Academic Catalog: Theology
The primary goals of the courses in theology are to help students (1) learn to think theologically, (2) achieve a constructive combination of both knowledge of a variety of theological perspectives and a healthy confidence of personal theological conviction, and (3) bring theology to bear upon contemporary issues related to both personal life and ministry, as well as the life and ministry of the church in the world.
TH 501 Survey of Christian Doctrine I
Introduces students to the task, resources, and method of doing theology, together with the doctrines of revelation, Scripture, God, creation, providence, the human person, and sin. The course examines the historical context, biblical basis, and applications for life and ministry for the doctrines considered. Offered fall and spring semesters. Three hours.
TH 502 Survey of Christian Doctrine II
Introduces students to the doctrines of the person and work of Christ, aspects of the plan and progress of salvation, the nature and mission of the church, major theological systems, and general and personal eschatology. Issues of historical context, biblical foundation, and application for life and ministry will be considered for each doctrine. Prerequisite: TH 501 Survey of Christian Doctrine I. Pre- or corequisite with TH 501 for MA (Theology). Offered fall and spring semesters. Three hours.
TH 550 Seminar in Theological Method
Explores various approaches to the nature of the theological task, primarily in Protestant theology, but also in Roman Catholic theology. Attention is given to the formation and function of theology, especially in its relationship to Scripture, tradition, reason, and experience. Prerequisite: TH 501 Survey of Christian Doctrine I. Recommended prerequisite: TH 502 Survey of Christian Doctrine II. Three hours.
TH 551 The Doctrine of God
An examination of the doctrine of God with particular attention to the attributes of God and the doctrine of the Trinity. The doctrine of the Trinity will be explored in the context of the councils of the early church, the distinctives of the Eastern and Western traditions, and doctrinal developments through the late twentieth century. Consideration will also be given to contemporary controversies related to the doctrine of God. Prerequisite: TH 501 Survey of Christian Doctrine I. Recommended prerequisite: TH 502 Survey of Christian Doctrine II. Three hours.
TH 552 Christology and Pneumatology
Explores the person and work of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, especially in relation to creation and redemption. The development of Christological and pneumatological thought is traced from the early church and the councils to the present. Special attention will be given to significant Christological and pneumatological controversies throughout history. Prerequisites: TH 501 Survey of Christian Doctrine I; TH 502 Survey of Christian Doctrine II. Two or three hours.
TH 553 Anthropology and Soteriology
Investigates the biblical doctrines of humanity and salvation. Anthropological considerations include the image of God and other questions relating to the nature of personhood. Soteriological topics considered include the nature and significance of Christ’s atonement for sin, election, calling, conversion, regeneration, justification, adoption, sanctification, perseverance, and glorification. Special attention is given to the relationship between anthropology and soteriology. Prerequisites: TH 501 Survey of Christian Doctrine I; TH 502 Survey of Christian Doctrine II. Two or three hours.
TH 554 Ecclesiology and Eschatology
Examines both ecclesiology, including the church’s nature, function, mission, polity, and ordinances; and both general and personal eschatology. Eschatological topics include the signs of the Lord’s coming; rapture; the millennium; resurrection; last judgment; new heaven and earth; and death, intermediate period, heaven, and hell. Prerequisites: TH 501 Survey of Christian Doctrine I; TH 502 Survey of Christian Doctrine II. Two or three hours.
TH 640 Evangelicalism and Its Theologies
A study of the development of evangelicalism, with special attention to theology, from the early eighteenth century to the present. Topics include the identity and definition of Evangelicalism, the role and character of theology within Evangelicalism, and selected theological issues of particular significance to the expression of Christianity. Prerequisite: TH 501 Survey of Christian Doctrine I. Recommended prerequisite: TH 502 Survey of Christian Doctrine II. Two hours.
TH 641 Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism
A study of Eastern Orthodox Christianity and Roman Catholic Christianity, with a special focus on theology. Topics include the sources and method of theology, selected theological loci of particular significance to these traditions, and their relationship to Protestant Christianity. Prerequisites: CH 502 Engaging Early and Medieval Church History; TH 501 Survey of Christian Doctrine I. Two hours.
TH 643 Contemporary Theologies
Examines major theological movements of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, focusing on their historical background, representative theologians, central arguments, and pastoral and ministerial implications. Included are neo-orthodoxy, neo-liberalism, radical orthodoxy, and post-liberal, evangelical, Pentecostal, Roman Catholic, postmodern, and feminist theologies. Prerequisite: TH 501 Survey of Christian Doctrine I. Recommended prerequisite: TH 502 Survey of Christian Doctrine II. Three hours.
TH 647 Liberation Theologies
A survey of a variety of liberation theologies in light of their historical and cultural contexts. Contexts include Central and Latin America, Africa, Asia, and
TH 650 Traditions of Protestant Theology
This course introduces a number of classical traditions of Protestant theology, including Anabaptist, Anglican, Baptist, Calvinist/Reformed, Dispensational, Lutheran, Pentecostal and Wesleyan/Arminian. The course considers the unity and diversity within Christianity and focuses upon the nature and function of Christian tradition and traditions, including denominations. The historical origins and development, the theological method and biblical hermeneutic, and the theology and doctrinal distinctives of each tradition are studied. Prerequisites: CH 503 Engaging Reformation and
TH 651 Calvin and Reformed Theology
An examination of Calvin’s theology through study of his Institutes of the Christian Religion and traces the subsequent theology of the Reformed tradition, including its leading confessional statements. This course is open to all qualified students and is required for candidates for ordination by the Rocky Mountain Presbytery of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. Prerequisite: TH 501 Survey of Christian Doctrine I. Pre- or corequisite: CH 503 Engaging Reformation and
TH 652 Theology in Global Perspectives
An examination of how the gospel is being interpreted by emerging theologians in diverse contexts in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and
TH 656 Sixteenth Century Christian Thought
A study of Christian thought during the era of the Reformation. Topics include the major theological streams of the Protestant Reformation (Lutheran, Anabaptist, Reformed, and Anglican), as well as Roman Catholicism. Prerequisite: TH 501 Survey of Christian Doctrine I; Pre- or corequisite: CH 503 Engaging Reformation and
TH 658 Theology in the Early Church
A study of Christian thought from the close of the New Testament through the end of the eighth-century. The course considers the most influential church fathers in both East and West and the articulation of Christian doctrine at the major church councils, in the context of the institutional and social developments of the church at that time. Prerequisites: CH 502 Engaging Early and Medieval Church History; TH 501 Survey of Christian Doctrine I. Two or three hours.
TH 671 Theology for the Practice of Ministry
Guides students in examining the challenges associated with bringing theological reflection to bear upon the practice of ministry, formulating a method for thinking theologically about ministry issues and applying theological reflection to specific ministry issues identified by students. Course format includes lectures, discussions, student presentations, and case studies. Prerequisite: TH 501 Survey of Christian Doctrine I. Recommended prerequisite: TH 502 Survey of Christian Doctrine II. Two hours.
TH 672 Theology of Work
A study of the history of biblical and theological understandings of work, its nature, value, and place in God’s economy, with attention to the philosophical and cultural influences on Christian understandings of work. Prerequisite: TH 501 Survey of Christian Doctrine I. Recommended prerequisite: TH 502 Survey of Christian Doctrine II. Two hours.
TH 673 Theological Ethics
This course surveys distinctively Christian theological approaches to ethics. Both biblical and theological principles and perspectives on morality will be studied. Consideration will be given to schools of theological ethical thought, as well as specific theological issues. Prerequisite: TH 501 Survey of Christian Doctrine I. Recommended prerequisite: TH 502 Survey of Christian Doctrine II. Two hours.
TH 590, 690, 790 Studies in Theology
These course numbers are reserved for courses of special or one-time interest that do not otherwise appear in the catalog, or courses designed to free the student for independent investigation in theology under the guidance of a professor. One to three hours.
TH 796 Theology Thesis Proposal
Students submit a thesis proposal by the due date of the term of registration and receive a grade of satisfactory/unsatisfactory. Once students register for thesis proposal, they must remain enrolled in TH 798 until the term of registration for TH 799. Prerequisite: GS 589 Academic Resources and Research. One hour.
TH 798 Theology Thesis Continuation
Students who are not ready to enroll in TH 799 should register for TH 798 each semester until they are ready to enroll in TH 799. Course is graded satisfactory/unsatisfactory. $150 fee per semester. Prerequisite: TH 796 Theology Thesis Proposal. No credit.
TH 799 Thesis in Theology
Students should register for TH 799 when they are ready to complete the thesis in a particular semester. Note that there are no course extensions for projects or theses. Prerequisite: TH 796 Theology Thesis Proposal. Three hours.
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