Courses

An introduction to each Old Testament book with emphasis on historical issues, theological interpretations, and contemporary applications. Pentateuch, Joshua, and Judges.

An introduction to each Old Testament book with emphasis on historical issues, theological interpretations, and contemporary applications. The prophetic books from Isaiah through Malachi.

An introduction to Acts and the Pauline Letters. These writings will be studied in terms of historical setting, religious background, literary composition, theological message, and interrelationship with the Old Testament.

An introduction to the nature of the Bible; the definition of and need for hermeneutics; a survey of historical and contemporary hermeneutical approaches; the principles of a grammatical-historical-theological-practical approach; and case studies of biblical passages that illustrate the principles.

The fundamentals of biblical Hebrew including vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, and syntax for the purpose of translating and interpreting the Old Testament text. Language courses are demanding and may require significantly more individual study time. For students taking this course online, a PC computer with one of the following Windows operating systems is required: Windows 98, 2000, NT, ME, XP, Vista, or Windows 7. The software used in this course requires a PC operating system.

Two accelerated courses combined as an introduction to the Greek language in preparation for the exegesis of the Greek New Testament. Language courses are demanding and may require significantly more individual study time.

Advanced grammar with exegesis of the Greek New Testament. Three consecutive terms must be taken to receive credit for this course. Student should stay in the same section for all three terms. Language courses are demanding and may require significantly more individual study time.

Advanced grammar with exegesis of the Greek New Testament. Three consecutive terms must be taken to receive credit for this course. Student should stay in the same section for all three terms. Language courses are demanding and may require significantly more individual study time.

A study of the principles of sermon construction: the interpretation of text, the formulation of idea, the definition of objective, the development of material, the arrangement of structure, the improvement of style, and the preaching of the sermon.

This course surveys the Holy Land through visits to traditional historical sites in Israel coupled with lectures related to the history and geography of Israel from the time of the Exodus to the first century C.E.

An introduction to the elementary characteristics of the biblical languages of Hebrew and Greek, including the alphabets, basic grammatical forms, essential vocabulary, and the linguistic tools available to study biblical texts.

An exegetical study of Genesis 1-11 designed to enable the student to understand and interpret the biblical message. Primary attention will be given to the form and content of the text itself: its background and history, distinctive literary traits, the flow of the argument, and the application of its truths in the contemporary setting.

An exegetical study of Exodus designed to enable the student to understand and interpret the biblical message. Primary attention will be given to the form and content of the text itself: its background and history, distinctive literary traits, the flow of the argument, and the application of its truths in the contemporary setting.

An exegetical study of Hosea, Joel, and Amos designed to enable the student to understand and interpret the biblical message. Primary attention will be given to the form and content of the text itself: its background and history, distinctive literary traits, the flow of the argument, and the application of its truths in the contemporary setting.

This course defines Old Testament theology and surveys the various scholarly approaches used to develop Old Testament theologies since the Enlightenment; examines the historical narrative of the Old Testament in order to discern important theological ideas and themes; and examines the possible relationships between the Old and New Testaments in order to assess the relevance and use of the Old Testament within the New Testament church.

An exegetical study of Mark designed to enable the student to understand and interpret the biblical message. Primary attention will be given to the form and content of the text itself: its background and history, distinctive literary traits, the flow of the argument, and the application of its truths in the contemporary setting.

An exegetical study of John designed to enable the student to understand and interpret the biblical message. Primary attention will be given to the form and content of the text itself: its background and history, distinctive literary traits, the flow of the argument, and the application of its truths in the contemporary setting.

An exegetical study of Romans designed to enable the student to understand and interpret the biblical message. Primary attention will be given to the form and content of the text itself: its background and history, distinctive literary traits, the flow of the argument, and the application of its truths in the contemporary setting.

An exegetical study of Galatians designed to enable the student to understand and interpret the biblical message. Primary attention will be given to the form and content of the text itself: its background and history, distinctive literary traits, the flow of the argument, and the application of its truths in the contemporary setting.

An exegetical study of 1 and 2 Thessalonians designed to enable the student to understand and interpret the biblical message. Primary attention will be given to the form and content of the text itself: its background and history, distinctive literary traits, the flow of the argument, and the application of its truths in the contemporary setting.

An exegetical study of Hebrews designed to enable the student to understand and interpret the biblical message. Primary attention will be given to the form and content of the text itself: its background and history, distinctive literary traits, the flow of the argument, and the application of its truths in the contemporary setting.

An exegetical study of I, II, and III John designed to enable the student to understand and interpret the biblical message. Primary attention will be given to the form and content of the text itself: its background and history, distinctive literary traits, the flow of the argument, and the application of its truths in the contemporary setting.

An exegetical study of Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon, designed to enable the student to understand and interpret the biblical message. Primary attention will be given to the form and content of the text itself: its background and history, distinctive literary traits, the flow of the argument, and the application of its truths in the contemporary setting.

A study of the nature, history, and methods of New Testament theology emphasizing the biblical contexts and their central themes. Primary attention will be given to the exegesis of key texts in their respective biblical contexts relating to God, creation, redemption, and eschatology. The study focuses on the core of biblical theology and Christian preaching; moreover it emphasizes and renews the Old Testament roots of Christian faith as proclaimed by Jesus and his earliest followers. New Testament elective courses feature the reading of selected portions or books of the New Testament in English translation. They seek to interpret the primary writings of the New Testament canon at an intensive level, emphasizing the historical intention of the text and its theological message. These courses require no competence in the Greek New Testament.

An exegetical study of the central New Testament texts related to eschatology designed to enable the student to understand and interpret the biblical message. Primary attention will be given to the form and content of the text itself: its background and history, distinctive literary traits, the flow or argument, the theological relationship to other eschatological texts, and the application of its truths in the contemporary setting.

Developing skill in selecting, preparing, and telling biblical stories to communicate Scriptural truth effectively in a particular church, cultural group or other ministry context. (prerequisite: SWBPR 5211 Narrative in Biblical and Cultural Contexts).

A study of the geography, history, and archaeology of the biblical world intended to provide a cultural and chronological framework for further study of both the Old and New Testaments.

A study and practice of the preparation, delivery, and evaluation of the sermon. Sermons will be prepared and delivered. Components of sermon delivery will be studied and practiced for improvement. A lifelong strategy for self-evaluation and critique of sermon content and delivery will be practiced.

An introduction to each Old Testament book with emphasis on historical issues, theological interpretations, and contemporary applications. The historical books from Ruth through Esther, and the Wisdom Literature from Job through the Song of Solomon.

An introduction to the Gospels in the first half of the New Testament canon. These writings will be studied in terms of historical setting, religious background, literary composition, theological message, and interrelationship with the Old Testament.

An introduction to the General Letters and Revelation. These writings will be studied in terms of historical setting, religious background, literary composition, theological message, and interrelationship with the Old Testament.

A general introduction to the New Testament canon, its composition, content, historical background, and theological message.

A study of the geographical, historical, and archaeological background of the biblical world.

An introductory study of basic grammatical forms and functions of biblical Greek and Hebrew, to include use of helpful lexical and exegetical tools for translating biblical texts.