Courses

A study of biblical principles and practices that govern true Christian life, from its inception to its destiny, with emphasis on the Mission of God, the sufficiency of divine provisions, and the heart condition necessary for conversion, holy living, and evangelism. 3 hours.

An introduction to basic expository preaching theory and skills, emphasizing the preparation and delivery of a theologically derived proposition/thrust of a biblical text/pericope with accuracy, clarity, relevance, and interest. Students preach twice and receive evaluation from fellow students and the professor. Prerequisite: BE5101 Bible Study Methods and Hermeneutics. Enrollment limited to 12 students. 3 hours.

Instruction in narrative preaching, with attention to narratology, theological development, and long-term sermon development. Students preach three times and receive evaluation from the professor and fellow students. Prerequisite: PM5103 Expository Preaching I. Enrollment limited to 12 students. 3 hours.

This course challenges ThM students to prepare independently and deliver a portfolio-quality sermon that demonstrates their ability to apply exegetical, theological, and homiletical skills learned throughout their education. Required of ThM students in the last 30 credit hours of program completion. Prerequisite: PM5104 Expository Preaching II. 1 hour.

An introduction to basic biblical communication theory and skills, emphasizing the preparation and delivery of a biblical message with a biblical main idea and with relevance. Students deliver a message once and receive evaluation from the professor and from fellow students. Limited to students in the Chinese-language programs only. Prerequisite: BE5101 Bible Study Methods and Hermeneutics. Enrollment limited to 12 students. 3 hours.

Instruction in preaching the Psalms and Old Testament prophetic passages. Students preach three times, including a “portfolio sermon,” and develop a preaching calendar. Required of all students in the Homiletics concentration. Prerequisites: PM5104 Expository Preaching II and completion or concurrent enrollment in OT5104 Hebrew Exegesis and Old Testament Introduction II. Enrollment limited to 14 students. 3 hours.

A study of biblical preaching, with emphasis on advanced homiletic theory and practice. Prerequisite: PM5103 Expository Preaching I. 3 hours.

An exploration of the various threads of hermeneutics and the impact they have for homiletics, with emphasis on current issues in the interpretation of biblical texts for preaching, including application. 3 hours.

Preparing for and preaching narratives of the Old Testament, with emphasis on backgrounds, forms, literary technique, theology, and homiletics. Prerequisites: PM5103 Expository Preaching I and OT5103 Hebrew Exegesis and Old Testament Introduction I. Enrollment limited to 12 students. 3 hours.

Preparing for and preaching the Gospels, emphasizing backgrounds, forms, Synoptic parallels, literary technique, theology, and homiletics. Prerequisite: PM5103 Expository Preaching I. Enrollment limited to 12 students. 3 hours.

A study of the content, principles, and practice of expository evangelistic sermons, including preparing and preaching evangelistic messages. Prerequisites: PM5103 Expository Preaching I and PM5101 Christian Life and Witness. 2 hours.

Instruction in preaching topical expository sermons. Students preach three topical expository sermons and write a research paper. Prerequisite: PM5104 Expository Preaching II. Enrollment limited to 14 students. 3 hours.

This course focuses on preparing for and preaching Genesis 1–11, emphasizing pericopal theology and application. Attention is given to researching and presenting stances on the key theological/worldview issues in this first major section of Scripture. This course prepares students not only to preach Scripture and to apply the theological thrusts of Genesis 1–11 to life and ministry, but also to think through critical topics in Genesis 1–11 pertinent to society and culture and to take a personal stance on those issues in order to teach them. Prerequisites: BE5102 Old Testament History I, PM5104 Expository Preaching II, OT5102 Elements of Hebrew II. Enrollment limited to 12 students. 3 hours.

A study of the personal and spiritual steps the preacher must pursue to proclaim God’s truth. The course emphasizes both God’s role in preparing the preacher for the task as well as the preacher’s responsibility in pursuing the spiritual disciplines leading to reliance on the Holy Spirit in preaching. The course is intended for those who plan to make preaching central to their ministry whether in local, parachurch, or missionary settings. Prerequisite: PM5103 Expository Preaching I. Enrollment limited to 12 students. 3 hours.

A practicum in the teaching of homiletics. Students practice teaching basic communication principles, guide the homiletic process, evaluate messages, and provide constructive feedback under the professor’s supervision. Prerequisite: PM5103 Expository Preaching I. Enrollment limited to 6 students. 2 hours.

An introductory study of pastoral theology and leadership with special attention given to the church’s engagement with the broader cultural environment and contemporary issues faced by Christian leaders today. This course is not focused exclusively on issues related to the pastoral office in the local church, but on broader cultural issues requiring a pastoral response from Christian leaders in a wide variety of ministry roles and venues. 3 hours.

Skill development in the preparation and leadership of corporate worship experiences and pastoral care. The student will study the significance of worship for Christian formation and pastoral care, survey biblical and historical theology, the significance of music, the ordinances, and other pastoral duties. The student will also design and lead brief experiences of worship and pastoral care in the class. 3 hours.

This course defines church planting, assesses potential church planters, and takes students through the first stage (conception stage) of church planting, including preparation, personnel, and church-planting principles. Students will team together to develop an actual or potential church plant for North America or abroad. 3 hours.

A study of the remaining five stages of the church-planting process: development, birth, growth, maturity, and reproduction. Students will team together to design a leadership-development program for a new church in North America or abroad. Prerequisite: PM5341 Church Planting I. 3 hours.

A study of biblical, theological, and historical views of women in ministry leadership. The course is designed to aid both men and women who will be responsible for various areas of ministry. May also be credited in the Department of Educational Ministries and Leadership. 3 hours.

Orientation and preparation for the student’s ordination or commissioning to vocational Christian ministry within the local church and its extensions of ministry. Open to students in all programs and concentrations. (ThM students are strongly encouraged to elect a third hour of academic credit by preaching in class a sermon suitable for an ordination service and which will be evaluated according to the homiletic standards taught in the department’s preaching courses.) 2 hours.

A study of pastoral ethics, counseling, and ministry in the current health-care environment, including issues created by research strategies, reproductive technologies, eugenics, end-of-life decisions, and directions in public policy. May also be credited in the Department of Theological Studies or the Department of Counseling Ministries. 2 hours.

This course involves students in theological reflection, apologetics approaches, and evangelistic presentations effective in reaching pre-Christians through personal and proclamation evangelism. This course may also be credited in the Department of Missiology & Intercultural Ministries. Prerequisite: PM5101 Christian Life and Witness. 3 hours.

A study in the history of Christian spiritual formation from the patristic era through its contemporary evangelical expressions designed to introduce students to the rich resources of the Christian tradition available for providing nurture and guidance in soul care. May also be credited in the Department of Educational Ministries and Leadership (see EML5730). 3 hours.

A study of contemporary cultural dynamics and the implications for spiritual formation which they present with special attention given to paradigms of the church’s engagement with the broader cultural environment, the contemporary cultural realities that inhibit growth in Christ-likeness, and cultural factors that inform and shape faithful expressions of soul care. 3 hours.

A study of theological and practical strategies for the development and leadership of nationally, ethnically, racially, and economically diverse churches, with particular attention to the relative roles and issues for homogeneous and diverse churches, anticipating the challenges that emerge in churches with major differences among the members. 3 hours.

Independent research in some phase of homiletics, pastoral theology, counseling, evangelism, or urban ministry. Credit is allowed proportionate to the amount of work but not to exceed 4 credit hours in any one phase of study. Limited to advanced students and subject to consent of the professor. 1–4 hours.

Independent research and writing of a thesis on an approved topic under the supervision of two faculty advisors. Students will have one calendar year to complete the thesis. If the thesis is not completed by the end of a year, students will be registered in PM5903. Enrollment requires consent of the department. 2 or 3 hours.

The thesis continuation course is required of all students writing a thesis who are beyond one year in the thesis process. Thesis continuation is permitted for a maximum of one additional term (for a 2-hour thesis, including summer) or two additional terms (for a 3-hour thesis, including summer). 1 hour.

This course is designed for students who choose to participate in special conferences, training, or programs that are more formal in nature and require student participation other than a standard independent study. Approved special topics will provide expertise or training not specifically covered in the seminary curriculum. Credit is allowed proportionate to the required amount of work but is not to exceed 4 credit hours on any one topic. Enrollment requires consent of the department. 1–4 hours.

Independent research in an area of pastoral ministry in the urban or inner-city context. Students may choose to research questions related to demographics and ethnicity of the inner-city church, family life in the urban context, leadership in the urban church, pastoral care in the urban church, or other relevant topics. Credit is granted proportionate to the amount of work but is not to exceed 4 credit hours in any single phase of study. Enrollment is subject to the consent of the professor 1–4 hours.