Theology

This course is designed to explore issues of the church, holy and ethical living, church/faith development, spiritual disciplines and church practices, and distinction between vocation and occupation. This course will not only prioritize areas of the church, spiritual formation, and theological ethics, but will also prepare the way for engagement with Scripture.

THEO 310 — Christian Theology I. 3 hours.

An introduction to theological thinking and the classical teachings of the Church regarding the Christian faith. This will include an exploration of the development, meaning and relevance of doctrinal authority, doctrine of God, creation, the Trinity, and the work and person of Jesus Christ (especially of the Wesleyan tradition), classical and contemporary modes of thought, and the meaning of theological thinking for the student and the Church. Prerequisite: PHIL 201.

THEO 320 — Christian Theology II. 3 hours.

An introduction to theological thinking and the classical teachings of the Church regarding the Christian faith. This will include an exploration of the development, meaning and relevance of the work and person of Jesus Christ, the person and work of the Holy Spirit (especially the Wesleyan understanding of sanctification), the Church, sacraments and eschatology (especially as they relate to the Wesleyan understanding of sin and salvation). This course will focus its attention on the witness of Scripture, the historic testimony of the Church (especially of the Wesleyan tradition), classical and contemporary modes of thought, and the meaning of theological thinking for the student and the Church. Prerequisite: THEO 310.

THEO 330 — Introduction to Christian Ethics. 3 hours.

Same as PHIL 330.

THEO 340 — Culture and the Christian. 3 hours.

The impact of popular culture on the worldview and value system of western society in general, and for Christians in particular, is examined. Attention will be given to the philosophical and theological underpinnings of popular culture and the ways these underpinnings affect shifts in thought across time. Focus will then shift to the methods culture uses to affect individual lifestyle choices. Connections will then be made to align faith commitments with moral choices. Special attention will be given to relevant biblical texts that offer direction for contemporary Christian lifestyles.

THEO 350 — Christian Love. 3 hours.

Using the love commandments as the cornerstone of a theology of love, this course will examine the place of love in the Christian life. Various aspects of love will be explored so that love for God, love for others, and love for self can be more fully understood and brought into harmony. The material will thus include a broad survey of theological and philosophical writings on love as well as an analysis of relevant biblical texts. Special emphasis will be placed on the expression of love in concrete situations. As such, the course will typically include a service learning unit.

THEO 351 — History of Christianity I. 3 hours.

A survey of the history of Christianity during the Patristic, Medieval, and Reformation periods.

THEO 352 — History of Christianity II. 3 hours.

A survey of the history of Christianity following the Reformation period. Emphasis will be placed upon modernity, the Wesleyan tradition, American religious history, and contemporary Christianity.

THEO 357 — History of Christianity III. 3 hours.

An examination of the movements, persons, and ideas that shaped religious history in America.

THEO 368 — Ancient and Modern Challenges to Orthodoxy. 3 hours.

Explores the theological challenges to orthodoxy in the ancient and modern church. The material will cover various aspects of theological debate in the early church, including confrontations with various Gnostic groups. The material will then cover modern theological challenges to orthodoxy, including the Jehovah's Witnesses and the Church of Latter Day Saints.

THEO 369 — The Early Church and the Scriptures. 3 hours.

Introduces the critical issues related to Biblical interpretation during the first five centuries of Christianity. Special attention will be paid to the controversy involving allegory and the development of the New Testament canon. The material will include a broad survey of the primary exegetical methods employed by the early church and engagement with the primary source material.

THEO 404 — Christian Faith. 3 hours.

This course assists the students in moving toward thinking critically about matters of Christian faith/theology and in understanding that Christian faith is lived out and originates from living within specific denominational and theological traditions. Given our context, the coursework will focus on the Wesleyan-holiness theological tradition. Included will be the critical reflection both on doctrinal matters and on matters of the church and Christian life/practice. Prerequisite: BLIT 303.

THEO 410 — Topics in Christian Theology. 3 hours.

A concentrated study of the work of one or more theologians, or of a particular theological issue or movement, or the theology of a particular era. Special attention will be given in this course to the meaning and implications of the person and work of Jesus Christ. This course may be repeated with a different subtitle. Prerequisites: PHIL 201 and one course in Christian Theology (THEO 310 or 320); or permission of the instructor.

THEO 421 — Theology of the Church Fathers. 3 hours.

The Church Fathers are often cited in modern theological writing, but they are often poorly understood. This course will examine the thought of prominent Christian authors through the first five centuries of the Christian church. Special attention will be given to the issues of creation, the Trinity, Christology, salvation, and ecclesiology. Prerequisite: THEO 320.

THEO 426 — The Early Councils and Their Creeds. 3 hours.

The early Christian creeds and the first seven ecumenical councils played an important role in the historical development of Christian theology. This course will critically examine the key political and theological issues at stake during each council. The course will also pay significant attention to the ramifications and acceptance of each council and creed. Prerequisite: THEO 320.

THEO 430 — Augustine. 3 hours.

This course is an introduction to the life and thought of St. Augustine of Hippo and his foundational role in the development of the theology of the Christian Church in the West. This course will give attention to his location in a transitional historical context and the ways Augustine reflects and influences the movement from the late Roman to Medieval world. Attention will also be given to considering implications for doing theology today. Same as PHIL 430. Prerequisite: THEO 310.

THEO 435 — Theology in the Era of Reformation. 3 hours.

This course will explore theological development in the Reformation period giving attention to historical and theological context. Reading of primary source material will be emphasized. Study will be focused on key representative thinkers and the theological systems they both reflect and helped to shape. Attention will be given to the major streams of thought and development that emerge from the Reformation. Prerequisite: THEO 310.

THEO 451 — Twentieth Century Theological Ethics. 3 hours.

A survey of Christian theological ethics in the twentieth century, focusing predominantly on Protestant thinkers. The relationship between theology and ethics will be analyzed throughout the course. Prerequisite: THEO 310 or permission of the instructor.

THEO 462 — Doctrine of Holiness. 3 hours.

An inquiry into the meaning and implications of the doctrine of holiness and, in particular, of the doctrine of entire sanctification or Christian perfection. This course will focus its attention on the witness of Scripture, the historic testimony of the Church (especially of the Wesleyan tradition), classical and contemporary modes of thought, and the meaning of this doctrine for the life of the student and the Church. To be taken the senior year, unless special permission is granted by the instructor. Prerequisite: THEO 310, or permission of the instructor.

THEO 469 — Contemporary Issues in Theology. 3 hours.

This course will explore recent trends and current issues in Christian Theology, examining them in light of their faithfulness to Scripture, Christian tradition, and Christian practice. Attention will be given to their inner theological coherence and their impact on related Christian doctrines. Reading of primary source material will be emphasized. Prerequisite: THEO 310.

THEO 472 — History, Missions, and Polity of the Church of the Nazarene. 3 hours.

This course covers three related topics: (1) a selective historical study of the world regions of the Church of the Nazarene, with primary emphasis upon the U.S. regions; (2) a review of the World Mission division and a discussion of internationalization and its implications; and (3) a concentrated examination of the Manual of the Church of the Nazarene, with focus on the government of the Church at its various administrative levels and consideration of the denomination’s distinctive identity.

THEO 473— Christian Institutions. 3 hours.

A study of the history, polity, and missions program of a particular denomination. The student, in consultation with the professor, will reflect the denomination that will be the focus of the study. May, with permission, substitute for THEO 472.

THEO 489 — Individual Reading and Research in Christian Theology. 1-4 hours.

Independent reading and research on a topic agreed upon by the instructor and of special interest to the student. Normally, such study involves a set of short papers and/or culminates in a research paper of substantial length. Prerequisite: THEO 310 or permission of the instructor.