Academics

The purpose of the Master Degree in Theology is to provide students a strong understanding of theological themes and concepts. Students will engage in qualitative and quantitative research and analysis. This is a unique program for students with a passion for scholarly teaching, preaching, and mission work. Coursework covers topics such as Advanced Systematic Theology, Theological Controversies, etc. This program thoroughly develops each student through rigorous academic coursework as well as personal and spiritual development. The following are course requirements for the Program. Courses must be completed with a grade of C - or better in order to successfully complete the program.

MDT 401 Biblical Hebrew I 3 Credits

Introduces students to the basic lexicon and grammatical structures of biblical Hebrew, with an emphasis on the development of a set of useful translation strategies. Throughout the course, students will be applying their emergent skills to translating a variety of biblical texts.

MDT 402 Biblical Hebrew II 3 Credits

Development of the students’ familiarity with the spoken and written language through grammar review, discussions, and vocabulary building. Varied readings on literary and cultural topics related to modern Israel. (Prerequisite MDT402)

MDT 403 Biblical Greek I 3 Credits

A study of the grammar, vocabulary, and syntax of Biblical Greek. The purpose of this course is to begin the preparation of students to read the Greek New Testament.

MDT 404 Biblical Greek II 3 Credits

A continuation of the study of the grammar, vocabulary, and syntax of Biblical Greek. (Prerequisite MDT403)

MDD 501 Pastoral Care 3 Credits

This course builds skills for pastoral care across the lifespan of individuals and families. It also presumes an interest in care for culture and social institutions as the collective context within which individual and communal identities develop and grow.

MDD 502 Church Internship I 3 Credits

Supervised ministry in a local church setting to provide the opportunity for development of the understanding of personal ministry gifts with appropriate support and evaluation.

MDD 503 Church Internship II 3 Credits

Continue Supervised ministry in a local church setting to provide the opportunity for development of the understanding of personal ministry gifts with appropriate support and evaluation.

MDT 405 The Pentateuch 3 Credits

Modern biblical criticism derives in large part from early attempts to resolve the numerous compositional and structural anomalies and discrepancies found in the Mosaic Pentateuch or ‘Five Books of Moses’; i.e., the ‘five books’ of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

MDT 406 Prophets I 3 Credits

This course surveys the history, literature, and theology of the prophetic corpus. It situates the prophets in their historical context by reading key sections of the historical books of the Old Testament (1-2 Kings, Ezra, Nehemiah)

MDT 407 Prophets II 3 Credits

This is an in-depth study of Obadiah, Joel, Jonah, Amos, and Hosea in their historical setting.

MDT 408 The Synoptic Gospel 3 Credits

The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke are the earliest surviving accounts of the life and ministry of Jesus. This course will provide a detailed examination of these texts, paying special attention to the distinctive portrait of Jesus that each gospel presents.

MDT 409 The Gospel of John 3 Credits

The course will introduce the students to current research and interpretation of the Gospel of John. You need to be ready to invest about ten hours of class work, research and study each week in order to work through the course requirements adequately.

MDT 410 The Letters of Paul 3 Credits

This introductory course focuses on the letters of Paul, key documents within the Christian Bible and Western philosophical thought, which were written in the context of the Roman Empire and diaspora Judaism in the ancient world and are still used today to debate ethical and political action

MDT 411 The Epistles 3 Credits

Study of James, 1 & 2 Peter and Jude will uncover not only their particular merits but also their strikingly similar presentations of the theology of God, Christology, hamartiology, pistology, and eschatology.

MDT 412 Revelation 3 Credits

A study of the Book of Revelation with a focus on its literary genre, theological themes and the various schools of interpretation.

MDT 413 Systematic I 3 Credits

This course provides advanced discussions to Theological Method (Prolegomena), Scripture (Bibliology), God (Theology Proper), Creation, Providence, Angels (Angelology), Humanity (Anthropology), and Sin (Hamartiology), defining the scriptural views and showing the arguments for them, refuting other views, and emphasizing the relevance of theology to the Christian life and witness.

MDT 414 Systematic II 3 Credits

Continuation of Systematic Theology I. Acquaints students with the elemental building blocks of the Christian faith. The following major doctrines will be considered: Creation and evil, human nature, sin and grace, salvation, church, sacraments, eschatology, and approaches to world religions. Special attention will be given to the implications of Trinitarian theology for Christian faith and witness. Prerequisite: MDT413

MDT 415 Eschatology I 3 Credits

A study of eschatology, the doctrine of the consummation of God’s plan of redemption, including major themes in eschatology and the order of predicted events.

MDT 416 Eschatology II 3 Credits

A study of eschatology, including various systems, history of chiliasm, major themes and problems in eschatology, the order of predicted events, and the rapture question. Prerequisite: MDT415

MDT 417 Contemporary Theology 3 Credits

Critical reflection upon significant individuals, movements, decisive events, and fundamental tenants of the Christian faith which in the past century, or so, have shaped contemporary theologies.

MDD 509 Leadership and Administration 3 Credits

The primary learning objective of this course is to provide a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary to improve each participant’s leadership skills and administration method.

MDT 418 Contemporary Theological Thought 3 Credits

In this course, learners examine the major trends in contemporary theological thought in light of their philosophical contexts.

MDT 419 Christian Thought History 3 Credits

This course is a survey of the history of early Christian thought. We will attend to the diverse historical and cultural settings of the early church but focus upon the theological and doctrinal development that occupied the Christian church prior to the Reformation.

MDT 420 Ecclesiology 3 Credits

What is the Church? Why is the Church here? What is the Church supposed to be doing? And how it the Church supposed to do it? These are questions of Ecclesiology. What does the future hold? This course is a study of both the nature and purpose of the Church.

MTD 421 Soteriology 3 Credits

A study of the grace of God in salvation including election, the ministry of the Savior in His humiliation and exaltation, the nature and extent of the Atonement, efficacious grace, justification, regeneration, the salvation ministries of the Holy Spirit.

MDE 701 History of Israel 3 Credits

A study of the history of Israel in light of the Old Testament books of Joshua through Esther. Emphasis will be on God’s activities and interventions into the affairs of mankind, as well as on how heroes of faith impacted their culture.

MDE 702 Wisdom Literature 3 Credits

A detailed examination of the books of Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs.

MDE 703 Teaching Method of Jesus 3 Credits

An examination of Jesus as a teacher. The authority, mission, content, discipline, teaching acts, and methodology of our Lord are investigated. Emphasis is given to the place of the cross in education and the Holy Spirit as a teacher.

MDE 707 Evangelism and Communication 3 Credits

This course will focus on the biblical imperative of evangelism and various methods of witnessing in the pluralistic cultures in which chaplains serve. Particular emphasis will be given to wisely sharing the Gospel in military, healthcare, and community settings. Additionally, attention will be given to evangelism follow-up, discipleship, and scripture memorization.

MDE 808 Advanced Biblical Themes and Link Analysis 3 Credits

Survey and evaluation of the various methods of interpreting the Scriptures. Required of all ministerial students.

MDR 809 Approaches to the Study of Religion 3 Credits

A thematic and comparative approach to the study of religion as an aspect of human experience, including ritual, sacred language, ethics, salvation, and the problem of evil from the perspective of various disciplines.

Special Lecture 1 3 Credits

Special Lecture II 3 Credits

TOTAL: 96 Credits