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Historical/Theological Studies

HT 2110

Intro to the Christian Tradition

Pleasants

Using the method of paradigm shifts, this course will examine the women and men, theological, evangelistic, organizational and political concerns that contributed to the development of the tradition within specific cultural, economic, socio-political contexts. Studying past changes can encourage people to participate in shaping the paradigm of the Christian tradition that is emerging now in their own context. On-Campus or Web-Based Course.

HT 2120

Creativity and Imagination: Women Leaders in the Early and Medieval Churches

Pleasants

This course will examine the leadership women provided in the pre-Reformation churches with the goal of discovering what their skill, purpose and methods can teach us in the postmodern church of today. This course will fulfill the requirement for a guided elective in Leadership.

HT 2122

Early Christian Biographies

Staff

A study of the life, writings, and thought of men and women who made notable contributions to Christianity in the second through the fifth centuries.

HT 2124

The Other Story: Women and the Church

RTC

Sequence parallel to the first half of General Church History, with emphasis on the beliefs, religious experiences, roles and contributions of women. Primary attention is given to the writings of women themselves. Although the course focuses upon women in the ancient and medieval church, independent research will enable students to pursue areas of their own interest, including the faith and practice of women from the Reformation to the present.

HT 2131

English Reform: Lollards to Puritans

Staff

An examination of the currents of reform in England from Wyclif and the Lollards through the rise of Puritanism to the Restoration and Revolution. Consideration is given to the interaction of social, political, and religious issues as a paradigm for the way such interaction takes place in the life of the church.

HT 2160

The Baptist Heritage

Staff

A course designed to give students an understanding of what it has meant to live and work in a Baptist context. Includes a study of Baptist origins and development, major theological emphases of Baptists, their literature, their denominational structures, and the relation of all of these areas to current issues in Baptist life. One or one-half course credit.

HT 2311

Christian Theology I

Newman

A study of the church's doctrinal teaching emphasizing historical development and contemporary perspectives with attention to the relation of seminary, congregation, and the global community in interpreting and practicing the church's faith.

HT 2312

Christian Theology II

Newman

HT 2315

Theology in Film, Art and Literature

Staff

An analysis of theological themes in drama and the visual and literary arts. Classical and contemporary plays, films, paintings, sculpture, short stories, novels, and poetry will be examined theologically with interest in their relevance for Christianity and the church today.

HT 2321

The Doctrine of the Church

Staff

Examines the nature and function of the church as begun in the first century and developed in history. One-half course credit.

HT 2330

Twentieth Century European Theology

Staff

Examines the major European theological emphases of the current century with particular attention to the work of Karl Barth, Rudolf Bultmann, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and Jürgen Moltmann.

HT 2335

Contemporary American Theologies

Staff

A study of contemporary American theologies and the work of representative American theologians, with special attention given to their importance for the contemporary church.

HT 2341

Theology from an African Perspective

Mugabe

An investigation of the origin, growth and intention of African Christian theology. A major emphasis will be to explore current contextual and liberation issues as articulated by significant African theologians.

HT 2342

Process Theology

Staff

An analysis of the work of selected process theologians with emphasis upon this contemporary perspective's strengths and weaknesses in addressing the needs of the congregation.

HT 2343

Liberation Theology

Staff

A study of the liberation methodology of the poor and its challenge and contribution to theology and congregation. Feminist, Third World, African-American, and other liberation theologies will be examined and related to the discipleship and worship of the local congregation.

HT 2344

Feminist/Womanist Theology and Masculine Spirituality

Staff

A study of feminist and womanist theologies and of theologies of masculine spirituality with consideration of their challenge to the contemporary church in its doctrinal expression.

HT 2345

Third World Theologies

Mugabe

A survey of theologies of liberation emerging from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and marginalized groups like women and minorities in the West. Explores convergences and differences in theologies, taking into consideration the political and socio-religious contexts in which they arise.

HT 2410

Introduction to Christian Ethics

Staff

A study of Christian ethical teaching examining philosophical theory, Biblical teaching, and the church's theological tradition with particular attention to global issues of peace and justice. One or one-half course credit.

HT 2450

Contemporary Issues in Theology and Ethics

Staff

A study of selected issues of current interest to theologians and ethicists with attention to implications for dialogue between seminary and congregation.

HT 2451

Ecological Theology and Ethics

Staff

A study of representative examples of recent theological and ethical thought from an ecological perspective, with special attention to the contemporary church's responsibility in regard to environmental issues.

HT 2452

Biomedical Ethics

Staff

A study of ethical research and issues in relation to health care ethics. Attention will be given to the history of biomedical ethics and to contemporary health issues, including the allocation of scarce resources, decisions about life-sustaining treatment, reproductive choices, assisted death and euthanasia, and genetic research and cloning.

HT 2500 PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION

HT 2510

Philosophy of Religion

Graves

An introductory study of the basic traditional problems in the area of philosophy of religion: the nature of religion, the relation of philosophy to theology, the existence of God, faith and reason, the nature of religious language, the problem of evil, and the nature of immortality. One-half course credit.

HT 2515

Religious Authority

Graves

A study of the principle of authority in the Christian religion as practiced by the Christian community. One-half course credit.

HT 2516

Problem of Evil 
(On-Campus or Video Teleconference Course)

Graves

An historical study of the problem of evil, with particular reference to its significance for the Christian community. One-half course credit.

HT 2525

Critics of Christianity

Graves

A dialogical investigation of persons and schools of thought that reject the validity of the ministry of the Christian church. One-half course credit.

HT 2610

Introduction to Christian Mission

Ballenger

A brief survey of the Biblical bases for, the theology and history of, and the practice of Christian mission. Shows the integral nature of mission to the life of the church and to other disciplines of theological study. The survey will move from foundations to praxis, introducing necessary areas of study commensurate to an understanding of mission.

HT 2612

Mission Immersion Experience

Ballenger

The student will engage in activities commensurate with the Christian mission including services according to the needs and/or request of the receiving people. May be within or outside the U.S. Enrollees must be in second full year at BTSR and must have completed at least eight credits. May be repeated upon approval of professor.

HT 2650

World Religions

Ballenger

An introductory study of the major living religions of the world with consideration given to the Christian encounter with these religions. Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Traditional Religions will be studied.

HT 2651

African Traditional Religions

Mugabe

Deals with some of the basic concepts of African world views, religious heritage, and spirituality. Topics include God, spirits, numinous powers, humanity, ethics, death, and life after cial change. Emphasis is given to the peoples of Southern Africa with special reference to Zimbabwe.