Online Bible, Ministry, & Philosophy Courses

Course Description

A course that has as its primary content the Old Testament, with special attention given to the law, the prophets and the history of Israel.

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will:

• Know the individual books of the Old Testament and their place in the overall flow of the whole.
• Understand the major themes of the Old Testament and their place in Christian doctrine.
• Recognize the primary characters of the Old Testament and their roles in the history of God’s people.
• Incorporate the key principles of Old Testament truth in the experiences of daily living.

• A Survey of the Old Testament, 3rd Edition
• A Survey of the Old Testament, Study Guide

Most importantly, you will need a good cross-referenced Study Bible in a modern English translation, e.g., NASB, NIV, ESV.

This course consists of ten learning modules (each of which contain reading, quizzes, a written lesson, an online project, and an application assignment) and one final exam.

Each module is worth 80 points, and the final exam is 200 points, for a total of 1,000 points possible.

Faculty

Richard Studebaker

• PhD, Trinity International University (1998)
• MDiv, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (1982)
• BA, Bethel College (1978)

Course Description

A course that includes a foundation in New Testament study with a focus on Jesus Christ as portrayed in the Gospels and Epistles. Also included is a series of explorations into the relevancy of Christ to modern life.

*In order to help you complete the course in time, this class does have module due dates.

The course is designed to meet the following objectives in whatever Christian tradition the student belongs—Catholic, Orthodox, or Protestant. If the student is not a Christian, then he/she will see why Christians believe as they do.

• Give you an overview of the entire New Testament, thus laying a good foundation for further and more detailed study of the New Testament.
• Increase your knowledge of the important figures, issues and doctrines appearing in the New Testament.
• Be able to articulate the purpose and message of each book of the New Testament.
• Be aware of the “big picture” of the New Testament and to be able to relate the parts to the whole
• Appreciate the significance of the major theological themes in the New Testament.
• Develop an ability to take the factual material of the New Testament and to make it applicable to Christian spirituality today. 

• A Survey of the New Testament, 4th Edition

Optional texts:

• C. K. Barrett, The New Testament Background, rev. ed. (San Francisco: Harper, 1995)
• H. Wayne House, Chronological and Background Charts of the New Testament, 2^nd ed. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009)

*Once a student is enrolled, the professor will provide options for accessing these resources at no or low cost.

This course consists of 10 modules with a combination of discussion topics, checkpoints, internet research projects, quizzes, and papers in each.

Assignments are worth between 50 and 100 points each, for a total of 1,000 points possible.

Faculty

Daniel Chadwick

• PhD, Trinity Theological Seminary (1999)
• MA, Fordham University (1995)
• MA, Jewish Theological Seminary (1992)
• MAH, University of Buffalo (1990)
• BA, University of Buffalo (1981)

Course Description

Specific methods are taught to enable the students to understand the propositions of the biblical text, relate those propositions to one another, and ask questions of the text in order to discover what the biblical writers meant to convey through their writings.

*In order to help you complete the course in time, this class does have module due dates.

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Identify the various genres of Scripture and explain how they affect interpretation.
• Identify the common figures of speech and methods of utilizing figurative language and interpret them appropriately.
• Identify and isolate literary units appropriate for interpretational/applicational use.
• Demonstrate the ability to analyze any biblical text, derive universal principles from it, and then develop proper modern day applications for a variety of audiences.
• Understand how literary units are parts of biblical books and are thus subject to the "interpretative spiral".
• Know where to find basic tools, which assist in determining the meaning of a text, and have a working knowledge of how to utilize them.
• Distinguish between the meaning of a text and applications derived from a text.
• Understand various means by which computers can be used in biblical studies and Christian ministries.

• How to Read the Bible as Literature
• Biblical Exegesis: A Beginner’s Handbook, 3rd Edition

*Once a student is enrolled, the professor will provide options for accessing these resources at no or low cost.

This course consists of 15 assignments and no exams.

Each assignment is worth between 25 and 200 points, for a total of 1,000 points possible.

Faculty

Daniel Chadwick

• PhD, Trinity Theological Seminary (1999)
• MA, Fordham University (1995)
• MA, Jewish Theological Seminary (1992)
• MAH, University of Buffalo (1990)
• BA, University of Buffalo (1981)

Course Description

A detailed study of the book of Romans with special emphasis on Paul’s purpose in writing the book and the development of his argument throughout the book.

The goals of this course are six-fold—that the students:

• Learn the meaning and purpose of Paul’s letter to the Romans through careful reading of the primary text of Romans itself.
• Engage in inductive analysis of Romans.
• Thoughtfully dialogue with Peter Stuhlmacher’s Romans commentary.
• Critically interact with the other major commentaries and secondary sources on Romans.
• Critically analyze N.T. Wright’s synthesis of Paul’s theology in Romans.
• Articulate their personal judgments concerning the major exegetical issues of Romans itself. 

• Paul’s Letter to the Romans 

Required to have three English translations of Paul’s letter to the Romans. 

This course consists of 15 assignments including papers and study questions, and no exams.

Lesson 1 assignment is worth 50 points, lessons 2-14 are worth 20 points each, and Lesson 15 assignment is worth 40 points, for a total of 350 points possible.

Faculty

Edward Meadors

• PhD, New Testament Exegesis, The University of Aberdeen
• MA, New Testament, Wheaton College Graduate School
• BA, English Literature, Wheaton College

Course Description

A historical study with particular attention given to the missionary expansion of the early church, the work of the Holy Spirit and the place of the church in the world.

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should:

• Learn the major theological themes that Luke intended to impress upon his audience through the historical narratives that constitute his two-volume composition.
• Gain in depth understanding of the historical importance of the events that led to the spread of the gospel from Judea through Samaria, Syria, Cyprus, Galatia, Asia, Achaia, and eventually to Rome.
• Deepen in their understanding of the dynamics of Christian discipleship, as they apply the teachings of Acts to their own personal lives.
• Gain a broader understanding of the corporate mission of the church against the background of its origin in Acts 2. 

• The Acts of the Apostles: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary 

A literal (formal equivalent) translation of the Bible is required. 

This course consists of ten assignments, the majority of which are papers, and one final comprehensive essay exam. 

The assignments range in points from 20 to 40, for a total of 260 points. 

Faculty

Edward Meadors

• PhD, New Testament Exegesis, The University of Aberdeen
• MA, New Testament, Wheaton College Graduate School
• BA, English Literature, Wheaton College

Course Description

A survey of Christian belief as developed during the history of the church.

*In order to help you complete the course in time, this class does have module due dates.

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will have learned about:

• The various events and thinkers that shaped Christian ideas.
• The reasons as to how the main doctrines (e.g., the Trinity) evolved.
• An understanding concerning the main teachings.
• The major theologians of the Church.
• The big picture of Christian thought for the past 2000 years through Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant thinkers.

• A Faith for All Seasons
• The Christian Theology Reader, 4th Edition

*Once a student is enrolled, the professor will provide options for accessing these resources at no or low cost. 

This course consists of 10 Modules which contain a variety of assignments, such as Discussion Topics, Quizzes, Checkpoints, Papers, Internet Research, and a Final Project. 

Assignments are worth 50-100 points each, with the final project worth 200, for a total of 1,000 points in the course.

Faculty

Daniel Chadwick

• PhD, Trinity Theological Seminary (1999)
• MA, Fordham University (1995)
• MA, Jewish Theological Seminary (1992)
• MAH, University of Buffalo (1990)
• BA, University of Buffalo (1981)

Course Description

This course is a survey of the classical categories of Christian thought concerning Theology Proper (i.e., divinity), Christology, Pneumatology, Soteriology, Anthropology (insofar as it determines Soteriology), Ecclesiology, and Eschatology.

*In order to help you complete the course in time, this class does have module due dates.

This course will:

• Provide a review of the following branches of Christian Systematic Theology—Theology Proper (Trinity), Christology, Anthropology, Pneumatology, Soteriology, Ecclesiology, and Eschatology.
• Distinguish Systematic Theology from Biblical, Historical, and Pastoral/Practical Theology.
• Present the various Christian approaches to the topics.
• Offer the consensus and divisions of approach.
• Stimulate possible applications of doctrines.

• Classic Christianity: A Systematic Theology

 *Once a student is enrolled, the professor will provide options for accessing this resource at no or low cost.

This course includes discussion topics, checkpoints, internet research, quizzes, papers, and a final project.

The individual assignments are worth between 25 and 50 points, with the quizzes and the papers worth 50 points each, and the final project worth 200 points, for a total of 1000 points for the course.

Faculty

Daniel Chadwick

• PhD, Trinity Theological Seminary (1999)
• MA, Fordham University (1995)
• MA, Jewish Theological Seminary (1992)
• MAH, University of Buffalo (1990)
• BA, University of Buffalo (1981)

Course Description

The integration of Christian thought with contemporary ideas and an introduction to Christian apologetics. Engaging those questions that pose the greatest challenge to Christian faith in contemporary culture, in the hope of receiving from God a clearer perception of the truth, goodness and beauty of the Gospel.

The objective of all Christian pursuits of truth, goodness and beauty is to enjoy the goodness of God, who has not left us in darkness, but has made himself known in Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit, conveyed through the Scriptures as witnessed by His people.

The formal objectives of the course are as follows:

• to cultivate an appreciation for the intellectual strength and beauty of the Christian faith;
• to develop the foundations for thoughtful and winsome answers to key questions often posed as objections to faith in Christ;
• to enhance skills in critical reasoning and conceptual analysis;
• to grow (1) in our understanding of the purpose and importance of being able to “give a reason for the hope you have” and (2) in our ability to do this in conversation with others “with gentleness and respect” (I Peter 3:15);
• to better understand what it means to live a compelling Christian life;
• to encourage a more courageous, loving, open, peaceful and fruitful engagement with contemporary culture; and,
• to participate in the work of the Spirit to strengthen our faith, hope and love; and, thereby amplify our involvement in His service for the building up of Christ-centered community and the abounding of the Gospel of His grace to all people. 

• Delighting in the Trinity
• The Passionate Intellect
• The Reason for God

This course consists of an opening survey, reading assignment, a book summary, interviews and analysis, a written response paper, and three exams. 

The opening survey is worth 10 points, the reading assignments are worth 420 points, the book summary 100 points, the interviews/analysis 70 points, written response 50 points, the first two exams 100 points each, and the final exam  150 points—for a total of 1000 points in the course.

Faculty

Kevin Diller

• Post-PhD, University of Notre Dame
• PhD, University of St. Andrews
• ThM, Philosophical Theology, Calvin Theological Seminary
• MDiv, Princeton Theological Seminary
• BA, Philosophy, Taylor University