Bible Course Descriptions

• Old Testament Survey I, 3 units
  An introduction to the entire Old Testament, employing both thematic and exegetical methods.  Literary structure, historical background, and parallel passages are also utilized to discover the unique and priceless lessons of each book.  This course surveys Genesis through II Samuel.

• Old Testament Survey II, 3 units
  A continued survey through the Old Testament, beginning with I Kings and finishing with Malachi.

• New Testament Survey I, 3 units
  An introduction to the books of the New Testament, with special emphasis on the life, teachings, and redemptive work of Christ, the founding and growth of the church.  On the basis of the biblical text, parallel readings, projects, and lectures, the events and message of the New Testament will be portrayed against their historical and cultural setting.  This course surveys Matthew through Acts.

• New Testament Survey II, 3 units
  A continued survey through the New Testament, beginning with Romans and finishing with Revelation.

• Christian Theology I, 3 units
  An analysis of the great doctrines of the Bible.  The significant issues of each theme are discussed, taking care to demonstrate that the Bible is the only source of theology.  The student is expected to examine all previous doctrinal conceptions in light of the Word of God.  This course will examine the doctrines of:
  - God (Theology proper),
  - Christ (Christology),
  - the Holy Spirit (Pneumatology),
  - Angels (Angelology),
  - the Bible (Bibliology).

• Christian Theology II, 3 units
  A continuation of Theology I.  This course will examine the doctrines of:
  - Man (anthropology),
  - Sin (harmartiology),
  - Salvation (soteriology),
  - the Church (ecclesiology),
  - the last days/end times (eschatology).

Counseling Course Descriptions

• Introduction to Biblical Counseling, 3 units
  A general introduction to basic concepts and distinctive features of biblical counseling. Students will discuss what biblical counseling is and what it involves, the role of the counselor in biblical counseling, the different kinds of counseling that are needed, the place of counseling in the ministry of the church, how biblical counseling theory and practice relate to and differ from some of the more common secular models and theories. Part of the course will involve a personal improvement project in which the student will evaluate his/her own counseling qualifications, design a plan for improving some area of his/her life, put that plan into action, and then evaluate his/her progress as the course draws to a close.
  
  
• Methods of Biblical Change, 3 units
  An overview of the counseling process presenting a comprehensive methodological model for promoting biblical change in people; the goal is to encourage biblical thinking and procedures in the process of helping people. Prerequisite: Introduction to Biblical Counseling.

Elective Course Descriptions

The elective courses round out a student’s Institute studies. To complete the Certificate program, two courses or a total of six units is required.

• Biblical Interpretation, 3 units
  An analysis of how to study and understand Scripture. Emphasis will be placed on the vital methods used to apply a passage, and the specific rules used to interpret biblical narratives, poetry, parables and prophecy.
  
• Life of Christ, 3 units
  A thorough overview of the life of Jesus Christ on earth, with special attention to the developing emphases and distinctive purposes that prevailed during our Lord’s public ministry. Theological and chronological difficulties are also considered.
  
• Marriage & Family Counseling, 3 units
  These courses are designed to apply the biblical principles taught in the Methods of Biblical Counseling course to a range of specific counseling problems. Topics discussed include anger, fear, depression, sexual deviancy, anxiety, eating disorders, decision making, one’s past, self-concept, various syndromes, ADHD, and crisis counseling. Each student will be part of a team that will develop and present to the class a detailed biblical counseling outline for a teacher-approved counseling problem. Prerequisite: Introduction to Biblical Counseling.
  
• History of the Church, 3 units
  A survey of personalities and issues in church history from the first century to the present. The course includes discussions of the church fathers, major councils, the Reformation, and key church leaders over the last two thousand years.
  
• Apologetics, 3 units
  A survey of the main approaches to apologetics, and examination of evidences for the Christian faith from such fields as science, history, archaeology, and philosophy.
  
• Ethics, 3 units
  A survey of the main approaches to ethics, issues in personal ethics, such as moral responsibility, decision-making, honesty, and conscience; and topics in special ethics such as war, abortion, euthanasia, genetic engineering, and church-state relations.
  
• Christian World View, 3 units
  A study of the application of biblical data to contemporary culture, science, and the arts so as to define a Christian world view, integrating liberal arts learning with biblical truth. Beginning with issues of epistemology, the student will be exposed to the relationship between the Bible and natural science, social science, and the humanities, concluding with an emphasis upon the apologetic value of the world view to modern life.
  
• Dynamics of Spiritual Life, 3 units
  How to understand the true nature of the Christian life, the context within which our lives and experiences take place; the nature of faith and idolatry as ruling “voices”, motivating and controlling behavior, how to understand and respond to being sinned against, building a biblical framework for defining and dealing with sin – our own and others’; the deceptive character of sin; the gospel foundation for all obedience; some alternative views of the Christian life; the biblical function and purpose of the church and the role of each Christian in the church are issues that will be considered in the course.
  
• Introduction to Missions, 3 units
  A general introduction to the principles and practices in Christian missions, surveying the biblical basis of missions, the missionary call, the missionary life and work, mission boards, and the mission program of the church.