Master of Theology (Th.M.)

Non-thesis Track

Portland

• This track enables students to focus on developing a broader base of knowledge across a range of biblical and theological disciplines, culminating in the production of two smaller research projects.

• Master of Theology Seminars 10

  Select 10 credits from the seminars below, or others with advisor approval 10

  • THS 665GZ Kingdom of God 2 A biblical theology of the Kingdom of God will be developed. The history of the theology will be analyzed and its impact on the church, politics, missions, and soteriology will be reviewed. The biblical concept of inaugurated eschatology will be employed to develop a Kingdom ethic that practically informs the doctrines of soteriology, ecclesiology, and eschatology. 2 credits.
  • THS 665HZ Theology and Philosophy 2 Anyone who has studied theology for very long comes to realize the importance of philosophy for understanding the most important theological issues. Key terms, concepts, and debates are almost incomprehensible without some understanding of the underlying philosophical issues. This class will equip theology students to engage these theological discussions by introducing them to those philosophers and philosophical issues most important for understanding historical and contemporary theology. 2 credits.
  • CHS 662HZ Augustine 2 This course is an introduction to the life, times, and especially the theology of Augustine. Through extensive reading in and reflection on key secondary sources and some of Augustine's most important writings, we will explore the historical background, theological contribution, enduring legacy, and ministerial significance of this great theologian. 2 credits.
  • CHS 662JZ Greek Fathers 2 This class will challenge students to develop their understanding of the early church through a focused study on the Greek-speaking theologians of the 4th-8th centuries. Students will explore the historical and cultural contexts of these theologians, wrestle with their most important writings and theological conclusions, and seek to understand their significance for contemporary life and ministry. Throughout the course, students will be challenged personally, spiritually, and theologically as they are mentored by these theological giants of the early church. 2 credits.
  • CHS 662KZ Jonathan Edwards 2 This class will help students develop their understanding of the Puritans, their theology, and their impact on American Christianity through a focused study on the life and times of Jonathan Edwards. Through extensive reading in and reflection on key secondary sources and Edward's most important writings, students will come to understand the historical background, theological contribution, enduring legacy, and ministerial significance of this great theologian. 2 credits.
  • NTS 527/627 Exegeting the Epistle to the Romans 2 The epistle to the Romans is the most important theological treatise in the New Testament. By exegesis of the Greek text, you will trace the argument of the author and do an intensive study of the great themes of salvation, righteousness and justification, sin and the fall, identification in Christ, the Holy Spirit and sanctification, Israel's future, spiritual gifts, responsibility to the state, the judgment seat of Christ, the relationship of Jews and Gentiles, and other matters including the significance of the law for the believer. You will give special attention to the recent debate over the meaning of justification as raised by the new perspectives on Paul and the law. You will also study the authorship, date, structure, and place of origin of the epistle. Prerequisite: NTS 510 or consent of the instructor. 2 credits.
  • NTS 561/661 Reading and Interpreting Early Patristic Literature 2 Reading the earliest writings to appear after our New Testament, you will gain a new appreciation for the devotion of these early heroes of the faith. Translating representative portions of the Apostolic Fathers (Didache, 1 and 2 Clement, Ignatius, Polycarp, Barnabas, Hermas), you will engage in an inductive study of early Christian thought and practice, and discover such topics as gnosticism, ecclesiology, ethics, and spiritual formation. Prerequisite: NTS 508 or consent of the instructor. 2 credits.
  • NTS 670 New Perspectives on Paul and the NT Canon 2 In this course the student will examine two critical issues in contemporary New Testament studies. The first of these is the new perspectives on Paul that seek to redefine the interpretation of Paul’s Epistles to the Galatians and to the Romans, and Paul’s teaching regarding the gospel, justification, the works of the law, the righteousness of God, faith in Jesus Christ, and related matters. The second issue concerns the continuing claims that the church’s view that the New Testament Canon is limited to just twenty-seven books is the result of the deliberate expulsion of other gospels, acts, epistles, and apocalypses that the church rejected for various, bogus reasons. The claim is that these books should be in the Christian NT canon. Prerequisites: NTS 510 or the consent of the instructor. 2 credits.
  • OTS 661UZ OT Law in its Ancient Near Eastern Background 2 This course is an exegetical study of the legal portions of the Pentateuch, focusing mainly on the Decalogue and the Covenant Code (Ex. 20:22-23:19). In this course, we will carefully examine the various moral and civil laws, with the aim to understand the nature, function and the Ancient Near Eastern environment in which these laws were formulated. This is a seminar class, in which the teacher will guide the discussion and the exegesis process, but which requires the student to come well prepared to class in order to participate in class discussion. Ancient laws from other Ancient Near Eastern law codes will be examined as to the parallel thought, phraseology and purpose, in so far it can be discerned, and will read these texts in translation and transcription. Some class time will be used by the teacher as lecture time, during which time he will introduce the nature and extent of the legal material, and lead the discussion of the different views of interpretation of certain laws. This class will also discuss the relevance of Old Testament laws for the New Testament Christian. A major part of the students' preparation will be in studying various law cases. 2 credits.
  • OTS 662FZ History of Israel 2 In this class we will do an overall survey of the political and cultural history of ancient Israel during the Old Testament period. Emphasis will be given to understanding Israel’s history within the broad context of the Near Eastern world history. Special emphasis is given to the question of what is History with a study in Historiography. 2 credits.

• Elective studies 12

  Restricted: Select 12 credits from the courses below, or others with advisor approval 12

  • NTS 524/624 Exegeting Johannine Epistolary Literature 2 The nature of fellowship with God is the basis of spiritual formation. Perhaps no other Epistles deal with this as well as do these Epistles from the Disciple whom Jesus loved. Using the Greek text, you will study the Epistles of John to understand the great themes of truth and love. You will produce exegetical products including an inductive commentary and a biblical theology. You will also be introduced to the structure, authorship, style, and problem passages of the Epistles. Prerequisite: NTS 510 or consent of the instructor. 2 credits.
  • NTS 527/627 Exegeting the Epistle to the Romans 2 The epistle to the Romans is the most important theological treatise in the New Testament. By exegesis of the Greek text, you will trace the argument of the author and do an intensive study of the great themes of salvation, righteousness and justification, sin and the fall, identification in Christ, the Holy Spirit and sanctification, Israel's future, spiritual gifts, responsibility to the state, the judgment seat of Christ, the relationship of Jews and Gentiles, and other matters including the significance of the law for the believer. You will give special attention to the recent debate over the meaning of justification as raised by the new perspectives on Paul and the law. You will also study the authorship, date, structure, and place of origin of the epistle. Prerequisite: NTS 510 or consent of the instructor. 2 credits.
  • NTS 548/648 Interpreting the Use of the Old Testament in the New Testament 2 Understanding how and why the New Testament quotes and alludes to the Old Testament is foundational to our faith. Such a pursuit has implications for textual criticism, hermeneutics, exegesis, theology and the spiritual life. In this course you will examine various passages where Jesus, Paul and the author of Hebrews used the Old Testament and why they did so. You will compare biblical methodology with rabbinic exegesis such as midrash, pesher and allegory. Other topics include the unity of scripture, typology, and the meaning of prophecy. Prerequisites: OTS 515 and NTS 510 or consent of the instructor. 2 credits.
  • NTS 561/661 Reading and Interpreting Early Patristic Literature 2 Reading the earliest writings to appear after our New Testament, you will gain a new appreciation for the devotion of these early heroes of the faith. Translating representative portions of the Apostolic Fathers (Didache, 1 and 2 Clement, Ignatius, Polycarp, Barnabas, Hermas), you will engage in an inductive study of early Christian thought and practice, and discover such topics as gnosticism, ecclesiology, ethics, and spiritual formation. Prerequisite: NTS 508 or consent of the instructor. 2 credits.
  • OTS 521/621 Exegesis in Narrative Literature 2 Everyone loves a story! Some of the finest stories in the world are found in the pages of the Hebrew Bible. In this course you will learn how these stories work, how to discover nuances from the original text, and how to minister the truth of God from narrative literature. Prerequisite: OTS 510. 2 credits.
  • OTS 523/623 Exegesis in Wisdom Literature 2 The Hebrew Scriptures abound with varied types of literature. Among the last to be discovered for riches of meaning and significance are the wisdom writings. You will analyze selected portions of the wisdom of Israel in the light of ancient Near Eastern wisdom texts, and with a view to discovering the role these texts played in the life of the people of Israel, the development of God's word, and their culmination in the life and ministry of Jesus, the truly Wise. Prerequisite: OTS 510. 2 credits.
  • OTS 552/652 Biblical Aramaic 2 There are two languages of the Old Testament. Aramaic is the language of sections of both the Book of Daniel and the Book of Ezra. On the basis of Biblical Hebrew, you will move to an understanding of the grammar and syntax of Biblical Aramaic, with special attention given to the reading and exegesis of Daniel 2:4-7:28. 2 credits.
  • THS 528/628 Comparing Theological Systems 2 You will examine Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Reformed, Wesleyan, and other systems of theological thought. For each system you will examine a typical systematic theology as well as recent literature. You will gain an appreciation for the perspectives and contributions of the various systems examined. Prerequisites: THS 501, CHS 501, or consent of the instructor. 2 credits.
  • THS 552/652 Pauline Theology 2 You will examine the theological contributions of the Apostle Paul as you learn the methods and principles of biblical theology. You will analyze such topics as Christology, the law, the human as sinner, atonement, justification, reconciliation, new life in Christ, church and eschatology. You will also look at such foundational topics as the relationship of Paul's theology to the Old Testament and to Jesus. 2 credits.
  • CHS 554/654 Understanding the Theology of the Reformers 2 The Protestant Reformation of the sixteenth century is arguably the singular most influential theological and ecclesiastical movement since the founding of the Church of Jesus Christ. Following a study of the historical background of this movement, you will read and analyze the most important works of Martin Luther, John Calvin, and (to a lesser extent) Huldrych Zwingli to understand their theological distinctives and contributions (e.g., sola Scriptura, justification by faith, predestination, the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper). You will also consider how evangelical Christianity on the threshold of the twenty-first century can recapture the theological energy and renewal of these giants of the Reformation. 2 credits.

• Research methods 1

  • RES 500/600 Graduate Research and Writing 1 Necessary tools and methodology required for graduate-level study concentrating on the theological disciplines are examined in this course. Investigation is made of various library research tools, including the use of the computer in research and writing. Also studied are matters of proper form and style for academic writing. The course is required of students selecting the thesis option in their programs and is available as an elective for all students. 1 credit.

• Research projects 2

  • RES 601 Guided Research 1+1 For students in the non-thesis Th.M. track, one or two credit hours per semester are scheduled until the guided research projects are completed. Two credit hours are required for completing the program. Pre- or co-requisite: RES 600. 1 credit.

Total Credits 25