Doctor of Theology

Course Description for Doctor of Theology Program

BIBLICAL STUDIES

Core Courses

RM 899 Theological and Research Methodology (3)

An examination of theory and methods in theology intended to provide a foundation for graduate and post-graduate research.

OT 801 Old Testament Backgrounds (3)

A critical investigation of historical, literary, religious, and cultural back grounds pertaining to the interpretation of the Old Testament.

NT 801 New Testament Backgrounds (3)

A critical investigation of historical, literary, religious, and cultural back grounds pertaining to the interpretation of the New Testament.

BS 801 Hermeneutics (3)

A study of hermeneutics, including its history, with emphasis on modern trends and applications. This will include issues like the impact of presuppositions on interpretation, the dynamics of dual authorship, the question of where meaning resides, the effect of differences in genre on interpretation, as well as considerations of the reality of the progress of revelation and its application to the modern world. The seminar involves a mixture of discussion on theory and discussion of texts.

OLD TESTAMENT STUDIES CONCENTRATION

REQUIRED COURSES

OT 802 Old Testament Criticism (3)

An introductory study of Old Testament criticism, including theories on the text and its composition, modern methods of textual analysis, canonicity, and the history, theory, and practice of Old Testament criticism.

OT 803 Historical Hebrew Grammar (3)

An inductive and deductive study of biblical Hebrew from the perspective of its historical development within the Semitic family of languages.

OT 804 Advanced Old Testament Biblical Theology l (3)

A critical appraisal of the major studies dealing with Old Testament theology and the development of a self-consistent, comprehensive, and integrative biblical theology.

OT 805 Analysis of Old Testament Books (3)

An independent study in which the student prepares a detailed analytical outline of each of the Old Testament books, with a summary of the argument of each book and a brief survey of its historical setting.

OT 806 Exegesis in the Torah (3)

An exegetical, critical, and literary study of selected passages in the Torah, designed to enhance an appreciation and comprehension of the literature and an understanding of how it contributes to the overall purpose and message of the Old Testament.

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OT 807 Exegesis in the Prophets (3)

An exegetical, critical, and literary study of selected passages in the prophets, designed to enhance an appreciation and comprehension of the literature and an understanding of how it contributes to the overall purpose and message of the Old Testament.

OT 808 Exegesis in the Writings (3)

An exegetical, critical, and literary study of passages in hymnic, apocalyptic, and wisdom literature designed to enhance an appreciation and comprehension of the literature and an understanding of how it contributes to the overall purpose and message of the Old Testament.  

ELECTIVE COURSES

OT 810 Advanced Old Testament Textual Criticism (3)

Emphasis on the praxis of Old Testament textual criticism and evaluation of alternative theories that dominate this field in contemporary Old Testament research. Attention is given to the role of the ancient versions in the practice of text-criticism of the Hebrew Bible.

OT 811 Introduction to the Dead Sea Scrolls (3)

An introduction to the historical, archaeological, and linguistic backgrounds of the Qumran materials, with attention given to the analysis of selections from 1QIsaa. Emphasis is on the relevance of the scrolls to textual criticism of the Hebrew Bible and the contribution of the scrolls to the study of historical Hebrew grammar.

OT 812 History of the Ancient Near East (3)

A survey of the major peoples and cultures of the ancient Near Eastern world with attention to their relationship and contribution to Old Testament Israel and to the interpretation of the Old Testament Scriptures.

OT 813 Introduction to Semitic Languages (3)

An introduction to the most important ancient Near Eastern Semitic languages and their major comparative features. The course surveys the basic grammar of Akkadian, Ugaritic, Aramaic, and Arabic, and considers how to use the resources available for the study of these languages for research in the text of the Old Testament.

OT 814 Readings in Akkadian (3)

A course devoted to the reading and analysis of selected Akkadian legal and mythological texts. The significance of Akkadian literature for the study of the Old Testament will be emphasized.

OT 815 Readings in Ugaritic (3)

A course devoted to the reading and analysis of selected Ugaritic poetic texts. The significance of Ugaritic literature for the study of the Old Testament will be emphasized

OT 816 Northwest Semitic Inscriptions (3)

Translation and analysis of Aramaic, Hebrew, Phoenician, and other Northwest Semitic inscriptions with emphasis on their contribution to Old Testament studies.

OT 817 Introduction to the Aramaic Targums (3)

An introduction to the grammar and syntax of targumic Aramaic, with selected readings from the major Aramaic Targums. Attention is given to targumic translation techniques and the relevance of targumic studies to Old and New Testament research.

OT 818 Introduction to Syriac (3)

An introduction to the grammar and syntax of classical Syriac, with readings
from both biblical and extrabiblical Syriac texts. Particular attention is given to the value of a working knowledge of Syriac for Old and New Testament studies.

OT 819 Readings in Syriac Literature (3)

Practice in reading various Syriac texts, with particular attention given to the
Syriac Peshitta. Emphasis is on developing a working knowledge of Syriac and
an understanding of its application to biblical studies.

OT 820 Seminar in the Pentateuch (3)

A study of the contents of the Pentateuch with emphasis on the theol
ogy of the books, their relationship to the rest of Scripture, and selected prob
lems.

OT 821 Seminar in Old Testament Historical Literature (3)

A study of the historical books of the Old Testament—Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther—with emphasis on their theology, their relationship to God’s purposes, and selected problems.

OT 823 Seminar in Wisdom and Poetic Literature (3)

A study of the contents of the Old Testament wisdom literature and Psalms, with particular emphasis on types of poetic structures, themes, and problems in the respective books.

OT 824 Seminar in the Preexilic Prophets (3)

A study of Isaiah, Jeremiah,Lamentations, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum,Habakkuk, and Zephaniah, emphasizing the historical contexts, themes, and selected problems in the respective books.

OT 825 Seminar in the Exilic and Postexilic Prophets (3)

A study of Ezekiel, Daniel, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi with emphasis on the historical settings, themes, and problems in these books.

NEW TESTAMENT STUDIES CONCENTRATION

REQUIRED COURSES

NT 802 History of New Testament Interpretation and Criticism (3)

A critical review of the history of interpretation of the New Testament, with emphasis on contemporary issues in New Testament theology and hermeneutics.

NT 803 New Testament Theology (3)

The examination of major New Testament theologies, which is intended as a summary course for those with a New Testament Studies concentration.

NT 804 Analysis of New Testament Books (3)

An independent study in which the student prepares a detailed analytical
outline of each of the New Testament books, with a summary of the argument
of each book and a brief survey of its historical setting.

ELECTIVE COURSES

NT 810 Advanced New Testament Textual Criticism (3)

A study of the materials, history, and praxis of New Testament textual criticism, with emphasis on acquaintance with Greek manuscripts and an analysis of competing text-critical theories.

NT 811 The Criticism and Theology of Matthew and Mark (3)

A study of the theology of Matthew and Mark and the interpretation of these Gospels in the context of recent critical discussion.

NT 812 The Synoptic Gospels (3)

A critical study of the relationships between the Synoptic Gospels, an investigation of various theories to explain the similarities and differences in the Synoptic, and an examination of the methods of source criticism.

NT 813 The Olivet Discourse (3)

This course studies closely Jesus’ eschatological discourse in relation to the resurrection and ascension, Pentecost, the destruction of Jerusalem, and the consummation. In this course special note will be taken of the different concerns of the Gospel writers evident in the way they present the material.

NT 824 Parables and Miracles of Christ (3)

The purpose of the course is to develop skill in interpreting the parables and miracles within their context in the Gospels Topics covered include genre, the nature of metaphor, the relations to the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, and preaching from the Gospels.

NT 825 The Book of Revelation (3)

This course deals with interpretation of Revelation Topics covered include historical background of its imagery and the contemporary bearing of its message.

NT 826 The Epistle to the Galatians (3)

Topics covered in this course include a detailed examination of the Greek text in light of the central historical and theological questions, the relation of Galatians to Acts, its place among the major Pauline epistles, and its significance for the Christian church past and present.

NT 827 Paul and His Ancient Interpreters (3)

The course is a seminar on the uses and abuses of the Pauline letters within orthodox and heretical forms of Christianity up to the fifth century. Discussions center not only on early interpretations of Paul, but also on the history of the Pauline corpus, the textual-critical value of Patristic citations of Paul, and competing portraits of Paul himself.

NT 828 The Epistle of James (3)

Its purpose is to examine the exegetical and theological problems in the letter of James. Students will be able to understand the relation between faith and works, suffering, and the believer’s relation to material wealth so that they can address these issues in their personal lives and in their ministry to others.

NT 829 Miracles and Miraculous Gifts (3)

Purpose of this course is to understand biblical teaching on miracle and prophecy, in order to evaluate the modern charismatic movement. Topics covered include the theology of miracle and word revelation in the New Testament, with special attention to redemptive-historical interpretation of the book of Acts, and the evaluation of contemporary charismatic phenomena in the light of Scripture.

NT 830 The First Epistle of Peter (3)

This course examines the exegetical and theological issues in First Peter Topics covered include an exegetical study of the Greek text of First Peter, its understanding of Christian suffering, and some of that epistle’s other theological and christological features.

NT 831 Theology of Hebrews (3)

This course examines prominent themes in the teaching of Hebrews Topics covered include eschatological structure, eschatology and ethics, the issue of apostasy, and aspects of the heavenly, high priestly ministry of Jesus

NT 832 Greek Discourse Analysis (3)

Linguistic analysis of New Testament Greek discourse in order to improve exegesis. Topics covered include the introduction to various linguistic theories of sentence and discourse, elements of tagmemic theory, the relation of grammar to reference and meaning, paragraph and discourse, regularities and stylistic deviations, exegesis of selected New Testament texts.

NT 833 Readings in New Testament Introduction and Theology (3)

This course instills a general knowledge of the entire field of New Testament study. This is a reading course required of Ph.D. students in Hermeneutics and Biblical Interpretation. Readings cover general introduction (canon, text, history of criticism), special introduction, and biblical theology.

NT 834 Theology of Language and Interpretation (3)

This course builds a theology of language in order to draw implications for biblical interpretation. Topics covered include major biblical teachings about God, the Word of God, verbal communication, and human language, with implications for the process of biblical interpretation, interpretive goals, and the appropriate qualifications of interpreters.

NT 835 Hermeneutics in the New Testament Period (3)

This course examines the apostolic use of the Old Testament in its first century hermeneutical context To enable students to discern whether, and in what respects, this apostolic usage may be regarded as determinative for exegesis today

NT 836 Theological Models and Exegesis (3)

The purpose of the course is to understand the role of interpretive frameworks, in order to deepen interpretation. Topics covered include the interrelations of systematic theology and exegesis, with special attention to the covenant concept, theological concept formation, and key metaphors of theology; and the bearing of philosophy of science on theological method.

NT 837 The Structure of Pauline Theology (3)

This course enables students to understand relations among major themes in Paul. Topics covered include the organic unity of justification, sanctification, union with Christ, covenant, and eschatology in Pauline theology.

NT 838 History of Interpretation (3)

The primary purpose of the course is to enable students to learn the history of biblical interpretation through the study of primary documents from the Patristic period to modern times The course will focus on those biblical interpreters whose work provoked significant developments in hermeneutical theory or practice in the church. The origin and development of modern New Testament criticism will be a special interest.

THEOLIGICAL STUDIES

DT 899 Theological and Research Methodology (3)

An examination of theory and methods in theology intended to provide a foundation for graduate and post-graduate research.

HISTORICAL THEOLOGY

HT 821 Documents and Issues in Reformation and Post-Reformation Thought (3)

An examination of the select documents from the Reformation and post-Reformation eras, with emphasis on the techniques of research and analysis.

HT 822 Scripture and Interpretation in the 16th and 17th Centuries (3)

An examination of the doctrine and interpretation of Scripture in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries with emphasis on the development of the Reformed tradition of exegesis and hermeneutics. 

HT 823 Reformed Symbolics: The Confessions and Catechisms of the Reformed Churches  (3)

A detailed study of one or more Reformed confessions or catechisms of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Attention will be given to the historical background, sources, structure, and theology of the document (s) selected for the quarter.              

HT 824 Early Patristic Theology: The Apologists and Anti-Gnostic Fathers (3)

A study of the theology in the second and early third centuries with at­tention to the problems of Christianity and classical culture, Gnosticism, and early trinitarianism.

HT 834 The Theology of John Calvin (3)                                                 

The theology of John Calvin will be investigated by examination of his primary texts, including the Institutes, commentaries, sermons, cor­respondence, and polemical literature. Past and present interpretations of Calvin’s theology will be analyzed.

HT 835 Nineteenth-Century Liberal Theology of Schleiermacher and Troeltsch (3)

A critical examination of Friedrich Daniel Schleiermacher’s theology of feeling and Ernst Troeltsch’s theology of scientific religious history, including an address to the intellectual forces that shaped these the­ologies and to the impact these modern liberal theologies have had on the life and thought of the church.

HT 836 The Reformed Doctrine of God in the 16th and 17th Centuries (3)

An examination of the doctrine of God in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries with emphasis on the exegetical, dogmatic, and philosophical development of Reformed theology.

HT 837 Arminius and Arminianism (3)

An examination of the work of Jacob Arminius in the context of late sixteenth-and early seventeenth-century Protestantism. Arminius’s theology, his controversies, and the development of Reformed and Remonstrant theology to the Synod of Dort will be examined.

HT 838 Patristic Theology from the Arian Controversy to the Council of Constantinople (3)

A historical study of the trinitarian and christological debate from the beginnings of the Nicene struggle to its resolution at the Council of Constantinople (A.D. 381), with special attention to the councils of the fourth century.

HT 839 The Life and Thought of Augustine (3)

A study of the thought of Augustine as related to his life and work, with emphasis on the place of Augustine in the development of Christian doctrine.

HT 893 Doctoral Seminar: Historical Theology (3)

Advanced study of selected topics in historical theology. Specific topics will be announced by the academic office upon the approval of the theological division and educational-policy committee.

SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY

ST 840 Theology of Revelation (3)

A study of biblical and historical sources of as well as contemporary theological reflection on the Christian doctrine of revelation, with a focus on the need for divine revelation, the nature of revelation, and the validation and reception of revelation.

ST 841 The Nature of Theology and Doctrine (3)

A study of basic issues in theological prolegomena, including the sources, nature, and object of theology, the use of Scripture in theology, and the nature of doctrine.

ST 842 Theology of the Incarnation (3)

A historical and systematic examination of the doctrine of the incarnation, with special attention to patristic, medieval, and modern developments.

ST 843 Theology of the Atonement (3)

A historical and systematic examination of the doctrine of the atonement, with special attention to various theories of atonement and criticism of those theories.

ST 844 The Theology of Karl Barth (3)

A study of Karl Barth’s theology through a survey of the development of his thought and a careful study of selections from his Church Dogmatics.

ST 845 Theology of the Trinity (3)

A study of biblical sources, confessional statements, and classic and contemporary theological formulations of the Christian doctrine of the Trinity.

ST 846 Twentieth-Century Dutch Reformed Theology (3)

An examination of key figures and issues in twentieth-century Dutch Reformed theology. Among the theologians to be considered are Abraham Kuyper, Herman Bavinck, O. Noordmans, G. Vander Leeuw, Klaas Schilder, Arnold A. Van Ruler, G. C. Berkouwer, H. M. Kuitert, and Hendrikus Berkhof.

ST 847 Theology of the Holy Spirit (3)

A biblical, historical, and systematic examination of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit, with special attention to contemporary developments in Pentecostal as well as mainline spirituality and theology. The relation between Christology and pneumatology will be considered in detail.

ST 848 The Theology of Jonathan Edwards (3)

A study of the philosophical, doctrinal, moral, and spiritual theology of “America’s theologian,” Jonathan Edwards, through extensive reading of Edwards’ major treatises.

ST 894 Doctoral Seminar: Systematic Theology (3)

Advanced study of selected topics in systematic theology. Specific topics will be announced by the academic office upon the approval of the theological division and educational-policy committee.

PHILOSOPHICAL AND MORAL THEOLOGY

PM 851 Philosophical Issues in Christian Theology (3)

A study of philosophical treatments of the doctrine of God, including the nature, attributes, and knowability of God.

PM 852 Philosophical Foundations of Modern Theology (3)

A study of the major philosophers who influenced the foundations of modern theology—Kant, Hegel, and Schleiermacher.

PM 853 The Christian Moral Tradition (3)

A study of the Judeo-Christian moral tradition with respect to both its philosophical commitments and its moral content.

PM 854 The Social Teaching of the Christian Churches (3)

A close critical analysis of Ernst Troeltsch’s The Social Teaching of the Christian Churches and collateral readings. A few important twentieth century theologians (for example, Karl Barth, Reinhold and H. Richard Niebuhr, John Paul II) will also be considered.

PM 855 Post-Enlightenment Critique of Religion (3)

A study and assessment of two important phases in the post-enlightenment critique of religious belief. Phase one (1840-1960): the naturalistic explanation of religious belief ventured by the likes of Feuerbach, Marx, Nietzsche, and Freud. Phase two (since 1960): the global rejection of such notion s as truth and moral objectivity by which any religion or system of belief might recommend itself as authoritative.

PM 895 Doctoral Seminar: Philosophical Theology (3)

Advanced study of selected topics in philosophical theology. Specific topics will be announced by the academic office upon the approval of the theological division and educational-policy committee.

PM 896 Doctoral Seminar: Moral Theology (3)

Advanced study of selected topics in moral theology. Specific topics will be announced by the academic office upon the approval of the theological division and educational-policy committee.