Surveys the Christian Bible with the following objectives: highlight the central ideas and themes found in the Bible; introduce its chief persons, places, and events; and survey the various types of literature that are included in it. Prerequisites: CP250. Offered annually, Fall.

A study of the science and art of biblical interpretation, including an overview of the formation of the Christian Canon(s), a survey of the history of interpretation and an introduction to the theory, methods, and practice of biblical exegesis. Prerequisites: CP250 and CP290 (at least concurrently). Offered annually, Spring.

An historical, literary, and theological study of the biblical prophetic literature (i.e., Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the Minor Prophets). Prerequisite: BL220. Offered alternate years.

Studies the life and teachings of Paul as presented in the letters attributed to him, with some attention given to the portrayal of Paul in Acts. Prerequisite: BL220. Offered alternate years.

An historical, literary, and theological study of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Prerequisite: BL220. Offered alternate years.

Studies the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). Gives special attention to their literary relationships and the uniqueness of their respective portrayals of Jesus. Prerequisite: BL220. Offered alternate years.

Advanced study of particular biblical writings, themes, or issues chosen according to the interests and/or needs of students and the professor. This course may be taken more than once on different topics. Prerequisites: BL220 and one course with prefix BL or GK that is 301 or above. Offered varying years.

An introduction to the field of Youth Ministry. Topics include: biblical, theological, psychological, and sociological, and cultural foundations; curriculum and methods; programming; organization; and administration. Observation and participation in several youth activities are required. Prerequisite: CP150 (at least concurrently). Offered alternate years.

An introduction to the field of Children’s Ministry. Topics include: biblical, theological, psychological, and sociological, and cultural foundations; curriculum and methods; programming; organization; and administration. Observation and participation in several children’s activities are required. Prerequisite: CP150 (at least concurrently). Offered alternate years.

A seminar course designed to address current and significant issues in Youth Ministry. Current or previous experience in youth ministry expected. Prerequisite: CP150 (at least concurrently). Offered alternate years.

A seminar course designed to address current and significant issues in Children’s Ministry. Current or previous experience in children’s ministry expected. Prerequisite: CP150 (at least concurrently). Offered alternate years.

This practicum course is designed for Youth Ministry minors and will allow the student to ground his/her practice of Christian ministry in the context of a local church with particular attention to the Christian formation of teens. The student will complete 100 hours of field work in this experience. Prerequisites: CE222 and CE322. Offered each semester.

This practicum course is designed for Children’s Ministry minors and will allow the student to ground his/her practice of Christian ministry in the context of a local church with particular attention to the Christian formation of children. The student will complete 100 hours of field work in this experience. Prerequisites: CE223 and CE323. Offered each semester.

Introduces Koine Greek grammar as it is used in the Greek New Testament. Offered annually, Fall.

Introduces Koine Greek grammar as it is used in the Greek New Testament. Prerequisite: GK101. Offered annually, Spring.

A continuation of the study of Greek grammar and syntax with particular attention toward developing exegetical skills in the study of the Greek New Testament. The course will focus either on a selection of passages or a specific book in the New Testament. Prerequisite: GK102. Offered alternate years.

An introduction to the grammar and vocabulary of Biblical Hebrew, part I. Offered alternate years.

An introduction to the grammar and vocabulary of Biblical Hebrew, part II. Prerequisite: HE201. Offered alternate years.

Introduces various components of the Christian mission, including biblical, theological, historical, cultural, and biographical, as well as contemporary mission efforts, strategies, and movements. Offered annually, Fall.

This course will focus on the spread of Christianity, from its earliest presentation to the first century Jews and Gentiles, through its expansion to Europe, Africa and Asia, to its presence in North and South America and Oceania. Pivotal people and events will be considered, as will missionary methods. The two organizing perspectives of this course will be historical (chronological events and the people who live through them) and theological (the doctrinal understandings that develop as the church responds to Christ’s question, “But who do you say that I am?” [Mt. 16:15]). Prerequisite: MI110 or permission of instructor. Offered alternate years.

Offers those interested in missions an immersion into the cultural, theological, socioeconomic, psychological and practical demands of ministry, by placing students in a host culture to work with missionaries/indigenous clergy in a variety of settings. Prerequisites: MI110 and permission of instructor. Offered varying years.

A study of contemporary Christian theology in relation to the cross-cultural aspects of the Christian mission, including Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Pentecostal and evangelic/Wesleyan approaches. Prerequisites: MI110, CP150, and CP290. Offered alternate years.

An integrative seminar course designed to give upper level missions students opportunity to lead in discussion of contemporary issues in missions, such as the people group movement, development of indigenous leadership, issues of plurality and post modernism. Students relate these understandings to missions practice. Prerequisite: MI110 or permission of instructor. Offered alternate years.

Basic principles of logic, deduction and induction. This course includes brief treatment of symbolic logic. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing. Offered alternate years.

Addresses issues in the history of philosophy. Examines the thought of pre-Socratic philosophers and ends with the Christian philosophy of Thomas Aquinas. Also examines key historical figures, such as Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, St. Augustine, and St. Anselm. Also includes the thought of various Eastern and African philosophers. Prerequisite: CP290. Offered alternate years.

Addresses issues in the history of philosophy. This course begins by examining the thought of René Descartes and concludes by examining the thought of contemporary philosophers. The thought of modern philosophers, such as John Locke, George Berkeley, David Hume, Thomas Reid, Immanuel Kant, G. W. F. Hegel, and Soren Kierkegaard will be addressed. The thought of postmodern philosophers, such as Martin Heidegger, Ludwig Wittgenstein, Alfred North Whitehead, and Jacques Derrida will also be examined. Prerequisite: CP290. Offered alternate years.

Selected philosophical topics dealing with contemporary and/or cross disciplinary issues. This course may be taken more than once on different topics. Prerequisites: CP290 and PH381 or PH382, or permission of instructor. Offered varying years.

Introduces students to pivotal questions regarding God and philosophy. Of primary importance are questions, such as: Does God exist and how can one know this? What are the primary attributes of God? How can one know whether one religion is more valid than another? Why is there evil in our world? What is the relationship between faith and reason? Prerequisites: CP290 and PH381 or PH382, or permission of instructor. Offered alternate years.

The course is required for students accepted into the Ministerial Scholarship Program. Students will begin a process of ministry assessment and preparation through the course by being introduced to issues of clergy self-care, financial management and personal integrity through the lens of holistic spiritual formation. Offered annually, Spring.

The course is required for students accepted into the Ministerial Scholarship Program. Students will continue the process of ministry assessment begun freshman year. The course will introduce issues of on-going clergy self-care, financial management, and personal integrity, through the lens of holistic spiritual formation in relationship to the church’s lived experience. Particular attention will be paid to the context of ministry and the pastor’s appropriate relationship to the church. Topics such as “pastor as person,” conflict resolution, and congregational interaction will be explored. Offered annually, Spring.

An introduction to the basic responsibilities of the pastor. This course will include such topics as pastoral leadership, church administration, Christian Education, and the handling of church finances. Issues pertaining to pastoral ethics in dealing with finances, authority, interpersonal relationships, and pastoral expectations will be discussed. Prerequisite: PM110. Offered annually, Fall.

A survey of the beginnings of the Church of the Nazarene, its policy, organization, leaders, and growth. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing, CP290. Offered alternate years.

A course in the theology of preaching and the construction of sermons designed to inculcate and encourage biblical preaching, in order to develop strong, informed, and growing churches. Prerequisites: BL220 and one BL or GK course 301 level or above. Offered alternate years.

This internship course will examine the biblical, historical, theological, and practical foundations of Christian corporate worship. It will deal with issues of liturgy, Church calendar, hymnody, Sacraments, and the role of preaching in the context of worship. Prerequisite: Junior standing. Offered annually, Fall.

This internship course will examine the biblical, historical, theological, and practical foundations of the church’s mission in the world. It will deal with topics such as contemporary strategies for evangelism, developing a local church for Missio dei participation, and cross-cultural communication of the Gospel. Prerequisite: Junior standing. Offered annually, Spring.

This internship course will examine the biblical, historical, theological, and practical foundations of Christian discipleship and formation. It will deal with topics such as Christian Education, spiritual formation practices for congregational life, and theories of human development and formation. Prerequisite: Senior standing. Offered annually, Fall.

This internship course will examine the biblical, historical, theological, and practical foundations of pastoral care and counseling. It will deal with topics such as appropriate care and concern for individuals and families in crises and rites of passage, theories of care and empathy, and processes of professional referral. Prerequisite: Senior standing. Offered annually, Spring.

This practicum course is designed for Christian Ministry minors and will allow the student to ground his/her practice of Christian ministry in the context of the local church. The student will complete 100 hours of field work in this experience. Prerequisite: Junior standing. Offered each semester.

A survey course designed to introduce students to the history, theology, methodology, and resources of spiritual formation. Offered annually, Fall.

This course is intended to provide students with opportunities for deep reflection on and serious engagement with significant elements of the study of religion in general and the Christian faith in particular. While it covers the breadth of the field, it also highlights specific issues that will be dealt with in later courses. Students will be encouraged to see the many ways in which the study of religion is both deeply challenging and profoundly rewarding. Offered annually, Spring.

Follows the general story line of Christian history and the development of major doctrines or creeds, according to what the church has believed, taught and confessed. Students will be exposed to the significant figures, themes, and events of the Patristic, Medieval, Reformations, Puritan, Pietist, Wesleyan and Modern periods of Christian history. Sources of theological reflection, historical development and contemporary expression will be identified. Prerequisites: TH110 and CP250. Offered annually, Spring.

Selected topics in the history of Christianity, dealing in depth with periods (e.g., Pastristic, Medieval, Reformations, Pietist, Puritan, Wesleyan, Modern) or subjects (e.g., women in church history). This course may be taken more than once on different topics. Prerequisites: TH310 or permission of instructor. Offered annually, Fall.

Selected theological topics dealing with contemporary and/or cross disciplinary issues. This course may be taken more than once on different topics. Prerequisites: CP250, CP290, or permission of instructor. Offered varying years.

Topics addressed include the nature and sources of the study of God (theology), the meaning and necessity of revelation, the nature and attributes of God, God as Trinity, God as creator, and the nature of humanity as both free and sinful. Emphasizes a Wesleyan perspective, with additional reflection from other branches of Christianity. Prerequisites: CP250, CP290, and Junior standing. Offered annually, Spring.

Topics addressed include sin and evil, Christ as Savior, the need for salvation, Wesleyan sanctification, the work of the Holy Spirit, the Church, the Sacraments, and the Kingdom of God. Emphasizes a Wesleyan perspective, with additional reflection from other branches of Christianity. Prerequisites: CP250, CP290, and Junior standing. Offered annually, Fall.

A biblical, historical, and theological study of holiness. Special attention will be given to the formulation of the doctrine in the Wesleyan tradition, with emphasis on the holiness of God and his provision for the holiness of his people. Prerequisites: CP250, CP290, and Junior standing, or permission of the instructor. Offered annually, Spring.

In-depth examination of issues and problems, academic and professional, pertinent to the discipline of religion. Required of all seniors who are majoring in any undergraduate program offered by the Department of Religion. Successful completion of this course fulfills the requirement for a senior exam or project. Prerequisite: Senior standing. Offered annually, Spring.