Master of Divinity

General Objectives

The Master of Divinity program is designed as a post-baccalaureate degree pri­marily for persons wishing to prepare themselves for the ordained ministry. The program seeks to integrate a classical theological curriculum in contemporary ministry. Normally a student will com­plete the program in three academic years.

Admission Requirements

Those admitted to the Master of Divinity are required to have (a) B.A/B.Th. degree or its equivalent (b) a 2.7 grade point average for all previous studies, and (c) the endorsement of the Admission committee. An interview with a faculty member of UWU is required. This will be arranged through the school office.

 

Graduation Requirements

(a) Completion of 96 semester hours of course works including 2 credit units of Field Internship, with a total 3.0 grade average.

(b) Completion of an at least 120 page thesis (no credit unit) on an approved subject.

(c) Pass the Bible Examination (no credit unit).

Course Requirements

 

First Year


Fall Semester

Course # Course Name Semester Hours
OT 501 Biblical Hebrew 3
NT 511 New Testament Interpretation 3
HT 521 General Church History (I) 3
OT 531 Introduction to Theology 3
MI 552 Introduction to Christian Worship 3
15


Spring Semester

Course # Course Name Semester Hours
OT 502 Pentateuch 3
NT 510 Biblical Greek 3
HT 522 General Church History (II) 3
ST 532 The Doctrine of God and Creation 3
PM 541 Fundamental Apologetics 3
15

Second Year


Fall Semester

Course # Course Name Semester Hours
OT 503 Narrative Literature of the Old Testament 3
NT 512 The Pauline Letters and their Message for the Church 3
ST 533 The Doctrine of Christ/Salvation 3
PM 542 Philosophy of Religion 3
MI 553 Principles of Expository Preaching 3
15


Spring Semester

Course # Course Name Semester Hours
OT 504 Theology of the Former Prophets 3
NT 513 The Gospels for Christian Life and Ministry 3
ST 534 The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit, Church and Kingdom 3
PM 543 Christian Ethics 3
MI 554 The Practice of Expository Preaching 3
15

Third Year


Fall Semester

Course # Course Name Semester Hours
OT 505 Poetry and Prophets 3
ST 535 The Doctrine of the Last Things 3
MI 551 Church Administration 3
MI 555 Pastoral Care 3
MI 556 The Teaching Ministry of the Church 3
15


Spring Semester

Course # Course Name Semester Hours
MI 557 Mission History and Contemporary Issues 3
MI 558 Cross-Cultural Evangelism and Lifestyles 3
An Elective Course 3
An Elective Course 3
An Elective Course 3
15

Course Description for Bachelor of Theology Program

 

BIBLICAL DIVISION

 

Old Testament

 

OT 501 Biblical Hebrew (6).

An introductory study of the basic elements of biblical Hebrew, including elementary Hebrew grammar and vocabulary, and translation exercises.

 

OT 502 Pentateuch (3).

A presentation of the canonical theological shape of the Pentateuch as a fundamental introduction to the Christian Scriptures, and an examination of selected themes: e.g., creation, kingdom, covenant and blessing, wilderness-journey, tabernacle. These will be studied with a view to their importance for the rest of Scripture and for the life of the church.

 

OT 503 Narrative Literature of the Old Testament (3).

An introduction to Genesis through Kings, Chronicles, Ezra-Nehemiah and Esther as Christian Scripture. Several books and passages will be selected and their canonical, historical, literary and hermeneutical aspects examined.

 

OT 504 Theology of the Former Prophets (3)

A presentation of the theological shape of the Former Prophets in the Christian canon as a prophetic critique of Israel’s stewardship of the promised land, and an examination of selected themes: e.g., theology of land; possession and inheritance; covenant and blessing-curse; kingship-messiah; torah piety and its abuse; defilement of dedicated space; repentance and hope. These will be studied with a view to their importance for reading the rest of Scripture and for the life of the church.

 

OT 505 Poetry and Prophets (3)

A study of the poetical books of the Writings and the Latter Prophets from a redemptive-historical perspective. The literary, canonical, historical, hermeneutical, and theological aspects of these books will be discussed.

 

Elective Courses

 

OT 506 The Book of Exodus (3)

An introduction to the book and its message. Exegesis of selected passages in the narrative, legal, and tabernacle materials.

 

OT 507 The Book of Leviticus (3)

An introduction to the book in its canonical context, a study of its message, the nature of the priesthood and the rituals of holiness.

 

OT 508 The Songs of Songs (3)

A study of the Song of Songs in the Hebrew text and in the light of its historical and biblical contexts, including a survey o the history of its interpretation and a critical evaluation of major of exegetical hypotheses, with a view to elucidating the proper function of the Song on the canon of Scripture.

 

OT 509 Readings in Old Testament Theology (3)

A critical evaluation of the major twentieth century efforts to set forth the theology of the Old Testament. Assigned readings in selected works, with seminars devoted to critical evaluation.

 

New Testament

 

NT 510 Biblical Greek (6)

A study of exegetically significant categories of Greek grammar and the resources available for understanding these categories. Attention is given to significant New Testament texts involving grammatical questions, and to the place of grammar in exegesis.

 

NT 511 New Testament Interpretation (3)

An introduction to the basic principles of interpreting the biblical text (i.e., hermeneutics), from a Reformed perspective as they apply to the Catholic letters. Special attention is given to the Greek grammar, literary features, historical context, and theological themes of the Catholic letters as well as their message for the church today.

 

NT 512 The Pauline Letters and their Message for the Church(3)

A review of the basic principles of interpreting the biblical text (i.e., hermeneutics) from a Reformed perspective as they apply to the Pauline letters. Special attention is given to the Greek grammar, his­torical context, social setting, epistolary structure, and theological themes of the Pauline letters as well as their message for the church to­day.

 

NT 513 The Gospels for Christian Life and Ministry (3)

A study of the four Gospels with an introduction to the unique problems arising from a four -fold witness to Jesus Christ. Students develop a Reformed approach to this literature through an analysis of the hermeneutical principles and exegetical methods appropriate to the various genres of Scripture including gospel, parable, miracle story, historical narrative, and apocalyptic literature. Some attention is also given to a study of the historical background, structure, and message of the Acts of the Apostles and Book of Revelation so that students can employ this New Testament literature in their Christian life and ministry.

 

Elective Courses

 

NT 514 The Letter to the Romans (3)

An exegetical study of the letter to the Romans that examines its historical background, literary structure, theological message, and its missionary character in the light of the life of the church and its ministry in society and the world.

 

NT 515 The Christology of the Synoptic Gospels (3)

A study of the Christological emphases of each synoptic gospel against the background of the renewed quest for the historical Jesus.

 

NT 516 Promise and Fulfillment (3)

An exegetical study of various ways in which the Old Testament is fulfilled in the New Testament. Implications for a biblical hermeneutic will be developed, as well as a perspective on the eschatological role of Israel.

 

NT 517 Interpretation of the Parables of Jesus (3)

A review of the history of the interpretation of the parables, a formulation of principles of interpretation, and an exegetical study of individual parables to ascertain their meaning and relevance.

NT 518 The Apocalypse (3)

An exegetical study of the book of Revelation, including a critical analysis of the main types of interpretation.

 

THEOLOGICAL DIVISION

 

Historical Theology

 

HT 521 General Church History (I) (3)

The Patristic and Medieval Periods: A general survey of the history of the Christian church from the second century to the end of the Middle Ages.

 

HT 522 General Church History (II) (3)

The Reformation Period and The Modern Period : A general survey of the history of the Christian church from the Protestant Reformation to the modern period to the present, with a special focus on North American Protestantism.

 

Elective Courses

 

HT 523 The Life and Thought of St. Augustine (3)

A study of those elements in the life and thought of Augustine that have had a formative influence on the Christian church.

 

HT 524 Fathers of the Christian Church (3)

A study of the lives and major contributions of selected Greek and Latin church fathers.

 

HT 525 The Theology of John Calvin (3)

A historical study of the thought of John Calvin, as contained in his Institutes of the Christian Religion, theological treatises, commentaries, and sermons with attention to the context of Calvin’s work in Reformation-era Geneva and to his patterns of writing, lecturing, and preaching.

 

Systematic Theology

 

ST 531 Introduction to Theology (3)

The nature, method, and source of theology, special revelation, Scripture, and inspiration. General revelation and related theological issues.

 

ST 532 The Doctrine of God and Creation (3)

The “problem of God” in modern theology, atheism, and theism. Scriptural images of God; the knowability and attributes of God. The doctrines of the Trinity, creation, and providence. Views of God in contemporary theology.

 

ST 533 The Doctrine of Christ/Salvation (3)

A study of Scripture, traditional teaching, and contemporary reflection on Christ and salvation. The person and work of Christ, with special attention to incarnation and atonement. The nature and effects of salvation in Jesus Christ and the salvific work of the Holy Spirit.

 

ST 534 The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit, Church and Kingdom (3)

A study of Scripture, traditional teaching, and contemporary reflection on the Holy Spirit, church, and kingdom. Topics include the characteristic work of the Holy Spirit; the gifts of the Holy Spirit in creation and redemption; the church as the eschatological community of the Holy Spirit; death and the power of the Holy Spirit; the renewal of all things.

 

ST 535 The Doctrine of the Last Things (3)

The eschatological nature of the biblical message; death, immortality, and the intermediate state; the Second Coming of Christ, millennial views, the resurrection, and the final judgment.

 

Elective Courses

 

ST 536 The Seven Deadly Sins (3)

A theological analysis of pride, envy, anger, sloth, avarice, gluttony, and lust, with discussion of their origin, coherence, social and psychological dimensions, and spiritual antidotes.

 

ST 537 The Theology of Jonathan Edwards (3)

An introduction to the life, thought, and significance of America’s greatest theologian. Special attention is paid to Edwards’s formative role in shaping a distinctive American theology and spirituality.

 

Philosophical and Moral Theology

 

PM 541 Fundamental Apologetics (3)

An introduction to the principles and methods of Reformed apologetics and their application to major contemporary objections against the Christian faith.

 

PM 542 Philosophy of Religion (3)

A Christian philosophical analysis of the nature and functions of religion in human life, including consideration of major non-Christian religions, ideologies, and views of life.

 

PM 543 Christian Ethics (3)

A study of the Christian view of the concept, principle, and precepts of morality. Also this course deals with the social issues, the ideas of social justice, and the role of Christians and the church in society as identified in the writings of a variety of key theologians in the history of Christianity.

 

Elective Courses

 

PM 545 The Sermon on the Mount (3)

A study of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) and its implication for Christian living today.

 

PM 546 Feminist Theology (3)

A critical examination of evangelical, liberal, and radical feminist theologies with primary focus on issues of biblical interpretation, theological method, and the doctrine of God.

 

MINISTRY DIVISION

 

MI 551 Church Administration (3)

A study of the principles of administration consistent with scriptural data and Reformed church polity applicable to the local church and to denominational assemblies and agencies. Aspects of multiple-staff ministries are discussed. Various models are studied and evaluated.

 

MI 552 Introduction to Christian Worship (3)

A study of the theology, history, and practice of Christian corporate worship. The course emphasizes the development of skills for planning and leading worship in a variety of ministry settings, with particular attention to how worship practices both reflect and shape theological commitments.

 

MI 553 Principles of Expository Preaching (3)

An introduction to the field of homiletics. Special attention is given to the principles of expository preaching, the steps from text to sermon, the design of a relevant textual-thematic sermon, and sermon delivery.

 

MI 554 The Practice of Expository Preaching (3)

The preparation and delivery of expository sermons on two biblical passages. Staff and students evaluate each presentation with respect to the interpretive reading of the selected Scripture passage as well as the delivery, structure, content, and relevance of the sermon. Some use is made of video recordings for personal instruction.

 

MI 555 Pastoral Care (3)

The course addresses the history, theology, and methods of the church’s pastoral care and counseling ministry needs of individual people, married couples, and families.

 

MI 556 The Teaching Ministry of the Church (3)

A study of the educational ministries of the church, considering the theological foundations, psycho-social theories, and teaching-learning methods for persons of all ages in formal, non-formal, and informal settings.

 

MI 557 Mission History and Contemporary Issues (3)

An introduction to the history of missions in the world and North America. Special attention is

given to noted missionaries past and present, and how issues such as poverty, contextualization,

syncretism, pluralism, partnership, family matters, and role of women, spiritual warfare, finances, and

support have been dealt with by the church at large.

 

MI 558 Cross-Cultural Evangelism and Lifestyles (3)

An experience-based course exposing students to models of cross-cultural personal and congregational evangelism in North America and abroad. The course will include modules on Reformed missiology, missionary anthropology, and cross-cultural living followed by exposure to cross-cultural evangelism taught by practitioners working in various settings. Students learn how to engage in personal evangelism and discipleship in cross-cultural situations as well as evangelistic Bible studies and modeling evangelism for others. A module on missionary preaching is included in this course.

 

Elective Courses

 

MI 561 Christocentric Preaching from the Old Testament (3)

A study of hermeneutical and homiletical issues involved in using Old Testament passages for Christian proclamation. The course deals with issues such as theocentric/ Christocentric preaching, Christian understanding of Old Testament passages, promise and fulfillment, typology, and analogy. Students are required to design sermon outlines on passages from Hebrew narrative, law, prophecy, psalms, and wisdom literature.

 

MI 562 Pastoral Counseling (3)

A course designed to develop basic skills in individual counseling through an introduction to several counseling methods appropriate for pastoral use; through theological analyses of case studies, verbatims; and through practice sessions.

 

MI 563 Prematial and Marriage Ministry (3)

A course designed to develop basic skills in premarital and marriage ministry through the examination of Christian teaching on marriage and human sexuality, the study of counseling, and other ministries.

 

MI 564 The Pastoral Care of Youth (3)

A course designed to develop skills in the theological diagnostic method for designing appropriate ministry. The course will address four pastoral care issues of youth: depression and suicide, the devel­opment of healthy sexual identity and function, alcohol use and abuse, and dysfunctional families.

 

MI 565 Family Ministries (3)

A course combining biblical-theological and social perspectives on the family as an intergenerational interacting unit, with a study of methods, strategies, and programs for the church’s ministry to and through families.

 

MI 566 Curriculum Design and Development (3)

A study of the principles and methods of curriculum development pri­marily to enable the student to work with members of the local church in developing, selecting, and/ or evaluating curriculum in order to meet the educational ministry goals of the church.

 

MI 567 The Revitalization of the Local Church (3)

This course introduces the student to the principles and practice of church vitalization by focusing on the vital signs of a healthy church from an open systems perspective. Attention is given to understanding the dynamics of change within local church life and in training church leaders to guide congregations more effectively in the process of change.

 

MI 568 Issues in Evangelism Today (3)

An examination of the challenges facing the church today as it seeks to communicate the gospel to persons shaped by postmodern culture. Alternative methods of evangelism for both congregation and individuals are reviewed and critiqued.