Western Theological Seminary Courses 

Explores the boundary-crossing ministry  of Jesus, in particular how he redefined  the margin and the center with a Kingdom perspective. The class will  […]

Advanced interactive learning in the  language and theology of the Old Testament. Students develop a deeper  understanding of grammar, syntax, and interpretation through […]

This course studies the book of Revelation within its historical, political,  and literary contexts. Particular emphasis  is placed on the apocalyptic nature of […]

An introduction to the content, history,  and theological dynamism of the writings of the Old Testament, with a  view to appropriating the message […]

A major research paper, which builds  upon and extends in a focused area the  knowledge and critical ability gained in  the basic divinity […]

A major research paper, which builds  upon and extends in a focused area the  knowledge and critical ability gained in  the basic divinity […]

What is disability? How has disability  been understood theologically in the  Christian tradition? This course examines theologies of disability with the aim of  […]

What is healing? What does it mean to be  healthy? What does Jesus’ life and ministry model for us about how God  defines […]

What is this strange and beautiful, grace riddled, and often distorted work of being  a pastor? What is so peculiar about this vocation? […]

In this introductory course, students  explore giving counsel and offering care  as ministers of Word and sacrament. They  develop an understanding of the […]

Students taking this course will be part of  a team that assists other students, staff,  faculty, and guests in planning and  leading daily […]

This course explores and grasps a biblical  and Reformed vision of preaching.  Includes a sermon preparation workshop  and a “lab” in which written […]

This is a course exploring the theology  and practice of preaching from the  framework of a missional ecclesiology.  Students will engage biblical, theological, […]

This is a course exploring the theology  and practice of preaching from the  framework of a missional ecclesiology.  Students will engage biblical, theological, […]

This course explores the ways in which a  minister’s life history, spiritual growth,  and vocation intersect and shape his/her personal and professional identity.  […]

An overview of the theological and  narrative shaping of the fourth gospel,  using close readings of selected texts.  Particular attention is paid to […]

The Book of Exodus includes some of the  most iconic and theologically significant  moments in the life of the people of  Israel, from […]

An introduction to the content, history, and theological dynamism of the  writings of the New Testament, with a  view to appropriating the message […]

This course explores biblical interpretive methods and online study tools and their  application towards ministry settings. No language prerequisite.

What makes one statement, opinion, or  argument better or wiser than another in  the fields of theology, biblical studies, ethics or practical theology? […]

Assists the Th.M. students in the preparation of a thesis proposal by  introducing the basics of academic  research and writing. By the end […]

This seminar orients incoming students to  the Th.M. program, to life at Western  Theological Seminary, and to the larger academic world of the […]

The first course in a two-part sequence,  this course explores four major Christian  doctrines: the doctrines of God, creation,  humanity, and Christ. Exploring […]

The second course in a two-part  sequence, this course explores the life  and witness of the church from the Protestant Reformation to the […]

Through theological essays, iconography,  music, visual art, fiction, poetry, architecture, and more, we will ponder and  experience what C.S. Lewis referred to as  […]

We will explore biblical narratives through  Deaf perspectives to develop a Christian  theology of ministry that is with, of, by, and for the […]

In this course students will spend time critically reflecting upon what it means to  live into community as an act of mutual discipleship. […]

Rituals are enacted everyday by humans in all cultures—at theaters and stadiums,  libraries and marketplaces, bathrooms and fire pits, as well as places […]

Confessions/Polity. Study of the Confessions and Book of Order of the PC(USA) is intended to give  students good knowledge of the  confessional tradition, […]

What is this strange and beautiful, grace riddled, and often distorted work of being  a pastor? What is so peculiar about this vocation? […]

In this introductory course, students explore giving counsel and offering care  as ministers of Word and sacrament. They develop an understanding of the […]

Introduction to the church’s self understanding as a missional and  eschatological community formed by the  good news of Jesus Christ and made to […]

Stewardship of Daily Chapel. Students taking this course will be part of a team that assists other students, staff, faculty, and guests in […]

This course is an exploration of the biblical and theological foundations of  Christian worship. These foundations are explored with an eye, an ear, […]

An introductory course for all MDiv and MA students, this course invites students  to explore 1) God’s story through an  introduction to the […]

An introductory course for all MDiv and MA students, this course invites students  to explore 1) God’s story through an  introduction to the […]

This course will equip Christian leaders to  approach ministry from a trauma informed perspective. Students will explore theological topics related to trauma and […]

In a white heat of passion, Paul wrote to  the churches he founded in Galatia to  defend what he called “the truth of […]

The New Testament is fundamental to the development of Nicene Trinitarian doctrine. This course will focus on that forward movement- how the NT […]

Creation is loved into being and sustained by the Triune God, who also has a glorious eschatological future for it. Human beings are […]

In this senior seminar, students will write a paper of approximately 25-35 pages in which they will give an account of their personal […]

This course introduces students to the standards and polity of the Reformed Church in America. Students learn about the history and content of […]

This course explores how the theological vision of the Christian community expresses itself in specific intentions, practices, virtues, and actions and how Christian […]

The second course in a two-part sequence, this course explores the doctrines of the Holy Spirit, salvation, church and sacraments and eschatology. Exploring […]

The second course in a two-part sequence, this course explores the doctrines of the Holy Spirit, salvation, church and sacraments and eschatology. Exploring […]

The first course in a two-part sequence, this course explores four major Christian doctrines: the doctrines of God, creation, humanity, and Christ. Exploring […]

The first course in a two-part sequence, this course explores four major Christian doctrines: the doctrines of God, creation, humanity, and Christ. Exploring […]

The second course in a two-part sequence, this course explores the life and witness of the church from the Protestant Reformation to the […]

The second course in a two-part sequence, this course explores the life and witness of the church from the Protestant Reformation to the […]

The first course is a two-part sequence, this course explores the life and witness of the church from the New Testament era to […]

The task of the summative examination is to address a contemporary issue deeply and competently in a way that demonstrates integrated reflection on […]

Every believer is doing theology. We all reflect on who the Triune God is, how God relates to us and all that God […]

Every believer is doing theology. We all reflect on who the Triune God is, how God relates to us and all that God […]

A study of research methodology, library use, and basic reference works for theological research.

A study of research methodology, library use, and basic reference works for theological research.

Advanced interactive learning in the language and theology of the Old Testament. Students develop a deeper understanding of grammar, syntax, and interpretation through […]

In-depth biblical exegesis and focused theological and hermeneutical reflection around the ordination of women—in an attempt both to assist students to clarify their […]

A study of the biblical and theological motifs in selected literature by both classical and contemporary authors. Emphasis is on the use/study of […]

Using memorization and movement as the primary tools of exegesis, students engage with one Old Testament narrative deeply for 14 weeks. This course […]

Using memorization and movement as the primary tools of exegesis, students engage with one New Testament narrative deeply for 14 weeks. This course […]

This course explores a variety of ways of reading the Biblical text, particularly with a view to interpreting how Scripture speaks to the […]

What do people with disabilities find when they try to find themselves in our biblical texts? This course addresses some of the issues, […]

An exploration of Paul’s First and Second letters to the Corinthians, with particular attention to the interaction between pastoral engagement and theological reflection.

A survey of recent approaches to interpreting the parables of Jesus provides the context for considering hermeneutical issues in preaching and teaching the […]

An exegetical exploration of the Gospel of Mark which examines the structure of the Gospel, the main lines of the story, places and […]

An overview of the theological and narrative shaping of the Gospel of John, using close readings of selected texts.

An introduction to the content, history, and theological dynamism of the writings of the New Testament, with a view to appropriating the message […]

Introduction and overview of the letter, together with exegetical study of selected portions in Greek.

An overview of the theology and narrative shaping of the first gospel, using close readings of selected texts. Particular attention is paid to […]

An exegetical study of selected psalms in the context of both the Old Testament and the larger canon of Scripture. Attention is given […]

In this course we will explore the biblical and theological context of the Sabbath and its historical development throughout the Old and New […]

Explore the book of Joshua as an entryway into the historical and theological issues surrounding Israel’s struggle to claim its God-given inheritance in […]

This course offers a literary and theological exposition of Ruth and Esther—two small books that offer large insights for today. Emphasis is on […]

We will take a deep dive into the Elijah and Elisha cycles in I & II Kings and will consider them in the […]

This course will explore the role of prophets in Israelite society, their theology, and their impact on Western culture.

Isaiah’s prophecies speak just as well about judgment and justice as they do about hope and comfort. That range makes this book extremely […]

This course will explore how the conflict between the ordering word of God and the disordering waters of the deep in the creation […]

This course studies the book of Revelation within its historical, political, and literary contexts. Particular emphasis is placed on the apocalyptic nature of […]

This course will explore the artistry, drama, and theology of Israelite storytelling within the prophetic tradition, with particular emphasis on the ministries of […]

This course explores the field of ecological hermeneutics and the application of ecological interpretive approaches in ministry settings. Biblical scholars interpret the Bible’s […]

This capstone course explores how our biblical hermeneutic, i.e. the approaches we bring to interpreting scripture, affects the way we engage our Christian […]

This course explores biblical interpretive methods and online study tools and their application towards ministry settings. No language prerequisite.

Continues BL320, with special emphasis upon syntax and translation. Greek Interpretation introduces the tools and principles required for the exegesis of the New […]

An introduction to New Testament Greek vocabulary, grammatical forms, and sentence structure with a view to New Testament Greek as a resource for […]

A continuation of BL110 which more fully engages interpretive and devotional approaches to Old Testament texts. Using multi-sensory and interactive approaches, students will […]

An introduction to biblical Hebrew in its cultural context for those who seek to interpret the Bible faithfully and fully. Using multi-sensory and […]

An introduction to the content, history, and theological dynamism of the writings of the New Testament, with a view to appropriating the message […]

An introduction to the content, history, and theological dynamism of the writings of the Old Testament, with a view to appropriating the message […]