Academics

Parent Category: Academics

GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BIBLE AND THEOLOGY

The Graduate School of Bible and Theology is divided into three parts or divisions, each with its own set of objectives with departments in them to implement these objectives. The Divisions are Bible & Theology, Cultural & Historical Studies, and Professional Studies. The departments in the Division of Bible and Theology are the Department of Bible and the Department of Theology.

Division of Bible and Theology

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE DIVISION OF BIBLE AND THEOLOGY

Goal: To provide knowledge and a reasonable understanding of the Jewish background for the Bible and the Christian Faith;

Objectives: The course offerings of each of the Departments in the Division will

provide the investigative tools that will enable students to distinguish and explain the varieties of perspectives in and types of Biblical literature;
assist students in the discussion of those conditions that lead to spiritual strength and discipleship as reflected in the Biblical literature;
enable students to generalize the principles and content of an apologetic for the Biblical faith as expressed through a Jewish perspective.

The Department of Bible

The Department of Biblical Studies supports the Division of Bible and Theology by offering courses with the following objectives.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR DEPARTMENT OF BIBLE (BIE, BNT, BOT)

Goal: To provide knowledge, a reasonable understanding, and application of the historical, grammatical, cultural, context of the Biblical literature.
Objectives: the course offerings of the Department will enable students to:

demonstrate the interpretive influence of the textual, archeological, historically critical, and sociological data contained in the Biblical literature and by means of which the ideas and concerns of the authors of the Biblical literature were communicated;
discover the specific influences of the Jewish background that formed the thinking of the authors and readers of the Biblical literature and that provided the cognitive and affective foundation for the personal faith based on this literature;
distinguish between the types of theologies presented in the Biblical narratives;
interpret the various ways it is possible to celebrate the living message of the sacred literature as a life long study.
produce habits that support a life long study of the Bible.
Department of Theology

The Department of Theology supports the Division of Bible and Theology by offering courses with the following objectives.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THEOLOGY (BST)

Goal: To provide knowledge, a reasonable understanding, and application of the fundamental doctrines of Judaism and Christianity.
Objectives: The course offerings of the Department will enable students to:

distinguish between historical, Biblical, systematic, and homiletical theology;
explain the distinguishing features of Jewish and Christian approaches to systematic and Biblical theology along with the characteristics that these two traditions have in common;
interpret the implications of the theologies of the texts of these traditions for establishing of an apologetic for belief based on the Jewish and Christian traditions;
distinguish and classify the principles and data necessary for the building of an apologetic for belief based on the Jewish and Christian traditions;
produce habits that support a life long study of the reflective analysis of the teachings rooted in the Biblical narratives.

The Division of Cultural and Historical Studies

The second division of the Seminary involves students with the study of the historical and cultural context of the writing of the Biblical literature. It is the core of the Seminary’s vision that the cultural, historical and grammatical perspectives of the times and places of the Biblical narratives is key to understanding the text. Thus, this division lies at the heart of all the degree programs and, indeed, the courses throughout the curriculum.

The departments that form its content support the objectives of the Division of Historical and Cultural Studies. These are the departments of Ecclesiastical History, of Interdepartmental Studies, and of Judaic Studies. The objectives for the Division are the following.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE DIVISION OF CULTURAL and HISTORICAL STUDIES

Goal: To provide knowledge and a reasonable understanding of the Jewish background and, primarily European, Christian extension of the Biblical Faith.
Objectives: The course offerings of the Departments in the Division will:

provide the data necessary to know what are the common bonds of Judaism and Christianity;
contain the historical and cultural information that explains the divergence of Judaism and Christianity and the dominance of the Western perception of the faith as this developed in Europe and then was spread by the mission movement of the 18th and 19th centuries;
explain the variety of movements and heritages that develop among the adherents of the faith that expressed itself in Peter’s Pentecost sermon;
show how the Messianic movement of the 20th century is related to the broader Jewish and Christian traditions.
produce habits that support a life long study of the common heritage between Judaism and Christianity.

The Department of Ecclesiastical History

The courses in the Department of Ecclesiastical History support the Division of Cultural and Historical Studies with the following objectives.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY (CEH)

Goal: To provide knowledge, a reasonable understanding, and application of the development of the believing communities that are rooted in the teaching of Jesus.
Objectives: The course offerings of the Department of Ecclesiastical History will enable students to:

describe the dynamics of social change, including the patterns of response to conflict, oppression, economic challenge, and environmental restrictions;
distinguish between the various historical developments of the followers of the Way that in Antioch of Syria came to be called in translation “Christian”;
explain the relations between the variations in the believing communities and the cultural patterns in which these communions are expressed;
interpret the significance of change in these communions for the development of an heritage for spiritual growth and maturation;
produce habits that support a life long study of the development in the various faith heritages that share their roots in the Biblical narratives.

The Department of Judaic Studies

The Department of Judaic Studies offers courses toward a degree that supports the Division of Historical and Cultural Studies with the following objectives.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUDAIC STUDIES (CJS)

Goal: To provide knowledge, a reasonable understanding, and application of roots and present manifestation of a Jewish expression of faith.
Objectives: The course offerings of the Department of Judaic Studies will enable students to:

identify the variations of Jewish culture through its long history, including the features of its variations in theology, geography, languages, family, and national consciousness;
extrapolate from the Biblical history of Israel, along with the cultural and linguistic variations during this long history, the considerations that assist in clarifying the Biblical literature;
discover the salient features of the continuum of the history of Judaism to the present;
produce habits that support a life long study of the common heritage between Judaism and Christianity.

The Division of Professional Studies

The third division of the Seminary organizes the Seminary’s efforts around the professions into which those educated in the theological arts can go. It is the Division of Professional Studies and there are five departments in this Division that support its objectives, viz., the departments of Mission and Evangelism, Pastoral Counseling, Pastoral Studies, Religious Education and Sacred Music. The Objectives of the Division are as follows.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE DIVISION OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES

Goal: To provide knowledge and a reasonable understanding of selected career applications for ministry in the use of the Biblical heritage.
Objectives: The course offerings of each of the Departments in the Division will

Define carefully the specific career path that can be selected in that department as it supports the degree program needed to enter a specific ministry;
Explain the moral and legal scope and limitations of the professions as rooted in a Biblical ethic;
Operate selectively in the field where experience provides direction for the effectiveness of ministry in its various applications;
Prepare for the spiritual and professional demands of the ministry appropriate to the degree being earned.

The courses offered in each of the departments are designed to support each of these objectives, four of which are tied to a degree program, viz., Mission and Evangelism, Pastoral Counseling, Pastoral Studies, and Religious Education. Sacred Music allows the student to obtain a certificate.

The Department of Missiology, Evangelism and Youth Ministry

The Department of Missiology, Evangelism and Youth Ministry offers courses in the Division of Professional Studies with the following objectives.

OBJECTIVES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MISSIOLOGY, EVANGELISM AND YOUTH MINISTRY (CWM, ANT)

Goal: To provide knowledge, a reasonable understanding, and application of the conditions for effective communication and leadership in conveying the Biblical faith to others for the purpose of conversion or discipleship.
Objectives: The course offerings of the Department of Missiology, Evangelism, and Youth Ministry will enable students to:

identify and classify the ways in which communication can be made of the claim that Jesus is to be confessed as Lord of one’s life;
distinguish the methods for effective and appropriate congregational planting and nurturing;
outline and extrapolate the means by which individuals are effectively discipled in the belief that they can grow in obedience to Jesus as Lord;
distinguish and examine the various contexts for mission, evangelistic, and youth ministry work;
produce habits that support a life long study of the applications of the Biblical insights to that career path that has been chosen.
The Department of Pastoral Studies

The Department of Pastoral Studies offers courses toward a degree that supports the Division of Professional Studies by taking the following objectives.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PASTORAL STUDIES (PPT)

Goal: To provide knowledge, a reasonable understanding, and application of the calling of the parish minister;
Objectives: The course offerings of the Department of Pastoral Studies will enable students to:

identify the scope of the pastoral ministry.
examine and prepare the principles for Biblical and moral guidelines for effective spiritual leadership;
discuss the ways to promote growth in pastoral habits and thinking necessary for functioning effectively in the profession;
use in field experiences to apply and illustrate the skills necessary to function effectively in the profession;
produce a habit of study and reading that will support life long development of one’s skills as a pastor and as a disciple of Jesus.

The Department of Interdivisional and Interdepartmental Studies

The Department of Interdivisional and Interdepartmental Studies supports the Division of Historical and Cultural Studies with the following objectives.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERDIVISIONAL AND INTERDEPARTMENTAL STUDIES

Goal: To provide knowledge, a reasonable understanding, and application of tools necessary for effective scholarly productivity.
Objectives: The course offerings of the Department of Interdivisional and Interdepartmental Studies will enable students to:

identify skills needed that will bridge between departments and divisions, such as courses in thesis writing, theological research, and practical field work;
demonstrate how those skills in reasoning, writing, oral communication, etc., enable greater effectiveness in the variety of career choices that can be made;
examine the resources available for enriching study, such as the library, the internet, support courses in logic, writing, etc.;
support a habit of study and reading that enriches and strengthens a life long growth in effective use of learning resources.

The Department of Religious Education

The Department of Religious Education offers degrees that support the Division of Professional Studies with the following objectives. It combines religious education with professional education, allowing professionals to fulfill educational certification requirements with a clear religious values component.

This two fold set of course offerings makes it possible for students to prepare for either parochial, religious, public, or private careers in teaching at either the secondary or the post secondary levels.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Goal: To provide knowledge, a reasonable understanding, and application of learning needed to be a director of education in a congregation or a teacher in the religious K-12 educational system, post secondary educational programs, or to work for certification in either parochial or public school systems.
Objectives: The course offerings of the Department of Religious Education will enable students to:

describe clearly the conditions of professional qualification and growth in education;
associate the building of a Biblical worldview with the methods of education;
identify and classify the competencies required of public school teachers;
produce in field experience that which assists students in the understanding of teaching within the classroom context;
support a habit of study and reading that enriches and strengthens a life long growth in effectiveness in the classroom and as an educator.

Department of Pastoral Counseling

The Department offers courses supporting a degree in the Division of Professional Studies and has the following objectives

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PASTORAL COUNSELING (PSY)

Goal: To correlate the knowledge of God and of human nature at crucial times of growth and in the crises times of spiritual, moral, emotional, and physical distress, to understand how to concentrate the power of God upon the vulnerable openings of a sick soul, a confused mind, or a weakening body, to understand the way that the word of truth can be used to assist people to look beneath their “vital lies” and find spiritual resources for an abundant life, and to evaluate the means of assisting suffering individuals into a healing community, viz., the body of believers.
Objectives: The course offerings of the Department will enable students to:

distinguish the various areas of counseling application for which a professional in pastoral counseling is qualified;
discuss the origin and manifestations, of specific kinds of personal issues, e.g., family conflict, personal addictions, financial difficulties, etc;
classify the ways in which personal issues are identified by and for those struggling with them;
describe the means by which the various personal issues and challenges in life can be met and successfully overcome;
explain the means by which Biblical information can be applied in the process of creatively addressing and solving personal problems;
produce a life long habit of reading and studying in the field of counseling.