You have the spiritual and intellectual hunger to go deeper with the Christian faith. What if there was a way to grow in the faith with part-time study? Western Theological Seminary has evening and day-time seminary courses that will engage your mind and strengthen your faith.
Costs: $50 application fee; each course is $344 per credit if you take the course for academic credit and $97.50 per credit if you choose to audit the course. Please contact Pat if you have questions on audit vs. for credit. The following courses are available for the 2008-09 academic year:
FALL SEMESTER September 2 – December 17
BF103 Old Testament Life and Witness Dr. Carol Bechtel 3 credits
An introduction to the content, history, and theological dynamism of the Old Testament. Emphasis is placed upon the significance of the alter, tabernacle, and temple for Israel’s experience of God. Thursday 8am–12:15pm
CM112 Seminar on Communicating the Gospel Dr. Vern Sterk 2 cr
This seminar cultivates the ability to communicate the gospel in articulate, relevant, and true ways among people for whom faith in Jesus Christ is not yet formed. The seminar nurtures personal practices and patterns of communication that correspond to the calling of the whole people of God to give witness to Christ in life, word, and deed. MWF 8–9am
CM122 Empowering Christian Education Dr. Robert DeVries 3 cr
This course is designed to introduce learners to the field of Christian religious education and to equip them for the church’s teaching ministry. In addition to developing an understanding of fundamental principles of teaching learning, learners will be exposed to five basic models of teaching and locate themselves within one of four distinct approaches to Christian religious education. Tuesday 1:15–4:45pm
TF100 Church’s Life and Witness Dr. Christopher Kaiser 3 cr
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 experience. Thursday 6–9:30pm
TF104 Introduction to Theology and Worship Dr. David Stubbs, Dr. Leanne Van Dyk, Dr. Tim Brown 3 cr
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. Tuesday 1:15–4:45pm
TF578 Hezekiah's Wall: The African American Experience Dr. Fred Johnson 3 cr
Throughout America's history, people of African descent have worked tirelesly with their fellow citizens to overcome the pernicious legacies of slavery, Jim Crow segregation, racism, and broad-based political and socioeconomic marginalization. This course will examine the struggles, challenges, and triumphs that African Americans have experienced, from before the nation's down into the early 21st century, in their efforts to achieve justice and the blessings of full citizenship in the United States. Thursday 6–9:30pm
TF579 Storied Faith of Women Jennifer Holbrook
The Storied Faith of Women: Literature, Christianity, and Women Writers through the Ages" This course provides an historical survey of women writers from the medieval period to the present who engaged questions of Christianity in their works. The class will examine women's writing from a range of genres and Christian commitments in an effort to more fully understand gendered perspectives on faith. Tuesday 6–9:30pm
SPRING SEMESTER January 19 – May 5, 2009
BF102 New Testament Life & Witness Dr. Robert Van Voorst 3 cr
An introduction to the context, history, and theological dynamism of the writings of the New Testament. Emphasis is place upon missiological interactions among gospel, culture, and tradition in the New Testament writings as the foundation for the church’s witness. Thursday 8am–12:15pm
TF101 The Church’s Life and Witness (1536 – Present) Dr. Dennis Voskuil 3 cr
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. Thursday 6–9:30pm
TF546 War and Peace Dr. David Stubbs 1.5 cr
Course 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 theoretical perspective, and then look more carefully at various Christian responses to select wars and Christian movement of peace and reconciliation. Thursday 1:15–2:45pm
TF548 Spiritual Power/Reformed Perspective Dr. Vern Sterk 3 cr
This seminar will survey what Scripture teaches us about Spiritual Power and then examine how our experiences and worldviews influence our interpretations of these Biblical teachings. It will increase awareness of the ongoing battle between the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan and study examples of where that is evident in our world today. Through a reformed perspective, participants will learn the importance of understanding this struggle for themselves and their congregations, and then gain insights into how they can prepare for this ongoing battle. Tuesday 1:15–4:45pm
TF622 Mission & Ministry Across Cultures Dr. Vern Sterk 3 cr
Introduction to the intercultural dimension of the church’s life and mission, including insights drawn from cultural anthropology, communications theory, mission history, biblical hermeneutics, and mission theology. MWF 11:15am–12:15pm