Course Offerings in Theology (THEO)

101. Scriptural Reasoning (3)

An examination of the major themes and subsequent biblical theology evident in both the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament. The course will address themes in Biblical Theology and Ethics, the challenges of interpretation and application, and ask the question, how does the Biblical text call its readers to reorient their lives to its specific worldview.

102. Theological Reasoning (3)

This course will look at common research methods in the theological disciplines. It will include an introduction to theological reasoning, important texts, and interpretive movements.

201. Biblical Interpretation (3)

A study of sound principles for the interpretation of Christian Scriptures. Primary focus will be given to the interpretation of pericope within their historical, cultural, social and literary contexts. The course will also address other important hermeneutical questions and issues, as well as principles to guide the appropriate application of Scripture to life, faith and the contemporary contexts.

202. Speaking in a Church Context (3)

This course presents key components in the development and delivery of Biblical messages.

301. OT I: The Pentateuch (3)

This course surveys the books of the Pentateuch, placing special emphasis on Biblical beginnings and the development of the covenants as foundational for God's working in the rest of Scripture. Attention is given to background matters, critical and theological issues.

302. OT II: Prophets and Wisdom Literature (3)

This course examines the writings of the Prophets and Wisdom books of the Hebrew Bible. As regards the Prophets, the course will explore the distinctives of the Biblical prophets and assess their unique message, especially the theological and ethical. As regards the wisdom literature, focus will be given to the nature and form of the text, and the theological and ethical content therein. For both the course will seek ways to relate material to the context of contemporary life.

303. Systematic Theology I: Prolegomena, God, Humanity, and Sin (3)

This course will introduce students to systematic theology and will cover methodology (Prolegomena), the doctrine of God, the doctrine of Anthropology, and the doctrine of sin.

304. Systematic Theology II: Christ, the Holy Spirit, Salvation, Church, and Last Things (3)

This course serves as a basic introduction to systematic theology with a focus on the doctrines of Christology, Pneumatology, Soteriology, Ecclesiology, and Eschatology.

305. Spiritual Formation (3)

This course will introduce students to the practice of spiritual formation including the history of spirituality, the disciplines, and key classic texts related to Christian Spirituality.

306. Biblical Theology of the Marginalized (3)

This course surveys Scripture's witness to concern for the marginalized from Genesis to Revelation. Students will gain an awareness of who the marginalized are in Scripture and then explore what the Bible says about these groups and the faith community's responsibilities in relationship to them.

311. NT I: Jesus and the Gospels (3)

This course will examine the critical exegetical issues related to the study of the Gospels, along with the important questions of the reconstruction from the Gospels of a life of Christ that leads to a Biblical Christology.

312. NT II: Acts and Paul's Letters (3)

An examination of the Pauline texts and the life of Paul as exhibited in the book of Acts and the New Testament texts normally ascribed to Paul. This course will both explore the theologies expressed by the various writings and an overall canonical theology as expressed in the Pauline corpus as a whole. Students will be challenged to ask how these texts might shape contemporary belief and ethical expression.

313. History of World Christianity (3)

This course will explore the history of Christianity from its first century origins through to the modern day with special reference to the development of global Christianity.

401. Christian Ethics (3)

This course will be a basic introduction to Ethics and will focus on moral reasoning, professional applications, and the value of the common good.

441. Ministry Internship (3)

The ministry internship provides a unique learning experience for ministerial students by exposing them to the "behind-the scenes" work of Christian service and providing the opportunity to apply the skills they have learned in the classroom to the real world.

451. Theology Capstone (3)

This course is designed to integrate key areas of learning in the Bachelor of Arts in Urban Theological Studies program. Students will finalize the project that was formulated and has been worked on in their major course work, submit it in written form, and make a presentation on it.