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Reformed Episcopal Seminary |
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Course Catalog The course catalog is being posted to the web site in stages. At present, only descriptions for required courses are included. |
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OT 501 Pentateuch. The structure and authorship of the Books of the Law are treated against their historical setting. The biblical theology of the earliest epochs of redemptive history is examined in light of the relationship between the Abrahamic and the Sinaitic covenants. Particular attention is paid to the evidence of the historical reliability of even the earliest of the covenantal documents. OT 502 Old Testament Historical Books. This course concentrates on the study of Joshua through Esther. Special attention is given to the nature and purpose of the Old Testament histories. Introduction, content survey, the archaeological and geographical background, and the biblical theology of the historical books are all examined. Issues of chronology and modern critical theories are evaluated by a careful study of the Scriptures themselves, developing a thorough appreciation for the reliability and accuracy of the narrative histories. OT 503 Prophetic Books. Both Major and Minor Prophets are studied in canonical order of the English Bible. Familiarity and understanding of their messages are sought through an examination of the texts and their historical and sociological settings. Theological issues and principles of prophetic interpretation are considered. OT 506 Old Testament Biblical Theology An introduction to the study of the content and method of Old Testament revelation. The development of the covenant concept and the history of redemption is traced from the Pentateuch through the prophets. The Biblical Theology of Geerhardus Vos is used as a text for this course. OT 604 Poetic Books. The unique style and role of Hebrew poetry in the "Books of Poetry," among the Writings portion of the Hebrew canon. Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon, as well as Lamentations, are analyzed for theological, devotional and didactic significance. OT 610 Hebrew Elements 1. The mastery of orthography, grammar and syntax, lays a solid foundation for the study of the Old Testament. Both inflectional forms and their semantic significance are emphasized. The study of Hebrew Elements concentrates on the grammatical and lexical skills necessary to read the Hebrew Scriptures. Exercises are taken entirely from the Old Testament. OT 612 Hebrew Elements 2. The mastery of orthography, grammar and syntax, lays a solid foundation for the study of the Old Testament. Both inflectional forms and their semantic significance are emphasized. The study of Hebrew Elements concentrates on the grammatical and lexical skills necessary to read the Hebrew Scriptures. Exercises are taken entirely from the Old Testament. OT 614 Hebrew Elements 3. The mastery of orthography, grammar and syntax, lays a solid foundation for the study of the Old Testament. Both inflectional forms and their semantic significance are emphasized. The study of Hebrew Elements concentrates on the grammatical and lexical skills necessary to read the Hebrew Scriptures. Exercises are taken entirely from the Old Testament. OT 701 Hebrew Exegesis. Hebrew Narrative: the translation and interpretation of selected narrative passages to practice the historical grammatical method. Attention is paid to vocabulary acquisition and reading skill. |
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NT 501 General Introduction to the New Testament. This course focuses on issues that relate to the New Testament as a whole. Students survey the background of the New Testament (Judaism, Hellenism, and the Roman Empire, with extensive use of primary sources) as the context for the advent of Christ and the beginnings of the Christian church. The New Testament is also studied as canon to determine how and why the writings were collected and preserved in the early church. Finally, students survey the history of New Testament study and criticism to modern times. NT 502 The Gospels. The four gospels are studied in English. Students investigate the origins of the gospels, noting early church traditions and modern theories. Special consideration is given to the structure of the synoptic gospels, the kingdom of God, interpreting the parables of Jesus, Johannine theology, and modern homiletical use of the gospels. NT 503 Acts and Paul. The narrative of Acts provides the historical framework for introducing each of Paul's letters in chronological order. Special attention is given to the background and contents of each letter and to Paul's role in the development and spread of early Christianity. NT 591 Greek Elements 1. The essentials of Greek vocabulary, morphology, grammar, and syntax. NT 592 Greek Elements 2. The essentials of Greek vocabulary, morphology, grammar, and syntax. NT 593 Greek Elements 3. Greek vocabulary, morphology, grammar, and syntax. NT 601 Principles of New Testament Exegesis. This course is a practical introduction to the exegesis of the Greek New Testament. Projects and classroom discussion are designed to sharpen skills relating to the following areas: historical context and background, logical and syntactical structure, semantics of New Testament vocabulary, and theological and thematic contexts. NT 602 The General Epistles and Revelation. Background, contents, and theology of each of the catholic epistles and Revelation are surveyed. Special attention is given to the historical occasion, structure, and theology of Hebrews, the social setting and teaching of James, the relationship between 2 Peter and Jude and their mutual concerns, and interpretive approaches to Revelation. |
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Systematic and Dogmatic Theology ST 501 The Doctrine of God (Theology Proper). Theological prolegomena, the doctrine of revelation (general and special), arguments for the existence of God, the nature and attributes of God, the decrees of God, the providence of God, the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. ST 502 The Doctrine of Man and of Sin. The origin and antiquity of man; the image of God in man; the pre- and post-lapsarian condition of man; the covenant of works; original sin; the imputation of sin; the total depravity of man; a comparison of the Pelagian, Arminian, Calvinistic, and perfectionistic systems. ST 506 Research and Theological Methods . An introduction to research in Biblical and theological disciplines, this course introduces students both to the process of writing research papers and developing and maintaining a sound theological method for doing so. Areas covered include library research, time management, use of the internet, proper etiquette, format, and argument development. ST 508 The Last Four Things (General Eschatology). A specialized study of death, judgment, hell, and heaven. The immortality of the soul (conditional and unconditional); the situation of the soul after death; the resurrection of the body, its glory and identity; the second advent of Christ; the doctrine of eternal punishment; conditional immortality and annihilationism; soul-sleep; probationism; purgatory; the glory and rewards of Heaven. ST 601 Christology and Soteriology (Christ and Salvation). The person and work of Christ, the hypostatic union, the deity and humanity of Christ, impeccability, theories of the atonement, the Holy Spirit in applying the work of Christ, the covenants of redemption and grace, justification, effectual calling, regeneration, faith, conversion, sanctification, perseverance. ST 602 The Doctrine of the Church and Its Sacraments. The nature and calling of the church; the invisible and visible church; the holy catholic church; the sacraments of the church: covenant baptism and the Lord's Supper; trans- and consubstantiation; the communicatio idiomatum; memorialism; sacramental views of Calvin and Cranmer; pedo-communion; church discipline and polity. ST 702 Classical Apologetics. Defense of the Christian faith as practiced by advocates of Thomism, natural theology, and reason. Contrast with rationalism, irrationalism, existentialism, empiricism, and logical positivism. Time will be spent relating faith and reason to produce a balanced, rational apology for the Christian hope. Arguments of Reformed epistemology as taught by Hoitenga, Plantinga, and James Kelly Clark will be discussed. ST 703 The Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion. This course gives the student an intensive overview of one of the primary theological platforms of the Protestant Reformation. It permits a review of the theology courses previously taken through the lens of the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion, considered historically and dogmatically. As the formal confessional document of the Church of England and the Reformed Episcopal Church, the Articles are of special importance to those preparing for ministry in the Reformed Episcopal Church; but the study of them will provide valuable theological reflection for students of all Protestant confessional churches. ST 704 Ethics. This course seeks to provide the ethical foundation for a godly ministry. Following a brief examination of the history of ethical systems, students are led through an examination of Christian ethics using the Ten Commandments. |
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CH 612 European and American Protestant Theology. The Course includes elements of the Reformation in Europe as it was engaged with the Renaissance, Humanistic and Enlightenment philosophies. Included is the development of theological thought expressed by the Puritans in England, the Pilgrims in the Colonies, Edwardsean Theology, the Princeton Theology of the Hodges, Machen, and Warfield and the liberal reactions to Princeton up to the heresy trials of the 19th century. CH 613 Medieval and Continental Reform. Beginning with the Latin west and the end of the Roman world the course covers an expansive period of the early, high and Latin middle ages through the European Reformation (500-1600). The student is encouraged to evaluate & discuss the philosophical-theological history of the period with an emphasis on the persons of Aquinas through Luther. CH 614 English Church. English church history from the Venerable Bede and the missionary achievements of St. Patrick to the establishment of the Church of England under Henry the 8th. Included will be the Reformation efforts under Edward VI and the settlement of Elizabeth I through the Puritan revolt and the Cromwellian Parliament and the restoration of Charles II. CH 615 Anglican Studies. Focuses on the contribution of Anglicanism and Anglicans to the theology and practice of the wider church. It consists of an overview of the history, standards, and practice of Anglicanism which have shaped the orthodox Anglican Church. The axis of this course is an in depth study of Anglican thinkers, writers, theologians who have shaped the course of Anglicanism and the wider church. Students will be encouraged to look at how their religious practice, spirituality, and thought and that of their churches has been affected by Anglicanism. (Clearly it has to at least some degree since they are attending an Anglican seminary!) Scholars to be studied include Hugh Latimer, Thomas Cranmer, William Tyndale, Nicholas Ridley, Richard Hooker, Lancelot Andrewes, John Donne, George Herbert, John Wesley, John Keble, and C.S. Lewis, among others. |
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Pastoral
Theology PT 501 Homiletics. Introduction to the history,
science, and art of preaching. Consideration of sermon preparation (choice of
text, exegesis, hermeneutics, history, culture, and doctrine); sermon structure
(title, introduction, body, conclusion, outline, and illustrations); sermon
delivery (style, use of manuscript, voice variety, projection, and general
speech skills); and persuasion as well as argument. PT 502 Homiletics and Liturgics Practice.
Conducted in conjunction with the daily chapel services, this practicum affords
students the opportunity to gain practical experience with the guidance of a
faculty mentor. (Total of nine quarters.) PT 503 Liturgics. This course offers an introduction
to the nature and elements of biblical worship; worship in the history of Israel
and of the church; the development of liturgy and the value of liturgical forms;
and the origins, development, and public use of The Book of Common Prayer.
Students pursue independent research in conjunction with class lecture
presentation. PT 601 Pastoral Theology. An introduction to the calling, content, and skills involved in the cure of souls. The course seeks to address the issues that confront the pastor in his care of God's people. Subjects addressed include: a Theology of Prayer in Pastoral Life; Pastoral Visitation; The Role of Women in the Church; Homosexuality; Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage; and the Sign Gifts. PT 602 Homiletics and Liturgics Practice. Conducted in conjunction with the daily chapel services, this practicum affords students the opportunity to gain practical experience with the guidance of a faculty mentor. (Total of nine quarters.) PT 606 Hermeneutics. An advanced treatment of the rules and techniques of biblical interpretation, applying acquired skills of exegesis of the Hebrew and Greek text of Scripture within the parameters of sound principles of hermeneutical practice. Founded upon the introduction to the principles and the history of hermeneutics received in the Junior year, this course sharpens the student's abilities in grappling with specific issues of which he or she is now more fully and intensely aware. PT 702 Homiletics and Liturgics Practice. Conducted in conjunction with the daily chapel services, this practicum affords students the opportunity to gain practical experience with the guidance of a faculty mentor. (Total of nine quarters.) PT 704 Basic Pastoral Counseling. This is a very basic introduction to Pastoral Counseling that will consider what Pastoral Counseling is, what is requires of the Counselor, and what it hopes to accomplish through the counseling process. The course will cover common counseling issues including the person who is uncertain about his faith, pre-marriage and marriage counseling, counseling those who are caught in sexual sins, counseling those who struggle with homosexuality, and counseling teenagers and their parents.PT 706 (six credits) Pastoral Ministry and Administration. This course analyzes the role of administration as a necessary function in pastoral ministry. Consideration is given to the daily functions of pastoral ministry with an eye to using the gifts and skills God has given His people to the best advantage of Christ and His Church. Subjects addressed include: office and time management; personnel resources, proper financial procedures for the church and pastor; and maintenance and church upkeep. PT 707 Introduction to Evangelism and Outreach. The intent of this course is to enable students to develop and articulate a theological and historical understanding of evangelism, identify important principles in evangelism and outreach and use them to evaluate existing models, and develop a plan for mobilizing a real or hypothetical parish church for evangelism. PT 708 Christian Education and Formation. The history, scriptural foundations and practice of Christian Education/Formation will be presented. Students will learn to apply the insights of both approaches to Christian growth by distinguishing the theological perspectives, theory, models and outlook. The centrality of Holy Scripture, the Sacraments, liturgical time, and Christian life stages will be taught. PT 800 Leadership (Pastoral, Parish, and Mission). The PT800 Leadership course is designed to assist the student in developing an understanding and practice of church leadership which is biblically based, theologically sound, and relevant to his/her ministry context. It is anticipated that, after the successful completion of this course, the student will have an adaptable model for personal, staff, and congregational leadership development. GOAL 1 - The student will explore and evaluate the biblical and theological foundations of Christian leadership. GOAL 2 - The student will analyze and discuss the nature of leadership from biblical and contemporary sources. Attention will be given to the "servant-leader" model. The importance of personal integrity, modeling, and follower encouragement will also be emphasized. GOAL 3 - The student will explore how culture and context shape our understanding, expectation, and practice of leadership. GOAL 4 - The student will identify skills and qualities essential to effective leadership. Attention will he given to vision, the planning process, risk evaluation, communication, empowerment, team building, and change/conflict management. |
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