College of Arts & Sciences
College of Arts & Sciences 2007-2008 Catalog
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL STUDIES
Biblical and theological studies form an essential part of a liberal arts education. They put students into contact with the historical foundations of the Christian faith in the Old and New Testaments and introduce the great doctrines of Christianity, which have been formulated in the church and have been expounded and debated by theologians past and present. They provide a forum in which the foundation and content of students’ faith can be examined and an opportunity for students to understand the teachings of the most significant world religions. Students in biblical and theological studies are also encouraged to see the value of learning one or more of the languages in which the Christian Scriptures were written (Greek and Hebrew).
Besides its service to students within the liberal arts curriculum, the Department of Biblical and Theological Studies aims to prepare students for seminary or other graduate studies in fields related to theology, to provide biblical and theological background for other ministries that students may enter without a graduate degree, and to enrich the life and ministry of the church by equipping educated laypeople with the tools for lifelong Bible study.
Biblical Studies Courses
BIB101 • Introduction to the Bible (fall, interim, spring) 3 credits
Journey of God’s people from Abraham and Sarah through the New Testament church, highlighting the unifying self-disclosure of God in the various cultures and types of writing of the Old and New Testaments.
BIB210 • History of Ancient Israel (fall or spring) 4 credits
Focus on the history of the coastlands along the southern half of the eastern Mediterranean from the Early Bronze through the Maccabean eras, with an emphasis on the rise and history of ancient Israel. Prerequisite: BIB101.
BIB217 • Significance of the Old Testament for Today (fall or spring) 3 credits
Emphasis on major foundational themes developed primarily in the Old Testament, including justice, covenant, and creation; and on areas that often seem problematic to modern Christians: holy war, capital punishment, imprecations, and oath-taking. Prerequisite: BIB101.
BIB220 • The Pentateuch (offered occasionally) 4 credits
Mosaic books of the Old Testament, with particular interest in the Genesis account of world beginnings, the Patriarchs, the Exodus and founding of the nation of Israel, and the faith and religion of the Hebrews. Prerequisite: BIB101.
BIB230 • Israel Study Tour (interim, offered occasionally) 4 credits
Historical geography and on-site investigation of the Holy Land with emphasis on sites from the Early Bronze through Byzantine eras. Particular emphasis on sites that underlie the Hebrew Bible, the intertestamental period, and the New Testament. Prerequisite: BIB101.
BIB236 • Archaeology of the Southern Levant (offered occasionally) 3 credits
Objectives, history, methodology, and results of archaeology of the coastlands along the southern half of the eastern Mediterranean from the Early Bronze through Early Roman eras. Prerequisite: BIB101.
BIB240 • in Biblical Studies (offered occasionally) 3 credits
Study of a biblical area or topic. The specific subject is announced when the course is offered. Prerequisite: BIB101.
BIB260 • The Life and Teachings of Jesus (fall or spring) 4 credits
Main events of the life of Jesus and the form and message of His teaching in the light of first century Jewish culture. Use of the Old Testament in the gospels, the structure of the gospels, and their literary genre. Prerequisite: BIB101.
BIB264 • Greece-Turkey Study Tour (interim, offered occasionally) 4 credits
On-site investigation of the sites and regions that underlie the people, movements, and events of the Early Christian era. The area is examined in light of the historical, geographical, and rich cultural context of the classical Greek and Roman worlds. Prerequisite BIB101.
BIB265 • The Life and Teachings of Paul (fall or spring) 4 credits
Life of Paul, his strategic role in the expansion of Christianity, and the contribution of his theology and thought as reflected in his writings. Prerequisite: BIB101.
BIB301J • The Faith of Abraham in Genesis, Paul, and James (fall or interim or spring) 3 credits
The faith of Abraham as reflected in biblical and extra-canonical traditions, with emphasis on Genesis, Romans, Galatians, and the book of James. Attention to the theological and exegetical perspectives of the various documents, unity and diversity within the canon, and contemporary application. Prerequisite: BIB101.
BIB302J • Biblical Law in Christian Belief and Practice (offered occasionally) 3 credits
Biblical law as an expression of the character and will of God; the form, content, and use of law throughout Scripture; and the relationship of law and grace. Modern viewpoints on the abiding relevance of biblical law for individuals and societies. Prerequisite: BIB101.
BIB304J • Messianic Concepts (fall or interim or spring) 3 credits
Development of such terms as “Son of Man,” “Son of God,” and “Messiah” is traced from origins in Old Testament texts of poetry and prophecy to New Testament fulfillment in the gospels and Epistles. Prerequisite: BIB101.
BIB306J • Covenant, Promise, and Fulfillment (fall or interim or spring) 3 credits
Major covenants between God and humans in both the Old and New Testaments. Relationships between these covenants, especially regarding the theme of promise and fulfillment. Prerequisite: BIB101.
BIB307J • Jerusalem: Earthly City and Spiritual Symbol (fall or spring) 3 credits
Jerusalem as the means of studying God’s plans for worldwide redemption. The city where much of biblical history took place and that is symbolic of God’s earthly and heavenly kingdoms: its geography, history, and relationship to the several covenants in the Bible. Prerequisite: BIB101.
BIB309J • A Biblical Theology of Poverty (offered occasionally) 3 credits
Responses to poverty in the Old Testament, intertestamental literature, and the New Testament in the light of socioeconomic setting of these records. Construction of a biblical perspective and implications for Christian communities in North America. Prerequisite: BIB101.
BIB310J • Holiness in Biblical Perspective (fall or interim or spring) 3 credits
Exegetical and theological foundations underlying the biblical notion of holiness in both the Old and New Testaments. Biblical texts in their historical-cultural context, with a view to uncovering the biblical notion of holiness and integrating it into a Christian worldview. Prerequisites: BIB101; THE201.
BIB311J • Worship in Perspective (offered occasionally) 3 credits
Exegetical and theological foundations of worship. Old Testament and New Testament patterns of worship and their relevance for the church today. Prerequisite: BIB101.
BIB312J • Female and Male in Biblical Perspective (fall or interim or spring) 3 credits
Significant Old and New Testament passages related to past and current discussions of gender, roles, and ministry in the church. Prerequisite: BIB101.
BIB313J • A Biblical Theology of Justice (offered occasionally) 3 credits
Justice, in the full biblical sense, is employed as an integrating focus for the task of God on earth of restoring humankind. Elements of continuity and discontinuity between the Old Testament and New Testament. Location of each major block of biblical data in historical, literary, and social context. Prerequisite: BIB101.
BIB314J • The “Word” in Biblical Tradition (offered occasionally) 3 credits
Use of the term “word” in its creative, redemptive, active, prophetic, and prescriptive significance in the Christian canon. Beginning with the concept of “word” in creation; through “The Word as Law” and “The Prophetic Word”; and ending with an emphasis on “The Incarnate Word” and the words of the cross, the preacher, and the sacraments. Prerequisite: BIB101.
BIB315J • God, Evil, and Spiritual Warfare (offered occasionally) 3 credits
Study of God’s ongoing battle with spiritual forces from Genesis to Revelation. Origin, power, activity, and end of Satan and evil angels are traced throughout Scripture. Discussion of theological implications of these concepts in our understanding of providence and the problem of evil. Prerequisite: BIB101.
BIB316J • A Biblical Theology of Ministry (offered occasionally) 3 credits
Investigation of the biblical understandings of ministry in both Old and New Testaments. Examination of foundational issues such as definitions of ministry, spiritual gifting for ministry, the role of the laity in ministry, motivation, and purpose of ministry. Not open to students who have taken YOM200. Prerequisite: BIB101.
BIB317J • Family in Biblical Perspective (offered occasionally) 3 credits
Biblical perspective of family developed through an examination of family in ancient biblical cultures and a study of family in the Old and New Testaments. A biblical perspective will be integrated with an exploration of the cultural and historical influences on our contemporary understanding of family. Prerequisite: BIB101.
BIB319J • Eschatology: The Last Things in the Church’s Scriptures (offered occasionally) 3 credits
Examines what the Bible says about “the last things” in the Pentateuch, historical works, poetry, gospels, letters, and apocalypse. Includes careful exegesis of the Bible’s statements regarding the last things in order to learn how they functioned in their original setting, how they function in the canon of Scripture, and how they function in living out a Christian worldview today. Prerequisite: BIB101.
BIB321 • Issues in Biblical Studies (fall) 3 credits
Theoretical and practical introduction to academic study in biblical disciplines. Major theories that influence current study along with methods for research and investigation in these fields. Prerequisites: 200-level course in biblical studies; THE201; Interpreting Bib?li?cal Themes (J) course.
BIB326 • The Prophets of Israel (spring, even # yrs) 4 credits
The basic meaning of prophecy and the function of the prophets in Israel; analysis of the context and message of the great Hebrew prophets. Inductive studies bring out theological truths and relate them to the New Testament as well as to the Christian life as experienced today. Prerequisite: Interpreting Biblical Themes (J) course or a 200-level biblical studies course.
BIB328 • Theology of Mission (spring) 3 credits
Study of the biblical/theological issues of the church’s mandate to preach the gospel to all peoples. Examination of: (1) the nature of the Christian mission; (2) Western cultural influences on the gospel message/mission; (3) an encounter with other cultural expressions of the gospel message/mission; and (4) the development of some basic skills for engaging in cross-cultural religious dialogue. Prerequisites: BIB101 or THE201; at least junior standing.
BIB331G • Cultural World of the New Testament (fall, even # yrs) 3 credits
Historical and cultural backgrounds of the New Testament in their Jewish, Greek, and Roman contexts. Prerequisites: GES130 or GES145, 146; Contemporary Western Life and Thought (L) course or GES245; World Cultures (U) course.
BIB334G • Cultural World of the Old Testament (fall, odd # yrs) 3 credits
Historical, cultural, and archaeological backgrounds of the Old Testament in their Ancient Near Eastern contexts. Prerequisites: GES130 or GES145, 146; Contemporary Western Life and Thought (L) course or GES245; World Cultures (U) course.
BIB336 • Poetic Books of the Old Testament (spring, odd # yrs) 4 credits
Doctrinal and devotional themes of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs. The literary structure of these books and of individual psalms, the nature of Hebrew poetry, and its use in the New Testament and the church. Prerequisite: Interpreting Biblical Themes (J) course or a 200-level biblical studies course.
BIB370 • Romans (spring, odd # yrs) 4 credits
A widely influential letter of Paul with emphasis on the themes of justification by faith, ethics (good works), and life in the Spirit. Discussion of the letter’s significance for original and contemporary readers. Prerequisite: Interpreting Biblical Themes (J) course or a 200-level biblical studies course.
BIB375 • First Corinthians (spring, even # yrs) 4 credits
Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church in its first-century setting. Topics include sexuality, divorce, spiritual gifts, the Christian ministry, resurrection, and the contemporary application of these. Prerequisite: Interpreting Biblical Themes (J) course or a 200-level biblical studies course.
BIB440 • Topics in Biblical Studies (offered occasionally) 4 credits
Advanced course on a biblical area or topic. The specific subject is announced when the course is offered. Prerequisite: Interpreting Biblical Themes (J) course or a 200-level biblical studies course.
BIB499 • Seminar: Biblical Studies (spring) 4 credits
A selected topic in biblical studies related to a course theme. A major research project is followed by an oral and written presentation of its results. Prerequisites: BIB321; major in biblical and theological studies.
Biblical and Classical Language Courses
GRK101• Introductory Biblical Greek I (fall) 4 credits
Study of New Testament Greek for beginning students. Use of the New Testament to build a basic vocabulary and understand the elements of grammar and syntax.
GRK102S• Introductory Biblical Greek II (spring) 4 credits
Study of New Testament Greek for beginning students. Use of the New Testament to build a basic vocabulary and understand the elements of grammar and syntax. Prerequisite: GRK101.
GRK253 • Readings in New Testament Greek (fall) 4 credits
Readings in the Greek New Testament designed to develop the student’s basic knowledge of Greek grammar and enlarge his or her vocabulary. Prerequisite: GRK102S.
GRK371 • Advanced Greek Translation (spring) 4 credit
Translation analysis of Greek passages, both biblical and classical, of moderate to considerable difficulty. Specific subject matter varies each term. Prerequisite: GRK253.
GRK498 • Seminar: Greek Exegesis (spring) 4 credits
A selected book or representative passages in the Greek New Testament to increase the student’s exegetical skills. A major exegetical project is followed by an oral and written presentation of the results. Prerequisites: GRK253, BIB321.
HEB101 • Introductory Biblical Hebrew I (fall) 4 credits Study of the Hebrew of the Old Testament. Designed for the beginning student. The Old Testament is used to build a basic vocabulary and to understand the language’s phonology, mor?phol?o?gy, basic syntax, and semantics.
HEB102S • Introductory Biblical Hebrew II (spring) 4 credits
Study of the Hebrew of the Old Testament. Designed for the beginning student. The Old Testament is used to build a basic vocabulary and to understand the language’s phonology, morphology, basic syntax, and semantics. Prerequisite: HEB101.
LAT101 • Introductory Latin I (fall occasionally) 4 credits
Introduction to the spoken and written language and culture of ancient Rome.
LAT102S • Introductory Latin II (spring occasionally) 4 credits
Further study and use of the spoken and written language and culture of ancient Rome. Prerequisite: LAT101 or placement exam.
Theology Courses
THE201 • Christian Theology (fall or interim or spring) 3 credits
Investigates central themes of the Christian faith from a systematic perspective. Themes discussed both individually and in terms of the role each plays in worldview formation. Topics include Scripture (inspiration and inerrancy), God (Trinity), the person and work of Jesus Christ (incarnation and atonement), salvation (justification and sanctification), and last things (heaven and hell). Emphasis on the unity and diversity of theological beliefs within Christianity, both past and present, and on the interrelationships between theological understanding, culture, and discipleship. Prerequisites: BIB101; sophomore standing or above.
THE235 • Current Theological Controversies (spring, odd # years) 3 credits
Study of a number of theological topics of contemporary interest or debate such as the Calvinism/Arminianism debate, the inerrancy of Scripture, the nature of divine foreknowledge, spiritual gifts, and end times controversies. Prerequisite: THE201.
THE256L • Christian Apologetics (fall or interim or spring) 3 credits
Study of the intellectual viability of the Christian faith. Topics include the nature of apologetics and apologetic method, theological and philosophical arguments for and against the existence of God, and historical and philosophical arguments for and against the central beliefs of Christianity. Prerequisites: THE201; BIB101; GES130 or GES 145, 146.
THE263 • Christian Social Ethics (spring) 4 credits
Christian approaches to ethical problems within today’s society, such as the morality of war, poverty and welfare, homelessness, racism, and human sexuality. Roles of Christians and churches in response to these issues. Classical ethical approaches of utilitarianism, Kant, and social contract ethics. Prerequisite: BIB101. (Carries cross-credit in philosophy.)
THE311 • Early Church and Reformation Theology (fall) 3 credits
The lives and theological contributions of great men and women of church history, from the early church through the Reformation. Prerequisite: BIB101.
THE312L • Post-Reformation and Contemporary Theology (spring) 3 credits
Exploration and assessment of theological movements, ideas, and persons since the Reformation that have shaped the contemporary world, including Pietism, Wesley, Schleiermacher, Rauschenbusch, Pentecostalism, Barth, Bonhoeffer, liberation theology (feminist, black, aand third world) and evangelicalism. Prerequisites: THE201 or GES245, 246; GES130 or GES 145, 146.
THE401 • Christianity and the World’s Religions (offered occasionally) 3 credits
Exploration of the historical and contemporary relationships of Christianity and various world religions, specifically focused at the theological level. Focus rotates from year to year emphasizing the interfaith dialogue between Christianity and one other world religious tradition. Carries cross-credit in religious studies. Prerequisites: BIB101 and THE201.
THE431 • Advanced Systematic Theology (fall, odd # years) 3 credits
Research in the area of systematic theology. Content determined by the professor in conjunction with students majoring in biblical and theological studies. Typically entails an advanced study of one of the major doctrines of the Christian faith. Prerequisite: THE201 or consent of the instructor.
THE432 • Advanced Historical Theology (spring, odd # yrs) 3 credits
Research in the area of historical theology. Content determined by the professor in conjunction with students majoring in biblical and theological studies. Typically entails an advanced study of one of the major doctrines of the Christian faith. Prerequisite: THE201 or consent of instructor.
THE433 • Advanced Philosophical Theology (spring, even # yrs) 3 credits
Research in the area of philosophical theology. Content determined by the professor in conjunction with students majoring in biblical and theological studies. Typically entails an advanced study of one of the major doctrines of the Christian faith. Prerequisite: THE201 or consent of the instructor.
THE440 • Topics in Theology (occasionally) 4 credits
Research course in the area of systematic theology. Content to be determined by the professor in conjunction with students majoring in biblical and theological studies. Usually, the course entails an advanced study of one of the major doctrines of the Christian faith. Prerequisite: THE201 or consent of instructor.
THE499 • Seminar: Theology (fall) 4 credits
A selected topic in theology related to a course theme. A major research project is followed by an oral and written pre?sen?ta?tion of its results. Prerequisites: BIB321; THE312L.
In this section, semester credit hours will be shown after the course number and description proceeded by a comma.
Major in Biblical and Theological Studies (B.A.)
BIB321 Issues in Biblical Studies, 3
THE311 Early Church and Reformation Theology, 3
Choose from: 4
BIB499 Seminar: Biblical Studies
GRK498 Seminar: Greek Exegesis
THE499 Seminar: Theology
Choose from Old Testament: 3-4
BIB210 History of Ancient Israel
BIB217 Significance of the Old Testament for Today
BIB220 The Pentateuch
BIB230a Israel Study Tour
BIB236 Archaeology of the Southern Levant
BIB240 Topics in Biblical Studies (when topic is Old Testament)
HEB102Sb Introductory Biblical Hebrew II
Choose from New Testament: 3-4
BIB230 Israel Study Tour a
BIB240 Topics in Biblical Studies (when topic is New Testament)
BIB260 The Life and Teachings of Jesus
BIB264 Greece-Turkey Study Tour
BIB265 The Life and Teachings of Paul
GRK253 b Readings in New Testament Greek
Choose from theology: 3-4
THE235 Current Theological Controversies
THE256L Christian Apologetics
THE263 Christian Social Ethics
Elective from 200-level biblical and theological studies courses from the preceding lists or GRK102S Introductory Biblical Greek II, 3-4
Choose from Old Testament: 3-4
BIB326 The Prophets of Israel
BIB334G* Cultural World of the Old Testament
BIB336 Poetic Books of the Old Testament
BIB440 Topics in Biblical Studies (when topic is Old Testament)
Choose from New Testament: 3-4
BIB331G* Cultural World of the New Testament
BIB370 Romans
BIB375 First Corinthians
BIB440 Topics in Biblical Studies (when topic is New Testament)
Choose from theology: 3-4
THE312L* Post-Reformation and Contemporary Theology
THE431 Advanced Systematic Theology
THE432 Advanced Historical Theology
THE433 Advanced Philosophical Theology
THE440 Topics in Theology
Elective from 300- or 400-level biblical and theological studies courses from the preceding lists or BIB328 Theology of Mission or THE401 Christianity and the World’s Religions, 3-4
34-42
General Education, 51-52
Electives, 28-37
TOTAL 122
* A student may also choose to use this course to meet a General Education requirement.
a May be considered either Old Testament or New Testament.
b A student may use GRK253 Readings in New Testament Greek to meet the 200-level New Testament requirement or may use HEB102S Introductory Biblical Hebrew II to meet the 200-level Old Testament requirement, but may not use both.
Major in Third World Studies (B.A.)
(See Multidisciplinary section.)
Major in Youth Ministry (B.A.)
(See Youth Ministry section.)
Minor in Biblical and Theological Studies
One 200-level Old Testament course (see specific courses listed in major), 3-4
One 200-level New Testament course (see specific courses listed in major), 3-4
One 200-level theology course (see specific courses listed in major), 3-4
Choose two from: 6-8
One 300- or 400-level Old Testament course
(see specific courses listed in major)
One 300- or 400-level New Testament course
(see specific courses listed in major)
One 300- or 400-level theology course
(see specific courses listed in major)
TOTAL 15-20
Minor in Biblical Greek
GRK101 Introductory Biblical Greek I, 4
GRK102S* Introductory Biblical Greek II, 4
GRK253 Readings in New Testament Greek, 4
GRK371 Advanced Greek Translation, 4
GRK498 Seminar: Greek Exegesis, 4
TOTAL 20
* A student may also choose to use this course to meet a General Education requirement.
Minor in Biblical Languages (Hebrew and Greek)
GRK101 Introductory Biblical Greek I, 4
GRK102S* Introductory Biblical Greek II, 4
GRK253 Readings in New Testament Greek, 4
Choose from: 4
GRK371 Advanced Greek Translation
GRK498 Seminar: Greek Exegesis
HEB101 Introductory Biblical Hebrew I, 4
HEB102S* Introductory Biblical Hebrew II, 4
TOTAL 24
* A student may also choose to use this course to meet a General Education requirement.
Minor in Religious Studies
(See Religious Studies section.)