500

This course introduces students to spiritual formation through communal and individual Christian practices. The course focuses on practices of devotion and practices of compassion that have been historically understood in the Christian church to be means of grace. Students are guided in the initial development of lifelong practices for Christian growth.

This course introduces students to the practice of spiritual direction. Ministers enrolled in the course will experience spiritual direction for their own lives and learn introductory concepts of spiritual direction for pastoral ministry to others.

This course provides an overview of the history of Christianity from the first century AD until the twentieth century, with emphasis on the development of the Church in its socio-political context, and the development of theology in the midst of pagan philosophies and heresies.

This course studies the historical, literary, and socio-cultural background of the Old Testament. Background literature and inscriptional evidence relevant to the Old Testament will be examined, as well as key historical events, figures, and locations. A possible timeline for the writing of the Old Testament books will be developed, engaging key critical theories. Prerequisite: BIBL-500 or equivalent competency.

This course equips students with a working understanding of the rise and influence of North American Christianity including its socio-cultural contexts. Discussions will include Christian denominational movements in North American addressing their doctrinal, ecclesiological, and ethical differences. Spanning four centuries (from the early 1600's to the early 2000's), this course develops a historical understanding of the diversity of American Christianity by engaging in current ecclesiological discussions and case studies.

This course studies the historical, literary, and socio-cultural background to the New Testament. Beginning with intertestamental Jewish literature and Jewish history in the Maccabean period, the course proceeds to the New Testament's first century Jewish and Greco-Roman context. A possible timeline for the writing of the New Testament books will be developed. Prerequisite: BIBL-500 or equivalent competency.

This course explores the nature of practical theology as a discipline: its history, methods and relevance for Church and society. Students will consider the work of various practical theologians; use varied models of theological reflection; and integrate social science methods into their ministry as practical theologians in residence. A key component of the course will involve the practicing of theology through reflection upon lived practical wisdom.

This course teaches the art of pastoral care as it relates to the psychological and theological needs of persons and Christian communities. Theories of pastoral care, its ethical context, the healing functions of rituals, and specific interventions for predictable human needs such as birth, death, illness, trauma, marriage, divorce, and life passage celebrations will be considered. In addition, theological responses to the question of theodicy will be articulated. The class presents historical perspectives and practice through case studies and modeling. Prerequisite or Co-requisite: REL-501.

Through both classroom and field study this course will evaluate how religious traditions and beliefs influence Israeli and Palestinian nationalism, and the politics of the modern Middle East. Special emphasis will be placed on biblical interpretations relating to God's convenantal promise of land in both the Old and New Testament and the implications of these theologies on the Christian church in the Middle East. Travel expenses and all applicable fees required.

This course covers a specialized and advanced topic in Christian history. The course focuses on advanced historical perspective for the sake of a better-informed and more faithful ministry. Prerequisites: THE-525, REL-331 and REL-332 or their equivalent.

This course appraises key philosophical concepts and questions for the sake of thoughtful congregational ministry. Ethics, logic, epistemology, as well as major current philosophical options are analyzed for their implications for congregational ministry. Though philosophical concepts are discussed in detail, ministerial implications of philosophy and practical application is the aim.

This course is the first in a sequence of potentially three courses in which the student engages in a self-directed, researched-based treatment of a topic relevant to the master's program in which the student is enrolled, conducted under the supervision of a faculty member.

This course is the second in a sequence of potentially three courses in which the student engages in a self-directed, researched-based treatment of a topic relevant to the master's program in which the student is enrolled, conducted under the supervision of a faculty member. Prerequisite: REL-591.

This course is the third in a sequence of potentially three courses in which the student engages in a self-directed, researched-based treatment of a topic relevant to the master's program in which the student is enrolled, conducted under the supervision of a faculty member. Prerequisites: REL-591 and REL-592.

This course is an independent or directed study of a research language relevant to the master's program in which the student is enrolled, conducted under the supervision of a faculty member, culminating in a competency examination.