Summer/Fall 2024 Course Offerings

Summer 2024

BI 740 110-1

Christian Devotion in the Book of Psalms

A study of the book of Psalms with an emphasis on its unity as a single book. The student will learn to look for compositional strategies used in the final assemply of the book of psalms in order to recognize its overarching themes.

Time: Mondays 5:15 pm – 7:00 pm
Credit: 2
Location: Online
Instructor: Mike Shea
Start Date: June 10, 2024

MN 740 125

Silence and Solitude

A study of solitude and silence for communion with God, deep reflection, personal prayer, and Christian spiritual formation. Examination of the need for solitude and silence in light of the noise, demands, and hurry of contemporary life and culture. Consideration of biblical foundations, contemporary and historical literature, and personal and group experiences for developing a practical theology of solitude and silence.

Time: Tuesdays 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Credit: 2
Location: Online
Instructor: Dr. Peter Spychalla
Start Date: June 4, 2024

CT 740 420

John Bunyan and Pilgrim’s Progress

First published in 1678, for more than 200 years John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress was the second most popular book to find in English-speaking homes: Just after the Bible. This class will spend one weekend focusing on this book: we will look at the context it was originally written in, the text itself, as well as what has happened with it since. We will look at how it has influenced Christian fiction and media, as well as discussing Retellings and film and radio interpretations of the text.

Time: Friday 6:00 – 9:00 pm; Saturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Credit: 1
Location: Emmanuel Memorial: Tech Classroom and Online
Instructor: Dr. Melody Green
Dates: June 14-15

CT 740 421

Francis Schaeffer’s How Should We Then Live?

Amid a divisive culture in constant flux, we might often ask how we got here. Francis Shaeffer’s How Should We Then Live: The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture takes a deep dive into this question, shedding light on history’s implications for the present moment. By exploring one of the most influential works from one of the essential Christian thinkers of the last century, we will reflect on where we’ve been as a culture and where we’re headed.

Time: Friday 6:00 – 9:00 pm; Saturday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Credit: 1
Location: Emmanuel Memorial: Tech Classroom and Online
Instructor: Dr. Pearce Durst
Dates: July 19-20

CT 740 311

C. S. Lewis’s Mere Christianity

C. S. Lewis’s Mere Christianity is often described as one of the most influential books of the twentieth century, and just as often can be found on lists of the most influential books in the history of Christianity. This class will explore the context in which the book was written, its influence and impact, as well as working through the text itself. Students are encouraged to have read the book before class starts; those who take it for credit will be required to write a reflection paper to be e-mailed to the professor later in the summer.

Time: Friday 6:00 – 9:00 pm; Saturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Credit: 1
Location: Emmanuel Memorial: Tech Classroom and Online
Instructor: Dr. Melody Green
Dates: July 12-13

Fall 2024

Biblical Studies

BI 501 100

Old Testament Survey

How does the whole Old Testament fit together to tell the story of God’s work to save us? An introduction to the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible within the context of the history of Israel and the ancient Near East.

Time: Tuesdays 6:00 – 9:00 pm
Credit: 3
Location: Online
Instructor: Dr. Kenneth Cuffey
Start Date: August 27, 2024

BI 760 – 600

Genesis 1-11 and Origins

A study of the story of origins in Genesis 1-11. Consideration of the text of Genesis 1-11, its nature, purpose, form, and message, along with parallels from the ancient Near Eastern world around. Issues of genre determination, as well as critical analysis of differing proposals for reading and approaching the Genesis texts.

Time: Wednesdays 6:00 – 9:00 pm
Credit: 3
Location: Emmanuel Memorial: Tech Classroom and Online
Instructor: Dr. Kenneth Cuffey
Start Date: August 28, 2024

BL 501 – 100

New Testament Greek I

An introduction to the Koine Greek language of the New Testament. Emphasis will be placed on acquisition of basic vocabulary, introduction to the grammar, verbal voice, tense, and aspect. The course offers graduate credit for students in programs other than the M.Div. degree.

Time: Wednesdays 6:00 – 9:00 pm
Credit: 3
Location: Online
Instructor: Dr. Chi-ying Wang
Start Date: August 28, 2024

Christian Thought and History

CH 501 100

Theology I

What do we believe? An overview of the Christian doctrines of revelation, scripture, God the Father, Christ the Son and the Incarnation.

Time: Mondays 6:00 – 9:00 pm
Credit: 3
Location: Online
Instructor: Dr. Todd Daly
Start Date: August 26, 2024

CT 740 – 150

Redeeming Politics

Are disgust and disillusionment legitimate responses to contemporary politics? What does a Christian politics look like, and how does it relate to secular politics? This course will address the relationship between Christianity and politics before offering a more redemptive politics, specifically in the areas of immigration and healthcare.

Time: Fridays 6:00 – 9:00 pm; Saturdays 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Credit: 3
Location: Online
Instructor: Dr. Todd Daly
Dates: September 6-7, October 4-5; November 1-2; December 6-7

CT 740 – 345

Imaginative Apologetics

While classical apologetics presents rational arguments for believing, imaginative apologetics (also called “cultural apologetics”) uses story to give context to the same concepts. In this class, we will look at works by recent scholars explaining what imaginative apologetics is, how it works, and why it matters. We will also look at writings by twentieth-century authors such as J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis who laid the groundwork for the study of Imaginative apologetics and examine stories that have been written for this purpose, applying these theories to the texts.

Time: Thursdays 6:00 – 9:00 pm
Credit: 3
Location: Emmanuel Memorial: Tech Classroom and Online
Instructor: Dr. Melody Green
Start Date: August 29, 2024

Practical Ministry

PM 554 – 100

World Christian Movement: A Gateway to Missions

A survey of the global cause of Christ in Christian missions. Biblical, theological, and historical foundations for missions, crucial issues of cross-cultural ministry, recent developments in methods, application in the local church, and future trends. Consideration of personal relational evangelism. This course will use selected materials from Perspectives on the World Christian Movement courses of the U.S. Center for World Mission.

Time: TBA
Credit: 3
Location: Online
Instructor: Dr. Anne Alexander
Starting Date: TBA

Story Experience

SE 501

The Story of God’s People

An integrative overview of the history of God’s work in and through his people, starting with the end of the apostolic era, and considering the Early Church, Middle Ages, Reformation, and Modern Era.

Time: Tuesdays 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Credit: 2
Location: Online
Instructor: Dr. Joseph Thomas
Starting Date: August 27, 2024