COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
NOTE: Students completing courses marked with an asterisk [*] may use thee course to substitute for courses in the respective area of emphasis.
CHS 510 Old Testament History and Interpretation I (3)
This is a course study of the history of Israel from its early beginnings to the post-exilic period. The course will include a critical examination of the formation of the Old Testament, Pentateuchal analysis, a study of the rise and fall of the Israelite monarchy and the exilic and post-exilic settings. Prerequisites include an undergraduate or graduate course of introduction to the Old Testament.
CHS 511 Old Testament History and Interpretation II (3)
This is a study of the prophetic, poetic, and wisdom literature of the Old Testament. Attention will be given to their significance in the religion and faith of Israel as well as the Ancient Near Eastern parallels and backgrounds. Prerequisites include an undergraduate or graduate course of introduction to the Old Testament.
CHS 513* Old Testament Prophets (3)
This is a course which involves intensive study of the prophetic literature of the Old Testament. Attention will be given to the ancient near eastern (ANE) culture, Israelite historical setting, literary features and theological interpretation of the text. Professor's permission is prerequisite for this seminar.
CHS 520 New Testament History and Interpretation I (3)
A survey of the four gospels and of the life of Jesus, the course combines an historical study of Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John with various methods of gospel interpretation. Prerequisites include an undergraduate or graduate course of introduction to the New Testament.
CHS 521 New Testament History and Interpretation II (3)
A survey of the origin and development of the earliest Christian movement through an examination of the Acts of the Apostles through the book of Revelation. Prerequisites include an undergraduate or a graduate course in the introduction to the New Testament.
CHS 525* The General Letters (Hebrews-Jude) (3)
An historical and exegetical study of the general letters of the New Testament: Hebrews, James, 1 & 2 Peter, James, 1,2, & 3 John, and Jude with a focus on the development and struggles of the early church, theological themes and issues of the letters, and implications of the letters in the life and work of the contemporary church. Professor's permission is prerequisite to this course.
CHS 526 Pastoral Letters, Pastoral Leadership (3)
An historical, sociological, rhetorical, and theological analysis of Paul's letters to Timothy and Titus (1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus) with an investigation into the implications the letters hold for Christian pastoral leadership.
CHS 531 Christian Theology I (3)
A study of the basic teachings of Christian faith from a systematic perspective.
CHS 543 Ethics of the Christian Faith (3)
An investigation of the Christian moral ideal and Christian principles of judgment and action in ways appropriate to the interests of ministers. The course examines biblical, theological and historical themes in Christian ethics through an examination of major personalities, movements, principles, and practices.
CHS 544 Philosophy of Christian Religion (3)
An introduction to the nature and scope of the philosophy of Christian Religion, the problem of religious knowledge, and contemporary issues in the philosophy of religion.
CHS 551 Journey into Christ-likeness: Forming and Being Formed (3)
The teaching and practice of spiritual formation, personal as well as corporate, as it relates to those who are pursuing active service in some capacity of ministry.
CHS 552 Pastoral Ministries (3)
The purpose of this course is to study pastoral ministries as they relate to the minister and h/h personal and professional life with special regard to pastoral leadership of a congregation.
CHS 553 Ministry of Proclamation and Worship (3)
A survey of Christian worship with major emphasis on worship styles, communication methodologies, and sermonic strategies. Focus will be placed upon biblical roots of worship and Protestant preaching styles since 1850, with major emphasis on preaching and worship since the second half of the 20th century.
CHS 555 Pastoral Care and Counseling (3)
A survey of the biblical, theological, historical foundations of Christian pastoral care and counseling with due consideration to the human health sciences during the 20th century. The purpose of this course is to assist students to develop a beginning awareness of the history of both ancient and modem pastoral care and counseling as well as to encourage and equip students in the beginning practice of the discipline.
CHS 556 Christian Evangelism and the Church (3)
A biblical and theological study of evangelism and the relationship between evangelism and the local church in today’s context. Attention will be given to ideas and premises of the discipline of evangelism that have emerged in the last decade, while at the same time, exploring the historical impetus that forms the background of these developments. Considerable emphasis will be placed upon the biblical incorporation of a twenty-first century evangelistic strategy in the local church an/or in the Christian outreach organizations.
CHS 557 Church Planting (3)
A study of the foundations, principles, and practices of planting new churches. It is focused on planting churches in North America. The course will survey biblical materials pertaining to church planting, provide principles appropriate for differing church planting models, and provide practical direction and strategies for church planting. Students will learn about various approaches to church planting and the resources available. The course will equip students to plan new churches in their ministry contexts.
CHS 558 Pastoral Care in Human Crisis (3)
A study of the specific role and practice of "ministers" in traumatic crises events touching the lives of the families for which they have ministerial responsibility. Attention will be given to the biblical, theological, ethical, and legal dimensions of a minister's role as a "professional caregiver" as well as "colleague" of other community caregivers. Empirical research is introduced as a primary methodology.
CHS 561 Introduction to Educational Ministries (3)
This seminar studies the biblical and historical foundation of educational ministry. Attention is given to the teaching-learning process as well as the church's strategies for educational ministries.
CHS 562 Intergenerational Ministries (3)
A focused study of the use of intergenerational theory and practice as a foundation for Christian education in the churches and the marketplace. The goal of the course is to keep students on the leading edge of educational ministry theory and practice.
CHS 567 Leadership Development (3)
This course is focused on equipping students with leadership skills necessary for educational ministries. The seminar includes an overview of older and contemporary leadership theory as well as the discovery and development of each participant's leadership and relational style.
CHS 571 The Pre-Reformation History of the Christian Church (3)
A survey of the history of Christianity from the beginnings of the Christian church until the Reformation. Special attention is given to the major contextual historical events, development of the biblical canon, confessions of faith, authority within the church, the response of the growing church to its various cultures, and to significant leaders of the church.
CHS 572 The Post-Reformation History of the Christian Church (3)
A survey of the history of Christianity from the Reformation until the present. Focused attention is given to Western Christianity and the spread of the Christian faith to North America.
CHS 580* Selected Topics (3)
Courses offered in one or more of the areas of study with a specific rather than a general learning pattern. Offered occasionally and by student request when three or more students petition for the course to be offered.
CHS 580* Baptist History and Heritage (3)
A survey of the backgorund, development, and movements that have given shape to the Baptist denomination over the past four hundred years.
CHS 580* An Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics (3)
This course is a study of both the interpretation and application of the Bible.
CHS 634 Gospel and Postmodernism (3)
A survey of current definitions, histories, and implications for the cultural paradigm shift of the 20th century referred to as postmodernism as well as an introduction to Christian apologetics within this setting.
CHS 661 Innovative to the Contemporary Church (3)
This course will focus on innovative ministries and trends designed to penetrate the secular culture with Christian evangelism from within the church toward the marketplace. Contemporary trends are studied as a context of the gospel in the 21st century.