300s Courses

320s Biblical Studies

320. Pentateuch — A close study of the literature of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy against the background of the Ancient Near East. Four Credits (Bandstra)

321. Archaeology and the Bible. A survey of archaeological discoveries and their application to understanding the biblical text. Four Credits (Bandstra)

325. Jesus and the Gospels — A study of the synoptic gospels and the Gospel of John, focusing on the life and teachings of Jesus, the development of the gospel traditions, and the special interests and concerns of each evangelist. Four Credits (Munoa)

326. Late New Testament and Early Christian Writings — A study of late New Testament writings, focusing on Hebrews, James, I Peter, and Revelation. Issues of background, genre, and interpretation will be dealt with. Other late New Testament and early Christian literature will also be examined briefly. Four Credits (Munoa)

328. Johannine Literature — A study of the gospel and epistles of John. Special emphasis will be placed on the exegesis of the Johannine texts and the theological questions which are raised in the interpretation of these writings. This course is taught as a seminar. Four Credits (Everts)

329. Studies in Scripture — A course designed to enable current staff or visiting faculty to teach a course in the area of their current research, and to facilitate cross-listing courses. Four Credits (Staff)

340s Historical Studies

344. Christianity in the Middle Ages — The history of the Christian experience from 400-1400, focusing on how Christians articulated belief and acted on religious conviction in the shifting economic, political, cultural, and social environments of the Middle Ages. Prerequisite: Religion 240. Four Credits (Tyler) Offered Every Other Year

345. The Reformation — The history of religious reform movements from the later Middle Ages through the sixteenth century with an emphasis on Lutheran, Zwinglian, Anabaptist, Calvinist, Anglican, and Roman Catholic reformations and churches. The course will emphasize not only theological developments, but also the interaction of religious, political, and cultural impulses and trends. Prerequisite: Religion 240. Four Credits (Tyler) Offered Every Other Year

346. Piety and Politics — A historical analysis of revival and reform movements in American religious history, and the interaction between Christianity and politics, morality, and social welfare. Prerequisite: Religion 240. Four Credits (Japinga) Offered Every Other Year

349. Studies in Religious History — A course designed to enable current staff or visiting faculty to teach a course in the area of their current research, and to facilitate cross-listing courses. Four Credits (Staff)

350s Courses in Ministry

358. Youth Ministry — An examination of contemporary youth culture and adolescent religious development with a view to developing an effective Christian ministry to young people. Prerequisites: two courses in religion and sophomore standing. Two Credits (Lindell)

359. Studies in Ministry — A course designed to enable current staff or visiting faculty to teach a course in the area of their current research, and to facilitate cross-listing courses. Two Credits

360s Theological Studies

362. Conceptions of God — A study of ancient, medieval, and modern ideas of God present in major religions, theologies, and philosophies. They will be examined and evaluated in the light of the biblical understanding of God as it develops in the Judeo-Christian tradition, and in relation to such topics as creation, human freedom, and knowledge of God. Four Credits (Bouma-Prediger, Wilson)

363. Studies in Christian Spirituality — A study of major views within the Christian tradition on the nature and practice of spirituality. In addition to the Bible, the writings of such masters as Benedict of Nursia, Maximus Confessor, Bernard of Clairvaux, Julian of Norwich, John Woolman, Soren Kierkegaard, Theresa of Lisieux, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and Mother Teresa will be examined. Four Credits (Bouma-Prediger)

364. Philosophical Theology — A study of major issues and questions which arise in Christian philosophical theology. Topics covered include grounds for belief in God; how God is known; what God is like; theology and science; miracles; the problem of evil; religious pluralism; the meaning of guilt and death in religious life. Prerequisite: Religion 260 or permission of instructor. Four Credits (Bouma-Prediger)

365. Ecological Theology and Ethics — A study of the nature and causes of current ecological degradation, the witness of Christian scripture and tradition concerning ecological matters, the duties and responsibilities of humans as earthkeepers, and the practical implications of living in a more earth-friendly way. This is an off-campus course combining traditional academic study with a wilderness backpacking, canoeing, and kayaking trip in which participants learn wilderness camping skills and develop their leadership ability in addition to examining issues in the area of ecological theology and ethics. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Four Credits (Bouma-Prediger)

366. Feminist Theology — An exploration of theological questions (who is God?, what does it mean to be human?, how do we read the Bible?, etc.) from the perspective of feminist theologians. Prerequisite: Religion 260 or permission of instructor. Four Credits (Japinga) Offered Every Other Year

367. Theology and Ethics of John Calvin — A study of the Institutes of John Calvin and their significance for the Reformed tradition in theology and ethics. Four Credits (Tyler)

369. Studies in Theology — A course designed to enable current staff or visiting faculty to teach a course in the area of their current research, and to facilitate cross-listing courses. Four Credits (Staff)

380s Studies in World Religions

381 - Religions of India - A study of the history and development of the major religions of India. Special attention is drawn to the impact of historical religion on modern India. (Wilson)

383 - Studies in Islam - A study of the history and development of Islam, considering its literature, doctrines, traditions, and practices. Particular emphasis is placed upon sectarian Islam with its various geographical locations and its political significance in the world today. (Wilson)

389 - Studies in World Religions - A course designed to enable current staff or visiting faculty to teach a course in the area of their current research, and to facilitate cross-listing courses. (Wilson)