Upcoming courses with prerequisites

Three credit hours — Malinda Elizabeth Berry, PhD — Fri, 8:30–11:30 a.m. ET — Auditors: consult with instructor

Christian Theology 2 picks up where Christian Theology 1 ended, continuing the exploration of theological loci and focal points by attending to the remaining topics often covered by systematic approaches to theology. Here are the seven topics we will cover: pneumatology (the person and work of the Holy Spirit), ecclesiology (the nature of the church and its worship), mariology (the study of Mary, the mother of Jesus), discipleship (the Christian life, spirituality, and ethics), theology of culture (the meaning of culture, theopoetics, and theological aesthetics), theology of religions (Christianity among the world’s religions), and eschatology (last things and the life to come). Beginning with a review of theological method, we will proceed with a basic description of theology’s task from Robert King: “If there can be said to be a single overriding task for theology at the present time, it is to recover a sense of the wholeness, [that is] the unity and the integrity, of the Christian witness.” From there, Christian Theology 2 will survey these seven topics from various ecumenical points of view while exploring students’ embedded theologies alongside Anabaptist theological postures in relation to our topics. Prerequisite: Christian Theology 1 or equivalent.

One-half credit hour — Drew Strait, PhD — Weds, 12–1 p.m. ET — Open to auditors

Note: Blended courses are campus courses that students at a distance can join via videoconference during posted class times. 

Bible Department faculty members lead weekly informal sessions to read selected sections of the Bible in the original Greek. Students may enroll for one-half hour of credit, but enrollment is not required to participate in the colloquium. Prerequisite: one semester of Greek.

Three credit hours — Leah Thomas, PhD — Online, synchronous — Tues, 1:30–4:30 p.m. ET — Not available for audit

The discipline of pastoral care is a field at the intersection of many disciplines, while also inhabiting its own space. This course will introduce students to a method for the practice of pastoral or spiritual care with individuals across their lifespan. It will examine not only the internal dynamics occurring between the caregiver and care seeker, but also the current cultural, sociopolitical, multifaith, postmodern reality that individuals and communities inhabit, as both elements are necessary for the analysis of the pastoral encounter. Texts for the course put classical models of pastoral care into dialogue with embedded and lived theologies and social analysis. Students will examine caregiving in a variety of settings and will emerge with basic knowledge of holistic processes and models for assessing the mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual state of those needing care and their appropriate responses as ministering persons. Prerequisite: Human Development and Christian Formation.

Two credit hours; two-term sequence — Dan Schrock, DMin — Online, synchronous — Thurs, 1:30–4:30 p.m. ET — Not available for audit

The first half of the two-semester practicum concentrates on initial steps in providing guidance to others, while the second half explores the ministry of guidance with people in particular contexts. Issues considered include discerning the presence of God in multiple situations, the contribution of guidance to the mission of God, shaping guidance in various ecclesial and ethnic contexts, and offering guidance across the adult lifespan. Throughout the practicum, students will receive supervision for their work as directors. Prerequisites: Christian Theology 1; Human Development and Christian Formation; a Spiritual Practices course; the completion of 30 credit hours toward the MDiv or MACF degree; experience in receiving spiritual direction for at least a year; and active local church involvement.