Course Descriptions

This course examines the life and teaching of Jesus portrayed in the Gospels, exploring the historical, literary, and theological features of their witness through the inductive method of Bible study, enhanced by the methods of contemporary Gospel criticism. Prerequisite: GBBL 511

This class introduces the basic vocabulary, morphology, and syntax of New Testament Greek for the purpose of learning to read and interpret the New Testament as a foundation for theological study and pastoral practice.

This course addresses the theology of Creation, including history and covenant. Genesis, Exodus, and Deuteronomy are used as primary source material. Prerequisite: GBBL 511

Students study the Gospel of Mark with attention to developing skill in the methods of Gospel criticism and engaging the Gospel's implicit theology and teaching about the Christian life. Prerequisite: GBBL 511

This course introduces the basic vocabulary, morphology, and syntax of biblical Hebrew for the purpose of learning to read basic Hebrew narrative and gaining the tools for interpreting the Old Testament as a foundation for biblical study. It provides pastors and teachers with tools for greater insight into the biblical message of the Old Testament.

The interrelationship between the Israelite kingdom and the Kingdom of God are examined. These themes are traced through the historical books, the Psalms, and the prophets.

This course studies the Apostle Paul's pastoral work in the establishment and care of churches and his formative contribution to the theology of the church through examination of his letters. Prerequisite: GBBL 511

This course serves as a continuation of the introduction to the basic vocabulary, morphology, and syntax of biblical Hebrew begun in Hebrew I.

Students are introduced to the basic principles and practice of Greek or Hebrew exegesis, through a detailed study of selected passages in the Greek text of the New Testament or the Hebrew Scriptures. Attention is given to methodological and bibliographical resources.

This comprehensive course of study emphasizes the geography, history, and archaeology of Israel in biblical times, as well as introducing the post-biblical history of the land, the Holocaust, and the complex social issues facing the modern nation of Israel. The course includes a 10-day travel tour of the lands of the Bible.

Students study Paul's letter to the Romans, with attention to developing skill in the methods of biblical exegesis and engaging the theological and ethical implications of Paul's thought. Prerequisite: GBBL 511

The psalms of ancient Israel provide models of appropriate human response to the breadth of life as lived before God. In a strange but hopeful way, these human songs also become the source of the Divine Word of guidance, salvation, and grace. The course investigates the historical and literary character of the Hebrew psalms as well as ways these compositions can be effectively and appropriately incorporated into a life of ministry. Prerequisite: GBBL 511

This course is a study of the worship of the believing communities of the Bible and early Christianity within the context of the ancient Near East and the Greco-Roman world, with special attention to its historical expressions and theological foundations. Prerequisite: GBBL 511

This is a course of independent research directed by the instructor.

Selections from the Pentateuch are chosen according to the students' needs and interest. Attention is devoted to improving the ability to read the Hebrew text and knowledge of advanced Hebrew grammar. The course focuses on the documentary hypothesis and traditional-historical criticism.

Selected passages from the Greek text of the Gospels are examined, and special attention is given to the tools of source, form, redaction, and narrative criticism.

Selections from the Hebrew Bible are chosen according to the students' needs and interests. Attention is devoted to improving the ability to read the Hebrew composed in poetry. The role of the prophets in the life of Israel is investigated in terms of their preparation of the people for the coming of God's Kingdom in Christ.

Selected passages from the Greek text of the Epistles are examined and special attention is given to rhetorical criticism.

This is a course of independent study in which the student prepares a thesis supervised by the instructor.

This course comprises a study of the canonical book Isaiah. The life and ministry of Isaiah of Jerusalem are investigated. Then the other sections of Isaiah are studied. The concepts of Isaiah 40-55 receive special emphasis, particularly the view of God, God’s Word, the messages of salvation, and the role of the servant. Some attention is given to the major themes of Isaiah 56-66. The role of this canonical book in preparation for the coming of God’s Kingdom in Christ receives special attention. His message of hope laid the foundation for the early Christians to understand God’s work in Jesus. Thus, of all the books of the Old Testament, Isaiah is the most crucial for understanding the work of God in Christ. Prerequisite: GBBL 511

This is a course of independent study supervised by the instructor.

Topics with current and/or continuing significance for Old Testament studies, critical methods, and advanced research techniques are emphasized. Prerequisite: GBBL 511

Topics that have current and/or continuing significance for the study of the New Testament are explored with emphasis on the methods of advanced research. Prerequisite: GBBL 511

The student undertakes a thorough investigation into the message of Jeremiah. This great prophet worked during the years of great turmoil leading up to the exile. A study of his life, confessions, and struggles leads the student into a thorough acquaintance with the events of the Middle East of the 6^th century B.C. Also, the material in Jeremiah provides the student with the opportunity to discover the inner life of a prophet who faced tremendous opposition. Prerequisite: GBBL 511

Students undertake an investigation of the emergence of the Christian Church in the first century A.D. through an examination of the Acts of the Apostles, using the tools of literary, historical, sociological, and theological analysis. Prerequisite: GBBL 511

The history of Jewish communities in the Persian, Greek, and Roman periods form a context for understanding the formation of Judaism as centered in the Torah and the rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem. This course examines the biblical and extra-biblical resources, including the Dead Sea Scrolls which demonstrate the development and concerns of different Jewish groups for texts, traditions, rituals, social practices, and interpretive discourses that form a foundation for rabbinic Judaism and the early Jesus movement. Prerequisite: GBBL 511

This course gives students an encounter with Jewish and Greco-Roman primary texts from the Hellenistic Age in order to gain an understanding of the history, religion, and culture that formed the milieu of the New Testament.

This course investigates contemporary approaches to Old Testament theology. These methods are studied and critiqued. Specific theological themes are pursued, including God's self-revelation, God's holiness, justice, wisdom, love, the view of humans, sin and atonement, praise, and lament. Very important is a consideration of the relationship of both testaments for practicing biblical theology. Prerequisite: GBBL 511

This course traces how the Jewish and Christian Scriptures were produced, preserved, transmitted, authorized, and canonized in living communities of faith. It explores how inspiration and revelation – as well as social structures, historical events, and politics – feature in the development and persistence of a sacred canon. Prerequisite: GBBL 511

This course is an inductive survey of female characters’ roles in the Bible and biblical discourse regarding women. This in-depth examination of biblical and interpretive traditions informs students’ understanding of the vocations of women serving God today.