THEOLOGY COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

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1 Theological Studies Academic Staff Randall Holm, Ph.D., Laval University: Biblical Studies and Practical Theology Kara Mandryk, D.W.S., Institute for Worship Studies: Practical Theology Program Information Our approach to Christian Theology is multidisciplinary; including systematic, historical, and philosophical methodologies. We research and teach about the development of Christian thought in the Church, the academy, and popular culture; drawing attention to the formative role of Christian thinking in the shaping of the western world, its effect on the global Christian community, and its ongoing afterlife in society at large. Entrance Requirements Minor Program For entry to the minor, the prerequisite is a grade of C or better in each of the introductory 9 credit hours in Biblical and Theological Studies. Program Objectives In addition to the meeting of the Providence University College mission, purposes, and general education objectives, these majors will enable each graduate to: 1. Acquire an advanced understanding of the disciplines of Biblical and Theological studies. 2. Demonstrate skill in reading texts, interpreting historical traditions, critical evaluation, and persuasive communication. 3. Articulate and communicate the relevance of the Bible and Christian Theology to, and its impact on, contemporary society. 4. Enter graduate studies in Religion. 5. Develop vocational skill relevant to pastoral ministry. Theology - Minor 18 credit hours Biblical Studies and Theology including: Year 1: 9 credit hours introductory Biblical and Theological Studies BINT: Introduction to the Bible and Christian Theology I BINT: Introduction to the Bible and Christian Theology II BTHO: Christian Spirituality I: Formations Year 2, 3 and 4 9 credit hours of Theology of which 6 credit hours must be taken at the xxx.2x level or higher Introductory Biblical and Theological Studies THEOLOGY COURSE DESCRIPTIONS BINT: Introduction to the Bible and Christian Theology I Part one of a two-part introduction to the Bible and Christian Theology with an emphasis on the questions of how the Bible came to be, how it has been used by the church in the historical development of doctrine, and how the Bible continues to function in the life of the contemporary faith community. 152

2 BINT: Introduction to the Bible and Christian Theology II Part two of a two-part introduction to the Bible and Christian Theology with an emphasis on the questions of how the Bible came to be, how it has been used by the church in the historical development of doctrine, and how the Bible continues to function in the life of the contemporary faith community BINT: Reading the Church s Bible (Graduate studies) A foundational course that must be taken prior to, or concurrent with, the first OT or NT Bible course. It prepares students for graduate-level biblical studies at Providence and traces the unified narrative of the Bible through its constituent parts in the Old and New Testaments. The course explores the implications of reading that narrative within the Church and attends to historical, textual, and personal questions that affect the reading of the Church s Bible. (3 credit hours) (May not hold for credit with BI5102) BTHO: Christian Spirituality I: Formations An introductory study of foundational spiritual skills, resources, and practices BTHO: Theology and Practice of Christian Spirituality and Formation (Graduate studies) This course is an in-depth exploration of the theological foundations and practice of Christian Spirituality and its pivotal role in deepening our awareness of and enlivening our love for God, others, and self. The developmental stages and themes related to the personal and professional growth and maturity of the student in their chosen vocation will be a particular focus. The theoretical and experiential approach to the course will include formal instruction, critical reflection on some classics of Christian spirituality, and participation in spiritual habits of the soul such as prayer, lectio divina or reading of scripture, silence and solitude, retreat, spiritual direction, corporate worship, and service. (3 credit hours) (May not hold for credit with IN5102) Theology BTHO : Philosophical Foundations of Theology A grounding in Western philosophy is integral to a properly informed understanding of the major doctrines, themes, and persons in Christian Theology. This is not to say that Theology is an incomplete discipline, but that, historically, the link between Christian theology and Western philosophy is a fact which ought not to be ignored. This course addresses philosophical issues in so far as they impinge upon both classical and contemporary theological thought. (Cross-credited as Philosophy for Philosophy minors) BTHO : Biblical Theology I: Old Testament Studies A study of the major theological themes of the Old Testament such as election, covenant, promise, and land BTHO : Biblical Theology II: New Testament Studies A study of the major theological insights of the writers of the New Testament, with particular emphasis placed on the writings of Paul and John BTHO : Historical Theology I Historical Theology is a three-semester course designed to introduce students to the history of Christian thought. In the first semester, it considers the problem of history in general and the authority of history in Christian thought specifically. It then examines the key Theological developments of the first three eras in the Church's history: the Patristic era, the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, and the Reformation BTHO : Historical Theology II Historical Theology is a three-semester course designed to introduce students to the history of 153

3 Christian thought. In the second semester, it examines the historical development of Christian thought from the Post-Reformation era to the present day BTHO: Historical Theology III Historical Theology is a three-semester course designed to introduce students to the history of the Christian thought. In the third semester, we look as theology from the Reformation to the midtwentieth century. The course content is largely oriented toward Latin or Western Christian thought, beginning with John Calvin and concluding with Karl Barth and Karl Rahner. In between we will focus on the major Protestant and Roman Catholic theological thinkers of the era BTHO: Mary in Doctrine and Devotion Mary has been a focus of controversy since the second generation of the Reformation. The legacy of such controversy, however, is near-silence in a great deal of Evangelical thinking and piety. Recently, however, key Catholic declarations have invited Protestants to reconsider Mary. This course attempts to sketch the manner and result of just such a reconsideration BTHO : Origins and Development of Pentecostal Spirituality An analysis of the birth, growth, and subsequent influence of Pentecostal spirituality in the church today will be examined. Emphasis will be given to the distinctive nature of Pentecostal spirituality, complete with its integration of orthopathy, orthodoxy, and orthopraxy. (Prerequisites: BINT and BINT) BTHO: Theology of Religions Given the realities of both globalization (increased migration, technological advances, transnational corporations, etc) and tribalization (the collapse of Christendom, increasing ethnic and religioustensions not limited by the boundaries of the nation state, etc) Christians ought to think through their relationships with people of other religions in ways both creative and faithful. This course is designed to equip students to do just that BTHO: Pre-Reformation Christian Thought BTHO: Reformation and Post-Reformation Christian Thought BTHO : Systematic Theology I Theology I explores the doctrine of God (God s identity, God s attributes, God s existence) and the doctrines of creation (its exposition and significance, with a focus on dialogue with the natural sciences) and revelation (whether God can be studied, whether, how, and where God discloses Godself) BTHO : Systematic Theology II Theology II explores the doctrines of sin, Christ s person, and Christ s work BTHO : Systematic Theology III Theology III explores the doctrines of the Holy Spirit, the Church, and the Last Things / BTHO: Theological Foundations This introductory course is designed to equip students to think theologically. Students will learn the sources and methods for doing theology within a broadly evangelical perspective (a generous orthodoxy ) and then reflect on the major themes and concepts in Christian theology, including the 154

4 doctrine of God and the Trinity, Christology, the Holy Spirit, creation and fall, salvation, the church, and the last things. Students will develop an ordered understanding of basic Christian doctrine and cultivate an appreciation for the ongoing significance of theological reflection for the health and impact of the church and for the Christian s life, ministry/vocation, and service in the world. (3 credit hours) (Note: is for undergraduate credit, while is for graduate credit; may not hold for credit with TS5201, may not hold credit for and simultaneously) BTHO : Christian Thought I: Religious Themes in Literature This course introduces students to religious themes in classical literature by combining study of selections (e.g., a novel, a short story, a film, etc) in a personal, yet critical way in journals and class presentations. These will be supplemented by class lectures which will integrate the major themes of both sets of texts. (Cross-credited with English for English Minors) BTHO : Christian Thought II: Contemporary Issues This course explores a theme or issue in contemporary theological debate. Previous courses have considered the nature of religious language, the challenge of postmodernism, and the theology of religions. Students are invited to interact with textbooks, lectures, and a variety of supplemental readings through journals, class presentations, and lectures BTHO: Theology of Calvin (Prerequisites: BINT and BINT) BTHO: Theology of the Atonement Theology of the Atonement is an upper-level theology course designed to address a variety of questions concerning the place of violence in Christian models of atonement. Topics covered will include (1) the nature and problem of violence, (2) the nature and purpose of atonement theology, (3) the place of violence in the main atonement models of the western Christian tradition (particularly in the satisfaction model of atonement), (4) contemporary critiques and alternatives to older models of atonement, and (5) recent responses and developments within the traditional models. (Prerequisites: BINT and BINT) BTHO : Special Studies in Theology I A continuation of the exposition begun in Systematic Theology I and II (114.21/22 BTHO). (Prerequisite: /12 BINT and one set of /22 BTHO, /22 BTHO, /22 BTHO) BTHO : Special Studies in Theology II An investigation of a topic of particular interest to a guest lecturer or faculty member in the Theology Department. (Prerequisite: /12 - BINT and one set of /22 - BTHO, /22 - BTHO, /22 BTHO) BTHO : Christian Spirituality II: Rituals of Prayer This course encourages a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the diversity of Christian spiritual practices. Drawing from Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant traditions, selected rituals of prayer will be examined in light of both historical context and current praxis, and emphasis will be given to the adaptation of classic rituals of prayer to the post-modern environment BTHO : Biblical Theology of Worship This course will explore the central theme of worship in Scripture and how worship relates to other aspects of the Christian life, particularly the area of Christian Spirituality I: Formations. Students will examine both the private and the public dimensions of worship, worship as a response to the divine initiative, worship as enactment and historical recitation, and worship as life orientation. (Prerequisites: BINT and BINT) 155

5 Biblical and Theological Research BTR: Thesis I: Research and Bibliography The development of an acceptable topic and methodology as well as a bibliography drawn from adequate sources for the subsequent writing of a thesis. (Limited to graduating seniors enrolled in a four-year Biblical and Theological B.A. program) BTR: Thesis II: Thesis Writing A continuation of Thesis I ( BTR) which traces scholarship of the thesis topic to the present, furthering knowledge on the thesis topic. (Prerequisite: BTR) BTR: Assistantship I: Research An introduction to the Academy through a joint research project with a professor in the department, with a view to a co-authored publication in a scholarly journal. (With permission of the professor only) BTR: Assistantship II: Teaching An introduction to the mechanics of teaching at an undergraduate level, including preparation for lectures and the leading of seminars and class discussions. (With permission of the professor only) BTR: BTS Research Methods An introduction to the methods and practice of Biblical and Theological research and writing. Courses Cross-Credited with Theological Studies ENGL: Studies in C. S. Lewis (See English Literature for course description) 156