Biblical and Theological Studies (BTSTS.BA)

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Theology

This major focuses on the content of Christian faith and practice with specific attention to the Biblical source, historical traditions, philosophical concepts, and theological perspectives.

Degree Checklist

For a check list of all the courses required for this degree program and a suggested four-year sequence of study, please click on the link below.

General Education Requirements - Total Hours: 38/44

Click here for the General Education Core requirements

Specialty Area Requirements

Biblical Studies - Credit Hours: 15

Theological Studies - Credit Hours: 12

Select twelve hours from the following courses:

THEO 334 - Doctrine of Christ Credit Hours: 3

A historical and systematic study of the doctrine of the person and work of Jesus Christ. This course surveys the primitive Christologies of the New Testament and the Christological controversies of the early church and continues by examining the various reconstructions of Christologies in the modern era. The centrality of Christ for other doctrines and for Christian proclamation will also be stressed.

Prerequisites

THEO-230 or THEO-250
THEO 335 - Doctrine of the Holy Spirit Credit Hours: 3

A study of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit with emphasis upon the Spirit's relationship to Christ. The work of the Holy Spirit in relation to other fundamental doctrines will also be considered (e.g. creation, salvation, ecclesiology, eschatology, etc.). Special attention will be focused on the distinct work of the Holy Spirit within the economy of salvation, specifically dealing with things such as regeneration, sanctification, and mission.  Some attention will be given to the meaning of "living in the Spirit" and spiritual gifts.

Prerequisites

THEO-230 or THEO-250Additional DAL prerequisites: BIBL-101, BIBL-102 and THEO-231.
THEO 336 - Doctrine of the Church Credit Hours: 3

This course will examine the various models of the Church proposed by the New Testament and later throughout the history of Christianity. Special attention will be given to these areas of ecclesiology: governmental structures and leadership; the nature and mission of the church; sacraments; and the church empowered by the Spirit. Relating these studies to the contemporary Body of Christ will always be a central goal.

Prerequisites

THEO-230 or THEO-250.
THEO 425 - Theology and Benevolence Credit Hours: 3

This course offers students a theologically informed understanding of benevolence, highlighting the integral relationship between Christian faith and Christian service.  Particular attention is given to the ways in which the biblical texts, Christian tradition, and theology inform one's understanding and implementation of benevolence.

Prerequisites

LEEU-102B, and either THEO-230 or THEO-250.
THEO 435 - Contemporary Protestant Theology Credit Hours: 3

An introduction to Protestant theology from 1800 to the present. Particular attention will be given to major figures and movements within their modern and late modern contexts as well as to the similarities and differences between the official teachings of Protestant denominations and the views of select academic Protestant theologians.  

Prerequisites

THEO- 230 or THEO-250Additional DAL prerequisites: BIBL-101 and BIBL-102.
THEO 436 - Contemporary Catholic Theology Credit Hours: 3

An introduction to Roman Catholic theology from the First Vatican Council to the present.  Particular attention will be given to major figures and movements within their modern and late modern contexts as well as to the similarities and differences between the official teaching of the Catholic Church and the views of select academic Catholic theologians.

Prerequisites

THEO-230 or THEO-250
THEO 440 - Recent Pentecostal and Charismatic Theology Credit Hours: 3

An introduction to the most recent theological expressions of the first, second, and third "waves" of pentecostalism.  Topics to be covered include Roman Catholic perspectives on baptism in the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts among evangelicals, indigenous pentecostal traditions outside the United States, the rise of academic theology in pentecostal denominations, theological method, and pentecostals and ecumenism.

Prerequisites

THEO-230 or THEO-250.
THEO 474 - Feminist Theology Credit Hours: 3

This course examines the historical roots, key ideas and trajectories of feminist theology and philosophy, the passions and contradictions of these disciplines, and their effects on various social practices and religious institutions.

Prerequisites

THEO-230 or THEO-250
THEO 483 - Special Topics in Theology Credit Hours: 3

This course provides an intensive study of selected topics in theology.

Prerequisites

THEO-230 or THEO-250

Historical Studies - Credit Hours: 9

CHIS-323/324 History of Christianity (3) (3)

Plus, select one of the following courses:

CHIS 330 - History of Christianity in America Credit Hours: 3

This course is a history of Christianity in the United States from its Colonial beginnings to today.

Prerequisites

THEO-230 or THEO-250
CHIS 344 - Major Thinkers in Western Christianity Credit Hours: 3

This course provides an in-depth examination of major figures within the Latin West up to the fourteenth century. Seminal works from a selected group of thinkers during this period will be read to allow a close analysis of the various sources, contours and influence of each author's own theology. The course will be structured to highlight similar themes among the theologians being discussed.

Prerequisites

THEO-230 or THEO-250
CHIS 345 - Major Thinkers in European Reformation Credit Hours: 3

This course provides an in-depth examination of major figures in the European Protestant Reformation. Seminal works from a selected group of thinkers during this period will be read to allow a close analysis of the various sources, contours and influence of each author's own theology. The course will be structured to highlight similar themes among theologians being discussed. Theologians will be considered from three groups such as the Anabaptists, the Magisterial Reformers, and the Catholic Reformers.

Prerequisites

THEO-230 or THEO-250
CHIS 352 - History and Theology of the Pentecostal Movement Credit Hours: 3

This course offers a historical and theological overview and analysis of the origins and development of the Pentecostal movement. An informed historical and theological judgement will be developed on the relationship of this movement to Spirit movements in Protestant and Roman Catholic traditions.

Prerequisites

THEO-230 or THEO-250
CHIS 442 - The History and Thought of Eastern Christianity Credit Hours: 3

This course provides a basic introduction to the shape and contour of Christianity as it evolved primarily in the Greek East. By focusing on major movements, events and figures, it seeks to identify and explain the emergence of Eastern Christianity and its distinctive figures.

Prerequisites

THEO-230 or THEO-250
CHIS 483 - Special Topics in Church History Credit Hours: 3

This course provides an intensive study of selected topics and/or contexts in Church History.

Prerequisites

THEO-230 or THEO-250

Philosophical Studies - Credit Hours: 3

Select one of the following courses:

PHIL 331 - Symbolic Logic Credit Hours: 3

An introduction to formal systems of deductive logic, with emphasis on specifying principles and methods that can be used to analyze arguments and theories expressed in natural languages.

Prerequisites

none
PHIL 341 - Major Thinkers in Ancient Philosophy Credit Hours: 3

This course offers an in-depth treatment of selected major philosophers of ancient Western philosophy.

Prerequisites

PHIL-241 
PHIL 342 - Major Thinkers in Modern Philosophy Credit Hours: 3

This course offers an in-depth treatment of selected major philosophers of modern Western philosophy.

Prerequisites

PHIL-241.
PHIL 351 - Philosophy of Human Nature Credit Hours: 3

This course offers an intensive study of prominent theories of human nature and related philosophical problems, such as the mind-body problem; the unity, purpose and dignity of human nature; the emotions and their interplay with intelligence and volition; the origin and nature of human evil; and the human person in and with/against society.

Prerequisites

PHIL-241.
PHIL 361 - Philosophy of Religion Credit Hours: 3

This course undertakes a critical analysis and evaluation of reasoning about God. Topics covered include a philosophical analysis of the concept of God, arguments for God's existence, the relation between faith and reason, the problem of evil, and God's relation to morality and the meaning of life.

Prerequisites

PHIL-241.
PHIL 371 - Philosophical Ethics Credit Hours: 3

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the philosophical study of morality through the analysis of major ethical works in the history of Western philosophy and leading paradigms in contemporary moral philosophy.

Prerequisites

PHIL-241.
PHIL 411 - Epistemology Credit Hours: 3

This course offers a survey of contemporary work on major problems in the theory of knowledge, including problems such as responding to the challenge of skepticism, the nature and structure of epistemic justification, the definition of knowledge, the connection between virtue and knowledge, and theories of epistemic value.

Prerequisites

PHIL-241
PHIL 423 - Family Values: Ethical Issues Concerning Love, Marriage, and Parenthood

PHIL 483 - Special Topics in Philosophy Credit Hours: 3

This course provides an intensive study of selected topics in philosophy.

Prerequisites

PHIL-241

Religious Studies - Credit Hours: 3

Select one of the following courses:

PHIL 361 - Philosophy of Religion Credit Hours: 3

This course undertakes a critical analysis and evaluation of reasoning about God. Topics covered include a philosophical analysis of the concept of God, arguments for God's existence, the relation between faith and reason, the problem of evil, and God's relation to morality and the meaning of life.

Prerequisites

PHIL-241.
RELG 332 - Religion and Culture Credit Hours: 3

This course offers a theological engagement of the complex relationship between Christian religion and Western culture.  It includes an interdisciplinary overview of various relevant themes and contributors within the field of contemporary theology of culture and highlights the influence of Christian spirituality on American popular culture and civil religion as well as the conflicts between them.

Prerequisites

THEO-230 or THEO-250Additional DAL prerequisites: BIBL-101, BIBL-102, SOCI-200 and THEO-231.
RELG 333 - The Ethics of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam Credit Hours: 3

This course facilitates a comparative study in the ethics of the three Abrahamic monotheisms - Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.  It surveys the theological and ethical stands of the three religions regarding relevant socio-political issues in light of their sacred texts, distinct traditions, prominent thinkers, and faith-practices.

Prerequisites

THEO-231
RELG 350 - Ethics of Forgiveness and Reconciliation Credit Hours: 3

This course facilitates a constructive exploration within the field of religious studies in forgiveness and reconciliation. It introduces the field's core themes while surveying the works of prominent contributors whose thought has shaped its theologico-ethical visions and their implementation in the practice of conflict transformation.

Prerequisites

THEO-231
RELG 444 - Postmodernism and Christianity Credit Hours: 3

This course facilitates a constructive engagement between Christian theology and postmodern philosophical thought.  It introduces the core themes of postmodernism while surveying the works of various prominent thinkers who have contributed toward shaping postmodernity's ideological and ethical visions with their cultural and socio-political distinctives.

Prerequisites

THEO-230 or THEO-250
RELG 450 - Directed Study in Religious Studies Credit Hours: 1 to 4

An exploration of an approved aspect of religious studies in which the student contracts with the director of the study concerning course requirements, evaluation procedure, and course credit. 

Prerequisites

Junior or senior status.  
RELG 483 - Special Topics in Religious Studies Credit Hours: 3

This course provides an intensive exploration of selected topics in religious studies.  Repeatable for credit.

Prerequisites

To be determined by the instructor.

Subtotal Specialty Area Requirements: 42

Collateral Requirements

GREK 211 - Elementary New Testament Greek Credit Hours: 3

A basic vocabulary and grammar study of New Testament Greek with drills in simple Greek reading.

Prerequisites

None
GREK 212 - Elementary New Testament Greek Credit Hours: 3

A continuation of GREK-211 with more attention to syntax and reading.

Prerequisites

GREK-211.
GREK 311 - Intermediate New Testament Greek Credit Hours: 3

A continuation of GREK-212. Special attention is given to the handling of irregular verbs; more in-depth readings in Greek will be assigned.

Prerequisites

GREK-212.
GREK 312 - Intermediate New Testament Greek Credit Hours: 3

A continuation of GREK-311. A course in reading New Testament Greek, beginning with the simpler portions and advancing to more difficult areas of text.

Prerequisites

GREK-311.

Subtotal Collateral Requirements: 12

Electives - Total Hours: 9-15

Total Hours in Program: 120