Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies - Biblical/Theological Studies

• Introduction to Philosophy
  
  An introduction to the discipline of philosophy through a study of representative philosophic problems.
  
  
• Introduction to Ministry
  
  The course includes an introduction to field education, choosing a ministry placement and field supervisor, vocational discernment, designing a learning covenant, and theological reflection.
  
  
• The Gospels
  
  A study of the life of Jesus, with special attention given to his person, teachings, and work.
  
  
• Introduction to Logic
  
  A study of the principles of correct reasoning with emphasis on distinguishing between good and bad arguments of various types.
  
  
• A Survey of Christian Education
  
  An introduction to the development of Christian education from the Early Church to modern-times, focusing on major movements, philosophies, and people. Special attention will be given to the objectives of educational programs in the local church.
  
  
• Christian Doctrines
  
  A systematic study of the major doctrines of the Christian religion, including revelation and the Bible, the Trinity, the doctrine of man, the atonement, salvation and Christian growth, the church and it ordinances, and eschatology.
  
  
• Biblical Interpretation
  
  This course helps equip students more interested in more serious Biblical Studies to understand and use basic principles of Biblical interpretation. An introduction to the nature of Bible interpretation is given. The majority of the course will focus on developing skills in exegesis of Scripture, using a nine-step approach.
  
  
• Cross-Cultural Communication
  
  The course will present with the philosophy, principles, and methods of cross-cultural communication and cultural transition/adjustment.
  
  
• Introductions to Ethics
  
  An introductory study of some of the central concepts, procedures, and issues in the field of ethics, focusing on the nature of ethical thinking and how it applies to particular judgments about actions, character, and values.
  
  
• The Pentateuch
  
  A study of the first five books of the Bible with special emphasis given to the scriptural record of beginnings and of early Hebrew history, religion, and law.
  
  
• Spiritual Formation
  
  An introductory study of the basic disciplines of Christian discipleship, focusing on the formation of character, values, disciplines, and habits, especially related to the inner development of spirituality.
  
  
• Christian Leadership Theory and Praxis
  
  Students assess their own skill sets, learn new ones, and develop strategies for being a more effective leader in various contexts.
  
  
• Management for Ministry
  
  A study of the basic functional areas in the practice of administration. Special attention is given to management principles and leadership development to help make these effective in the local church, para-church, and personal ministries.
  
  
• The Epistles of Paul
  
  A study of the life and times of the apostle Paul, with emphasis on an interpretation of his epistles and their historical setting.
  
  
• Lifespan Development
  
  A course in developmental psychology with an emphasis on the physical, social, cognitive, personality, and moral developments within an individual.
  
  

• History of Christianity in America
  
  This course is a study of Christianity in its American context. It is a historical inquiry that examines the relationship between Christianity and culture in order to answer how and why the political and social, and intellectual traditions in American culture shaped Christianity.
  
  
• Christianity and Culture
  
  This course leads students to look critically at what they consider to be fundamentally Christian, and therefore imperative to duplicate across cultural lines, as opposed to what they consider to be Christian that is actually a cultural value and not necessarily Christian.
  
  
• General Epistle and the Revelation
  
  A study of the historical background, authorship, and exegetical analysis of the General Epistles (Hebrew; James; I and II Peter; I, II, and III John; and Jude) and The Revelation.
  
  
• Historical Theology
  
  This course is a study of the story of the main highlights of the development from the second century a.d. to the present, of Christian beliefs, doctrines, and theories.
  
  
• The Old Testament Prophets
  
  A study of the writings of the prophets of the Old Testament, with special attention given to the Messianic element, the occasion of writing, authorship, content, and interpretation.
  
  
• Faith and Reason
  
  An examination of the reasonableness of religious beliefs, especially beliefs which are central to the Christian Faith. Topics include arguments for the existence of God, religious experience, the problem of evil, miracles, religious language, and life after death.
  
  
• World Religions
  
  A study of the major contemporary religions of the world including both historical background and development, and current beliefs and practice with emphasis on basic religions: Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Shinto, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Islam, and Baha’i
  
  
• Contemporary Theology
  
  Begins with a brief background of the development of Protestant Liberal Theology starting with Schleiermacher. Then, more attention is given to twentieth-century schools of theological thought: Neo-Orthodox, Existential, Process, Theology of Hope, and Liberation Theology.