“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (I Peter 3:15). Peter’s words ring true in today’s world. In this course, learners compare biblical, historical, and recent approaches to defending faith in God, Christ, and Scripture. The course emphasizes the apologetics of Peter among Jews in…

We are indebted to the church fathers for the lasting influence of their lives and their works. This course covers the history of the ancient church (Pentecost to AD 500) and the men and writings of that era. Following a historical progression, the course covers the development of doctrine and the main figures in the Patristic Age. Lectures focus on…

The Reformation changed the world spiritually, socially, and even politically. In this course, learners trace the historic development of the Protestant Reformation from its 16th century background to its impact on the world and church today. The course examines the lives and teachings of the leading Reformers (Luther, Zwingli, Calvin, and Knox) and traces the Reformation movement in various nations.…

“It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.” So said George Washington, reflecting early America’s regard for divine providence. This course examines the church in America from its continental beginnings to the current day, emphasizing the influences that have forged the contemporary religious scene. Starting with the nature of Christianity in British colonies prior to…

He has been called one the most brilliant men ever born on American soil. In this course, learners will examine the theological insights of Jonathan Edwards. Taking a topical approach, the course covers Edwards’ teachings on all the major points of systematic theology, giving particular emphasis to his unique theological contributions. Topics such as the place of reason, the decrees…

Church history is the heart of His story, God’s kingdom work on earth. This course explores the development of the Christian church from Pentecost to the present day. It covers key people and events that God used throughout history to bolster His Church and also those negative influences that infected her.

Nearly every major doctrine of the church was established before the Reformation. In this course, learners discover how the Church's doctrine, faith, and practice developed from Pentecost to the time of the Protestant Reformation. The lectures focus on the cultural, political, and economic backgrounds of both the Patristic and Medieval periods of church history, and emphasize the contributions of key…

Since the Reformation, the church has experienced countless changes and advancements. In this course, learners survey the development of the Christian church’s doctrine, faith, and practice from the Protestant Reformation to the present. The lectures focus on the cultural, political, and economic backgrounds of the Reformation, Enlightenment, and Great Awakenings, and emphasize the contributions of key figures of these eras.…

Where the Protestants wanted reform, the Radicals wanted separation. This course examines those groups of the Reformation era that sought a complete break from the Catholic Church. Following a topical and historical progression, learners study the beginning of the movement, its development, and its various manifestations. Students gain insight into the tension between the Radicals and the Reformers that led…

“On this I take my stand. I can do no other. God help me.” Those words of Martin Luther reflect the unswerving commitment to Scripture that permeated his theology and sparked his Reformation. In this course, learners survey the background and setting of Luther’s thought, as well as his teaching on a range of topics that form Christian theology: his…

Charismatic theology is more than just a theology of spiritual gifts; worship, bibliology, sanctification, and ecclesiology are also central. Learners will complete a historical and theological study of the origins and developments of Classical Pentecostalism, Charismatic Renewalism, and Restoration Movements, with emphasis given to theological backgrounds and trends. Lectures also analyze other related movements, including the Jesus Only Movement, the…

Augustine is one of the most influential theologians in church history. His teachings have shaped the thinking of Aquinas, Luther, Calvin, and Barth. In this course, learners study a comprehensive introduction to Augustine; his life, his works, and his legacy in the medieval church. The course details his youth, conversion, literary works, and his battles against the day’s emerging heresies.…

Through the years, the church has been greatly influenced by theologians. Augustine shaped the church’s understanding of orthodoxy. Aquinas brought philosophy and theology together. Luther reclaimed salvation by faith alone; and Calvin reminded believers of God’s sovereignty over all things. In a postmodern world, the church continues the process of knowing God in the wake of the teachings of Karl…

What is leadership? How do you make effective decisions? How do you motivate those around you? This course answers such theoretical and practical questions by examining the administrative process, including goal setting, organization, delegation, human relations, group dynamics, supervision, and leadership training. Though administration principles are universal, the course focuses on Christian organizations, particularly the local church. The course is…

Organizational communication is a powerful tool of construction or destruction. In this course, learners discover biblical principles of interpersonal communication and conflict management in human relationships. The course gives attention to communication models, self-concept, nonverbal messages, stress, and strategies that assist Christian leaders in developing interpersonal communication skills. In addition, the course focuses on the nature of conflict, how to…

A church leader wears many hats. In this course, learners discover how to maximize productivity in the various functions of church leadership. The course examines the biblical foundation and practical functions of administrative leadership in churches and Christian organizations, and focuses on developing successful, biblical attitudes and skills among team leaders. Students will analyze basic leadership principles from secular and…

How do adults learn? What are the most successful ways to teach them? This course presents principles of adult education and their application to various adult age levels within the church. Learners explore theories in young, middle, and older adult education, and examine successful ministries to singles, single parents, and families. The course promotes Malcolm Knowles’ andragogical model of adult…

Often overlooked or misunderstood are the vital roles of women in the home, society, and the church. Learners will study ministry to and by women, including biblical foundations for women and principles for evangelizing, discipling, and counseling women. Lectures focus on the history of women’s ministries in the church, the role of women’s ministries in the New Testament, and the…

Biblical preaching is a divinely ordained way of calling people to repentance and for edifying the people of God. It is communicating God’s Word to His people—standing between the world of Scripture and the world of people and speaking the truth of God. Some wonder whether preaching is an out-of-date form of communication and not of value to current church…

The term hermeneutics can be intimidating. It sounds academic and is foreign to most of our vocabularies. However, the act of interpretation is as common as communication itself. This course will instruct in various parameters for biblical interpretation and will show how specific methods are applied to Bible study.

In this course students work with biblical, theological, historical and contemporary issues and models for the ministries of women, examining these issues in the light of the best recent scholarship and in the light of current denominational debates on the question of women's ordination to pastoral ministry or other types of leadership in the church. Students review multiple perspectives on…

Preaching is the primary way God has appointed for the teaching of the truths of His Word. Preaching well done honors God, expounds the Bible, and equips its hearers for spiritual growth and fruitful ministry. But, those who preach must make a study of the art. Dr. Haddon Robinson has taught preaching skills for more than five decades and offers…

The essence of Jesus’ teachings is clearly portrayed in His Sermon on the Mount. Stott provides an expository study of the Sermon as found in Matthew 5–7. Students examine and analyze key issues and interpretations in the Sermon. The lectures concentrate on both theological and practical questions raised in the Sermon, such as “How did Christ fulfill the law?” and…

Perhaps the greatest need in the Christian community today is for biblical leadership. However, there are different views on leadership issues, such as: What are the responsibilities of ministerial leaders? Who is qualified for pastoral leadership? Can women serve as pastors? This course identifies biblical answers to crucial leadership questions from Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus. Stott walks students…

Students explore the rich truths of justification and other significant topics by completing an exegetical and theological study of Paul’s epistle to the Romans in the Greek text. The course treats select historical, grammatical, structural, and lexical data that illumine the meaning of this important New Testament epistle. Students will be encouraged to put textual theory into living practice. The…

In this course, students complete a chronological and synthetic study of the Gospels’ accounts of Christ’s birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension. The course focuses on the time, place, circumstances, and people involved in the events of our Lord’s ministry. From the incarnation to the ascension, students will grasp a fuller understanding of Christ’s words and works in light of…

Most readers empathize with the disciples’ request that Jesus explain His parables. This course surveys various methods of interpreting Jesus’ parables and offers an eclectic model that draws upon the best insights of each. Blomberg’s semi-allegorical model is then applied to each of the major narrative parables in the Gospels. Blomberg examines differences among parallel accounts and suggests plausible reasons…

At the heart of Luke’s gospel are questions about God’s plan, His Messiah, and the emerging new community of Gentile Christians. Bock highlights these and other significant theological themes found in the gospel of Luke. Learners complete a textual examination of the gospel of Luke and its message by working through the book of Luke a chapter at a time.…

The book of Acts is the intended sequel to the gospel of Luke, showing how the new community of faith applied Christ’s teachings to life and how they proclaimed His message throughout the world. In this course, students complete an exegetical study of the book of Acts by focusing on the biblical theology of the book, the historical background of…

Correct theology is inseparable from correct living. The New Testament epistles reinforce this concept as they demonstrate both the why and how of kingdom living. This course surveys the New Testament epistles and the book of Revelation, examining both the introductory issues and the basic content of each book. Students will wrestle with significant and challenging passages by exploring the…

To what extent does the new covenant replace the old? How should Jews regard their crucified Messiah? Learners discover answers to these and other important questions by studying the background, context, and content of the epistle to the Hebrews. The course focuses on the key interpretive issues and theological contributions found in this rich Christocentric book. The goal of the…

Understanding and applying Scripture requires many tools. However, one tool stands above the rest: the biblical languages. Alongside OT Hebrew, biblical Greek is vital for anyone who desires to dig deep into the biblical text, teach it and apply it to the life of the Church. This course introduces the basic grammar, syntax and vocabulary of biblical Greek, preparing the…

Understanding the Pentateuch is essential to understanding the Bible. In this course, learners study the contents of the Pentateuch and consider the particular problems of evolution and higher criticism in light of present-day archaeology. The course explores such events as the creation, the flood, and the exodus, and it highlights the lives of the patriarchs and Moses. Students will also…

Few nations have experienced such blessing as has Israel, and few have experienced such failure. This course follows the journey of the people of Israel in Joshua, Judges, and Ruth as they cross the Jordan River, overtake and divide the land of Palestine, and fall into a repeated cycle of sin and repentance. Significant events will be analyzed in their…

Why did Israel, the people of God, desire a human king? Why did God grant that desire? This course answers these and other important questions raised in Israel’s united monarchy as recorded in I and II Samuel and I Kings 1–11. Special emphasis is placed on archaeology, history, and theology. The course also considers parallel passages found in Chronicles and…

Success or failure starts at the top, and Israel learned the hard way that human kings were no substitute for the rule of God. This course covers the history of Israel from the beginning of Solomon’s apostasy (I Kings 11) to the Babylonian captivity (II Kings 25). Learners explore the miraculous ministries of Elijah and Elisha, and survey the rise…

How important are songs in the life of Israel and the church? In this course, students study the book of Psalms, giving attention to the various forms of the psalms and their function within the historical experience of Israel. The course begins by focusing on the formulation and interpretation of the psalms. Students then examine in detail the various types…

The Old Testament is sometimes viewed as antiquated, mysterious, and even irrelevant. In this course, Waltke examines how Old Testament theology is pivotal to the universal goal of redemptive history: the rule of God and the establishment of God’s kingdom in all the earth. The course tracks salvation history as it appears in nearly every book of the Old Testament,…

Students discover the role of wisdom in the book of Proverbs by doing an exegetical study of the book itself in its cultural, historical, and literary settings. The course begins with an analysis of the book’s structure and purpose, focusing on the forms of wisdom literature as seen in the literary structure of Proverbs. Waltke then moves to poetic analysis…

Even when His people fail, God remains faithful. This course explores God’s relationship with Israel after the exile as recorded in the historical and biblical contexts of the prophets Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. The course begins with a study of the historical and cultural backgrounds of each book and then moves to a detailed exposition of the messages, events, and…

This course examines the foundational theology of the Old Testament as applied to the New Testament and the church. It also identifies the focal point for the Old and New Testaments and discusses the continuity and discontinuity between the Testaments concerning: saving faith, the people of God, the Law, worship, atonement, the kingdom of God, the Messiah, and the new…

Few Old Testament books are as theologically rich and literarily compelling as Isaiah. Students discover those dynamics as they complete an exegetical study of the book of Isaiah. In addition to surveying the contents of the book, the course develops the understanding and skills of exegetical exposition. In the process, students examine key chapters in Isaiah, such as the promise…

In order to understand and apply any passage of Scripture faithfully, one must begin with the foundational concepts and theology that precede and inform it. Averbeck introduces the content and theology of the books of Genesis through Kings, identifying the foundational themes that emerge and tracing them through the rest of the Bible. In this way, he shows how the…

In order to understand and apply any passage of Scripture faithfully, one must begin with the foundational concepts and theology that precede and inform it. In biblical theology, the foundation is developed in the Latter Prophets and Writings (Job–Malachi). The history, poetry, wisdom, and prophecy of these books are essential for fully grasping the meaning and message of Jesus’ teaching and…

What is spirituality? How is it formed in private and in community? This course explores the meaning of Biblical Christianity and its relation to faith and practice within contemporary cultural contexts, giving special attention to the corporate dimensions of spirituality and spiritual formation as defined in the New Testament. The lectures analyze and discuss those historical and cultural factors that…

With the contemporary interest in spirituality, it is imperative that the Church establish a comprehensive theology of Christian spirituality that can inform the life and witness of Christian believers. This course presents such a theology of spirituality: a theology that is biblical, practical, and contemporary, accounting for and enabling spiritual formation and nurture in a post-modern, pluralistic, materialistic society. In…

Spiritual formation is a topic of discussion in many circles. We all long for intimacy with God, but how is spiritual growth and maturity developed? What are the dynamics in which God most often works in the heart of believers to make them like His Son, Jesus Christ? In this seminar, Dr. Richard Averbeck addresses these and other questions in…

How is spirituality formed both in private and in community? This course explores the meaning of biblical Christianity and its relation to faith and practice, giving special attention to spiritual formation through prayer, meditation, and personal disciplines. The lectures form a paradigm of spiritual growth and maturity that will affect both the individual and the church.

For good or for bad, philosophy has played a pivotal role in the development of theology and culture. In this course, learners examine the major trends in contemporary theological thought in light of their philosophical contexts. The course begins with a review of the major developments in Western thought prior to Hegel, and then explores the theologies of Hegel, Kierkegaard,…

As ambassadors for Christ and the Gospel, we must understand the true nature of man and the magnitude of his sin. This course presents a critical and historical overview of positions regarding the nature of mankind: both as the image of God and as corrupted by sin. The course presents a distinct Reformed anthropology coupled with a fair treatment of…

"Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" No question is more important or more debated than this one posed by the Philippian jailer. This course presents a critical and historical overview of the message, plan, and components of salvation. The lectures trace each element of the salvation process, from God's decree to our final glorification and union with Christ.…

To know God and to make Him known is our highest calling. By studying the historic, classic, and orthodox doctrine of the Holy Trinity, learners discover how and why the doctrine emerged in the fourth century, as well as the various and progressive ways this doctrine has been understood throughout history. Throughout the course, Dr. Toon demonstrates that a right…

Post-Modernism is having a profound influence on the Church, from within and without. Changing ideas about the source and nature of truth are affecting Christians’ lives and ministry. In this course, learners examine current trends in contemporary theology, and how these trends arose. The course focuses on the theologies that were prevalent in the 1960’s, including Theology of Hope, Liberation…

In a self-centered culture, how do we demonstrate a God-centered ethic? This course presents a biblical model for ethics in a postmodern world, examining the ethical theories of obligation and value from a philosophical perspective. The lectures survey various ethical systems, identify unstated assumptions in ethical theories, and evaluate those theories for legitimacy, relevancy, and cogency. The goal of the…

How do you view reality? What is the source of your knowledge? Do you live what you believe? Such are the questions that a worldview answers. This course examines the nature and function of belief structures, and the value of developing and living a distinctly Christian life. The course develops a Christian worldview from a redemptive history model of biblical…

God has one unified, global purpose for all He does. This course introduces the exciting biblical, historical, cultural, and strategic dimensions of His plan. It addresses key issues: the basis of and necessity for world missions, and the status of and plan for world missions. Students are introduced to the basics they need to pursue missionary training or to help…

History is “His Story”: the account of God at work establishing His purposes and His Kingdom. In this course, Dr. Kane covers the historic development of the Christian world mission in chronological sequence from Pentecost to the birth of the modern missions movement (1800). He then introduces the modern period along geographical lines: Asia, Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and…

As the cities go, the world goes - politically, intellectually, economically, socially, and religiously. This course addresses Christian mission and ministry in the world's growing cities. A biblical basis for urban ministry is presented and case studies of effective urban strategies worldwide are examined. The course provides key logistics, strategies, models, and insights from one of today's leading experts in…

Nothing demonstrates the pluralism of our world better than religion. Christians must be able to respond to the myriad of religious systems that permeate society. This course develops a biblical theology of religions by studying current models and approaches. Using major religious systems as examples, the lectures sketch five characteristics of all religions. Students will learn the major concepts in…

Liberation theology has sought to liberate the disenfranchised from poverty, oppression, and social injustice – but at what price? This course addresses the historical and thematic development of liberation theologies in the social and religious context of Latin America. The course covers the various denominational roots, as well as the various methodologies that those denominations utilize. Dr. Mulholland presents a…

With almost twenty percent of our world’s population, China is a large mission field. This course presents a history of Protestant Christianity in China since 1949, tracing the development of the church within the context of modern Chinese history. Learners examine the influence of politics on religious and church life, and study the Party’s influence upon both the Three-Self Patriotic…

With the broad expansion of Christianity in Africa, the African Church and African theology should be understood by us all. This course examines Christian theological formation in Africa against the background of African cultures and religions, and in light of its contemporary context. Also considered are how to study and understand Africa, and the factors that led to the debate…

The nature and practices of Islam draw worldwide intrigue. What do Muslims believe? Why do they defend their beliefs as they do? How do we present the gospel to them? This course examines Islam from both a Christian and a Muslim perspective, covering the history and validity of the Koran, Muslim theology, the role of women, and the places of…

The large cities of the world present enormous challenges and opportunities to the church of Christ. The purpose of this course is to develop a relevant evangelical practice for the church within the urban context, understood as contextual, or local theology. This course will expose the student to various dimensions of post-modernity as examined by several contemporary authors. The goal…

Christ's final charge was the Great Commission: to "make disciples of all nations." We fulfill that charge when we take the Gospel to the nations and to our own nation through our own local church. In this course, Dr. Green instructs us on how to do evangelism within a local church setting. Building on the biblical mandate for evangelism, he…