Theology

Course Descriptions

Courses are listed and briefly described below.

Please understand that it is impossible to list all of the various texts that might be used in these courses

Therefore, we have not attempted to list the required texts per each course. These are simply some suggested texts for the courses in question. In nearly all cases, there will be other texts also required. These other texts will be determined between the professor and the student.

Click here for Reading and Writing Requirements.

Also, sometimes a text is listed for more than one course—this, however, does not mean that one can simply read a single text for several courses. If a student has read a particular text for a class, he/she cannot use that same text again for another course.

Next, some of the suggested texts may no longer be in print. If this is the case, the students and their mentors will simply select other, newer texts dealing with the same topic.

It is important to make clear that though we offer studies in a variety of theological and philosophical perspectives, CES does not necessarily endorse all of the positions listed in the course descriptions. However, rather than simply telling students what to think, it is our belief that an institution of education should allow an open atmosphere of learning, and that includes reading, studying, and critiquing various perspectives within Christianity. We believe that students deserve the right to read, critique, and decide for themselves which perspectives they believe to be correct. To this end, some courses are set up to see both sides of a debate: for example see courses TH-603/803 Eschatology, TH-206/406 Sanctification, and TH-615/815 Perpetuity of Spiritual Gifts.

(Number Name Hours Description)

TH-100 Bible Doctrines I 4SH An overview of the doctrines of the Scriptures, God, angels, man, and sin. (Christianity 101 by Gilbert Bilezikian)

TH-101 Bible Doctrines II 4SH An overview of the doctrines of Jesus Christ, the atonement, salvation, the Holy Spirit, the church, and the last things. (Elemental Theology by Emery Bancroft and/or The Great Doctrines of the Bible by William Evans)

TH-102/302 Christology 4SH Special discussions on Old Testament typology and prophecies concerning the present and future work of Jesus Christ. Main theme, the theological perspective of who Christ really is. (Jesus Christ Our Lord by John Walvoord)

TH-103/303 Trinity 4SH A study of the doctrine of the Trinity. (Understanding the Trinity by Alister E. McGrath)

TH-104/304 Christ's Resurrection 4SH Special emphasis is laid upon the New Testament evidence for the physical, bodily resurrection of Jesus, and how it is attested to in history. (Battle for the Resurrection by Norman Geisler)

TH-201/401 Justification 4SH What the doctrine of justification means to the 20th century person. (Justification by Faith: What it Means for Us Today by Alister E. McGrath)

TH-202/402 The Holy Spirit 4SH The person, works, and ministry of the Holy Spirit, and What is the baptism in the Holy Spirit. (What the Bible Says About the Holy Spirit by Stanley M. Horton, and others)

TH-203/403 Salvation 4SH A look at some various doctrines of salvation. Included in this study are discussions on repentance, faith, conversion, justification and more (texts to be determined).

TH-204/404 The History of Redemption 4SH A study of God's overarching redemptive purposes throughout history. (The Progress of Redemption: The Story of Salvation from Creation to the New Jerusalem by Willem A. Van Gemeren)

TH-205/405 New Testament Theology 4SH A study through a theological tour of the New Testament. (New Testament Theology by Leon Morris)

TH-206/406 Sanctification 4SH Five major Protestant sanctification views are presented. (Five Views on Sanctification by M. E. Dieter, A. A. Hoekema, Stanley M. Horton, J. R. McQuilkin, and J. F. Walvoord)

TH-207/407 Elemental Systematic Theology 4SH This study defines theology, gives many of the major topics of systematic theology. (Lectures in Systematic Theology by Henry C. Thiessen)

TH-208/408 Great Bible Doctrines 4SH The great doctrines of God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, Man, Salvation and more are covered in this course. (The Great Doctrines of the Bible by William Evans)

TH-209/409 Doctrine of Scripture 4SH An introduction to the doctrine of Scripture, the need of Scripture, and the verification of the Bible. (Either some or all of these texts can be used for this course: Christian Theology by Emery H. Bancroft, Knowing the Doctrines of the Bible by Myer Pearlman, Basic Theology by Charles C. Ryrie, Lectures in Systematic Theology by Henry C. Thiessen)

TH-210/410 God 4SH A study of the existence, nature, and attributes of God. (Either some or all of these texts can be used for this course: Christian Theology by Emery H. Bancroft, Knowing the Doctrines of the Bible by Myer Pearlman, Basic Theology by Charles C. Ryrie, Lectures in Systematic Theology by Henry C. Thiessen)

TH-211/411 Angels 4SH A study of good angels, wicked angels, and Satan. (Either some or all of these texts can be used for this course: Elemental Theology or Christian Theology by Emery H. Bancroft, Knowing the Doctrines of the Bible by Myer Pearlman, Basic Theology by Charles C. Ryrie, Lectures in Systematic Theology by Henry C. Thiessen)

TH-212/412 Man 4SH The biblical view of man with special attention to his origin and nature. (Either some or all of these texts can be used for this course: Elemental Theology or Christian Theology by Emery H. Bancroft, Knowing the Doctrines of the Bible by Myer Pearlman, Basic Theology by Charles C. Ryrie, Lectures in Systematic Theology by Henry C. Thiessen)

TH-213/413 Sin 4SH An investigation of sin, how it entered the human race, and its consequences. (Either some or all of these texts can be used for this course: Elemental Theology or Christian Theology by Emery H. Bancroft, Knowing the Doctrines of the Bible by Myer Pearlman, Basic Theology by Charles C. Ryrie, Lectures in Systematic Theology by Henry C. Thiessen)

TH-214/414 The Church 4SH This study explains what the church is, how one becomes a member, and what its function is to be in the world. (Either some or all of these texts can be used for this course: Elemental Theology or Christian Theology by Emery H. Bancroft, Knowing the Doctrines of the Bible by Myer Pearlman, Basic Theology by Charles C. Ryrie, Lectures in Systematic Theology by Henry C. Thiessen)

TH-215/415 End Times 4SH Subjects such as death, resurrection, destiny, and the second coming of Christ are discussed. (Either some or all of these texts can be used for this course: Christian Theology by Emery H. Bancroft, Knowing the Doctrines of the Bible by Myer Pearlman, Basic Theology by Charles C. Ryrie, Lectures in Systematic Theology by Henry C. Thiessen)

TH-216/416 Cults 4SH An overview of teachings contrary to biblical Christianity, which constitute a cult. It also discusses some of the more prominent cults of our day. (The Kingdom of the Cults by Walter Martin)

TH-217/417 Law and Grace 4SH A review of the debate on Lordship Salvation. (The Gospel According to Jesus by John MacArthur, and Absolutely Free by Zane Hodges)

TH-218/418 Revival 4SH A biblical, historical, and practical study of revival. (Revival by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, and selected texts)

TH-460/660 Apologetics 4SH A study in the intellectual defense of the Christian faith. (Christian Apologetics by Norman Geisler, and/or The God Who Makes a Difference: A Christian Appeal to Reason by Bernard L. Ramm, and Know Why You Believe by Paul Little)

TH-470/670 The Resurrection Debate 4SH A debate on the orthodox position of the resurrection of Jesus. (Battle for the Resurrection by Norman Geisler, and From Grave to Glory by Murray J. Harris)

TH-490 Bachelor's Senior Paper 8SH The student selects, with the approval of the mentor, a topic in theology.

TH-501/701 Historical Apologetics 4SH Introduction to some of the great minds within the Christian faith throughout church history. (Classical Readings in Christian Apologetics, ed. by Russ L. Bush and Varieties of Christian Apologetics by Bernard Ramm)

TH-502/702 Old Testament Biblical Theology 4SH The development of major Old Testament doctrines is explained: God, creation, man, sin, the Messiah, revelation, Satan and more. (The Theology of the Older Testament by J. Barton Payne; Toward An Old Testament Theology by Walter Kaiser, Jr., and Old Testament Exegesis by Douglas Stuart)

TH-503/703 Introduction to Systematic Theology 4SH Includes discussions on formal characteristics of dogmatics, the necessity of dogmas, and the scientific character of theology. (Introduction to Systematic Theology by Louis Berkhof, Charts of Christian Theology and Doctrines by H. Wayne House, Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem)

TH-504/704 Bibliology 4SH The supernatural origin of the Bible, revelation, inspiration, and authority. (Systematic Theology, Vol. 1, Abridged Edition by L. S. Chafer, Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, ed by Walter Elwell, and Christian Theology by Millard Erickson, Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem)

TH-505/705 Theology Proper 4SH An in-depth research of the identity of God. Arguments for the existence of God such as the cosmological, teleological, and ontological are but part of this rich study. (Systematic Theology, Vol. 1, Abridged Edition by L. S. Chafer, Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, ed by Walter Elwell, and Christian Theology by Millard Erickson, Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem)

TH-506/706 Trinitarianism 4SH Included are preexistence of the Son of God, the hypostatic union, and the Deity of the Holy Spirit. (Systematic Theology, Vol. 1, Abridged Edition by L. S. Chafer, Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, ed by Walter Elwell, and Christian Theology by Millard Erickson, Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem)

TH-507/707 Angelology 4SH Discussed are the reality and personality of angels, their participation in the moral problem, their number and classifications, and Satan's creation, original state, and fall. (Systematic Theology, Vol. 1, Abridged Edition by L. S. Chafer, Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, ed by Walter Elwell, and Christian Theology by Millard Erickson)

TH-508/708 Biblical Anthropology 4SH Included in this study is the origin of man, the material part of man, the immaterial part of man, his state of innocence at creation, and his fall from grace. (Systematic Theology, Vol. 1, Abridged Edition by L. S. Chafer, Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, ed by Walter Elwell, and Christian Theology by Millard Erickson, Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem)

TH-509/709 Hamartiology 4SH A study of man's original sin and his personal sins as well as the transmission of his sin nature to his offspring. (Systematic Theology, Vol. 1, Abridged Edition by L. S. Chafer, Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, ed by Walter Elwell, and Christian Theology by Millard Erickson, Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem)

TH-510/710 Covenant Theology 1 4SH An exegetical and systematic theological study of the doctrine that God deals with man covenantally. (The Christ of the Covenants by O. Palmer Robertson, and The Economy of the Divine Covenants by Herman Witsius.)

TH-511/711 Covenant Theology II: History of Development 4SH Beginning with late medieval attempts to relate God's sovereignty in predestination and grace with man's responsibility and role in the reception of grace, this course traces the development of covenantal thought through the Reformation era to the present. (Selected primary sources; The Binding of God by Peter Lillback)

TH-512/712 Sacraments 4SH An examination of the theological basis and the practical administration of the Christian sacraments. Students will be exposed to a variety of perspectives.

TH-601/801 Soteriology 4SH A study of the remedy of sin, salvation through Jesus Christ. (The Doctrine of Salvation by Charles M. Horne, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, Abridged Edition by L. S. Chafer, Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, ed by Walter Elwell, and Christian Theology by Millard Erickson, Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem)

TH-602/802 Ecclesiology 4SH A study of the church of Jesus Christ. Various biblical figures used of the Church in relation to Christ are discussed. Also discussed are the Organized Church, an "irreverent" look at church growth, and some of the "show-biz" tactics of some churches. (The Ultimate Church by Tom Raabe, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, Abridged Edition by L. S. Chafer, Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, ed by Walter Elwell, and Christian Theology by Millard Erickson, Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem)

TH-603/803 Eschatology 4SH A study of the end times and the various eschatological perspectives. (A Survey of Bible Prophecy by R. Ludwigson, and The Rapture: Pre - Mid- or Post-Tribulational? by G. L. Archer, P. D. Feinberg, D. J. Moo, and Richard Reiter)

TH-604/804 The Gift of Prophecy 4SH A careful examination of prophecy. (The Gift of Prophecy in the New Testament and Today by Wayne Grudem)

TH-605/805 Arminian Theology 4SH A study that expounds the proposition that God through His sovereignty has chosen to respect the moral freedom that He sovereignly delegated to His human creatures. (Arminian Theology: Myths And Realities by Roger E. Olson; Grace, Faith, Free Will: Contrasting Views of Salvation: Calvinism and Arminianism by Robert E. Picirilli; Four Views on Eternal Security, by J. Matthew Pinson, and other texts to be determined)

TH-606/806 Calvinistic Theology 4SH A study in which the Five Points of Calvinism are explained and discussed: total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, and perseverance of the saints. (The Potter's Freedom, by James R. White; Chosen but Free: A Balanced View of Divine Election, by Norman Geisler, Four Views on Eternal Security, by J. Matthew Pinson, and other texts to be determined)

TH-607/807 Integrative Theology I 4SH This course integrates various theologies in a distinct methodology rather than studying each of them, e.g., biblical theology, systematic theology, and apologetics as independent. (Integrative Theology, Vol. 1 by Gordon Lewis and Bruce Demarest)

TH-608/808 Integrative Theology II 4SH A continuation of Integrative Theology I. (Integrative Theology, Vol. 2 by Gordon Lewis and Bruce Demarest)

TH-609/809 Integrative Theology III 4SH A continuation of Integrative Theology I & II. (Integrative Theology, Vol. 3 by Gordon Lewis and Bruce Demarest)

TH-610/810 Advanced Apologetics 4SH Examines the classical arguments for the existence of God, the philosophical issues which confront contemporary apologetics, and gives a critique on presuppositional apologetics. (Classical Apologetics by R.C. Sproul, John Gerstner, and Arthur Lindsay)

TH-611/811 Renewal Theology I 4SH A Charismatic perspective emphasizing previously neglected or inadequately-treated aspects of theology by Charismatics. Subjects of study are God, the world, and redemption. (Renewal Theology: God, the World, and Redemption by J. Rodman Williams)

TH-612/812 Renewal Theology II 4SH A continuation of Renewal Theology I. Subjects include the Holy Spirit and Christian living. (Renewal Theology: Salvation, the Holy Spirit, and Christian Living by J. Rodman Williams)

TH-613/813 Motivational Gifts 4SH A study of the seven Motivational Gifts listed in Romans 12. A special view of these gifts as personality types is discussed. (texts to be determined)

TH-614/814 Ministry Gifts 4SH A study of the Ministry gifts listed in Ephesians 4. (texts to be determined)

TH-615/815 Manifestations of the Spiritual Gifts 4SH A study of the Manifestations of the Spirit listed in 1 Corinthians 12. (texts to be determined)

TH-616/816 Perpetuity of Spiritual Gifts 4SH Investigating the perpetuity of spiritual gifts (Are Miraculous Gifts for Today? Four Views, Wayne Grudem, ed., and other texts to be determined)

TH-631/831 Systematic Theology I 4SH A systematic study of Angelology, Anthropology, Bibliology, Creation, Ecclesiology, and Eschatology.

TH-632/832 Systematic Theology II 4SH A systematic study of Christology, Hamartiology, Soteriology, Pneumatology, and Theology Proper.

TH-690 Master's Thesis 8 SH The student selects, with the approval of the mentor, a topic in theology.

TH-890 Doctoral Dissertation 8 SH The student selects, with the approval of the mentor, a topic in theology.

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