Theology (TH)
An examination of selected key passages in the Law, the Writings, and the Prophets that reflect Old Testament instruction and/or illustrations concerning its total message of salvation. The approach to the study is biblical and exegetical.
The seminar will cover the history and practice of Christian apologetics. This will include a survey of Christian history with special emphasis upon those who have served Christianity as apologists. The seminar will also cover methodology and the philosophical concerns which accompany the apologetic task. Finally, the course will investigate current challenges to the Christian message raised by modernity, secularity, and postmodernity.
Doctrine of God is the study of the person and work of the God revealed in scripture. The seminar will focus upon the existence of God, his attributes, and his tribune nature.
The history of the theology of the New Testament is traced, along with examining contemporary issues in the discipline, including the nature, center, and methodology. After giving proper attention to these issues, the seminar majors on issues in the theology of Jesus and on Jesus as presented in the four Gospels.
A seminar devoted to a a detailed study of the theology of Pauline writing. Attention is given to contemporary issues in Pauline theology and an examination of the salient features of the theology content of the Pauline epistles.
An approach to the study of Christ, His person and His work, both historically and systematically. The course involves a study of the historical development of the doctrine (with special emphasis upon the first six centuries of the Christian Era, the Reformation Period, and the Modern Period), and a systematic presentation of the historical and biblical materials concerning the doctrine of Christ. Both approaches include selected readings from various Christologies and systematic theologies.
The seminar focuses upon the sinfulness of humankind using the format of historical, biblical, and systematic theology. Accordingly, the student will examine the major historical development within the doctrine of sin. Then the biblical teaching regarding the nature and origin of sin will be treated. Finally, the seminar will survey the various theological aspects of the doctrine.
An exploration of the biblical teaching on the doctrine of the church and its interpretation in various theological traditions in general and in the Baptist tradition in particular.
A biblical and systematic study of eschatology. The intent is to expose the seminar members to the biblical teaching on the doctrine of last things, and the various interpretations of the doctrine that have been held on the subject. Topics covered are death and the intermediate state, the rapture, second coming, tribulation, millennium, hell, and heaven. Special attention will be given to the book of Revelation.
An analysis of the Christian understanding of salvation which includes a detailed description of human sinfulness and the application of ChristÕs work in the believer. The approach of the seminar relates human salvation to the covenants of works and the covenant of grace.
An investigation of some major areas of theological concern in the Old Testament, including soteriology, eschatoloty, Christology, theodicy, pneumatoloty, the community of faith, etc. Special attention is given to the literary devices associated with each of these themes.
A critical survey of strategic theological movements from the appearance of Protestant Liberalism to the postmodern era designed to equip the student for interaction with contemporary theological issues.