BIB527. New Testament Theology. 3 hours. SP.
The origin, background, authorship, theology, and design of New Testament books with some special attention to Biblical criticism.
BIB528. New Testament World. 3 hours. F.
Politics, society, culture, philosophies, and religions of the Greco-Roman world of the time of Christ. Attention is given to backgrounds of early Christianity, history, and archeology from the 2nd century B.C. to the 2nd century A.D.
BIB531. Elementary Greek I. 3 hours. F.
This course includes a study of forms, vocabulary, elementary syntax and it also includes reading/translation of some of the less difficult books of the New Testament.
BIB532. Elementary Greek II. 3 hours. SP.
A continuation of BIB 531. Prerequisite: BIB 531 Elementary Greek I.
BIB533A. Greek Readings/John. 3 hours. F.
Readings in selected books of the New Testament (A=John; B=Paul). Different New Testament books will be rotated each semester so that the student may take the course a second time as an elective. Emphasis is on vocabulary and grammar and development of facility of reading. Prerequisite: BIB 531 and 532 Elementary Greek I and II.
BIB533B. Greek Readings/Paul. 3 hours. F.
Readings in selected books of the New Testament (A=John; B=Paul). Different New Testament books will be rotated each semester so that the student may take the course a second time as an elective. Emphasis is on vocabulary and grammar and development of facility of reading. Prerequisite: BIB 531 and 532 Elementary Greek I and II.
BIB534. Greek Exegesis. 3 hours. SP.
Work on exegeting even more difficult passages of the New Testament by emphasis on history, methods, and tools of New Testament exegesis. Prerequisites: BIB 531 Elementary Greek I, BIB 532 Elementary Greek II, and BIB 533 Greek Readings.
BIB535. Family Ministry. (W) 3 hours. F.
The development of family enrichment programs with a view to ministering to the needs of each family. It will also teach the student how to get each family involved in the life and activity of the congregation.
BIB536. Pastoral Counseling. 3 hours. SP.
Current theories and practices in pastoral counseling are needed by ministers and clergypersons, church leaders, and Christian counselors. Topics that have special application to a church or faith-based clinical setting will be pursued, e.g., pastoral diagnosis and assessment, basic pastoral counseling skills, marital and family counseling (including abuse, infidelity, and divorce), counseling in the hospital, anger and conflict management, crisis counseling, spiritual disorders, pastoral therapy ethics, and referral procedures. Pastoral counseling role-plays will be facilitated to practice and develop stronger pastoral therapy skills. Same as COU536
BIB537. Old Testament Theology. 3 hours. F.
The origin, background, authorship, theology, and design of Old Testament books with special attention to problems of Biblical criticism.
BIB541. Elementary Hebrew I. 3 hours. F. SP.
An introduction to the fundamentals of Biblical Hebrew. Focuses on basic vocabulary, elementary grammar, and rudimentary translation. Same as BIB 263.
BIB542. Elementary Hebrew II. 3 hours. F. SP.
An introduction to the fundamentals of Biblical Hebrew. Focuses on basic vocabulary, elementary grammar, and rudimentary translation. After completing this course, students should be prepared to read the narrative portions of the Hebrew Bible. Same as BIB 264.
BIB543. Hebrew Readings. 3 hours.
A study in the translation and exegesis of select narrative and poetic passages from the Hebrew Bible. Special attention is given to advanced Hebrew syntax and its application to Old Testament interpretation. Prerequisites: BIB 541 and 542 Elementary Hebrew I and II.
BIB544. Hebrew Exegesis. 3 hours.
Work on exegeting even more difficult passages of the Old Testament by emphasis on history, methods, and tools of Old Testament exegesis. Prerequisites: BIB 541 and 542 Elementary Hebrew I and II, and BIB 543 Hebrew Readings.
BIB545. Spiritual Leadership. 3 hours. SU.
Leadership principles from the business world and from Scripture applied to the church, qualifications of effective spiritual leaders and methods of developing them, and consideration of the urgency of developing leaders.
BIB565A. Internship. 3 hours.
This course requires extensive time spent in practical hands-on work in a supervised program of some local church. The student may choose any internship for which the corresponding classroom course has already been completed. The particular church, program, and supervisor must be approved by the course instructor and the Director of the Graduate School of Theology. Approximately 40 hours of preparation, work, and evaluation, exclusive of travel, will be required for each hour of credit. Check with director for availability.
BIB565B. Graduate Internship Part I. 3 hours.
This course requires extensive time spent in practical "hands-on" work in a supervised program of some local church. The student may choose any internship for which the corresponding classroom course has already been completed. The particular church, program, and supervisor must be approved by the course instructor and the director of the Graduate School of Theology. Approximately forty (40) hours of preparation, work, and evaluation, exclusive of travel, will be required for each hour of credit. Check with director for availability.
BIB575. Suffering and the Human Condition. 3 hours. F.
Human suffering is one of the most difficult experiences to understand and endure. Those in counseling and ministry are frequently faced with the psychological and physical problems of human suffering. This course explores how we deal with concerns in our own lives and the lives of others. It combines both theory and practice in an examination of the various elements of suffering. This course is an attempt to find value in suffering from a Christian perspective and help formulate a theology of suffering from Scripture that will result in successful interventions of the sufferer.
BIB577. Biblical Text Canon and Inspiration. 3 hours.
A study of the nature and origin of the Biblical text (including a brief consideration of textual criticism), the definition and extent of the canon, and the definition and nature of inspiration.
BIB585A. Graduate Thesis Part I. 3 hours.
The thesis for the M.A. in New Testament/Master of Divinity is written under the guidance of a faculty mentor and allows the student to do deeper research on a topic in his/her area of interest.
BIB585B. Graduate Thesis Part II. 3 hours.
The thesis for the M.A. in New Testament/Master of Divinity is written under the guidance of a faculty mentor and allows the student to do deeper research on a topic in his/her area of interest.
BIB700. Methodology of Doctoral Resrch & Writing. 3 hours. F.
A required orientation to the D.Min. program, this course introduces students to the scholarship of ministry. Structured readings and writing assignments guide the student through the qualitative and quantitative research methods that will be utilized throughout the program of study. This course includes a significant writing component. The student must take this course in the first semester of enrollment.
BIB705. Spiritual Formation for Ministry. 3 hours. F.
An orientation to the principles and practices of religious spiritual formation. Insights are drawn from biblical, historical, psychological, and religious traditions of practicing the spiritual disciplines, and of living a balanced and healthy spiritual life.
BIB710. Theological Foundations of Ministry. 3 hours. SP.
An introduction to ministry as service to God. Biblical and historical principles of ministry are discussed to aid students in shaping their personal philosphy of ministry, leading to a more effective practice of the discipline.
BIB715. Intercultural Engagement. 3 hours. SP.
An examination of anthropological, biblical, and sociological methods to minister effectively in a world of increasing ethnic, racial, religious, and social diversity. Focus will fall on how the church can navigate cultural change while maintaining the transcendent authority of scripture.
BIB720. Ministerial Ethics. 3 hours. F.
An investigation of the ethical problems associated with the practice of ministry. Situational dilemmas will guide student exploration of appropriate behaviors, border lines for conduct, and virtuous practices to keep the minister's conduct beyond reproach.
BIB725. Contextual Homiletics. 3 hours. F.
An examination of best practices for communication in diverse public speaking contexts. Emphasis will fall on how the speaker can most effectively contextualize the message to the greatest persuasive effect.
BIB730. Multigenerational Ministry. 3 hours. SP.
An investigation of the integrated ministry model. Emphasis will fall on small group responsibilities within the church to train successive generations, as well as methods to de-silo' congregations in an effort to develop collaboration of diverse populations for the unity of the body.
BIB735. Leadership Development. 3 hours. SP.
An examination of the principles and practices of preparing spiritual leaders. Focus will fall on the church's pattern of leadership and how congregations can implement best practices to train future leaders.
BIB740. Theories and Practices of Church Growth. 3 hours. F.
A biblical, cultural, and sociological investigation on teh church's work outside the walls. Theories, principles, and best practices of benevolence, evangelism, and community engagement are discussed to help students make their churches a model of healthy, sustainable growth.
BIB790A. Dissertation Seminar I. 3 hours. F.
First semester of mentored research and writing of the doctoral dissertation. Included is an introduction, a comprehensive literature review, and a discussion of research methodology. Prior to the course, an accepted research prospectus must be submitted to the director of the Graduate School of Theology and approved by a dissertation approval group. This group will assign a mentor for the dissertation.
BIB790B. Dissertation Seminar II. 3 hours. SP.
Second semester of mentored research and writing of the doctoral dissertation. Included is a presentation and synthesis of research materials, a record of results and findings from the study, and an analysis of the data for the purpose of application in a congregational setting. Defense of the dissertation includes a successful oral presentation to an audience of FHU faculty, administrators, and student colleagues.
