Course Descriptions

The history of Christianity is surveyed from the first century to the Reformation. Consideration is given to major theologians and their works and significant developments in the history of the church.

This course introduces students to basic beliefs about God and the methods of Christian theology. The doctrines of revelation, Scripture, creation, humanity, and sin are studied from the perspective of historical and systematic theology, based on a biblical foundation.

The biblical and theological foundations of historical and contemporary interpretations of Christian ethics are covered, with an analysis of the nature of Christian responsibility in the major areas of social concern.

Major theological movements within the Christian church, from the Reformation to the present, are studied. Consideration is given to major theologians and their works and significant developments in the history of the modern church.

This course helps students develop their basic Christian beliefs about Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. The doctrines of atonement, salvation, church, and eschatology are studied from the perspective of historical and systematic theology, based upon a biblical foundation.

This course examines a contemporary Anglican approach to moral theology or Christian Ethics. Primary attention is given to basic Christian moral principles and the use of Scripture in ethics as the basic structure of Christian doctrine and the consequences for moral theology.

Students explore selected epochs, movements, or issues in the history of the Church. Topics included are the Reformation, the Wesleyan revival, the Great Awakening, and the Church in the urban context.

Students examine theological perceptions of the city, with an emphasis on ministry in and to the polis.

The course traces the history of the Anglican Christian tradition from its pre-Reformation roots to modern times.

A selected topic in Christian theology, from the perspectives of the Bible, theology, philosophy, sociology, psychology, and communication theory, is studied in a given semester.

This course is a study of worship and liturgy in the history of the church. Attention is given to the relationship between theological commitments and worship and to the development of liturgical expressions in the various Christian communities from the first century to the present.

Highlights of Wesley's life are studied with reference to the development of his theology. Special attention is given to the unique emphases of Wesleyan doctrine.

This course provides a survey of the Friends Church from its origins in the 17^th century to the present. The birth, growth, and organization of Quakerism is delineated, along with Quaker distinctives in thought and practice, the role of evangelicalism, reform efforts, church polity, and the ongoing challenges of cultural relativism and relevancy. Special attention is given to the experiences and practices of American Friends in general and of Evangelical Friends in the Southwest in specific.

Students learn about the distinctive theology, worship, and leadership practices of Friends, as compared and contrasted with other Christian groups. The course meets the needs of those in the "recording" process.

This course will present an introduction and study of the major themes, persons and movements within the history of the American church form the Puritan church to the present, and will primarily focus upon Protestant Christianity.

This course investigates contemporary issues of theology as they emerged within the context of the modern and/or postmodern world. Special emphasis is placed upon the reading of primary texts and upon relating to issues in a way that is responsible to historic Christianity as well as contemporary concerns. Issues include those related to existentialism and such contextualized theologies as liberation, ethnic, and feminist theologies.

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

This course traces the history of the Church in Latin America and its diverse relationships with its religious, economic, political, and cultural surroundings from the Conquest (1492) to the 20^th Century.

This course examines a variety of theological issues facing the Hispanic church today. It engages the social and cultural contexts in which today’s Church serves. It also places these issues in theological context to supply students with practical and applicable strategies for working through these issues in their local communities.

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

This course deals with the nature and mission of the church and the problems which the church must face in its relationship with society.

A selected area in the field of Christian ethics is studied in a given semester. Areas of study include the following: political ethics, social justice, war and peace, economic ethics, the ethics of sex, and medical ethics.