AP101 Introduction to Apologetics, K. Scott Oliphint
Purpose: to introduce students to Christian apologetics, to learn the art of presuppositional argument, to learn how to lift up Christ and give reasons for the hope that we have (1 Peter 3:15), to develop tools in order to understand the surrounding culture. Topics covered in the course include the biblical and theological basis for apologetics, informal logic and the nature of argument, developing a world and life view, presuppositionalism, and the application of apologetics to problems in philosophy. 3 semester hours.

CH 211D Ancient Church History, Peter A. Lillback
Purpose: To introduce students to the major events, personalities, and ideas which shaped the life and thought of the early church; To encourage students to think historically about the church’s past; To enable students to read the major texts of the early church Fathers for themselves. Topics and personalities covered include the first-century background, the Apostolic Fathers, Irenaeus, Tertullian, Origen, trinitarian and christological debates, Augustine, the rise of monasticism, and martyrdom. 2 semester hours.

CH311 Reformation Church, Carl Trueman. Purpose: to introduce students to the major events, personalities, and ideas which shaped the Reformation of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, to encourage students to think historically about the church's past, to enable students to read major theological texts from the Reformation for themselves. Topics and personalities covered include the late medieval context, Martin Luther, John Calvin, justification by faith, anabaptism, the Catholic Reformation, the Anglican settlements, and the rise of Puritanism. 3 semester hours. This course will be conducted by videoconferences and sessions on campus with Dr. Trueman.

NT011D Greek II, R. Elliott Greene
Purpose of Greek I, II, III: To prepare students for fur ther work in the New Testament by giving them a reading knowledge of Koiné Greek. The course is designed for beginners; no prior knowledge of Greek is assumed. The students will cover the basics of grammar and acquire a core vocabulary. During the last semester students will do recitations from the Greek New Testament and be introduced to the issues of syntax. 3 semester hours. Auditing not permitted.

NT111 General Introduction to the NT, Steven Vanderhill, R. Elliott Greene
Purpose: to provide students with the historical and literary framework requisite for responsible New Testament interpretation and to survey introductory matters that apply to the New Testament as a whole: historical and linguistic background, inscripturation and canon formation, textual transmission and criticism. The general approach to these issues is historical, but with an underlying concern for the theological dimensions of each. Prerequisite, Greek I or equivalent completed or in progress. 3 semester hours.

NT211 Gospels, Adrian Smith
Purpose: to develop an initial framework of understanding for interpreting and applying the canonical Gospels; to familiarize students with the Gospels' description of the earthly ministry and teaching of Jesus Christ, and to enable them to understand and apply the theology of the Gospels in ministry. Topics covered include a selective survey and critique of historical-critical investigation of the Gospels, questions of special introduction, an overview of the content and theology of Jesus' actions and teaching, and an examination of the character and special emphases of each canonical Gospel. Prerequisites, Greek III or equivalent, Hebrew III or equivalent, NT 111 and NT 123. 4 semester hours.

NT311 General Epistles and Revelation, Adrian Smith
Purpose: to introduce the particular character of Revelation and the General Epistles, to enable students to understand these books so that they can apply their teaching to their own lives and in their ministry. This course will deal with questions of special introduction, and will include the exegesis of selected passages in order to establish the structure and distinctive themes of these books. Prerequisites, Greek III or equivalent, Hebrew III or equivalent, NT 111 and NT 123. 2 semester hours

NT Book of Revelation Seminar, Vern Poythress

Dr. Poythress will offer a two day seminar on the Book of Revelation, Friday evening October 12 and Saturday October 13. The schedule will be announced later. For more information, contact dallas@wts.edu.

OT051AD Hebrew I, Michael Rasmussen
Purpose of Hebrew I, II, III: To teach students elements of the Hebrew language; To expose the student to a significant amount of biblical Hebrew through extensive translation of portions of the Hebrew Bible; To prepare the student for further exegetical work in Old Testament courses. Topics covered include orthography, phonemics, morphology, and syntax. The third semester is devoted to extensive reading and translation of narrative and poetic materials from the Hebrew Bible. 3 semester hours. Auditing not permitted.
Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:45-10:30am

OT211 OT History and Theology I, Douglas Gropp
Purpose: To provide an introduction to the theology of the Pentateuch; To engage in the exegesis of selected passages from the Pentateuch with particular attention to their relationship to ancient Near Eastern literature, the theology of the Pentateuch as a whole, and to the history of redemption as it reaches its climax in the gospel. Topics covered include the narrative structure of the Bible, the Pentateuch and the history of redemption, Genesis 1-3 as an entry point to biblical theology, and the book of Exodus. Prerequisites Hebrew III or equivalent and NT 123. 3 semester hours.

PT021 Mentored Ministry Integration Seminar, Michael Rasmussen Purpose: to discuss the integration of biblical and theological principles to ministry situations, to provide a workshop in which each student will present one case from an actual ministry experience, to learn to analyze problems, apply biblical principles, and propose appropriate solutions in the context of lively class discussions. Students in the M.Div. program are required to take this seminar twice; $200 fee per seminar.

PT111 Orientation to Ministry, Michael Rasmussen
Purpose: to receive an introduction to the comprehensive picture of preparation for kingdom ministry, including the biblical qualifications for those who would serve as shepherds of God's flock, to understand the powerful ministry dynamic of Spirit and Word to transform lives, to remember the central role of a vital walk with the Lord to effective ministry (Spiritual Formation), to understand the steps necessary to achieve perceived ministry goals (Professional Formation), to understand and analyze the “call” to ministry, to receive an introduction to the Mentored Ministry program, to receive an introduction to the design of the Practical Theology curriculum, to complete the Ministry Preparation Contract designed to coordinate the resources of the Seminary and the church with one's comprehensive preparation for effective kingdom service. Topics covered in this course include calling to ministry, the minister's family life, and spiritual formation, using various approaches to learning, including readings, response papers, and interaction with “Pastors Panels” in which experienced clergy will interact with the class on important topics such as “Call to Ministry” and “The Minister's Family Life.” This course is required for all first-year M.Div. students. 2 semester hours.

PT Elective, Pastoral Theology of Jonathan Edwards, Wesley Pastor
Purpose: To examine the role of the pastor as evangelist and revivalist; specifically, we will examine the Biblical model for this kind of ministry with a specific focus on the revivalistic writings and sermons of Jonathan Edwards. Readings to be discussed include: The Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Spirit of God, Edwards; A Faithful Narrative of the Surprising Work of God, in the Conversion of Many Hundred Souls, Edwards; A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections (Selected Readings), Edwards; Selected Sermons, Edwards & Spurgeon; Selected Readings in John’s Gospel and Epistles and Acts. 2 semester hours.

PT551 Preaching Seminar, David O'Dowd
Purpose: To create an appreciation for expository teaching, to enhance the student's skill for choosing, understanding, and structuring a biblical text for the purpose of preaching, to provide an opportunity to practice those skills, to encourage critical reflection upon the student's own preaching for continuing development. Topics covered in this course include analysis of various sermon forms and structures; unity, movement, and purpose in sermon construction; and grace dynamics of Christian preaching. Two expository messages will be preached and videotaped by each student and evaluated by the professor. 2 semester hours.

PT 363D Orientation to Pastoral Counseling
with Dr. Paul Tripp
with special guest lecture by Dr. David Powlison

Purpose: to help students develop a functional, biblical counseling worldview; to help students understand the importance of heart change as a methodological goal; to develop an understanding of the role of Scripture in biblical counseling; to highlight and practice the critical skills for effectiveness in biblical counseling. Topics covered include how to build a counseling relationship, how to gather and interpret data, how to function as an agent of repentance, and how to guide and assist others as they seek to apply change to daily life. Two semester hours.
Dr. Powlison will be guest lecturer on Thursday, September 27, 6:30pm. The general public and students are invited to attend.
September 19-20 Wed & Thurs 6:30-10:00pm
September 27, Thurs 6:30pm: Powlison lecture
October 17-18 Wed & Thurs 6:30-10:00pm
November 14-15 Wed & Thurs 6:30-10:00pm

ST101 Introduction to Systematic Theology, Sinclair Ferguson
Purpose: to provide foundations for the study of theology, particularly for deepening understanding of the teaching of Scripture as a whole and in its unity. Topics covered in the course include nature, method, and sources of theology; revelation and the inspiration of Scripture. 2 semester hours.

ST 211 Doctrine of Man, Sinclair Ferguson
Purpose: To enable students to understand and to value their identity as made in God’s image, as they see that image in Jesus Christ; To think of “self-esteem” in a biblical way, as “boasting in weakness”; To enable students to recognize the guilt and misery of their sin; and how that is removed by God’s love expressed in Christ and his work; To understand what is crucial about the relation between the imputation of Adam’s sin and the imputation of Christ’s righteousness; To learn more of the skills involved in graduate research. Topics covered in this course include Reformed and other understandings of the image of God; dichotomy and trichotomy; biblical aspects of personality; covenant relationship to God; New England, Princeton, and Southern understandings of the imputation of Adam’s sin; law and gospel as basis of the knowledge of sin; inability; forgiveness of others. Prerequisite, Hebrew III completed or in progress and Greek III or equivalent. 2 semester hours.

Chapel Tuesdays 12:30-1:30pm

Some courses not listed here may be available to students on an as-needed basis. If you are a student completing your program and need to register for a course not listed, please contact the Dean regarding special arrangements.