Courses

Using the  study area buttons below find detailed information about the courses being offered. 
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Biblical Studies

Develop skills and methods for engaging in sound and thoughtful interpretation of the Bible for use in ministry or mission settings or as a firm foundation for a variety of careers in the marketplace.

• BLST 109 Introduction to the New Testament

  An introduction to the New Testament, emphasizing its theological, historical, and literary dimensions, as well as modern scholarly approaches to the study of early Christian literature.

• BLST 111 Introduction to the Old Testament

  An introduction to the Old Testament, emphasizing its theological, historical, and literary dimensions, as well as contemporary scholarly approaches to the study of the Old Testament.

• BLST 201 Introduction to the Torah/Pentateuch

  A study of the first five books of the Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy), known as the Torah or Pentateuch. Attention is given to issues of literary composition and content, historical contexts, and Christian theological interpretation.

  Prerequisite: BLST 111 Introduction to the Old Testament

• BLST 205 Hebrew Poetry and Wisdom

  A study of the six books in the Old Testament designated wisdom (Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes) and poetry (Psalms, Song of Solomon, Lamentations). In addition to studying the content and message of each of these books, this course introduces students to the forms and rhetorical devices characteristic of poetry and wisdom in the Hebrew Bible and to the distinctive theology of Hebrew wisdom.

• BLST 206 Introduction to the Prophets

  A study of the office or role of the writing prophets (Latter Prophets) followed by a survey of their writings. Attention is devoted to common prophetic motifs, but also to their unique contributions and development of earlier biblical themes.

  Prerequisite: BLST 111 Introduction to the Old Testament (or BLST 111 Old Testament Literature)

• BLST 213 Hermeneutics

  A foundational course that includes both an introduction to basic hermeneutical theory and an emphasis on developing interpretive skills.

• BLST 214 General Epistles

  A survey of Hebrews, James, I and II Peter, I, II, and III John, and Jude (the Catholic Epistles) that explores their historical setting, literary form, and theology.

• BLST 230 Pauline Epistles

  A survey of each of the Pauline letters with careful attention devoted to central themes and selected passages in Paul's writings.

• BLST 304 Acts

  A study of the Acts of the Apostles with special attention devoted to its theology, its portrayal of the origin, development, and mission of the apostolic church, and its literary relationship with the Gospel of Luke.

  Prerequisite: BLST 109 Introduction to the New Testament (or BLST 103 Gospels)

• BLST 305 Studies in Hebrew Wisdom and Poetry

  A close reading of one or more books from the wisdom and poetry portion of the Hebrew Bible with careful attention given to theological themes and selected critical issues.

  Prerequisite: BLST 111 Introduction to the Old Testament (previously BLST 111 Old Testament Literature)

• BLST 306 Romans

  A study of Paul's letter to the Romans with particular attention given to its historical setting, theological argument, and continuing significance for the church.

  Prerequisite: BLST 109 Introduction to the New Testament (previously BLST 103 Gospels)

• BLST 309 John

  A careful study of John's story of Jesus and its significance. While the course has an exegetical focus, attention is also devoted to prominent elements in John's theology and discussion of important critical issues.

  Prerequisite: BLST 109 Introduction to the New Testament (previously BLST 103 Gospels)

• BLST 310 1 Corinthians

  A study of Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, with particular attention to its historical setting, its theological argument, and its continuing significance for the church.

  Prerequisite: BLST 109 Introduction to the New Testament (previously BLST 103 Gospels)

• BLST 324 Bible Synthesis

  A study of the flow of biblical thought that focuses on the relationship between the Old and New Testament and the use of the Old Testament in the New.

  Prerequisite: BLST 109 Introduction to the New Testament (previously BLST 103 Gospels) and BLST 111 Introduction to the Old Testament (previously BLST 111 Old Testament Literature)

• BLST 325 Bible Origins: Text, Transmission, and Canon

  A study of the origin and transmission of the Scriptures, the formation of the biblical canon, and the methods of textual criticism.

• BLST 331 Scripture and Canon

  This course is an examination of the formation and structure of the Christian Bible and an explication of the evangelical doctrine of Scripture. Special attention is given to contemporary debates that surround both the canon of Scripture and the theological articulation of the nature of the Bible.
  
  Cross-listed: THEO 331 Scripture and Canon
  
  Note: Students with credit for BLST/THEO 331 Scripture and Contemporary Theology may not take this course for credit

  Prerequisite: THEO 115 Introduction to Christian Theology

• BLST 334 Studies in the Former Prophets

  A close reading of one or more books from the Former Prophets (Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings) with careful attention given to the theological themes and selected critical issues.

  Prerequisite: BLST 111 Introduction to the Old Testament

• BLST 340 The Book of Isaiah

  A close study of the book of Isaiah with careful attention given to the book’s historical contexts, authorship and composition, poetic style, rhetorical discourse, and theological significance for the church.

  Prerequisite: BLST 111 Introduction to the Old Testament

• BLST 367 Studies in the Pentateuch

  A close reading of one or more books from the Pentateuch with careful attention given to theological themes and selected critical issues.

  Prerequisite: BLST 111 Introduction to the Old Testament (previously BLST 111 Old Testament Literature)

• BLST 371 Jewish Backgrounds to Early Christianity

  A seminar on the history, literature, and thought of early Judaism (from 300 BCE to 200 CE). This course highlights the Jewish origins of Christianity, illuminates the thought world of Jesus and his Jewish contemporaries, and explores the reasons for the eventual "parting of ways" between Judaism and Christianity.
  
  Cross-listed: HIS 371 Jewish Backgrounds to Early Christianity

  Prerequisite: BLST 109 Introduction to the New Testament (previously BLST 103 Gospels) and BLST 111 Introduction to the Old Testament (previously BLST 111 Old Testament Literature)

• BLST 378 Women and Vocation

  This course provides a critical examination of women and vocation from the Ancient Near Eastern world to the present. Central to this investigation will be a consideration of how a shared repertoire of historical context, narrative framework, and communal discourse affect the negotiation of vocational identity.
  
  Cross-listed: WMST 378 Women and Vocation

  Prerequisite: 6 credit hours of BLST

• BLST 381 Hebrews

  A careful examination of the book of Hebrews that explores both its rhetorical structures and its rich theology.

  Prerequisite: BLST 109 Introduction to the New Testament (previously BLST 103 Gospels)

• BLST 385 Revelation

  A study of the messages and visions of John's Apocalypse that is introduced by an examination of the nature of apocalyptic literature.

  Prerequisite: BLST 109 Introduction to the New Testament (or BLST 103 Gospels)

• BLST 393 Specialized Study

  Offered occasionally to provide in-depth study in a topic in Biblical Studies that is not covered in regularly scheduled courses.

  Prerequisite: 6 credit hours of Biblical Studies

• BLST 415 Advanced Studies in New Testament Literature

  An advanced study of a selected New Testament book(s), texts, or themes as selected by the instructor.

  Prerequisite: BLST 109 Introduction to the New Testament (or BLST 103 Gospels) and the completion of 60 credit hours of study.

• BLST 423 Advanced Hermenutics

  An examination of current issues in hermeneutics, including the problem of meaning, presuppositions behind pre-modern, modern, and postmodern methodologies, and an introduction to major critical methodologies in biblical studies. Students will gain wide exposure to how the Bible has been studied in the last two centuries and gain practice in applying these methods to select texts.

  Prerequisite: Prerequisite: BLST 109 Introduction to the New Testament, BLST 111 Introduction to the Old Testament, and the completion of 60 credit hours of study Note: Students with credit for BLST 423 Current Issues in Biblical Interpretation may not take this

• BLST 425 Advanced Studies in Old Testament Literature

  An advanced study of selected books, texts, or themes as selected by the instructor. Typically, at least one such study is offered annually.

  Prerequisite: BLST 111 Introduction to the Old Testament (or BLST 111 Old Testament Literature) and the completion of 60 credit hours of study

• BLST 426 Biblical Studies Internship

  This internship provides a practical, supervised experience in the tasks, attitudes, and skills of research, interpretation, and communication of the Scriptures.

  Prerequisite: Note: All internships need to be approved in advance by the appropriate program coordinator. The internship is offered to college students who have completed 60 credit hours or more and have been accepted into the degree program.

• BLST 433 Sermon on the Mount

  A study of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7 with attention devoted to its literary context, to the theological and ethical issues it addresses, and to its continuing significance for the church.

  Prerequisite: Prerequisite: BLST 109 Introduction to the New Testament (or BLST 103 Gospels) and the completion of 60 credit hours of study

• BLST 434 Prophets Book Study

  A close reading of one or more of the prophetic books in the Hebrew Bible with careful attention given to theological themes and selected critical issues.

  Prerequisite: BLST 111 Introduction to the Old Testament (or BLST 111 Old Testament Literature) and the completion of 60 credit hours of study

• BLST 435 Synoptic Gospels

  In addition to consideration of the theology of the synoptic evangelists, this course serves as an introduction both to the critical study of the synoptic gospels (examining such approaches as source, form, redaction, genre, narrative, and reader response criticism) and to historical Jesus research.

  Prerequisite: BLST 109 Introduction to the New Testament (or BLST 103 Gospels) and the completion of 60 credit hours of study

• BLST 436 The Gospel of Matthew

  This course offers an introduction to contemporary Matthean scholarship and to the critical study of the Gospels, but focuses on a close reading of Matthew's Gospel itself.

  Prerequisite: BLST 109 Introduction to the New Testament (or BLST 103 Gospels) and the completion of 60 credit hours of study.

• BLST 437 The Gospel of Luke

  In recognition of Luke's unique contribution as a literary artist, historian, and theologian, this course aims to provide a forum for analysis and discussion of his distinct treatment of the story of Jesus and his followers. Such an undertaking will entail serious engagement with the biblical text, a critical evaluation of the methods and views of leading scholars of Luke-Acts.

  Prerequisite: BLST 109 Introduction to the New Testament (or BLST 103 Gospels) and the completion of 60 credit hours of study.

• BLST 438 Galatians

  A close reading of the Epistle to the Galatians with special attention to its socio-historical context, its argument, its intertextual conversations, its place in Paul's theology, and its importance for the early Christian movement.

  Prerequisite: BLST 230 Pauline Epistles

• BLST 439 Pastoral Epistles

  A study of 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus with particular attention given to their theology, their portrayal of the qualifications, selection, responsibilities and authority of church leaders, and their continuing significance for the church.

  Prerequisite: BLST 109 Introduction to the New Testament (or BLST 103 Gospels) and the completion of 60 credit hours of study

• BLST 440 The Thought and Theology of Paul

  A seminar exploring a cross-section of historical, hermeneutical, and theological issues in contemporary Pauline studies. Readings and discussion will focus principally on the coherence of Paul's thought, Paul's narrative framework, Paul's use of the Old Testament, and ethical issues in Paul's churches.

  Prerequisite: BLST 230 Pauline Epistles and the completion of 60 credit hours of study

• BLST 454 Religious Studies Seminar

  This course integrates biblical research with one or more other academic discipline in order to address current cultural, social, or ethical issues.
  
  Cross-listed: RLST 454 Religious Studies Seminar

  Prerequisite: Completion of 60 credit hours of study.

• BLST 493 Specialized Study

  A seminar offered occasionally to provide in-depth study on a topic in Biblical Studies that is not covered in regularly scheduled courses.

  Prerequisite: 6 credit hours of Biblical Studies and the completion of 75 credit hours of study