Thank you for considering Western Theological Seminary in your adult education program.
Our faculty members offer a wide variety of one- to six-session courses in areas of their special interest. You are also invited to work with a professor to design a course that fits your congregation's particular needs.
To schedule a course, contact the faculty member directly at 1-800-392-8554 or 616-392-8555, or fax 616-392-7717.
Please book courses early; schedules fill quickly!
- Carol Bechtel - Professor of Old Testament
- Thomas A. Boogaart - Dennis and Betty Voskuil Professor of Old Testament
- George Brown, Jr. - Professor of Christian Education and Associate Dean
- Timothy L. Brown - President and Henry Bast Professor of Preaching
- James Brownson - Professor of New Testament
- Donald J. Bruggink - James A.H. Cornell Professor of Historical Theology Emeritus
- Matthew Floding - Director of Formation for Ministry
- Jaco Hamman - Professor of Pastoral Care
- I. John Hesselink - Albertus C. Van Raalte Professor of Systematic Theology Emeritus
- George R. Hunsberger - Professor of Congregational Mission
- Christopher B. Kaiser - Professor of Historical & Systematic Theology
- Ron Rienstra - Visiting Assistant Professor of Preaching and Worship
- Paul M. Smith - Director of Beardslee Library & Associate Professor of Theological Bibliography
- David Stubbs - Professor of Ethics and Theology
- Leanne Van Dyk - Professor of Reformed Theology
- Robert E. Van Voorst - Professor of New Testament
- Dennis N. Voskuil - Marvin and Jerene DeWitt Professor of Church History
Carol Bechtel - Professor of Old Testament
| Above and Beyond the Call of Duty: A Study of the Book of Ruth |
2-4 sessions |
| For Such a Time as This: A Study of the Book of Esther |
3-4 sessions |
| Hallelujah! The Bible and Handel's Messiah |
(Advent) 4 sessions - (Lent) 6 sessions |
| Sowing Tears; Reaping Joy: The Bible and Brahm's Requiem |
6-7 sessions |
| Mountains and Valleys: Psalms for Life |
1-6 sessions |
| What are We Doing Here? Worship in a Reformed Context |
4 sessions |
| Struggles of Faith: The Book of Job |
1-5 sessions |
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Thomas A. Boogaart - Dennis and Betty Voskuil Professor of Old Testament
| Angel Prophets and Other Messengers From God |
Length of Event negotiable |
| Fire, Lions and the Fingers of a Hand: The Story of Sovereignty in the Book of Daniel |
Length of Event negotiable |
| Does Job Hear God for Nothing? Suffering Before God |
Length of Event negotiable |
| Recovering the Bible as a Spiritual Resource |
Length of Event negotiable |
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George Brown, Jr. - Professor of Christian Education and Associate Dean
| Praying the Psalms |
3-5 sessions |
| Listen To Your Life |
3-5 sessions |
| The Spirituality of Henri Nouwen |
3 sessions |
| Contemporary Guides for Our Faith Journey |
3 sessions |
| The Belhar Confession |
3 sessions |
| What is Your Image of the Learner? |
teacher workshop |
| Learning Styles for Church School Teachers |
3 hours |
| Teaching with Multiple Intelligences |
2 hours |
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Timothy L. Brown - President and Henry Bast Professor of Preaching
| Due to Tim Brown's preaching schedule, he is not available for adult education classes. |
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James Brownson - Professor of New Testament
| The Bible, Women, and Leadership |
4-6 sessions |
| Exploring Baptism |
2-6 sessions |
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Donald J. Bruggink (Emeritus) - James A.H. Cornell Professor of Historical Theology
| The Faith of the Early Christians (illustrated) |
1 session |
| From Persecution to Privilege (illustrated) |
3-6 sessions |
| The Church in Russia (illustrated) |
2-6 sessions |
| Architecture and Worship (illustrated) |
2-6 sessions |
| The Reformation of Worship (illustrated) |
2-6 sessions |
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Matthew Floding - Director of Formation for Ministry
| Life with God: Practicing the Art of Theological Reflection |
2-4 sessions |
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Jaco Hamman - Professor of Pastoral Care
| Grace-filled Dysfunction: Families Then and Now |
4 sessions |
| Remembering the Future: Listening to the Body of Christ |
4 sessions |
| Living with Loss |
4 sessions |
| Understanding Clergy Sexual Misconduct |
3 sessions |
| Moving Toward Congregational Reconciliation |
4 sessions |
| When Steeples Cry: Leadership Through Loss and Change |
5 sessions |
| The Dark Side of Leadership |
3 sessions |
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I. John Hesselink (Emeritus)- Albertus C. Van Raalte Professor of Systematic Theology
| The Meaning & Relevance of the Reformed Faith |
5-6 sessions |
| Introduction to Calvin's Theology |
5-6 sessions |
| Last Things Now: Some Key Eschatological Issues |
4-6 sessions |
| Developments & Issues in Modern Theology |
5-6 sessions |
| I Peter Bible Study |
5 sessions |
| Philippians Bible Study |
4 sessions |
| I Corinthians 15 |
2 sessions |
| I Corinthians 12 & 14 |
2 sessions |
| The RCA and CRC - What Unites & Divides Us |
1 session |
| My Dream for the RCA and a Proposed Credo |
1 or 2 sessions |
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George R. Hunsberger - Professor of Congregational Mission
| Features of the Missional Church |
1 day seminar |
| The Church Between Gospel and Culture |
1 day seminar |
| People of the Reign of God |
1 day seminar |
| Evangelism in the 21st Century |
1 day seminar |
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Christopher B. Kaiser - Professor of Historical & Systematic Theology
| The Biblical Basis for the Doctrine of the Trinity |
Length of event negotiable |
| The Ecumenical Creeds of the Church |
Length of event negotiable |
| Biblical Images of Creation |
Length of event negotiable |
| Creation and the History of Science |
Length of event negotiable |
| Three Models of Intelligent Design |
3 sessions |
| Living the Christian Faith in a Tech-Wired World |
some simple reflective exercises in class and some to be done during the week.
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| Creation and Evolution |
3 session minimum recommended |
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Ron Rienstra - Visiting Assistant Professor of Preaching and Worship
| Meaning What We Pray: A Workshop on Intercessory Prayer |
2 Sessions |
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Paul M. Smith - Director of Beardslee Library & Associate Professor of Theological Bibliography
| The Church and Cyberspace |
1-4 Sessions |
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David Stubbs - Professor of Ethics and Theology
| War, Peace, and Peacemaking |
3 Sessions |
| John Calvin and the Sacraments: Meeting Jesus at the Font and Table |
3 Sessions |
| Biblical Decision-Making in a Relativistic World: How to Read the Bible Ethically |
3 Sessions |
| The Book of Numbers: The People of God, their Calling, and their Temptations |
3 Sessions |
| Temptations of the People of God: Numbers, Matthew and the Church Today |
1 Session |
| Karl Barth and his Vision of Jesus Christ |
3 Sessions |
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Leanne Van Dyk - Professor of Reformed Theology & Academic Dean
| How are We Saved? Understanding the Cross of Jesus Christ |
3 sessions |
| The Sacraments: God's Promises Painted in a Picture |
2 sessions |
| Hand in Glove: How Worship Shapes Theology and Theology Shapes Worship |
3 sessions |
| Highlights of Reformed Theology |
2 sessions |
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Robert E. Van Voorst - Professor of New Testament
| The Sermon on the Mount |
4-6 sessions |
| The Acts of the Apostles |
4-8 sessions |
| The Book of Revelation |
4-6 sessions |
| Christianity and other Religions |
2-4 sessions |
| Difficult Issues Facing the Church: Homosexuality, Religious Pluralism, and Ecumenical Relations |
3 sessions |
| The Gospel of Luke |
4-8 sessions |
| Humor in the Christian Life |
1-2 sessions |
| Understanding Islam |
3-4 sessions |
All times are adjustable.
Most topics can be done in 1 or 2 days on retreats or in conferences.
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Dennis N. Voskuil - Marvin and Jerene DeWitt Professor of Church History
| The Church Faces the 21st Century |
2-4 sessions |
| History of the RCA |
2-4 sessions |
| The Reformation |
2-4 sessions |
| Latter Day Saints |
1-2 sessions |
| Pentecostal Church |
2-4 sessions |
| Who are the Evangelicals? |
2-4 sessions |
| American Pentecostalism |
2-4 sessions |
| Strangers in the Land |
2-4 sessions |
| Calvinism in an Armenian Culture |
2-4 sessions |
| Robert Schuller Revisited |
1-2 sessions |
| Positive Thinking in American Popular Religion |
2-4 sessions |
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To schedule a course, contact the faculty member directly. Call Western Seminary, 1-800-392-8554 or 616-392-8555, or fax 616-392-7717.