| 101B | Biblical Hebrew | 4 | |
| 301B | Hebrew Fundamentals | 3 | Guides students from the basics of the Hebrew alphabet and pronunciation to the reading and comprehension of Old Testament texts, facilitated by means of a workbook, an interactive CD-ROM, and a web-site providing additional resources. |
| 302B | Greek Fundamentals I | 3 | Introduces students to fundamental elements of New Testament Greek grammar and basic function of the parts of a Greek sentence, and provides understanding of Greek morphology and its significance for exegesis. |
| 303B | Reformed Confessions and Worldview | 3 | Introduces Reformed theology through a study of confessions, from the Reformation era (Belgic Confession, Heidelberg Catechism, Canons of Dort) and the more recent past (Contemporary Testimony, Belhar Confession), and through the basic elements of the Reformed worldview grounded in this confessional theology. |
| 304B | The Church in Historical Context I | 3 | Surveys the story of God’s people from 100 – 1247 A.D., conversing with ancient and medieval brothers and sisters in Christ by reading and responding to their testimonies, theology and practices. |
| 305B | The Church in Historical Context II | 3 | Introduces the history of Christianity from the late Middle Ages to the present, with special attention to developments in North America. Focuses on how the church’s institutions, thought, and practice were shaped by and responded to their contexts in each of the eras and places under study. |
| 306B | Preaching Theory and Methods | 2 | Introduces the practice of preaching through lectures, discussions, readings and preparatory exercises; and provides a grammar for talking about sermons and an elementary approach to sermon construction. Topics include theology of preaching, technique in telling stories, writing for the ear, pastoral issues in the pulpit, use and presentation of scripture in the sermon, and how and where to find illustrations. |
| 307B | Pastoral Identity Retreat | 2 | Explores the pastor as person, with particular attention on call to ministry, formation of pastoral identity, and the art of theological reflection. Culminates in an off-campus retreat where discernment of pastoral identity is facilitated within the context of worship and prayer. |
| 308B | Introduction to Ministry: Forming Communities of Disciples | 3 | Introduces students to the practices of ministry involved in forming communities of disciples, including worship, faith formation, pastoral care, evangelism, leadership and administration |
| 310B | The Church in Historical Context Survey | 3 | Surveys the major turning points in the history of Christianity from 100 A.D. to the present; and focuses on how the church’s institutions, thought and practice were shaped by and responded to their contexts at each of the turning points under study. |
| 401B | Hebrew Usage and Tools | 3 | Introduces exegetical tools, methods and hermeneutics for the exposition of Old Testament narrative texts based on a close reading of the book of Jonah and other selected texts. |
| 402B | Old Testament Narrative Literature | | Introduces students to Genesis through Kings, Chronicles, Ezra-Nehemiah and Esther as Christian Scripture, by means of a close reading methodology and theological analysis applied to books and selected passages in Hebrew. |
| 402BT | Old Testament Narrative Literature | | |
| 403B | Old Testament Poetic Literature | | Provides basic knowledge of Hebrew poetry and literary genres of the Psalms and other books of the Writings, a close reading methodology of selected passages in Hebrew, and emphasis on the psalms of prayer, lament, thanksgiving in prayer, song, preaching and pastoral care. |
| 403BT | Old Testament Poetic Literature | | |
| 404B | Old Testament Prophetic Literature | 3 | Introduces the institution and nature of prophecy and an exegetical and biblical theological examination of selected prophetic passages, emphasizing the message of the prophets for the church. |
| 404BT | Old Testament Prophetic LIterature | 3 | |
| 410B | Greek Fundamentals II | 3 | Introduces Greek grammar, vocabulary, and syntax (building on NT 301) and the reading of the Greek New Testament, with emphasis on the use of Libronix Bible software as well as the exegetical application of the genitive case, adverbial participles, and conditional sentences. |
| 411B | New Testament Narratives | 3 | Studies the Gospels and Acts and the unique problems of having four different gospels; develops a Reformed methodology for analyzing the various approaches to the gospels; and studies specific passages in Greek.
Prerequisite: NT203 |
| 412B | New Testament Letters | 3 | Reviews the basic principles of interpreting the biblical text from a Reformed perspective, with attention given to Greek grammar, historical context, social setting, epistolary structure and theological themes of the New Testament letters and their message for the church today. |
| 412BT | New Testament Letters | 3 | |
| 421B | Systematic Theology I | 3 | Analyzes themes in the doctrines of God, humanity, and Christ, focusing on their biblical foundations and the church’s wrestling with these themes. |
| 422B | Systematic Theology II | 3 | Examines the work of the Holy Spirit, salvation, the church, and the return of Christ and reign of God through studying Scripture, historical documents and contemporary thought. |
| 430B | Reading Congregations | 1 | Prepares students to minister wisely in a congregation by providing basic tools and perspectives to analyze a congregation and discern a call to a specific ministry setting. |
| 431B | Pastoral Disciplines for Counseling Ministry | 3 | Introduces effective personal and marital counseling within the limits of pastoral ministry and explores the theologies and theories of transformation that underlie these pastoral skills. Students learn beginning counseling skills and complete a practicum/case study on a field experience packet filled out prior to the class.
Prerequisite: PRTH701 |
| 432B | Preaching Practicum | 3 | Builds on the approaches taught in 306 PW to prepare sermons, examine pastoral identity in preaching, and explore preaching in specialized ministry contexts with particular attention to issues of delivery and sermon construction when remedial help is needed.
Prerequisite: PRTH652 |
| 440B | Discipleship and Teaching in North American Culture | 2 | Equips students for leadership in the teaching ministry of the church by providing biblical and theological foundations, examining methods for assessing ministry contexts, developing a teaching-learning strategy appropriate to the context, and providing opportunities to enhance instructional skills. |
| 441B | Discipleship and Teaching: Evangelism and Cross-Cultural Min | 2 | Introduces models of personal and congregational evangelism, models of contextual ministry, and skills necessary for cross-cultural ministry; and teaches how to write and communicate faith stories for evangelistic purposes, present the gospel individually and corporately, conduct evangelistic Bible studies, and lead a congregation to the best model(s) of outreach for its context and to church planting. |
| 449B | Gospel Communication | 2 | Trains students in the art of public speaking as preparation for preaching and teaching ministries. |
| 450B | Apologetics | 2 | Presents a Reformed approach to the rational defense and presentation of the Christian faith and engages crucial issues in apologetics: the existence of God, the credibility of Scripture’s witness to Jesus Christ, the problem of evil, challenges based on the natural and social sciences, and religious pluralism. |
| 451B | Ethics and the Christian Life | 3 | Studies Christian personal and social morality vital for being an obedient church leader and developing faithful communities of disciples. |
| 452B | Forming Worshipping Communities | 2 | Introduces principles and practices of vital and faithful worship leadership, explores biblical and historical perspectives on worship practices highlighting those of the Reformed tradition, and gives students practice at several basic worship planning and leading skills. |
| 460B | Jeremiah and the Church | 3 | Introduces Jeremiah, the complex prophet of the New Covenant, and explores how his lengthy revelation finds its focus in Christ and continues to resonate within the church and world. |
| 461B | Interpretation of Old Testament Narrative Literature | | course description coming |
| 462B | Ephesians | 3 | Considers the significance of this letter to contemporary challenges for ministries of the church: civil religion; Christian life as a continuous act of worship; ethnic and cultural diversity; unity and reconciliation; the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit for servant-leadership in marriage, family, church, and work; and spiritual warfare. Based on the English text, no Greek required. |
| 462B2 | Ephesians | 2 | |
| 463B | Shalom | 3 | Provides the vision and understanding of God’s plan for creation to inspire lifestyles and ministries that conform to God´s good will for the cosmos, society, the Church, and for each person. Learning and theological reflection is done regarding sites where significant models of community transformation, social justice and care for creation are being developed in the US, Canada, and other countries. |
| 470B | Applied Music Skills for Worship Leaders | 1 | Provides one-on-one instruction in applied musical and artistic skills for worship leadership, including various approaches to equipping others in a congregational setting, and discussions of the pastoral, liturgical, and theological parameters for how particular skills best contribute to the worship life of congregations. Areas may include piano, organ, and keyboard; conducting; composition and arranging; or art and media design; students are encouraged to practice their skills in an internship, chapel, or local congregational context. |
| 471B | Written Expression | 1 | Introduces English writing skills needed for preparing academic papers and engaging in other forms of nonfiction writing. Topics addressed include selecting a topic, engaging sources appropriately, developing a thesis and an outline, following good English style, crafting paragraphs and transitions, and avoiding plagiarism. |
| 471BT | Written Expression | | |
| 472B | Choosing Music for Worship | 1 | Resources students in developing and improving skills in choosing appropriate music for worship services. |
| 472BT | Choosing Music for Worship | 1 | |
| 473B | Public Reading of Scripture | 1 | Resources students in developing and improving skills in effective public reading of Scripture passages. |
| 473BT | Public Reading of Scripture | 1 | |
| 474B | Research Skills | 1 | Introduces the basic skills necessary for writing theological research papers, including use of sources, databases, and formulating a good thesis statement. |
| 474BT | Research Skills | 1 | |
| 475B | Proclaiming Texts Using the Arts | 1 | Introduces the various ways art proclaims the Word through image, architecture, and visual elements of worship. We will explore a biblical approach to the visual as integral in multi-sensory proclamation, examine historical developments, and discover how art in worship speaks theologically today. |
| 475BT | Proclaiming Texts Using the Arts | 1 | |
| 476B | Discerning and Organizing Information | 1 | Throughout past centuries pastors have used various systems for organizing the information found in the books and articles they read, the notes they took, and the sermons they wrote. These ranged from the 16th century commonplace book to “Baker’s Textual and Topical Filing System” used by some pastors in the mid-twentieth century. How should the twenty-first-century pastor organize the print and digital information which crosses his or her desk? This weeklong seminar will look at different models for organization of information for ministers of the Word, with examples of effective current practices of ministry practitioners. The goal of the week’s work is to help each participant develop a practical, efficient, flexible, and useable plan for organizing information that will serve well in future years of ministry. |
| 476BT | Discerning and Organizing Information | 1 | |
| 477B | Planning Intergenerational Worship | 1 | Most churches today wrestle with the issue of Intergenerational Worship. Is it possible? What methodology should be used? Which values should guide us? What are the risks of different approaches? Many are experimenting with very diverse approaches. In this course we’ll explore the issues involved, different perspectives on “intergenerational”, and participate collaboratively in efforts to design worship that will reach all generations. Our work will be built on the assumption that all generations are equally valuable, and all generations have their own unique needs in the formation of their faith. |
| 477BT | Planning Intergenerational Worship | 1 | |
| 478B | Practicum in Teaching with Technology | | |
| 478BT | Practicum in Teaching with Technology | | |
| 479B | Leading Congregations in Prayer | | |
| 479BT | Leading Congregations in Prayer | | |
| 480B | Training Council Members | | |
| 480BT | Training Council Members | | |
| 481B | Advanced Public Speaking | | |
| 481BT | Advanced Public Speaking | | |
| 482B | Basic Budgeting | | |
| 482BT | Basic Budgeting | | |
| 483B | Using Media Wisely | | |
| 483BT | Using Media Wisely | | |
| 484B | Worship Planning | 1 | |
| 485B | Choral Music | 1 | |
| 486B | Budgeting & Financial Planning for Congregations | | |
| 487B | Sex: How to Preach/Teach on the Least Discussed Topic | | |
| 487BT | Sex: How to Preach/Teach on the Least Discussed Topic | | |
| 488B | Pastoral Leadership Case Studies | | |
| 488BT | Pastoral Leadership Case Studies | | |
| 490B | Hebrew Review | 1 | Offers opportunity to secure and build upon gains made in 301 in order to provide a solid foundation for using Hebrew in exegesis. |
| 490BT | Hebrew Review | 1 | |
| 491B | Greek Review | 1 | Offers opportunity to review and sharpen Greek grammatical and exegetical skills by reading important passages of the New Testament. |
| 491BT | Greek Review | 1 | |
| 492B | Listen to What the Spirit Says to the Churches | 1 | |
| 496BT | Budgeting & Financial Planning for Congregations | | |
| 501B | The Art of Hebrew Narrative | 2 | Develops greater proficiency in comprehending biblical Hebrew and appreciating its literary artistry and its application in Old Testament exegesis through a careful reading of the Jonah narrative. |
| 501BT | The Art of Hebrew Narrative | 3 | |
| 502B | Exegesis of the Pentateuch | 2 | Exercises exegetical and theological understanding of Exodus or Leviticus (in alternate years) in its larger canonical context, and its abiding address to the Church. Basic exegetical skills and knowledge of the Hebrew language and computer assisted exegetical skills are assumed. |
| 502BT | Exegesis of the Pentateuch | 3 | |
| 503B | Theology of the Primary History (Genesis-Kings) | | |
| 504B | Hebrew Poetry | | |
| 505B | Text to Sermon: Preaching Esther and Wisdom Literature | | |
| 506B | Psalms | 2 | Studies selected passages from the Psalms in the Hebrew text. Exegetical studies include syntactical, form critical, prosodic, hermeneutical and biblical theological issues. Considers the history of psalmic interpretation, the literary genres and their function in the Psalter as a collection and as a basis for liturgy and biblical theology. Offer M.T.S. and Th.M. students an opportunity to apply their knowledge of the original languages and their understanding of biblical hermeneutics in resolving key exegetical issues. Offers M.Div. Students an opportunity to apply their knowledge of the original languages and understanding of biblical hermeneutics to the challenging task of communicating the message of the Psalter in an effective way in sermons.
Prerequisite: OT126 |
| 506BT | Psalms | 3 | |
| 507B | Isaiah | | |
| 517B | Reading the OT in Church and Mission | | |
| 521B | I Corinthians | 2 | Studies the historical context, social setting and epistolary structure of 1 Corinthians, emphasizing the major themes and issues of this letter and its message for the church today.
Prerequisite: NT219 |
| 521BT | I Corinthians | 3 | |
| 522B | Parables | | Introduces the principles and exegetical methods for interpreting the parables of Jesus and applying their meaning, significance, and relevance to contemporary preaching and teaching. |
| 523B | Birth and Death Narratives | 2 | Studies the passion narratives in the four gospels for use in effective preaching and liturgy during the Lenten season, and requires an exegetical sermon or lesson plan of one of the gospel’s birth narratives to prepare for the Advent season. |
| 523BT | Birth and Death Narratives | 3 | |
| 524B | Apocalypse | | Studies the exegesis of the book of Revelation, including a critical analysis of the main types of interpretation. |
| 525B | The Sermon on the Mount | | Studies the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) and its implications for Christian living today. |
| 526B | Ephesians | 2 | Considers the significance of this letter to contemporary challenges for ministries of the church: civil religion; Christian life as a continuous act of worship; ethnic and cultural diversity; unity and reconciliation; the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit for servant-leadership in marriage, family, church, and work; and spiritual warfare. Based on the Greek text. |
| 526BT | Ephesians | 3 | |
| 527B | Shalom | | Provides the vision and understanding of God’s plan for creation to inspire lifestyles and ministries that conform to God´s good will for the cosmos, society, the Church, and for each person. Learning and theological reflection is done in sites where significant models of community transformation, social justice and care for creation are being developed in the US, México, and other Latin American countries. |
| 533B | The Kingdom of God | | Integrates biblical, historical and contemporary understandings of this central theme in Scripture and in Christian and Reformed theology, with special attention to relevance of the Kingdom of God and its justice for several ministry settings and Christian movements. |
| 534B | Biblical Study Tour to Turkey and Greece | 2 | |
| 535B | Intermediate Greek | | Reads selected passages of the Greek New Testament with an emphasis on interpretation and grammatical and lexical material. |
| 541B | Calvin the Pastor | | Examines John Calvin’s life, piety, reform, and pastoral ministry in the context of the Reformation in Geneva. |
| 542B | The Anabaptists: Then and Now | | Explores the beliefs and practices of sixteenth-century Anabaptists and their modern-day descendants (Mennonites, Amish, and Hutterites), to test assumptions about how Christians should live in contemporary society. |
| 543B | Theological Biographies | | Studies important theologians in the Christian tradition through the best available biographies and selective primary readings. |
| 544B | The Apologetical Theology of C.S. Lewis | 2 | Studies some works of C.S. Lewis in which he communicates and defends Christianity. |
| 544BT | The Apologetical Theology of C.S. Lewis | 3 | |
| 545B | History of Christian Worship | | Studies Christian worship practices in each major period in church history. |
| 561B | Theology of the Holy Spirit | | Studies a biblical, historical and systematic examination of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit, with special attention to contemporary developments in Pentecostal and mainline spirituality and theology ,and the relation between Christology and pneumatology. |
| 562B | Doctrine of Infant Baptism | | Studies the biblical basis, historical development, systematic formulation, major criticisms, and liturgical shape of the doctrine of infant baptism, with special focus on the Reformed tradition. |
| 563B | Imaginative Reading for Creative Preaching | | Reads and discusses selected fiction, biography, memoirs, journalism, culture criticism, essays, drama, poetry, and children's literature in order to deepen the preacher's understanding of human character, divine grace, and the surprises that emerge when they intersect, with special attention to the homiletic impact of the readings. |
| 564B | Intersections of Theology and Science | 2 | Examines the theological loci of creation and humanity with an emphasis on how they intersect and often clash with modern scientific concerns and considers implications of these intersections for ministry. |
| 564BT | Intersections of Theology and Science | 3 | |
| 581B | Philosophy of Religion | | Develops a Reformed philosophical perspective on the nature and functions of religion in human life; considers major religions, secular worldviews, and Christianity, arguing that all humans live by faith in something ultimate; and provides a comprehensive framework for Christian scholarship and ministry. |
| 582B | Philosophy for Understanding Theology | | Surveys the history of philosophy from Plato to postmodernism, reviews the historical interaction of philosophy with Christian faith and theology--both positive and negative, and emphasizes the importance of good philosophy for sound theology. |
| 583B | Biblical Anthropology and the Body-Soul Debate | 2 | Considers contemporary Christian challenges to the traditional body-soul distinction in light of Scripture, theology, philosophy, and science; and argues for “dualistic holism.” A key issue is whether Scripture teaches that persons exist without bodies between death and resurrection. |
| 583BT | Biblical Anthropology and the Body-Soul Debate | 3 | |
| 584B | Church and Society | 2 | Investigates the concept of social justice, including its implications for today and the proper role of the church in working toward it, and giving attention to the Christian Reformed Church’s positions on social issues.
Prerequisite: PHMO531 |
| 584BT | Church and Society | 3 | |
| 598B | Independent Study (First Degree) | 2 | |
| 598B1 | Independent Study (First Degree) | 1 | |
| 598B3 | Independent Study (First Degree) | 3 | |
| 599B | Major Research Paper (First Degree) | 2 | |
| 601B | Doctrine of Christ and Services of the Christian Year | 2 | Engaging Christian Worship which effectively nurtures faith must be built on a clear understanding of the doctrine of Jesus Christ and should faithfully represent the full range of his ministry. The services of the Christian year – from Advent to Eastertide – provide an excellent pattern of nurture for the worshiping congregation. We’ll explore the worship calendar which observes the Christian Year and thereby faithfully leads worshipers through the entire ministry of Christ on an annual basis. We’ll function collegially and will aim to collaboratively plan services which faithfully accomplish this. |
| 601BT | Doctrine of Christ and Services of the Christian Year | 3 | |
| 602B | What Preachers Can Learn from Writers | 2 | Explores what various writers are saying about their craft and its implication for preaching and looks at the creative features of sermon making through a combination of reading, writing, and practice preaching. |
| 602BT | What Preachers Can Learn from Writers | 3 | |
| 603B | Using Multi-media in Preaching | 2 | Voice. Body. Dress. Props. Screen. Learn how to use all of these elements to strengthen your preaching ministry. Students will preach twice over the course of the semester, using both 'low' and 'high' tech assistance. Students will also need to visit and/or view ministries in which these elements are used regularly and learn how to discern the helpful from the unhelpful. |
| 603BT | Using Multi-media in Preaching | 3 | |
| 604B | Sermon Applications | | |
| 621B | Baptisms, Professions of Faith, Weddings, Funerals, & other | | Studies the biblical, theological, and pastoral dimensions of celebrations of baptism, marriage, funerals, and other occasional services such as ordinations, dedications, and commissionings. |
| 623B | Music and the Arts in Worship | 2 | Surveys prominent theological motifs and how they have been reflected in artistic expressions of Christian worship throughout church history, including a study of prayer, texts, sermons, hymnody, architectural forms, and implications for congregational worship today. |
| 624B | Advanced Skills in Worship Leadership | | Studies resources, skills, and strategies for planning and leading public worship services, with attention to congregational prayer, training lay worship leaders, and celebrations of the sacraments. |
| 641B | Contemporary Youth Culture and Intergenerational Ministry | 2 | Examines cultural institutions affecting youth, analyzes current understandings of family, media, school, and peer relationships among adolescents, and teaches how to plan and conduct intergenerational learning, serving, and high adventure activities that promote responsible interaction and spiritual growth. |
| 641BT | Contemporary Youth Culture and Intergenerational Ministry | 3 | |
| 642B | Faith Formation for all Ages | | Explores the spiritual, moral, emotional, and social needs and development of children and adults, teaches the creative design of faith formation programs and intergenerational education, and develops skills needed to teach a wide variety of programs. |
| 643B | Small Group Ministry | | Examines group dynamics, enhances small group facilitation skills, provides tools to nurture age-specific, topical and intergenerational groups, and teaches how to equip others to lead small groups. |
| 644B | Educational Leadership and Administration | 2 | Studies the skills needed to provide educational leadership and administer educational programs, including leadership models, recruiting and training volunteers, budgeting, program planning and implementation. |
| 644BT | Educational Leadership and Administration | 3 | |
| 645B | Prayer Ministry | 2 | Examines the biblical, historical and theological foundations of prayer as it relates to personal spiritual growth and congregational ministry, and evaluates contemporary understandings and practices of prayer ministry. |
| 645BT | Prayer Ministry | 3 | |
| 646B | Teaching Moments in the History of Global Christian Expansio | | Surveys the key events, persons, movements, and strategies in the 2000-year history of Christian missions and considers implications for Christian ministry. |
| 647B | Curriculum Design and the Teaching-Learning Process | | Explores curriculum theory and design, and the teaching-learning process that enables students to assess and develop curriculum and select appropriate teaching strategies. |
| 648B | Youth and Family Ministry | 2 | Introduces pastoral care for young people and families from a systems perspective, develops skills in theological diagnostic method, and examines issues such as depression and suicide, sexuality identity and function, use and abuse of alcohol and illegal substances, and dysfunctional families. |
| 648BT | Youth and Family Ministry | 3 | |
| 649B | Practicum in Teaching | | Enhances teaching effectiveness by practicing, reflecting, and critiquing student presentations; explores various teaching styles, and introduces presentation design, software packages, and online resources for enhancing instruction. |
| 650B | Foundations of Educational Ministry | 3 | Develops a holistic understanding of educational ministries by examining biblical, theological, philosophical, psychological, and sociological foundations, and considers how educational practice and theory inform each other. |
| 661B | Ministry to and with Latin Americans | | Considers the growing presence, challenge, and opportunity for ministry that Latin Americans and Caribbeans present for US churches, emphasizing the development of effective ministries to reach Hispanics by partnering with and learning from them. |
| 662B | Seminar in Emerging Church Trends | | |
| 663B | Urban Ministry | | Exploration of urban ministry through readings, reflection, discussion, and visits to urban ministries in cities such as New York. |
| 664B | Church Planting I | | Introduces basic principles and practices of church planting, including issues such as getting started, support base and structures, demographics, the person of the church planter, and holistic ministry issues. |
| 665B | Church Planting II | | Builds on the principles taught in 664 by studying organization, leadership and related issues. |
| 667B | Loving Your Muslim Neighbor | 2 | Builds on 718 by exploring further the teachings of Islam, its branches, ministry and outreach models, and contextualization issues. |
| 667BT | Loving Your Muslim Neighbor | 3 | |
| 668B | Ministering Cross-Culturally | | Equips students to minister effectively in cross-cultural and multi-ethnic settings, focusing on the cross-cultural minister, communication, preaching, teaching, relationships, conflict-resolution, worship, and contextualization issues. |
| 669B | New Directions in Mission for the 21st Century | 2 | |
| 670B | Ministering to and with Hispanics | | |
| 681B | Spiritual Direction | | Introduces the ministry of spiritual direction and explores discerning the movement of God in the lives of others through listening, asking questions, prayer, and compassion. |
| 682B | Human Sexuality | 2 | Explores the wonders of human sexuality from biological, theological, and pastoral perspective, and considers issues of human sexuality that underlie much of pastoral care and counseling in a manner that seeks to overcome nearly 2000 years of Platonic dualism, a heresy that has harmed the Church for centuries. |
| 683B | Human Suffering | | Engages the spiritual struggle to embrace the realities of human suffering and the loving nature of God through a variety of theological perspectives from classical and popular texts. |
| 684B | Pastoral Care As Dying and Rising with Christ | 2 | Introduces the classical understanding of pastoral care, guides students in engaging in pastoral care as soul care and nurturing of disciples, addresses care of people in crisis situations, and presents creative ways to encourage individual and communal practice of spiritual disciplines. |
| 690B | Theology and Practice of Pastoral Ministry | 2 | Studies the theology and practice of pastoral ministry to creatively and critically engaging changing views of the church and its ministry in contemporary culture, and enhance the practice of pastoral ministry. |
| 690BT | Theology and Practice of Pastoral Ministry | 3 | |
| 701B | Hermeneutics Seminar | 0 | |
| 710B | Gateway to Seminary (M.Div.): An Introduction to Interpretin | 2 | Introduces the study of Bible, theology, and ministry inductively as students hear exemplary sermons or congregation-focused educational sessions and discuss the hermeneutical, theological, communication, and cultural assessments that the sermon or teaching approach reflects. Includes a unit on Reformed hermeneutics and its application to the diverse genres found in Scripture, and particular biblical-theological themes. |
| 711B | Hermeneutics | 2 | Reviews the history and basic principles of biblical interpretation and their application to the diverse genres found in Scripture including narrative, poetry, prophecy, wisdom, gospel, epistolary, and apocalyptic. Attention given to the distinctive Reformed hermeneutical perspective and its significance in biblical-theological issues such as the Law, the people of God, the land, the covenant, Kingdom of God, salvation, shalom, and the Second Coming of Jesus. |
| 712B | Theological Education as Formation for Ministry | 2 | Introduces all parts of seminary life as interrelated and formative for ministry, and examines the process of spiritual formation by illustrating habits developed through theological education and how they are critical for ministry. |
| 716B | Bible Survey | 3 | Prepares leaders in the church to be faithful and effective stewards of the Word by acquainting them with the basic content and principal theme of each book of the Bible; the historical, geographical, and cultural backgrounds to the Bible; its introductory hermeneutical principles; and its continuing relevance. |
| 717B | Learning to use Bible Software: An Introduction to Libronix | 1 | Assists students with installing the Libronix Scholar’s Bible software and instructs them in using essential features of this program: concordance searches, Old Testament and New Testament background studies, and basic original language exegesis. |
| 718B | Christian Engagement with World Religions | 3 | Introduces the global engagement of the Christian faith with major world religions, worldviews, and forms of spirituality, framed by a biblical-Reformed theology and philosophy of religion that examines religious experience, tradition and practice in the light of general and scriptural revelation, and a commitment to the universal common humanity of God’s image bearers. |
| 720B | Service Learning: Year One | 1 | Integrates service-learning into preparation for ministry in other parts of the curriculum through learning to serve the unchurched, poor, or oppressed. Requires students to serve at least 100 hours over three years through a ministry in their local congregation or some other ecclesiastical or parachurch organization. |
| 721B | Service Learning: Year Two | | |
| 722B | Service Learning: Year Three | | |
| 730B | Gateway to Seminary (M.A.): An Introduction to Interpreting | 2 | Introduces the study of Bible, theology, and ministry inductively as students hear exemplary sermons or congregation-focused educational sessions and discuss the hermeneutical, theological, communication, and cultural assessments that the sermon or teaching approach reflects. Introduces Reformed hermeneutics and the use of Libronix for studying scripture to provide a foundation for seminary studies, and orients students to the four areas of the curriculum (message, person, audience, and goal). |
| 731B | Foundations in Ministry: Fostering Intergenerational Communi | 3 | Introduces the biblical and sociological principles that guide organization and management of ministries and examines equipping others for ministry; exploring how people, communities and organizations change; the dynamics of staff ministry; the life-cycle of ministry; spiritual assessment of the ministry setting; and leadership that encourages a healthy intergenerational environment. |
| 732B | Capstone (M.A.): Integrative Project | 2 | Reviews seminary studies to see how each area of study contributes to an integrated theological vision for ministry, and develops an e-portfolio to document student learning. |
| 740B | Gateway to Seminary (M.T.S.): An Introduction to Interpretin | 0 | Introduces the study of the Bible, theology, and Reformed hermeneutics, and the basic research skills used in writing theological essays. |
| 741B | Capstone (M.T.S.): Integrative Seminar | | Helps students develop a focused research project based on their area of interest, and review their studies at CTS to see how each area contributes to an integrated theological vision. |
| 751B | Mentoring Groups: Faith Story and Spiritual Disciplines | 1 | Assists students in sharing faith stories and provides opportunity to help each other cultivate a healthy rhythm of life to sustain them in ministry. In mentoring groups, students and a faculty or pastor mentor form one another for ministry by practicing spiritual disciplines and theological reflection together. |
| 752B | Mentoring Groups (M.Div.): Person | 1 | Focusing on area 2 of the curriculum—maturing in pastoral identity–students reflect on the intersection of their call to ministry and personal and interpersonal strengths and weaknesses with ministry practices. In mentoring groups, students and a faculty mentor help one another to be formed for ministry by practicing spiritual disciplines and theological reflection together. |
| 753B | Mentoring Groups (M.Div.): Context | 1 | Focusing on area 3 of the curriculum—discerning and engaging ministry contexts—students reflect on their cross-cultural internship experiences. In mentoring groups, students and a faculty or pastor mentor form one another for ministry by practicing spiritual disciplines and theological reflection together. |
| 754B | Mentoring Groups (M.Div.): Message | 1 | Focusing on area 1 of the curriculum—preaching and teaching the Bible—students reflect on theological issues with which they struggle. In mentoring groups, students and a faculty or pastor mentor form one another for ministry by practicing spiritual disciplines and theological reflection together. |
| 755B | Mentoring Groups (M.Div.): Goal I | 1 | Focusing on area 4 of the curriculum—forming communities of disciples—students reflect on their congregation-based internship and service-learning experiences. In mentoring groups, students and a faculty or pastor mentor form one another for ministry by practicing spiritual disciplines and theological reflection together. |
| 756B | Mentoring Groups (M.Div.): Goal II | 1 | Focusing on area 4 of the curriculum—forming communities of disciples–-students reflect on their congregation-based internship and service-learning experiences. In mentoring groups, students and a faculty or pastor mentor form one another for ministry by practicing spiritual disciplines and theological reflection together. |
| 760B | Internship (M.Div.): Cross-Cultural | 2 | Explores the contextual nature of ministry in a 5 week (200 hour) cross-cultural internship, usually completed in the summer after the first year of seminary. |
| 761B | Internship (M.Div.): Congregation-Based | 4 | Provides a leadership experience with a congregation for deepening pastoral identity and developing ministry practices in a 10 week (400 hour) internship, usually completed in the summer after the second year of seminary. |
| 761B2 | Internship (M.Div.): Congregation-Based | 2 | |
| 762B | Clinical Pastoral Education | 4 | |
| 762B1 | Clinical Pastoral Education | 1 | |
| 762B2 | Clinical Pastoral Education | 2 | |
| 762B3 | Clinical Pastoral Education | 3 | |
| 763B | Internship (M.A.): Specialized Ministry | 2 | |
| 763B3 | Internship (M.A): Specialized | 3 | |
| 770B | Christian Reformed Church: History and Polity | 3 | Prepares students for vital ministry in the Christian Reformed Church by introducing them to the basic outline of CRC history, the principles and structures of CRC polity, and key ethical and theological positions of the CRC. |
| 771B | Capstone (M.Div.): Integrative Seminar | 3 | Prepares students for ordination exams and equips them to integrate wisdom, practices and insights from each area of the seminary curriculum through case studies from ministry settings. |
| 772B | Capstone (M.Div.): Pastoral Leadership | 3 | Equips students to provide effective pastoral leadership in forming communities of disciples, and integrates a biblical theology of leadership with personal reflection, discernment of contexts, and practical leadership skills. |
| 775B | EPMC Interview | 0 | |
| 780B | Mentoring Groups (M.A.): Person | 1 | |
| 781B | Mentoring Groups (M.A.): Context | 1 | |
| 782B | Mentoring Groups (M.A.): Message | 1 | |
| 783B | Mentoring Groups (M.A.): Goal | 1 | |
| 790B | Folio Completion | 1 | |
| 801BT | Research Methodology | 0 | Develops research paper writing skills, and introduces basic research and biblical methodologies. Students learn to analyze scholarly articles, write a 15-20 page research paper, meet with professors in the area of their specialization (biblical, theological, ministry) to finish the first draft, and thenrewrite the paper. |
| 809BT | Seminar in OT Biblical Theology | | Studies selected exegetical, biblical-theological, hermeneutical or linguistic issues arising out of scholarly studies of the Old and New Testaments such as issues. Specific topics announced by the Biblical Department. |
| 810BT | Seminar in the History of Interpretation of the OT | | Studies selected exegetical, biblical-theological, hermeneutical or linguistic issues arising out of scholarly studies of the Old and New Testaments such as issues. Specific topics announced by the Biblical Department. |
| 811B | The Book of Samuel | 2 | |
| 811BT | The Book of Samuel | 3 | Studies selected passages from the book of Samuel in the context of the theology of Samuel and the canon. Students write an exegetical research paper demonstrating understanding of advanced exegetical skill in syntactical, methodological, and theological matters. Basic knowledge of the Hebrew language and computer-assisted exegetical skills are required. |
| 812BT | Basic Akkadian | 3 | Introduces the morphology, phonology, grammar, and syntax of the Akkadian language, and principal Akkadian language resources, emphasizing elementary reading skills in contracts and omen texts, sections of the laws of Hammurabi, hymns and prayers, and royal inscriptions and correspondence.
Prerequisite: OT113 |
| 813B | Comparative Semitic Grammar | 2 | |
| 813BT | Comparative Semitic Grammar | 3 | Equips students with fundamental tools and skills to undertake fruitful research in Semitic languages by introducing them to general Semitic phonology, morphology, and syntax in the light of historical and comparative linguistics. |
| 814BT | Ancient Near Eastern and Biblical Law | | Examines Sumerian, Assyrian, Babylonian, and Hittite legal materials, in translation, with a view toward how specific laws of these cultures compare with analogous biblical laws from sociological and theological perspectives. |
| 815BT | Biblical Aramaic | | Introduces the basic elements of biblical Aramaic, including elementary grammar and vocabulary, and the translation of the Aramaic passages of the Old Testament. |
| 816BT | The Ugaritic Language | | Introduces the study of Ugaritic, including noun formation, verbal system, syntax, and the reading of Ugaritic texts in transliteration. |
| 820BT | Preaching Texts of Terror | | |
| 828BT | Matthew | | Explores the richness of the message, literary art, and relevance and significance of the historical context of the Gospel of Matthew in order to challenge faith and praxis and transform faithful disciples of Jesus in today’s societies. |
| 829B | Mark | 2 | |
| 829BT | Mark | 3 | Reads the Gospel of Mark as if for the first time, discovering how Mark developed controversy dialogues, parables, miracle stories, discipleship teaching, an eschatological discourse, and a passion narrative into a gospel proclamation. Interpretation of the miracle stories is highlighted. |
| 830BT | Luke-Acts | | Studies the structure, purpose, background material, and theology of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. Each class period concentrates on a section of the book and a particular passage within that context, providing students with a valuable approach to exegesis, interpretation, and application. |
| 831BT | I and II Thessalonians | | Studies the historical context, social setting, and epistolary structure of 1 and 2 Thessalonians, and emphasizes the major themes and issues of these letters and their message for the church today. |
| 832BT | Preaching the Parables | | Examines the communication of Jesus’ parables in sermonic form, including a study of representative sermons and the homiletical principles involved. |
| 835BT | Scripture and Christian Ethics | | |
| 846BT | Puritanism and Orthodoxy | | Examines post-Reformation theological developments, emphasizing English Puritanism and the scholastic systems of Calvinism and Lutheranism in the late sixteenth and seventeenth Century. |
| 847BT | The Life and Thought of Augustine | | Studies the thought of Augustine as related to his life and work, emphasizing the place of Augustine in the development of Christian doctrine. |
| 848B | The Divine Decrees in 16th and 17th Century Reformed Thought | 2 | |
| 848BT | The Divine Decrees in 16th and 17th Century Reformed Thought | 3 | |
| 849B | The Reformed Dogmatics of Herman Bavinck I | 2 | |
| 849BT | The Reformed Dogmatics of Herman Bavinck I | 3 | |
| 850B | The Reformed Dogmatics of Herman Bavinck II | 3 | |
| 850BT | The Reformed Dogmatics of Herman Bavinck II | 3 | |
| 865BT | Violence and the Love of God | | Examines violence in certain Biblical texts and Christian doctrines and considers criticisms from marginalized groups (feminists, womanists, and minorities), helping students learn to listen fairly and evaluate these criticisms from the standpoint of Reformed theology. |
| 866BT | Recent Developments in Roman Catholic Theology | | Studies the documents of the Second Vatican Council, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and several recent papal encyclicals and Catholic ecumenical statements. |
| 867BT | Theology of Jonathan Edwards | | Introduces the life, thought, and significance of America’s greatest theologian, with special attention to Edwards’s formative role in shaping a distinctive American theology and spirituality. |
| 868BT | Theology of Dutch Neo-Calvinism | | Examines key themes in the theology and ethics of Abraham Kuyper and Herman Bavinck, and considers their nineteenth-century background and influence on subsequent twentieth-century Reformed theology in the Netherlands and North America. |
| 869B | The Heidelberg Catechism | 2 | Studies the history and theology of the Heidelberg Catechism in order to develop an appreciation of the relevance of the document for Christian life and ministry today. |
| 869BT | The Heidelberg Catechism | 3 | Studies the history and theology of the Heidelberg Catechism in order to develop an appreciation of the relevance of the document for Christian life and ministry today. |
| 870BT | The Thought of Aquinas | | Considers Thomas Aquinas’ theology, philosophy and ethics as presented in sections of Summa Theologica; including topics of revelation and reason, God’s nature and relation to creation, human nature, knowledge, law and the virtues, sin, salvation, and final blessedness. |
| 871B | The Biblical Theology of Presence | 3 | |
| 871BT | The Biblical Theology of Presence | 3 | Studies the divine presence in the Primary History (Genesis-Kings), and its relationship to wisdom literature and the theology of the covenant. Prerequisite: OT115 |
| 872BT | Theology of Worship and the Sacraments | | Studies Reformed theological writings on corporate worship and the sacraments and examines how their enduring themes are reflected in worship practices today. |
| 885BT | The Impact of Philosophy Since Kant on Theology | | Traces how important philosophies beginning with Kant and Hegel have shaped modern and postmodern biblical scholarship, theologians, and theological movements; and considers romanticism, idealism, scientific naturalism, historicism, phenomenology, and existentialism, as well as analytic, linguistic, and hermeneutical philosophy. |
| 886BT | The Problem of Modernity | | |
| 887BT | Modern Panentheism | | Traces modern panentheism (everything exists within God) from Neoplatonism, through Hegel, Schelling, and 19th century idealism, to Troeltsch, Teilhard, Whitehead, Tillich, Pannenberg, Moltmann, liberation theology, and current theological cosmology. Compares panentheistic concepts of God’s nature and relation to creation with classical Christian views. |
| 888BT | Warranted Christian Belief | | |
| 889BT | Readings in Christian Social Ethics | | Studies selected classical texts in the history of Christian social ethics from the apostolic era to the present. |
| 897BT | Independent Study (ThM) | 3 | |
| 898BT | Thesis (ThM) | 6 | |
| 899BT | Major Paper (ThM) | 3 | |
| 901BP | Research Methodology | 3 | Examines theory and methods in theology intended to provide a foundation for graduate and post-graduate research. |
| 902BP | Dissertation Seminar | 1 | |
| 903BP | Teaching Seminar | 2 | |
| 930BP | Documents and Issues in Reformed and Post-Reformation Though | | Examines select documents from the Reformation and post-Reformation eras, emphasizing the techniques of research and analysis. |
| 931BP | Scripture and Interpretation in the 16th and 17th Centuries | | Examines the doctrine and interpretation of Scripture in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, emphasizing the development of the Reformed tradition of exegesis and hermeneutics. |
| 932BP | Reformed Symbolics: Confessions and Catechisms | | Studies the confessions and catechisms of the Reformed churches of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, emphasizing the international character and theological development of Reformed symbolics. |
| 933BP | Patristic Theology: Apologetics and Anti-Gnosticism | | Studies the theology of the second and early third centuries with attention to the problems of Christianity and classical culture, Gnosticism, and early trinitarianism. |
| 934BP | The Theology of John Calvin | | Investigates the theology of John Calvin by examining his primary texts, including the Institutes, commentaries, sermons, correspondence, and polemical literature, and analyzes past and present interpretations of Calvin's theology. |
| 936BP | Reformed Doctrine of God in 16th-17th Century | 3 | Examines the doctrine of God in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, emphasizes the exegetical, dogmatic, and philosophical development of Reformed theology. |
| 937BP | Arminius and Arminianism | | Examines the work of Jacob Arminius in the context of late sixteenth- and early seventeenth-century Protestantism, including his theology, controversies, and the development of Reformed and Remonstrant theology to the Synod of Dort. |
| 938BP | Patristic Theology: Trinitarian Debate and Council of Consta | | Studies the history of the trinitarian and christological debate from the beginnings of the Nicene struggle to its resolution at the Council of Constantinople (A.D. 381), with special attention to the councils of the fourth century. |
| 939BP | Life and Thought of Augustine | | Studies the thought of Augustine as related to his life and work, with emphasis on his place in the development of Christian doctrine. |
| 940BP | Theology of Revelation | 3 | Studies biblical and historical sources and contemporary theological reflection on the Christian doctrine of revelation, focusing on the need for divine revelation, the nature of revelation, and the validation and reception of revelation. |
| 941BP | Nature of Theology and Doctrine | | Studies basic issues in theological prolegomena, including the sources, nature, and object of theology, the use of Scripture in theology, and the nature of doctrine. |
| 942BP | Theology of the Incarnation | | Examines the doctrine of the incarnation historically and systematically, with special attention to patristic, medieval, and modern developments. |
| 943BP | Theology of the Atonement | | Examines the doctrine of the atonement historically and systematically, with special attention to various theories of atonement and criticism of those theories. |
| 944BP | The Theology of Karl Barth | | Studies Karl Barth's theology through a survey of the development of his thought and a careful study of selections from his Church Dogmatics |
| 945BP | Theology of the Trinity | | Studies biblical sources, confessional statements, and classic and contemporary theological formulations of the Christian doctrine of the Trinity. |
| 946BP | 20th-Century Dutch Reformed Theology | | Examines key figures and issues in twentieth-century Dutch Reformed theology including A. Kuyper, H. Bavinck, O. Noordmans, G. Vander Leeuw, K. Schilder, A. A. Van Ruler, G. C. Berkouwer, H. M. Kuitert, and H. Berkhof; including the relation between revelation and experience; the debates about theocracy, common grace, and regeneration; the pluriformity and apostolicity of the church; and the debate about the ongoing significance and value of Karl Barth's theology. |
| 947BP | Theology of the Holy Spirit | 3 | Examines the doctrine of the Holy Spirit biblically, historically, and systematically, with special attention to contemporary developments in Pentecostal and mainline spirituality and theology, and the relation between Christology and pneumatology. |
| 948BP | The Theology of Edwards | | Studies the philosophical, doctrinal, moral, and spiritual theology of 'America's theologian,' Jonathan Edwards, through extensive reading of his major treatises. |
| 951BP | Philosophical Issues in Christian Theology | | Studies the philosophical treatments of the doctrine of God, including the nature, attributes, and knowability of God. |
| 952BP | Philosophical Foundations of Modern Theology | 3 | Studies the major philosophers who influenced the foundations of modern theology--Kant, Hegel, and Schleiermacher. |
| 953BP | Christian Moral Tradition | 3 | Studies the Judeo-Christian moral tradition with respect to both its philosophical commitments and its moral content. |
| 954BP | Social Teaching of the Christian Churches | | Analyzes Ernst Troeltsch's The Social Teaching of the Christian Churches and collateral readings,and a few important twentieth-century theologians (Karl Barth, Reinhold and H. Richard Niebuhr, John Paul II). |
| 955BP | Post-Enlightenment Critique of Religion | | Assesses two important phases in the post-enlightenment critique of religious belief: the naturalistic explanation of religious belief ventured by Feuerbach, Marx, Nietzsche, and Freud (1840-1960): and the global rejection of such notions as truth and moral objectivity by which any religion or system of belief might recommend itself as authoritative(since 1960). |
| 993BP | Doctoral Seminar: History of Christianity | 3 | Studies selected advanced topics in historical theology. |
| 994BP | Doctoral Seminary: Systematic Theology | 3 | Studies selected advanced topics in systematic theology. |
| 995BP | Doctoral Seminar: Philosophical Theology | 3 | Studies selected advanced topics in philosophical theology. |
| 996BP | Doctoral Seminar: Moral Theology | 3 | Studies selected advanced topics in moral theology. |
| A01 | English Admission Requirement | | |
| A02 | Literature Admission Requirement | | |
| A03 | History I Admission Requirement | | |
| A04 | History II Admission Requirement | | |
| A05 | Philosophy I Admission Requirement | | |
| A06 | Philosophy II Admission Requirement | | |
| A07 | Social Scienct I Admission Requirement | | |
| A08 | Social Science II Admission Requirement | | |
| A09 | Natural Science I Admission Requirement | | |
| A10 | Natural Science II Admission Requirement | | |
| A11 | Speech I Admission Requirement | | |
| A12 | Speech II Admission Requirement | | |
| A13 | Greek I Admission Requirement | | |
| A14 | Greek II Admission Requirement | | |
| A15 | Hebrew Admission Requirement | | |
| A16 | Final Transcript Admission Requirement | | |
| A17 | Cultural Anthropology Admission Requirement | | |
| A18 | Music/Art Admission Requirement | | |
| A19 | Psychology Admission Requirement | | |
| A20 | Psychology/Education Admission Requirement | | |
| C01B | Bible Comprehensive | 1 | |
| C02B | Computer Based Greek Comprehensive | 1 | |
| C03B | Computer Based Hebrew Comprehensive | 1 | |
| C05B | Greek Comprehensive Equivalent | 1 | |
| C06B | Hebrew Comprehensive Equivalent | 1 | |
| C07B | Greek Comprehensive | 1 | |
| C08B | Hebrew Comprehensive | 1 | |
| C21B | Dutch Language Comprehensive | 1 | |
| C22B | French Language Comprehensive | 1 | |
| C23B | German Language Comprehensive | 1 | |
| C24B | Spanish Language Comprehensive | 1 | |
| C25B | Latin Language Comprehensive | 1 | |
| C31B | PhD Comprehensive Exam | 1 | |
| M12B3 | Clinical Pastoral Education | 0 | |
| PRIOR DEGREE | Prior Degree | 0 | |
| TRANSFER | Transfer Credit | 0 | |
