Find the full schedule on our Academic Calendar.
Term 2
October 18-December 12, 2021
He Gave Us Scripture: Foundations of Interpretation, Part 1 (BIB515)- 3 Credit Hours
Evangelical Christians affirm the Scriptures as God’s infallible and authoritative Word, but many still disagree over the meaning of particular passages. One reason for these disagreements is the different approaches to interpreting the Bible. But how do we know which approach is the most responsible, respecting the nature of the text and its communicative aims? Incorporating the lecture series, He Gave Us Scripture: Foundations of Interpretation, produced by Third Millennium Ministries and hosted by Dr. Richard L. Pratt, Jr., Part One of Foundations of Interpretation employs graduate level readings, spiritual formation activities, faculty tutorials, and engagement with a local mentor to cultivate an approach to Scripture and practices of investigation which respect its divine origin, yet human authorship, by exploring the historical background, literary shape, and theological themes of the text.
The Apostles’ Creed (THE502) – 3 Credit Hours
There are many denominations, divisions, and theological disputes in the modern church. Despite these types of disunity, there is a common core of belief that all faithful Christians have affirmed throughout history. For almost two millennia, this doctrinal core has been summarized in the Apostles’ Creed. This course explains the history and use of the Apostles’ Creed, as well as the details and significance of each of its twelve articles of faith. Utilizing the lecture series, The Apostles’ Creed, produced by Third Millennium Ministries, this course integrates graduate level readings, spiritual formation activities, faculty tutorials, and engagement with a local mentor to explore the connection between the Bible and theology, and the usefulness of doctrinal summaries for discipleship today.
Term 3
January 10-March 6, 2022
He Gave Us Scripture, Part 2 (BIB516) – 3 credit hours
Incorporating the lecture series, He Gave Us Scripture: Foundations of Interpretation, produced by Third Millennium Ministries and hosted by Dr. Richard L. Pratt, Jr, Part Two of Foundations of Interpretation employs graduate level readings, spiritual formation activities, faculty tutorials, and engagement with a local mentor to build on the student’s approach to and investigation of the text’s historical background, literary shape, and theological themes by practicing how to summarize the concepts, behaviors, and affections that are featured or implied in the text, and how to discern whether they were intended to be mimicked or avoided by readers. Students will then practice how to responsibly apply these concepts, behaviors, and affections to themselves and those they are discipling.
We Believe in God (THE508) – 2 credit hours
This course briefly surveys what theologians call theology proper or the doctrine of God. It deals with questions such as: Who is God? What are his attributes? What is his eternal plan? What are God’s works in history? At the most fundamental level, the Scriptures were given to teach us about who God is and what he has done for us. In fact, knowing God is essential for us to understand ourselves and our world. Based on the lecture series, We Believe in God, produced by Third Millennium Ministries and hosted by Rev. Dr. Thurman Williams, this course employs graduate level readings, spiritual formation activities, faculty tutorials, and engagement with a local mentor to explore the being, attributes, and actions of the Triune God.
Discipleship Practicum - Outreach (MIS503) – 1 credit hour
The Outreach Practicum is divided into two parts: 1) congregational practices of outreach, and 2) congregational structures of outreach. The structures of outreach support and extend the practices of outreach to a congregation’s neighbors locally and to the nations globally. These practices and structures are the focus of the Church’s mission to “make disciples of all nations” (Matt 28:19). Through graduate level readings, discussion forums, outreach activities, faculty tutorials, and mentor meetings, students are provided an evaluative framework for congregational outreach, and opportunities for direct participation.
Term 4
March 21 – May 15, 2022
Kingdom & Covenant in the New Testament (BIB502)
Have you ever wondered why the New Testament gives so much attention to the Kingdom of God, its threefold framework of inauguration, continuation, and consummation or how this framework relates to the New Covenant in Christ? This course explores these fundamental features of the New Testament by examining where they originated and what they mean for us today. Integrating the lecture series, Kingdom & Covenant in the New Testament, produced by Third Millennium Ministries and hosted by Dr. Simon Vibert, this course requires graduate level readings, spiritual formation activities, faculty tutorials, and engagement with a local mentor to examine continuities and discontinuities between the older and new covenants, and to build a strong foundation for understanding the goal of the biblical story and how it provides the framework for ministry.
We Believe in the Holy Spirit (THE505) – 2 credit hours
Practically speaking, the Holy Spirit is the person of the Trinity who is most involved in the daily lives of Christians and the practical ministry of congregations. But many Christians know far more about the Father and the Son than they do about the Holy Spirit. In this course, students will discover how different traditions in the Church emphasize various dimensions of the Spirit’s work in creation and redemption. Utilizing the lecture series, We Believe in the Holy Spirit, produced by Third Millennium Ministries and hosted by Dr. Ramesh Richard, this course requires graduate level readings, spiritual formation activities, faculty tutorials, and engagement with a local mentor to explore the Spirit’s dynamic work in the world, in the church, and in the lives of individual believers.
Term 5
May 30 - July 24, 2022
He Gave Us Prophets (BIB513) – 3 credit hours
Many Christians are intrigued by biblical predictions but at a loss when it comes to understanding them. Feeling overwhelmed by their complicated history and literature, we often disregard them altogether. When we understand the prophets’ motivations and methods, we are better equipped to discover the significance of their words for today. Integrating the lecture series, He Gave Us Prophets, produced by Third Millennium Ministries and presented by Dr. Richard L. Pratt, Jr., this course requires graduate level readings, spiritual formation activities, faculty tutorials, and engagement with a local mentor to dispel common misunderstandings about the prophets, provide guidelines for interpreting biblical prophecy, and, cultivate confidence in students for their ongoing study and appropriation of the prophetic literature in their Christian life and ministry.