PT305 BIBLE TEACHING METHODS (2 CREDITS)
This course is designed to train men and women to be effective teachers of the Bible in a variety of settings. We will learn from the life and teaching practices of Jesus Christ, the Master Teacher. We will study how to understand the original meaning of a passage of Scripture, how to capture a learner’s interest and hold it, how to clearly communicate the truth of Scripture, and how to help followers of Jesus integrate the biblical message into contemporary life.
THEOLOGY
TH101 LECTURES IN MINISTRY & THEOLOGY (1 CREDIT)
Required for on-campus students —the student body meets weekly to hear teaching from Pastor Brian Brodersen and guest speakers whose ministries have greatly impacted this generation. TH310 THEOLOGY (2 CREDITS)*
Recommended to be taken in the student’s fourth semester— this course is an introduction to Christian theology that will address the essentials of traditional Christianity such as the supremacy of love in both vertical and horizontal relationships, the theology of the Apostle’s Creed, the nature and character of the Bible (bibliology), the doctrine of God (theology proper), the person and work of Christ including His death, burial, and resurrection (Christology), the person and work of the Holy Spirit (pneumatology), the doctrine of man, sin and salvation (angelology, anthropology, hamartiology, and soteriology), the nature, mission and role of the Church (ecclesiology), and a description of end times scenarios (eschatology).
TH311 HISTORY OF REDEMPTION (2 CREDITS)
In this course we will see the unity of the Bible as it presents God’s plan of salvation for mankind from Genesis to Revelation and review the general content of the books of the Bible for the purpose of integration and seeing thematic relationships. We will approach this survey of the Bible from two points of view: what God has done and is accomplishing in history and what God has spoken or revealed in terms of Scripture.
TH337 SCIENCE & THE BIBLE (2 CREDITS)
This course is designed to equip Christian men and women of God to defend, both Biblically and scientifically, the doctrines of a six literal day creation, a global flood and an approximately six thousand year age of the earth. Unsound Biblical interpretations such as the theories of Theistic evolution, the day-age theory, the gap theory and the progressive creation theory will be examined and refuted using Scripture, logic and science. So-called “science” which is currently used to promote Darwinian evolution and an old earth will likewise be refuted using scripture, logic and true science. The course will consist of in-class power point lectures, class discussions of material in the assigned textbook and a final exam.Bible from two points of view: what God has done and is accomplishing in history and what God has spoken or revealed in terms of Scripture.
TH348 BIBLIOLOGY & ARCHAEOLOGY (2 CREDITS)
This course will explore the special nature and unique character of the Bible. Emphasis will be placed on enabling the student to understand the process God used to reveal the Scriptures and pass down the 66 books of the Bible to us in their present form. Topics such as Bible and culture, prolegomena, theme, inspiration, canonization, transmission, translation, paleography, perspectives, archaeology, and historical reliability of the Bible will be addressed.
TH363 APOLOGETICS* (2 CREDITS)
The course will consist of an examination and evaluation of the argument for the truthfulness of Christianity. Emphasis will be given to the nature of truth, existence of God, evil, hell, the reliability of the Bible, deity of Christ, resurrection of Christ, and other elements that comprise the core doctrines of Christianity. In addition, attention will be directed to understanding the formation of the Christian canon of Scripture. Subjects will include a study of biblical inspiration, canonization, transmission, translation and the role of archaeology as it supports the reliability of the Scriptures.
TH373 CRITICAL THINKING (2 CREDITS)
This course provides an introduction to the aims and techniques of formal logic. Logic is the science of correct argument, and our study of logic will aim to understand what makes a correct argument good, that is, what is it about the structure of a correct argument that guarantees that, if the premises are all true, the conclusion will be true as well? Our subject (though, to be sure, we can only scratch the surface) will be truth and proof, and the connection between them. In this class the student will learn how to think more clearly and study more accurately. This will enhance how one learns about his faith and how he or she shares it.
TH387 CULTS & WORLD RELIGIONS (2 CREDITS)
The course will consist of an introduction to the origin, history, philosophy, theology, and practices of the major non-Christian religions such as Vedic religion, Hinduism, Buddhism, Secular Humanism, Islam, New Age Movement, and pseudo-Christian cults such as the
Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormonism. Each belief system will be described and evaluated with a view to equip the student for effective evangelism.
TH 391 INTRODUCTION TO ISLAM (2 CREDITS)
This class is designed to give the student a fundamental understanding of what Islam states so we as Christians may have a loving, caring interaction with the Muslims we may encounter. We will examine what Islam teaches in relation to God, Salvation, and the Bible vs. the Qur’an. This will be an entry level introduction to Islam. Numerous Christians have spent their entire lives digesting and refuting Islam. We will be providing the students with information that leads to inspiration showing how we can “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Col. 4:6).
TH401 HERMENEUTICS (2 CREDITS)
This course is designed to introduce the student to basic principles for Bible study and Bible interpretation, focusing on a literal, historical-cultural, grammatical approach to the Scriptures. The student will be exposed to the various genres of the Bible while practicing principles for proper exegesis of the Scriptures. Note—TH417 Inductive Bible Study and TH401 Hermeneutics
are not generally taught in the same semester as Bible Study Methods, which incorporates the major content of both courses, and blends them into one.
TH416 BIBLE STUDY METHODS (2 CREDITS)
Every Christian has heard of the wonderful benefits from studying the Scriptures, but many have never learned an effective approach for doing it. Bible study is more than simply reading the text; studying involves a systematic approach that leads to a much deeper understanding of the text. In this course, the inductive skills needed to arrive at a proper understanding of Scripture will be discussed. In addition, students will be introduced to a variety of study methods that will make time spent in God’s Word an exciting adventure. Note—Bible Study
Methods incorporates the major content of both TH401 Hermeneutics and TH417 Inductive Bible Study courses, and blends them into one.
TH417 INDUCTIVE BIBLE STUDY (2 CREDITS)
The purpose for this class is to teach and encourage students to study the Word of God by observing, interpreting, cross-referencing, and relevantly applying the message of Bible passages to their lives. Note—TH417 Inductive Bible Study and TH401 Hermeneutics are not generally
taught in the same semester as Bible Study Methods, which incorporates the major content of both courses, and blends them into one.
WORSHIP
WO313 SOUND & RECORDING (2 CREDITS)
This class is designed to instruct and equip servants in numerous aspects of sound reinforcement, studio recording, and multimedia presentation. There will be Bible study, lectures, labs, interviews, and ample amounts of hands-on training. We will learn about servanthood, signal path, mixing boards, equalization, microphones, effects, the recording studio, video, presentation software and many other aspects of media ministry. The goal of this course is to train up competent and humble servants who seek to use their talents and gifts to glorify God alone.
WO327 WORSHIP LEADERSHIP (2 CREDITS)
Music has always played an integral role in the life and activity of the church. This course is
designed to practically equip those who feel called to lead the local church in music. We will discuss the topic of worship in the context of God’s Word, developing a theological foundation of worship and it’s place in the personal and congregational setting. We will also cover the practical and administrative aspects of the music ministry along with the technological tools that are available to the worship leader in our current age.
WO331 WORSHIP BAND (2 CREDITS)
The purpose of this class is to give the student spiritual insight on worship, and practical instruction regarding worship leading. The student will also have the opportunity for hands-on experience of leading worship in a band setting, and will participate in leading worship in Chapel.
WO335 WORSHIP MINISTRY (2 CREDITS)
The purpose of this class is to provide the student with practical teaching regarding the ministry of worship in a church setting. The student will learn about the various aspects of the ministry, i.e. church leadership, spiritual warfare, home groups, co-laboring with the pastor, etc.
WO337 MUSICIANSHIP (2 CREDITS)
Psalm 33:3 says, “Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy.” The church has been worshipping God through song for millennia, and has employed many differing styles of music in the process, yet we are still called to praise with skilled voices and instruments. This course seeks to aid in accomplishing the Psalmist’s admonition through the study of music history, music appreciation, music theory, and practical music instruction. Students will learn to listen critically to various genres of sacred music, understand the genres through learning the theory behind them, while also applying their understanding to practical instruction in guitar, voice, percussion & piano.
Note—many of our instructors are pastors at local churches. Due to their schedules and other factors, some electives may not be offered each semester. Please call or refer to the Schedule section of our website for a list of classes currently being offered.