Explores the letters of Paul and concentrates on the historical, social and religious contexts of the early Christian communities to which the letters are addressed. Attention will be paid to the theology of the letters and critical, scholarly issues. Prerequisites: BSTH 101, 102, 201

Examines the message, historical situation, Old Testament connections, theology and reception history of Hebrews, James, 1–2 Peter, 1–3 John and Jude. Attention may focus on one or more of the epistles. Prerequisites: BSTH 101, 102, 201

Study of the Book of Revelation (or the Apocalypse) with special attention to its content, its literary genre of “apocalypses,” the various interpretations of the book, the Old Testament connections, and the theological themes. Prerequisites: BSTH 101, 102, 201

Study of the history, culture, religion and literature of the Jewish people from the end of the exile until the destruction of Jerusalem by Rome. Readings will include selections from the Apocrypha, Pseudepigrapha and the Dead Sea Scrolls, with interest in the development of apocalyptic and rabbinic Judaism(s). Prerequisites: BSTH 101, 102, 201 Same as: HIST 315

An exploration of who Jesus was and what he accomplished as recorded by the canonical witnesses of Matthew, Mark and Luke, in conversation with contemporary “historical Jesus” research models. Focus will be on the questions: Where does Jesus belong within the Jewish world of his day? What were Jesus’ aims and claims? Why did Jesus die? Why did the early church begin and why did it take the shape that it did? Prerequisites: BSTH 101, 102, 201

Examination of the person, life and theology of the apostle Paul. Will emphasize Paul’s missionary journeys and order of his letters, his Greco- Roman and early Jewish contexts, politics, Paul’s perceived theological developments, and his role as pastor. Prerequisites: BSTH 101, 201

Open to third- and fourth-year students who wish to explore a topic not covered in the regular curriculum and in which the professor has an interest and expertise and is willing to direct studies. Prerequisite: 12 credit hours in Biblical Studies and Theology Permission required

Examines the spirituality and theology of the early Church Fathers by addressing early Christian creeds, liturgies, and teaching on prayer and the Christian life. Prerequisites: BSTH 101, 102, 270

Explores the life and thought of one of the most influential figures in the history of Christianity and Western culture. Particular attention will be given to his Confessions and to a selection of his major controversies, such as his debates with the Manicheans, the Donatists and the Pelagians. Prerequisites: BSTH 101, 102, 270

Provides an introduction to medieval theology and spirituality in both the Eastern (Byzantine) and Western traditions, from the 6th to the 15th century. Prerequisites: BSTH 101, 102, 270

Examination of the life, writings, and thought of Thomas Aquinas. Particular attention will be given to his Summa Theologiae, among other writings, and his theological and philosophical concerns and approaches. Some topics for discussion will include Aquinas’ view of God, metaphysics, epistemology, evil and scripture. Prerequisites: BSTH 101, 102, 270, PHIL 171 Same as PHIL 364

Focuses primarily on the theology of the main Protestant Reformers, including Luther, Zwingli and Calvin. Attention may also be given to the Anabaptists, the English Reformation and the Counter-Reformation, but its main focus will be the continental, magisterial reformers. Prerequisites: BSTH 101, 102, 270

Examines the development of Christian theology from the 17th to the 20th centuries, including post-Reformation scholasticism, the influence of the Enlightenment thought on theology, the rise of liberal Protestantism, the fundamentalist reaction to liberal theology, various developments in Roman Catholic theology, especially with regard to its relationship to modernity, and the theological revolution initiated by Karl Barth in the first half of the 20th century. Prerequisites: BSTH 101, 102, 270

Addresses the question “What is Evangelicalism?” by examining the origins, development, and theological distinctives of the Evangelical movement from the Great Awakening in the 18th century to the present. Prerequisites: BSTH 101, 102, 270

Examines one or more major theological figures from church history and their contribution to the articulation and development of theological doctrines. The course may cover figures such as Ambrose, Anselm, Luther, Wesley, Barth, etc. Prerequisites: BSTH 101, 102, 270

Explores the Christian understanding of God’s revelation. Although attention may be given to the doctrines of general and special revelation, as well as to the nature of revelation, the major emphasis will be on the doctrine of the inspiration and authority of the Bible. Prerequisites: BSTH 101, 102, 270

Examines the existence and attributes of God and the relationship of God to the world. It gives particular attention to the biblical and historical foundations for the doctrine of the Trinity. Prerequisites: BSTH 101, 102, 270

Focuses on the doctrine of creation and the related doctrine of providence. Attention will also be given to the doctrine of the human creature, including the Fall into sin. Prerequisites: BSTH 101, 102, 270

Endeavors to acquaint students with the theology of the human person. Focuses on biblical and doctrinal issues that bear upon such questions as “What does it mean to be a human being?”, “What is meant by the ‘image of God’?”, “How is the Person of God related to the personhood of human beings?” Prerequisites: BSTH 101, 102, 270

Examines the doctrine of the person and work of Jesus Christ. Attention will be given to controversies in the early church leading to the affirmation of the deity of Christ and to the Chalcedonian definition, as well as to various approaches to the doctrine of the atonement in church history. Prerequisites: BSTH 101, 102, 270

Examines the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. Attention is given to fundamental theological questions concerning the person, work and ministry of the Holy Spirit in Scripture throughout church history and in the contemporary church. Emphasis will be given to several controversial issues relating to this area of doctrine. Prerequisites: BSTH 101, 102, 270

Explores key areas of salvation, such as election, conversion, justification and sanctification, paying close attention to Scripture and also to historical debates throughout church history. Various views on issues such as the fate of the unevangelized and eternal security will also be explored. Prerequisites: BSTH 101, 102, 270

Examines the origin, nature, purpose, polity, mission, and ministry of the church. Some contemporary issues in ecclesiology will be emphasized, such as ecumenism, the use of liturgy, church discipline, and the relationship of the church to culture. Prerequisites: BSTH 101, 102, 270

Addresses the doctrine of the return of Jesus Christ in glory and a number of surrounding events, including the millennium, the resurrection of the dead, the final judgment and the new heavens and the new earth. Attention will also be given to the doctrine of the intermediate state. Prerequisites: BSTH 101, 102, 270