Courses

A survey of the Bible with emphases on its nature and authority; its historical, cultural and religious backgrounds; its historical development; its types of literature; and its content and major themes.
Does not count in the Bible and theology major.

A literary introduction to the Pentateuch and books of poetry and a study of their content. An emphasis on dealing with problems of interpretation and using an analytical, expository approach for the study of selected passages.

A literary introduction to the books of history and the prophets, a study of the content of these books and a discovery of the prophetic view of history. An emphasis on dealing with problems of interpretation and using an analytical, expository approach for the study of selected passages.

A general introduction to the study of the New Testament, featuring the historical, literary and cultural backgrounds of first century Judaism, the formation of the Gospels, modern criticism of the Gospels, an introduction to each of the Gospels and a survey of the life of Jesus.

A general introduction to the study of the New Testament, featuring the historical, literary and cultural backgrounds of the Greco-Roman world, the history of the early church throughout the first century, Gnosticism, the life of Paul and an introduction to Acts, the New Testament epistles and Revelation.

A study of the science of biblical interpretation employing inductive Bible study techniques. Emphasis is placed upon the adaptation of methods to various types of literary genre, the analysis of structural arrangement, word studies and principles of practical application. Students will do exegetical notebooks on selected passages.
Prerequisite: BT 111 or 231 or 251

The study of a selected book or literary unit of the Bible, examining its historical, literary, theological and practical significance.
May be repeated for credit in different topics.

An examination of selected Apocalyptic texts of both the Old and New Testaments that refer to the coming Kingdom of God accompanied by future cataclysmic events. This course will also deal with non-biblical texts written during the intertestamental period that likewise spoke of future eschatological events.

A study of the Gospels and the Life of Christ.
Next offering: Spring 2024

A study of either Acts or Revelation.
Next offering: Spring 2026

A study of the historical books of the Hebrew Bible.
Next offering: Spring 2025

An introduction to biblical archaeology and geography from the prehistory of Israel to the end of New Testament times. The major emphasis is on the relevance of archaeology for understanding the Bible.
Prerequisite: BT 111 or 231 or 251

Religion as a universal phenomenon is discussed. The major religions of antiquity and modernity are discussed, with special reference to similar and disparate features.
Prerequisite: One course in Bible

A detailed examination of a selected topic in theology and religion.
May be repeated for credit in different topics.

How does Christian theology engage what matters most to us in our world today? This course pursues that question with specific reference to developments in contemporary theology. Topics may include contemporary perspectives on the interpretation of Scripture, non-Western theologies of Jesus, the environment, human disability, race and gender.
Prerequisite: PL 220 or 260

God and Ethics addresses the following questions: Is God necessary for morality? If yes, what is God's relationship to morality? If no, what kind of morality can exist without a God? Do ethical systems have to be separate from a God? Are there objective moral truths if there is no God? As part of this course, students will discuss the voluntarist/intellectualist debate regarding the nature of God, how Christians have argued for the existence of God based on the existence of values like good and evil and what makes a life meaningful.
Identical with PL 333GE.
Prerequisite: PL 220 or 260

Provides an advanced study of what philosophers and theologians have said about the nature of God. The course includes a discussion of the historical development of the 'God' concept from the pre-Socratics through its apex in classical theism to the critique of this concept in modern atheism. The tools of contemporary analytic philosophy will be utilized to examine specific attributes of God.
Identical with PL 333PT.
Prerequisites: One course in Bible and PL 220 or 260

Covers biblical and theological bases for bioethics and develops in students the skills for ethical decision making and action. The course will help students to conceptualize the differences between Christian approaches and general or philosophical approaches to bioethics while introducing students to contemporary issues in biological, health care and medical ethics.
Prerequisites: BT 111 or other introductory Bible course and major in exercise and movement science, exercise science and nutrition, occupational therapy assistant, or nursing

This course is a survey of Christian history from the close of the New Testament to the present. It will focus on major doctrinal developments and the origins of the currently existing varieties of Christianity.
Prerequisite: HS 115

A course in practical field work involving a specific responsibility in a local church or other community institution in which the student implements principles of biblical interpretation. May be repeated for four credits total; graded as internship.
Prerequisites: BT major with one year of Bible and sophomore standing

Systematic theology is the craft of studying Christian beliefs (doctrines), their interrelationship to one another and their application to the Christian life. This course concentrates on the beliefs arising from the first portion of the Apostles Creed: God the Creator and His triune life, Creation, the human person and sin. It also considers the nature and tasks of theology more generally, its sources and norms.
Prerequisites: MI 285 and BT or MI major

This course focuses on the final two areas of confession in the Apostles Creed: Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Doing so involves consideration of matters related to Christ's person and work (Christology), the Spirit's activity in the church (Pneumatology, Ecclesiology, Scripture and the Christian Life), and the consummation of history (Eschatology).
Prerequisite: BT 414

This course provides a study of the nature of scientific thought and scientific method, consideration of historical and contemporary views concerning the relationship between science and religion and of current issues resulting from the interaction of modern science and the Christian worldview.
Identical with PL 440.
Prerequisite: PL 220 or 260

A consideration of various attempts to provide a philosophical formulation and defense of the basic tenets of the theistic worldview, with particular attention to recent analytic philosophy.
Identical with PL 460.
Prerequisite: PL 220 or 260

The study of a problem, a research paper or a project related to the Bible and theology major.
Prerequisite: Consent

This course involves an interpretation of a selected book or literary units within the specified area. Emphasis will be placed on the practice of accepted principles of interpretation pertinent to the various types of literature and on the religious ideas and practical value of the material under consideration.
Next offering: Spring 2024
Prerequisites: BT 231 and 271

This course involves an interpretation of a selected book or literary units within the specified area. Emphasis will be placed on the practice of accepted principles of interpretation pertinent to the various types of literature and on the religious ideas and practical value of the material under consideration.
Next offering: Fall 2024
Prerequisites: BT 231 and 271

This course involves an interpretation of a selected book or literary units within the specified area. Emphasis will be placed on the practice of accepted principles of interpretation pertinent to the various types of literature and on the religious ideas and practical value of the material under consideration.
Next offering: Fall 2025
Prerequisites: BT 241 and 271

This course involves an interpretation of a selected book or literary units within the specified area. Emphasis will be placed on the practice of accepted principles of interpretation pertinent to the various types of literature and on the religious ideas and practical value of the material under consideration.
Next offering: Spring 2026
Prerequisites: BT 251 and 271

This course involves an interpretation of a selected book or literary units within the specified area. Emphasis will be placed on the practice of accepted principles of interpretation pertinent to the various types of literature and on the religious ideas and practical value of the material under consideration.
Next offering: Spring 2025
Prerequisites: BT 261 and 271

This course involves an interpretation of a selected book or literary units within the specified area. Emphasis will be placed on the practice of accepted principles of interpretation pertinent to the various types of literature and on the religious ideas and practical value of the material under consideration.
Next offering: Fall 2023
Prerequisites: BT 261 and 271

Introductory grammar of the Greek New Testament with emphases on grammatical analysis, vocabulary building and the development of reading skills. Some attention will be given to the translation of passages of the Greek New Testament.

A continuation of elementary Greek and translation of I John.
Prerequisite: GR 111