Bible Knowledge Department
BK501‒ Old Testament Panorama: Foundations & Insights
Required for MDiv Program― 4 credits, sizable. No Prerequisite.
The Old Testament contains more than 2/3 of the text of the Bible, and the timeline covers thousands of years of history bringing us the stories of people whose lives still affect world events today, prophetic detail about the Messiah, and poetry and wisdom inspiration. There is so much to take in, and our seminary time is limited.
This course serves as an overview of the Old Testament, a survey of each individual Old Testament book. The course explains the historical and cultural contexts, making it easier to understand the larger narrative and themes of the Old Testament.
Helping students see the magnificent unity and central theme of the Old Testament, the course highlights God’s covenant promises to Israel. Students are enlightened concerning the connections between the Old and New Testaments, giving them a better grasp of the Bible’s unified message. The textbook is colorful, full of charts and summaries, and hits the main points rather than diving into deep theological discussions. DETAILS
BK502.1‒ Christian Origins & The New Testament
Required for MDiv Program― 1 credit, rigorous. Prerequisite: BK501‒ Old Testament Panorama: Foundations & Insights
This course covers PART 1, PART 2, PART 8 and PART 9 of the textbook: Reading the New Testament, The World of Jesus & the Early Church, The Making of the New Testament and Living the Story of the New Testament.
As students of the New Testament, we’re called to make sense of the New Testament and early Christianity. One key is understanding its overall original context‒ the era of Jesus and the first Christians.
This course offers a transformative journey into the New Testament and early Christianity by exploring its historical, cultural, and theological contexts. Students rediscover the excitement of what it was like to live as Christians in the first and second centuries within the framework of Second Temple Judaism and Greco-Roman society.
Incorporating decades of ground-breaking research, the textbook authors bring the New Testament books and themes to life through historical and cultural insights and their enduring implications for the Christian faith.
While focusing on the historical Jesus, Paul’s theology, the first-century understanding of the Kingdom of God, and the development of the New Testament canon‒ the course integrates maps, illustrations, and commentary helping students experience the vibrant world of the early church. DETAILS
BK502.2‒ Christian Origins: The Victory & Resurrection of Jesus
Required for MDiv Program― 1 credit, comfortable. Prerequisite: BK502.1
Utilizing the same textbook and workbook, this course covers PART 3 and PART 4 of the textbook: Jesus & the Victory of God and The Resurrection of the Son of God.
BK502.4‒ Christian Origins: Paul & His Epistles
Required for MDiv Program― 1 credit, rigorous. Prerequisite: BK502.3
Utilizing the same textbook and workbook, this course covers PART 5 of the textbook: Paul & the Faithfulness of God covering Paul’s Life & Theology and the books he authored: Galatians, Thessalonians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, Ephesians, Corinthians, Romans, Timothy and Titus.
BK502.5‒ Christian Origins: Early Authors & Letters
Required for MDiv Program― 1 credit, rigorous. Prerequisite: BK502.4
Utilizing the same textbook and workbook, this course covers PART 7: The Early Christians & the Mission of God covering Hebrews, James, Jude, Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John and Revelation.
BK503‒ Jerusalem: The Contested City
Required for MDiv Program― 3 credits, rigorous. No prerequisite.
Did you know that Jerusalem was so esteemed as the headquarters of Jewish worship that in the time of Jesus, the fiancée of a Jerusalem citizen had to pay their weight in gold to qualify for marriage? The city of Jerusalem is not only greatly esteemed, but greatly contested. As Christians, we should understand what’s behind the city and nation that God demands we bless (Gen 12:3; Num 4:29).
This course explores the biblical history and enduring theological significance of Jerusalem, examining its role as a focal point of faith and conflict throughout history. Students will study the city’s foundational importance in Scripture, its central place in the identity of God’s people, and the promise of its prophetic role in shaping current world affairs and the eschatological future.
The course also addresses contemporary challenges facing Jerusalem and Israel, including threats to their sovereignty and efforts to delegitimize their existence. By integrating biblical insights with modern geopolitical and political realities, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of Jerusalem’s critical place in theology, history, and global affairs. DETAILS