Department of Theological Studies
Purpose
The Department of Biblical and Theological Studies aims to provide a thorough, biblically-based, cognitive, and spiritual foundation for students who desire to pursue further academic training at the graduate level or who want to be better prepared for Christian life and service. In the current academic climate, there is a need for individuals who are educated and equipped to speak to foundational doctrinal issues for both academic professionals and lay people from an orthodox, biblically-informed evangelical position. These programs will lay the foundation for students who have an interest in further pursuing development in this area.
- Academic Leadership
- Archaeologist
- Author
- Biblical Translator
- Christian Educator
- Historical Tour Guide
- Research Assistant
- Pastor
Apologetics Courses
A survey of the evidences for the central truths of Christianity: the existence of God, the deity and resurrection of Christ, and the authority and truth of the Bible.
Note: Willmington School of the Bible course
Offered: Online
This course equips students to use apologetics to engage with the culture using the various current issues of the day as entry points to the Gospel. Students will be trained to think critically from a biblical worldview and engage winsomely on such issues as evil in the world, critical claims about Jesus in the popular culture, new atheism, race issues, and sexuality.
Offered: Resident
This course equips students with a foundational understanding of, and skills within, the field of apologetics. Students will explore the major apologetic issues that arise today and will learn both the critical thinking skills and theological principles in order to respond persuasively.
Offered: Online
Online Prerequisite: APOL 220
This course develops an apologetic approach which takes into account the values and plausibility structures of the late modern, secular age. Particular emphasis will be given to understanding current cultural movements and values and constructing a person-centered approach to the apologetic task.
Offered: Online
Prerequisite: APOL 201
Surveys the various approaches to Christian apologetics with the aim at understanding the theology that drives each approach. The course will critically engage with the works of leading proponents of the approaches in order for students to develop their own approach and method in apologetics. Furthermore, core areas of Christian doctrine, such as Theology Proper, Christology, and Bibliology, will be explored and defended.
Offered: Resident
Online Prerequisite: APOL 220
This course examines key questions related to the identity and ministry of Jesus, particularly as it relates to the historicity of the New Testament's portrayal of Jesus. Primary attention is given to examining historical evidence related to Jesus' existence, his ministry, miracles, deity, death, and resurrection as well as understanding Jesus as a part of the larger biblical story.
Offered: Online
This course examines the history and beliefs of those systems that claim to be Christian yet deny fundamental Christian doctrines such as the sole sufficiency of the Bible, the Trinity, the deity of Christ, salvation by faith in Christ alone without works, the eternal punishment of the wicked, and other pertinent doctrines. Groups discussed include Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormonism, Seventh-day Adventism, Christian Science and others.
Offered: Resident
Online Prerequisite: APOL 220
This course examines the apologetic writings of C. S. Lewis. Particular focus is given to understanding Lewis within his context as well as drawing from various aspects of his apologetic approach for the current cultural moment.
Offered: Online
This course explores the historic rise and expansion of Islam as well as basic Muslim beliefs and practices. Attention is also given to the diversity within the world of Islam. (Crosslisted with GLST 431)
Offered: Resident
Prerequisite: APOL 201
Exposes students to the best biblical scholarship being used in apologetics. Students will engage with such areas as Textual Criticism, Old Testament studies, New Testament studies, and Archaeology.
Offered: Resident
Offered: Resident
Theology Courses
This course is an introduction to the basic tenets of Christianity.
Offered: Resident and Online
This is the first of three courses in a general survey of Bible doctrine designed to introduce the student to the major areas of systematic theology. This course presents the following areas of doctrine: Prolegomena, doctrine of the Trinity, doctrine of the Father, doctrine of the Bible (bibliology), and the doctrine of Prophecy (eschatology). The theology survey is continued in THEO 108.
Note: Willmington School of the Bible course
Offered: Online
This is the second of three courses in a general survey of Bible doctrine designed to synthesize and outline the following major areas of systematic theology: doctrine of the Holy Spirit (Pneumatology), doctrine of Man (Anthropology), doctrine of Sin (Hamartiology), doctrine of Angels (Angelology), and doctrine of Satan (Satanology).
Note: Willmington School of the Bible course
Offered: Online
This course is a continuation of the doctrinal studies begun in Theological Survey 107 and 108. The student will examine the remaining Biblical doctrines of Salvation (Soteriology), the Church (Ecclesiology), and Christ (Christology).
Note: Willmington School of the Bible course
Offered: Online
This is a general survey of Bible doctrine designed to synthesize and outline each of ten major areas of systematic theology, including prolegomena, bibliology, theology proper, Christology, angelology, and pneumatology.
Offered: Resident and Online
This is a continuation of general survey of Bible doctrine designed to synthesize and outline each of the ten major areas of systematic theology. Survey II includes anthropology, hamartiology, soteriology, ecclesiology and eschatology.
Offered: Resident and Online
This course is designed to acquaint the student with fundamental issues in theological prolegomena, i.e., introductory questions concerning the Word as revealed in apologetics, hermeneutics, and dogmatics, and the sources of authority (the Bible, the Church, the World, etc.), as well as central issues surrounding the doctrine of God, including God’s existence and attributes, divine providence, and the doctrine of the Trinity.
Offered: Resident
A study of the Person and work of Christ as revealed through Messianic prophecy, the Incarnation and His ministry as Prophet, Priest, and King. Special attention is given to the contributions of John and Paul to a full understanding of this doctrine.
Offered: Online
Prerequisite: (BIBL 105 or BIBL 205) and (BIBL 110 or BIBL 210) and THEO 201 and THEO 202 and ENGL 101 and ENGL 102
This course explores the theological understanding of the image of God, the problem of evil, as well as suffering as it relates to a biblical understanding of physical and mental disability. Students will incorporate this understanding into a theology of inclusion for the Church and Christian Ministry. Thus, the student will be equipped to evaluate various methods and strategies for disability ministry.
Offered: Resident
This course is designed to equip students with an understanding of God's original design for the home, the primary purposes of family life, and a biblical method for facilitating transformation. Students will establish the ground work for fostering healthy family relationships and strong generational legacy. This study begins with a "big picture" view of the home, clarifies doctrinal misunderstandings of the family role, outlines a history of the modern family, and offers a scriptural vision for long-term family blessing.
Offered: Resident and Online
This course is designed to relate Christian thought to societal ethics and responsibility through the auspices of important theological mentors and movements. The relation between the church and state will also be studied in scripture, as well as in church history. Specific ethical issues of ecclesiastical and societal concerns (abortion, capital punishment, nuclear war, etc.) will be addressed.
Offered: Resident
This course provides a theological and biblical framework for understanding critical issues related to race, ethnicity, and culture in an increasingly multi-ethnic and multi-cultural world. Consideration is given to such issues as contemporary race tension, individualism versus collectivism, socio-economic and class struggles, and ethnocentrism, in light of the responsibility of the church and the gospel.
Offered: Resident
A study of the major theological questions which arise in the defense of biblical inerrancy, scriptural separation, creationism and dispensationalism. It also deals with such contemporary issues as the charismatic movement, feminism, situation ethics and other vital concerns to the fundamentalist in today's world. (Formerly THEO 250).
Offered: Resident and Online
Online Prerequisite: (RLGN 301 and BIBL 360 and BIBL 105 and BIBL 110) or (RLGN 301 and BIBL 360 and BIBL 205 and BIBL 210) or (RLGN 301 and BIBL 360 and BIBL 110 and BIBL 205) or (RLGN 301 and BIBL 360 and BIBL 105 and BIBL 210) or (RLGN 301 and BIBL 360 and BIBL 104)
This course is a survey of biblical theology with specific attention given to the primary theological themes of the Old and New Testament. It explores how each testament informs the redemptive storyline of the Bible. Various soteriological themes and theological systems such as dispensationalism and covenant theology are addressed. This is to lay a foundation for understanding the relationship between biblical theology and current theological issues.
Offered: Online
A study of doctrinal development within the history of the Christian church. An emphasis is placed on the identification, analysis, and evaluation of significant theological methodologies and systems, which have affected the doctrinal perspectives of evangelicals. The theological methods and systems to be evaluated and compared include but are not limited to the following: biblical theology, natural theology, covenant theology, dispensationalism, and philosophical theology.
Offered: Resident and Online
This course provides an examination of the New Testament Church with particular concern given to its origin, its distinctive nature, its mission, its function, its government, its office, its ordinances and its destiny, especially as found in relation to the person, nature, and work of the Holy Spirit.
Offered: Resident and Online
This course is designed to allow the student to better understand and put into practice key theological ideas. A wide range of biblical and theological concepts are presented, and the student is challenged to apply these concepts in real world situations and to understand wide-ranging viewpoints. This course builds upon basic theological coursework, encouraging students to deepen their understanding, while at the same time, gaining experience by living out biblical truths in ministry settings.
Offered: Online
This course will analyze and interpret various modern and postmodern theological movements from the 19th century to the present. Theologies born out of the Enlightenment, including classical liberalism, neo-orthodoxy, existentialism, and post-existentialism will be stressed, as well as various postmodern and world theologies.
Offered: Resident
This course traces the causes, development, consequences and outcome of the Middle East conflict from a biblical and Christian Zionist perspective. The relevant historical and biblical texts will be examined with respect to Israel's conflict with nations past, present and future and the contemporary interpretation of the conflict within Christianity. (Crosslisted with GOVT 450)
Offered: Resident
THEO 495 - Directed Research (1 to 3 hours)
Offered: Resident
Offered: Resident