BI 103. Synoptic Gospels Bi 103. (3 Credits)
"The story of Jesus’ birth, ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection in chronological sequence is studied in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ is studied through a focus on sayings and actions from incarnation to ascension."
BI 104. Biblical Introduction Bi 104. (3 Credits)
"This course introduces the history and origins of the Old and New Testaments. Topics include the canonization of the Old Testament, religious backgrounds of both canons, and an evaluation of historical and textual criticism."
BI 105. Pentateuch. (3 Credits)
The first five books of the Bible are explored with special attention to the development of God’s plan of redemption and Satan’s efforts to stop it. These books relate a continuing record of revelation and the foundation of the rest of the Bible.
BI 109. John and Acts. (3 Credits)
This course covers John’s close-up portrait of Jesus and Luke’s history of the church He began to build. The two books form a continuing story that presents and defines true New Testament Christianity.
BI 111. Life of Christ Bi 111. (3 Credits)
"This course covers a chronological overview of Jesus’ life from birth to resurrection, based upon the Gospel record."
BI 117. Biblical Literature. (3 Credits)
"This course gives a broad overview of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and New Testament text within the context of its history, geography and culture. The course is geared toward examining and exploring the dating, authorship, theological, and philosophical perceptions of each book as well as discuss the social, cultural, political, and ideological arguments proposed by the diverse writers’ of the books. Using a literary and socio-historical lens to interpret the world of the text and the intention of the writer, the course attempts to theologically and philosophically reconstruct the teachings and rhetoric found within the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament/New Testament. This is a survey course. It is fast paced and seeks to give a better than cursory understanding of the testaments."
BI 207. Corinthians & Thessalonians. (3 Credits)
"This course will be an analysis and exposition of each book stressing the historical background, devotional and doctrinal matters with special emphasis on the gifts of the Spirit as treated by Paul in 1 Corinthians."
BI 208. Romans and Galatians. (3 Credits)
"Law and grace, works and faith are studied using the principles of exposition to examine the background, date, destination, and doctrinal content of both books."
BI 211. Ministry of Paul Bi 211. (3 Credits)
"This course explores the sense of calling and mission which compelled Paul. It examines the Apostle’s journeys, his teachings, and actions. The study draws from the Acts of the Apostles and many portions of the Pauline epistles."
BI 230. Bible Study Methodology. (3 Credits)
"This course introduces the methods of inductive Bible study. Students will learn applied hermeneutics and exegetical principles. It is divided into two main sections: a) structural content methods, and b) technical methods."
BI 240. Biblical Typology. (3 Credits)
"This course surveys biblical types in the Old Testament, especially those foreshadowing the coming and work of Christ, the antitype. "
BI 320. Old Testament Prophetic Books. (3 Credits)
"This study of the last twelve books of the Old Testament shows the revelation of the will of God in their message, how they viewed their call, and the circumstances they faced."
BI 323. New Testament Epistles. (3 Credits)
This course gives an analysis and exposition of the books of Ephesians through Jude (except 1 and II Thessalonians) as the Gospel message is explained.
BI 326. Wisdom Literature. (3 Credits)
"This course explores the Books of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon. Their authenticity, historical setting, and major themes will be examined with insight on the correct approach to Hebrew poetry interpretation."
BI 412. Isaiah and Jeremiah. (3 Credits)
"This course covers the 118 chapters of Isaiah and Jeremiah, the two major prophetical books of the Old Testament, including the role of the prophets in God’s dealings with His people, their call, experiences, historical circumstances, and revelation of the will of God."
BI 431. Early Hebrew History. (3 Credits)
"The historical books from Joshua through Esther are presented through this chronological study of character studies, war stories, and romance, in this often-neglected section of the Bible. Each book’s relationship to the fulfillment to God’s plan of redemption is demonstrated."
BI 438. Pastoral Epistles Bi 438. (3 Credits)
The Apostle Paul’s counsel to ministers is applied to the circumstances of ministry today in an intensive study of the Epistles of I and II Timothy and Titus. The historical context and social issues of the first century Church will be examined.
BI 439. Prison Epistles. (3 Credits)
"Paul’s theology is explored through Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon, with emphasis on the conditions of the churches at the time of writing."
BI 501. Old Testament Bi 501. (3 Credits)
"This course gives a broad overview of the entire Old Testament in the context of history, geography and culture of its time demonstrating how each book fits into the whole story of redemption."
BI 502. New Testament Bi 502. (3 Credits)
"This course gives a broad overview of the entire New Testament in the context of history, geography, and culture of its time. The chief events, characters, and teachings of each book will be studies in reaction to God’s ongoing plan."
BI 603. Isaiah. (3 Credits)
"This course will be an exposition, emphasizing the background issues, purpose, structure, and interpretation of prophetic literature and theological contributions of Isaiah."
BI 606. Romans. (3 Credits)
"This course will be an exposition, emphasizing the background issues, purpose, structure, and interpretation of prophetic literature and theological contributions of Romans."
BI 623. Survey of Genesis. (3 Credits)
"This course examines the structure of the book of Genesis, its theological message and the implications of its message today. The student will be led through an analysis of this foundational book of the Hebrew canon, including an intensive look at the first four narratives"
BI 627. Survey of Ancient Hebrew History. (3 Credits)
"This subject provides a comprehensive overview of Ancient Hebrew history with an emphasis on its Biblical history as cataloged in the Hebrew Bible and the classification of it poetic discourse known as Wisdom literature. The discussion will focus on two questions. First, what is clearly known of Ancient Hebrew history as viewed in the text of Scripture? This of course is a central question of all history. Since the subject ranges over a wide range of times and places, it is not surprising that the readings are based on a wide range of evidence. And to understand how has Ancient Hebrew history survived as a continuous ethnic/religious group? Secondly, what are the important and particular value of Wisdom literature. Combining these two unique and quintessential views will proffer a strong conception of Hebrew life, culture and literature. We will seek to discover what is durable about the Hebrew experience that opens our perspectives to the faith we value."
BI 633. Apocalyptic Literature. (3 Credits)
Examination of apocalyptic literature in the Old and New Testaments and in literature from the Second Temple period. Emphasis placed on the development of skills and techniques for the analysis and interpretation of apocalyptic literature. Interpretive aspects of the course focused primarily on the writings contained in Daniel and Revelation. Consideration and exploration of the narrative and social worlds of ancient Jewish and Christian apocalyptic literature will form the foundation of this course.
BI 640. Survey of the Gospels. (3 Credits)
"This course will examine the life, the ministry and the teaching of the historical Jesus as presented in the Synoptic Gospels. During this course, we will consider the society in which Jesus lived, as well as the religious context in which he taught. We will also ask questions like, “What is a Gospel?” and “Why are the Gospels so different?” In addition to these things, we will also engage with several scholars who seek to de-harmonize the Synoptic Gospels by questioning their authenticity. This course will not only equip the student to think critically about the Synoptic Gospels but will also provide an opportunity to reflect on the teachings of Jesus for Christian faith and practice."