old Testament with an emphasis on Job, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. Some attention will be given to wisdom in its broader ancient Near Eastern context. Prerequisite: OT 100.
OT 340 (3) Near East Archaeology and Geography
An investigation of archaeological discoveries, mostly in Palestine, from the Stone Age to the Late Iron Age. Emphasis will be given to literature rather than to other remains such as pottery. Also, exceedingly more attention will be given to archaeology than to geography. Prerequisite: OT 100 or BTH 100.
OT 350 (3) Psalms
Exegetical studies of selected Psalms, focusing upon the meaning and use of the Psalms in their Old Testament setting as well as their continued use in the Church. Prerequisite: OT 100 or BTH 100.
OT 391 (1) Independent Study
A directed and supervised investigation of a selected research problem or issue in biblical studies, including the preparation of a scholarly paper. A student may not take more than four (4) hours of independent study. Prerequisites: OT 100 and NT 100, or BTH 100, 3.0 gpa. and approval of instructor. Contract.
OT 393 (1-3) Seminar
Selected topics in Bible or Theology.
OT 400 (3) Jeremiah
An analysis of the contents of Jeremiah against the background of the decline and fall of the Southern Kingdom, and an evaluation of various attempts to determine the composition of the text. Prerequisite: OT 100 or BTH 100 and one OT course at 300 level.
PHILOSOPHY COURSES
PHL 200 (3) Introduction to Philosophy
ntroduction to the nature, methods, and purposes of philosophical inquiry. Investigates major topics such as reality, knowledge, and ethics. Surveys and evaluates important world views in an attempt to formulate a Christian world view. Prerequisite for other philosophy courses.
PHL 211 (3) Ancient & Medieval Philosophy
Surveys the development of philosophical thought from the ancient Greeks to the late medieval period. Emphasis is placed on the philosophy of Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, and Aquinas.
PHL 212 (3) Modern Philosophy
Surveys the development of philosophical thought during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Primarily studies Hobbes, Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz, Locke, Hume, Reid, and Kant.
PHL 221 (3) Logic
Analyzes the methods of correct reasoning; covers propositional logic, term logic, and modern quantification theory. Employs symbolic notation while remaining sensitive to ordinary discourse. Some attention to informal fallacies.
PHL 231 (3) Ethics
Studies the major thinkers and positions in the field of ethics with attention to their relation to Christian thinking related to moral life. Among the views studied are forms of utilitarianism, Kantianism, hedonism, and virtue theory.
PHL 242 (3) World Religions
Presents the history and philosophy of the major living religions in the world outside the Judeo-Christian tradition: Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Islam. Addresses issues related to the uniqueness of Christianity.
PHL 251 (3) Seminar: Philosophy of C. S. Lewis
A study of the philosophical works of Lewis dealing with arguments for the existence of God based on human rationality, the problem of suffering, objective truth, and moral law. Addresses philosophical themes in the Narnia Chronicles and Lewis’ thought in relation to popular culture. Includes viewing and discussion of pertinent videos.
PHL 293 (3) Seminar
Selects a significant issue, problem, theme, or thinker for intensive study.
PHL 312 (3) Epistemology (Theory of Knowledge)
Investigates the nature of human knowledge and belief. Addresses issues related to the sources, justification, and types of knowledge. Major epistemological theories are compared and contrasted.
PHL 322 (3) Metaphysics (Theory of Reality)
Employs a combination of classical and contemporary sources to discuss issues related to the nature and structure of reality. Each offering of this courses selects form a range of issues to cover: substance, matter and mind, free will and determinism, space and time, the relation of logic and ontology, and the like.
PHL 343 (3) Political and Social Philosophy (Same as SOC 343)
Surveys the nature and development of political and social theories with special interest in those factors which give cohesion to human community. Ideas pertaining to humanity, justice, law, and the social good are addressed.
PHL 361 (3) Philosophy of Religion
Surveys the classic topics in the field, such as the theistic arguments, the problem of evil, miracles, religious language, and the divine attributes. Also considers alternative approaches to the subject, such as fideism, natural theology, and Reformed epistemology.
PHL 372 (3) Philosophy of Science
Explores the presuppositions, methods, and role of science as a knowledge-seeking enterprise. Reviews major philosophies of science, such as positivism, Kuhnianism, and realism.
PHL 391 (1-3) Independent Study
Offered by consent of a supervising instructor. A topic is established by negotiation with instructor. A student may not take more than 3 hours per semester. Contract.
PHL 393 (1-3) Seminar
Selects a significant issue, theme, problem, or thinker for intensive and rigorous study. Conducted in seminar style; a major paper is required. Prerequisite: 9 hours in PHL including PHL 200.
PHL 411 (3) Philosophical Theology
Applies the methods of philosophical elucidation to major Christian doctrines, such as Creation, Revelation, Incarnation, Atonement, and the like. Seeks to clarify understanding of and trace the implications of the central concepts of these doctrines.
PHL 412 (3) Contemporary Philosophy
Concentrates on the analytic movement in philosophy, which shaped the tone of professional Anglo-American philosophy. The course surveys the work of such thinkers as Moore, Russell, Ayer, and Carnap, Quine, Strawson, and others. It usually features Wittgenstein for very concentrated study. Where possible, reference is made to other contemporary movements such as: existentialism, phenomenology, and postmodern hermeneutics.
THEOLOGY COURSES
TH 300 (3) Christian Theology
An exploration of the Christian Faith from the perspective of biblical, historical, and systematic theology. This course includes emphases on the essentials of Wesleyan thought and contemporary ethical issues. Prerequisites: NT 100 and OT 100 or BTH 100; and one PHL course.
TH 310 (3) History of the Early Church
An introduction to the rise and development of the Christian church from its inception to the Council of Chalcedon in the fifth century. Prerequisite: TH 300.
TH 320 (3) Biblical Interpretation
A study of the methods and principles of biblical interpretation. It includes an application of interpretive principles to such areas as literary genre, historical and theological issues, the history of interpretation and the relationship between the testaments. Prerequisites: OT 100 and NT 100; or BTH 100.
TH 330 (3) The Theology of John Wesley
A study of John Wesley’s theology with particular attention given to his theology of salvation. Special emphasis will be placed on his doctrine of Christian perfection. Prerequisite: TH 300.
TH 340 (3) Pastoral Theology
Designed to acquaint students with the office and functions of the pastor. Classical Christian sources and concepts are explored in order to develop a theory of pastoral care that is consistent with Scripture and the Wesleyan tradition. Prerequisite: TH 300.
TH 391 (1-3) Independent Study
A directed and supervised investigation of a selected research problem or issue in biblical studies, including the preparation of a scholarly paper. A student may not take more than four (4) hours of independent study. Prerequisites: OT 100 and NT 100, or BTH 100, 3.0 gpa. and approval of instructor. Contract.
TH 393 (1-3) Seminar
Selected topics in Bible or Theology.
TH 400 (3) Historical Theology
A study of the historical development of theology within the Christian tradition. Representative theologians and theological issues which have shaped the faith of the Christian church from post-biblical times to the modern period are investigated in the light of biblical, historical, and ethical concerns. Prerequisite: TH 300.
TH 410 (3) Modern Theology
A study of 20th century theologians who have been decisive in responding to post-Enlightenment skepticism and its critique of revealed religion. Seminar class. Prerequisite: TH 300.