Master of Arts (Biblical and Theological Studies)

Theological Track

Portland

• Spiritual and personal formation studies 8

  • MFM 500 Discovering and Developing Your Ministry Potential 2 This personal assessment course uses a wide variety of tools that will enable you to gain greater insight into how your gifting, personality, passion, and background might best be matched with potential ministry opportunities. Substantial attention will also be given on how to gain maximum profit from formal and informal ministry training. An additional materials fee will be charged. This course should be taken during your first term of studies. 2 credits.
  • SFS 501 Learning to Love God and Others 2 The theological and practical dynamics of evangelical spirituality will be examined to provide a solid foundation for rich fellowship with the Triune God and for living out of the Great Commandment. The nature of spiritual maturity will be examined (including a biblically-balanced model of priorities) and practical experiences for nurturing that maturity will be provided. 2 credits.
  • SFS 502 Practicing Prayer and Other Key Disciplines 2 Growing more Christ-like in our attitudes and actions can be nurtured through the spiritual disciplines taught by Scripture and practiced by believers throughout the ages. You will learn, from an evangelical perspective, the contribution each activity can make to your spiritual growth and how to enhance your actual practice of these holy habits. Extended attention will be given to developing a biblical understanding and practice of prayer. 2 credits.
  • SFS 504 Growing into Ethical Maturity 2 The ability to discern right from wrongand to act appropriately in light of that assessmentis essential if church leaders are to maintain and model ethical integrity. Your moral sensitivity will be enhanced as you become acquainted with some of the fundamental issues involved in developing a biblically-informed personal, professional and social ethic. 2 credits.

• Biblical interpretation studies 16

  • DBS 506 Learning to Interpret Scripture 4 In this course you will study the foundational principles and interpretive procedures of the grammatico-historical method of biblical interpretation. You will also apply these principles and procedures in actual Bible study, using the English Bible. Required during the first year of M.A. or M.Div. studies. 4 credits.
  • BLS 501 Interpreting Genesis to Song of Solomon 4 This initial course in biblical literature lays a foundation for the further study of the Bible by introducing the biblical covenants and God's kingdom program. Our examination of the Pentateuch will focus on the great attributes of God. The historical books will show how God works among His people. We will conclude with a consideration of the practical lessons found in the Wisdom Books and Psalms. Recommended pre- or co-requisite: DBS 506. 4 credits.
  • BLS 502 Interpreting the Prophets and Gospels 4 In this course you will learn the historical background of each of the prophets and become acquainted with their distinctive contribution and modern relevance. After examining the prophecies concerning the Messiah, you will see how they are fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Our focus in the Gospels will be on Matthew and John. You will study Jesus' teachings, miracles, and parables with consideration given to present day application. Recommended pre- or co-requisite: DBS 506. 4 credits.
  • BLS 503 Interpreting Acts to Revelation 4 Our focus in the early part of the course will be on the beginnings of the church. As we trace Paul's life, we will study his letters in the order in which they were written, giving attention to the historical and cultural settings. Special focus will be given to Paul's great teachings on salvation, justification, and sanctification. Our attention will then turn to the subject of eschatology as we examine the General Epistles and Revelation. Recommended pre- or co-requisite: DBS 506. 4 credits.

• Theological studies 16

  • THS 501 Knowing the Triune God: Theology I 4 You will begin to cultivate your ability to think theologically by exploring how theology is done in various approaches in order to develop a practical theological method. Then you will probe God's progressive revelation focusing on the nature and authority of Scripture before pondering God's triune nature and work culminating in the incarnation of the Son. Your passion for carrying out God's mission in His world will expand as you begin to understand how the Father's revelation has impacted the world He created. Recommended pre- or co-requisite: DBS 506. 4 credits.
  • THS 502 Glorifying the God of Our Salvation: Theology II 4 Continuing the process of learning to think theologically you will now apply yourself to biblical revelation regarding the Son as the source of life. You will investigate humanity, its dignity as image of God and its depravity as sinful beings, the reality and impact of spiritual beings as backdrop for the atoning work of the Son and its application in the aspects of our salvation. Contemplating the majesty of the Son's work in light of the depth of sin will invigorate our worship and impel our work for His kingdom. Prerequisite: THS 501. Recommended pre- or co-requisite: DBS 506. 4 credits.
  • THS 503 Living as the Community of the Spirit: Theology III 2 You will culminate the process of learning to think theologically by exploring the Spirit's life-giving work. Then you will investigate the church as God's covenant community and instrument of His present working, ending with the consummation of His kingdom program in end time events. Throughout the course the Spirit will transform us as we see our part in His grand work. Prerequisite: THS 501. Recommended pre- or co-requisite: DBS 506. 2 credits.
  • THS 508 Integrating Ministry and Theology 2 Building on the exegetical, theological and ministry foundations laid in the seminary curriculum, students will build an integrative approach to such issues as women in ministry, divorce, bio-ethics, and church discipline. Students will also work toward this integration by finalizing and defending their personal doctrinal statements. Prerequisites: THS 501, 502, 503 or permission of instructor. 2 credits.
  • CHS 505 Wisdom from Church History 4 In this course we will learn from the history of the Church from Pentecost to the present. We will focus on (1) the Church's people who, as saints and sinners, have been the flesh and blood of its history; (2) the Church's doctrine which has developed throughout its history; (3) the Church's writings which have exerted a tremendous impact on its history; and (4) the Church's movements which have composed the ebb and flow, the progress and regress, of its history. We will also consider what the past can contribute to the present, seeking to learn lessons from the history of the Church for our own lives, ministries, doctrines, and churches. 4 credits.

• Restricted electives 18

  • Restricted Electives from BLS, CHS, NTS, OTS, THS prefixes 18

• Open electives 6

Total Credits 64