Required Courses

TF100 The Church's Life and Witness (150-1536)

Kaiser, Chase

A study of the history of the church and its mission from 150-1536. Attention given to ways in which the church's life and faith have shaped and been shaped by its various contexts and experiences and by its various forms of worship, proclamation, discipleship, and governance.

TF101 The Church's Life and Witness (1536-Present)

Voskuil

A study of the history of the church and its missionary expansion from 1536 to the present. Attention given to the American church and to the student's denominational heritage and the ways its life and faith have been shaped by its various contexts, experiences, forms of worship, proclamation, discipleships, and governance.

TF104 Introduction to Theology and Worship

T. Brown, Stubbs

This introductory course combines concerns that would usually be considered separately in courses in theology and worship, as a reflection of the deeply held Reformed and ecumenical conviction, lex orandi, lex credendi. Holding these two basic realities together, we will seek to deepen our understanding of the core aspects of the Christian faith, explore how theology and worship both shape and are shaped by the other, gain a growing capacity for thinking critically about our theology and worship, and develop skills for worship leadership.

TF111 Missional Church

Hunsberger

An introduction to missiology, ecclesiology, ecumenics, and eschatology that provides biblical-theological vision for the life and witness of the church in the contemporary world. Emphasis is given to the way social and cultural factors form the church in any time and place, the missional challenges facing the churches of North America at the present moment, and the unity in mission to which all the churches of the world are called. Prerequisite: TF104.

TF113 Systematic Theology I

Kaiser

This theology course explores the doctrine of God, the doctrine of Christ, and the doctrine of humanity. These three big headings include many other matters of theological importance, including Trinity doctrine, divine attributes, providence, atonement, resurrection, sin, and the image of God. Readings will range from early church to contemporary sources. Prerequisite: TF104.

TF114 Systematic Theology II

Billings

This theology course explores the doctrine of the Holy Spirit and all the implications of the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believing community, including justification and sanctification, predestination, freedom, forgiveness, sacramental theology, and an understanding of Scripture and divine revelation. Readings will range from early church to contemporary sources. Prerequisite: TF104.

TF121 Christian Ethics

Stubbs

Explores how the theological vision of the Christian community expresses itself in specific intentions, practices, virtues, and actions and how Christian communities can grow in moral discernment. Prerequisites: TF104, TF113.

TF124 Credo

This senior seminar will guide the student in the writing of a theologically comprehensive statement of Christian belief and vision of life and ministry. Students must either have completed or be concurrently registered for TF111, TF113, and TF114.

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Advanced Courses, Systematic Theology

TF518 Barth's Doctrine of Reconciliation
Van Dyk
Focuses on the very important Vol. 4 of Karl Barth's Church Dogmatics. Topics for reading and discussion include atonement, incarnation, and resurrection, as well as Christian virtue and the work of the Holy Spirit.

TF523 Doctrine of the Atonement
Van Dyk
This course will survey the rich variety in the doctrine of the atonement throughout Christian history, will examine the range of important theological issues and themes in the doctrine, and will raise lively pastoral issues that surround this doctrine. Sources will include the biblical materials, devotional and liturgical texts, and a selection of theological materials from the patristic period to the present.

TF525 Reformed Theologies: Calvin, Edwards, Schleiermacher, and Barth
Stubbs
Students will examine the historical context and primary texts of four major Reformed theologians: John Calvin, Jonathan Edwards, Friedrich Schleiermacher, and Karl Barth. We will consider the cultural and theological pressures they faced and how they addressed the three main theological questions: providence and election, revelation and natural theology, and the roles of Christ and Church in redemption.

TF527 The Holy Spirit
Billings
Few topics in churches are more contentious yet important than the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. This course will examine theologies of the Holy Spirit in scripture and the various Christian traditions manifested in global Christianity. Through historical and contemporary readings, we will consider topics such as the personhood and work of the Spirit, the relation of the Spirit to the Christian life, and the nature of the gifts given by the Spirit to the community of faith.

TF528 Theological Hermeneutics
Billings
How are we to understand scriptural texts which may appear "unworthy of God" - texts which seem confusing and offensive? What is the relationship between biblical hermeneutics and the revelation of the mysterious God? Through classical and contemporary readings, this course will examine various Christian theories of scriptural interpretation. As a special focus, we will assess three exegetical and theological strategies for relating problematic scriptural texts to the transcendent God: accommodation, analogy and apophaticism.

TF574 Salvation and Deification
Billings
Theologies of salvation as deification begin at the end: when believers are united to God, participating in Christ's glorification and transfiguration. Instead of seeing salvation as primarily a matter of forgiveness of sin and guilt, these theologies emphasize how creation is fulfilled as believers are incorporated into the Triune life. We will critically evaluate theologies of deification from Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Protestant traditions, and assess their fruitfulness for the preaching and teaching of the church. 1.5 credits

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Advanced Courses, Historical Theology

TF451 RCA History
Voskuil
Examines the development of the Reformed Church in the context of North America. Special attention will be devoted to the leaders, approaches, and philosophies of RCA missions. 2.5 credits.

TF526 Continuing Judaism as a Theological Partner in the Early Church
Kaiser
It is important for Christians to learn as much as possible about early Jewish literature, particularly as it relates to the New Testament and the developing rule of faith. We shall read some of the principal texts and discuss the development of ideas like the attributes of God (mercy and justice), and the supernatural light. In addition to reading these texts, students will create their own files of NT texts along with the Jewish texts that throw some light on them. Seven weeks. 1.5 credits. Prerequisite: TF100.

TF530 Ante-Nicene Theologians
Kaiser
Analysis and seminar-style discussion of the Apostolic Fathers and other primary sources from the second and third centuries. The class will develop a methodology for reconstructing the context of the authors' theologies from the texts themselves. Seven weeks. 1.5 credits. Prerequisite: TF100.

TF531 Nicene and Post-Nicene Theologians
Kaiser
Analysis and seminar discussion of the writings of Saint Athanasius and other theologians of the fourth century. Topics include the Trinity, creation, Christology, and the Atonement. Seven weeks. 1.5 credits. Prerequisite: TF530.

TF532 Augustine of Hippo
Kaiser
Analysis and seminar discussion of the Confessions and other writings of Saint Augustine. The class will develop a methodology for reconstructing the context of the author's theologies from the texts. Seven weeks. 1.5 credits. Prerequisite: TF526.

TF537 The Church in the Age of Reason (1648-1800)
Kaiser
The development of modern theology is traced from the rise of classical mechanics to the Industrial Revolution.

TF544 Currents in 20th Century Theology
Stubbs
Close readings of some of the "classic" works of 20th century theology by theologians such as Barth, Bonhoeffer, Gutiérrez, Lindbeck, Rahner, Russell, Schmemann, and Moltmann. We will highlight the place of these works in larger theological and cultural currents.

TF549 Christian Prayer: Theology and Practice
Chase
Explores models of prayer in Christian faith, theology, and practice. Students will experience and practice many forms of prayer, meditation, and contemplation. Integrating theory and practice, students will consider the nature of prayer in their personal spiritual journeys within the life of the worshiping community and as an aid to discernment. Readings, lectures, practices, and discussions will cover Christian prayer from the biblical period to the present.

TF563 History of Christian Mysticism
Chase
An investigation of the theological, historical, biblical, philosophical, and contemplative roots of the Christian mystical traditions. One of the goals of this course is to develop the ability to appreciate and evaluate diverse forms of spirituality and mysticism. Course will include lectures, readings of primary and secondary sources, discussions, exposure to meditative and contemplative practices, and journaling.

TF570 American Theologies: Culture and Religious Thought in the U.S.
Voskuil
Employing H. Richard Niebuhr's classic Christ and Culture typology, we will examine the interplay between religious thought and American culture during the last century, exploring how movements such as Evangelicalism, Pentecostalism, Fundamentalism, Protestant Liberalism, Neo-Orthodoxy, New Thought, Liberation Theologies, the death of God and New Age have developed in a culture that has nurtured individualism, freedom, competition, consumerism, pluralism, activism and optimism. The principal goal is to identify and understand the cultural forces which affect Christian thought during the 21st century.

TF572 The Missiology of Lesslie Newbigin
Hunsberger
A half-semester seminar researching and discussing Newbigin's writings on mission theology, ecclesiology, cross-cultural witness, ecumenism and church unity, interreligious dialogue, encounter with Western culture, eschatology, and pastoral leadership. The seminar group will engage some foundational writings together, and each student will explore some particular facet or theme within Newbigin's writings. 1.5 credits.

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Advanced Course, Ethics

TF545 Ecclesiology, Politics, and Economics
Stubbs
Building on an ecclesiological foundation, we will examine foundational principles of modern political and economic thinking, evaluate responses to contemporary capitalism and the emerging global economy, and examine models of Christian churches, organizations, and movements concerned with political and economic issues.

TF546 War and Peace
Stubbs
We will consider Christian views on war, peace, and peacemaking. We will survey some of the key theological and biblical perspectives on war from both a historical and a theoretical perspective, and then look more carefully at various Christian responses to select wars and Christian movements of peace and reconciliation.

TF555 Theology and Ministry in the Computer Age
Smith
How should the church proclaim the gospel in a world pervaded by computer technology? Through readings, discussions, media presentations, and visits to the workplace, the class explores questions related to human self-understanding and develops a theological framework for addressing specific situations created by the use of computers.

TF566 God and Mammon
Stubbs
In this course, we will wrestle with biblical and theological foundations for thinking about economics and politics, engage with three primary traditions of economic and political thinking within Christianity, read selections from the most important economic thinkers in modernity, and examine some concrete examples of individuals, communities and organizations that are self-consciously engaged in these matters. The main goal is to equip students to lead the church in thinking through matters of economic justice and possible concrete church practices. 1.5 credits

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