| The New Testament Greek |
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A thorough treatment of the essentials of the morphology, syntax, and vocabulary of
the koine Greek language of the New Testament, with the reading of selected portions from
the Gospels and Epistles of the Greek New Testament as time permits. |
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| The New Testament Greek Readings |
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An assigned series of texts from the Greek New Testament and the Septuagint. This
course is intended to refresh and enforce skills in the Greek of the Septuagint and New
Testament periods. In addition, it is designed to give experience in reading large
portions of the biblical Greek text. Texts are chosen from various genres. Special place
is given to New Testament pericopes from the church lectionary. Prerequisite: New
Testament Greek. |
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| Hebrew I |
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The essentials of the morphology, syntax, and vocabulary of biblical Hebrew. Hebrew I
covers basic vocabulary and syntax, and the morphology of the regular verb. Hebrew II
deals chiefly with the irregular verb formations and builds upon the lexical and
syntactical foundation laid in Hebrew I. |
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| Hebrew II |
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The essentials of the morphology, syntax, and vocabulary of biblical Hebrew. Hebrew I
covers basic vocabulary and syntax, and the morphology of the regular verb. Hebrew II
deals chiefly with the irregular verb formations and builds upon the lexical and
syntactical foundation laid in Hebrew I. |
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| Old Testament Hebrew |
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Taught in two parts, this course covers the essentials of biblical Hebrew. Hebrew I
treats basic vocabulary and syntax, including the formation of nouns and adjectives, the
construct state, and the morphology of the regular verb. Hebrew II deals chiefly with the
irregular verb formations and builds upon the lexical and syntactical foundation laid in
Hebrew I. Reading from the Hebrew Old Testament is introduced as time permits. |
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| Hebrew Readings |
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An assigned series of texts from the Hebrew Old Testament. This course is designed to
refresh and enforce skills in the ancient Hebrew language, to acquaint students with
larger portions of the Old Testament text, and to give wider experience in reading the
various periods and genres of Hebrew. To this end, texts are chosen from the Torah, the
Former and Latter Prophets, and the Writings. Special place is given to Old Testament
pericopes from the church lectionary. Prerequisite: Old Testament Hebrew I and II. |
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| Hermeneutics |
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An introduction to interpretation of the Bible in the original languages. The course
includes introductory textual criticism, with practice in using the textual apparatus of
the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia and the Nestle-Aland Greek New Testament. The history
of interpretation is surveyed, with emphasis on the hermeneutics of the biblical writers
and the early church. Old Testament Christology, inspiration, and linguistics are treated
during the course. Genres of both testaments are studied and sample exegesis is given. The
latest hermeneutical theories are briefly evaluated. Skills are established in developing
a hermeneutic that is Christ-centered, churchly, and confessional, for liturgical
preaching and teaching. |
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| The Old Testament Isagogics I |
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An introduction to the five books of Moses, the Former Prophets, and the Writings
(except Daniel), including a basic background in Old Testament history and geography.
Attention is given to the theories of higher criticism, especially Pentateuchal criticism,
vis-a-vis the biblical texts. The purpose, themes, and theology of these Old Testament
books are dealt with. |
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| The Old Testament Isagogics II |
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Supplemental to Old Testament Isagogics I, treating the books of the Latter Prophets
and Daniel. The nature and hermeneutics of inspired biblical prophecy and the integrity of
the prophetic message is discussed in light of the questions raised by historical
criticism. There is an emphasis on the backgrounds, themes, and theology of the prophets,
with a view toward their Messianic fulfillment. Questions of biblical eschatology are
explored. |
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| The New Testament Isagogics |
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An introduction to the books of the New Testament against their historical and
cultural background, including a survey of the development of the New Testament canon.
Questions of chronology, date, and authorship are addressed with reference to
higher-critical questions. Stress is laid on genres, themes, theology, Christology,
sacramentology, and eschatology of the New Testament books. |
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| Synoptic Gospel |
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An overview of one of the Synoptic Gospels with in-depth exegetical study of selected
portions of the Greek text. Offerings include Matthew and Luke. An appreciation is
cultivated for the unique emphases and themes of each Synoptic Gospel. Christology is
stressed, as well as the liturgical structure and setting and use in the church. A
confessional hermeneutical method grounded in churchly theology is practiced in the
exegesis and interpretation of the Gospel. Prerequisite: New Testament Greek. |
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| The Gospel of John |
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An overview of the fourth Gospel with in-depth exegetical study of selected portions
of the Greek text. The unique features of Johannine language and presentation of Christ
are appreciated. Emphasized especially is the Gospel's singular Christological and
sacramental structure and teaching. A catholic and confessional hermeneutical method is
cultivated in the reading and interpretation of the Gospel. Prerequisite: New Testament
Greek. |
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| New Testament Epistle |
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A study of a major Pauline Epistle, either Romans or Galatians, including in-depth
exegetical work on selected portions of the Greek text. The theme of justification through
faith is explored in all its Christological richness. Sacramental themes such as baptism
into Christ are carefully traced, as well as law and gospel, Old Testament fulfillment in
Christ, life in Christ, and others. The original liturgical setting and use of the Epistle
is duly noted. A churchly and confessional hermeneutic is cultivated in the exegetical
work. Prerequisite: New Testament Greek. |
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| The Book of Exodus |
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An overview of the Book of Exodus with in-depth exegetical study of selected portions
of the Hebrew text. Special attention in given to the liturgical structure of the book and
its foundational importance for Israel's life and worship. The nature of God's revelation
of his name Yahweh is explored in depth. Stress is placed on the book's fulfillment in
Christ and the church. Prerequisite: Hebrew I and II. |
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| Old Testament Prophet |
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A study of an Old Testament book from the Latter Prophets with in-depth exegetical
work on selected portions of the Hebrew text. Offerings include Isaiah and Ezekiel. The
prophetic hermeneutic covered in Old Testament Isagogics II is deepened and applied to the
particular prophetic book studied. The typology, Christology, and eschatology of each
prophet are particularly stressed, as well as the peculiar themes of each book (for
example, the Messianic prophecies and Servant themes in Isaiah, or the visions of God and
priestly view of Ezekiel). Prerequisite: Hebrew I and II. |
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| The Book of Psalms |
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A thorough exegetical study of selected Hebrew psalms representing the various genres.
Attention is given to the original liturgical settings and origins of the psalms as
essential to their right interpretation. There is an emphasis on Messianic and
ecclesiological fulfillment and application. Prerequisite: Hebrew I and II. |
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| The Ancient Church History (up to the Council of Chalcedon) |
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| Patristics |
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| The Western Church History (A.D. 451-1517) |
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| The Eastern Bysantine Church History (A.D. 451-1453) |
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| The Reformation and the Modern History (with an emphasis on the history of
the Lutheran Church) |
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| The History of Christianity in Russia |
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| The Lutheran Confessions |
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A historical and doctrinal overview of the writings foundational to the Lutheran
Church, beginning with the three Ecumenical Creeds. The meaning of subscription to the
Confessions is explored. The course not only surveys the various points of doctrine taught
in the Confessions, but also evaluates the Confessions' claims to true catholicity. The
goal is to give a basic understanding and grasp of the confessional writings. Contemporary
questions confronting Lutherans, such as church and ministry, the sacraments, and
ecumenical relations are examined in light of the Book of Concord. |
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| Dogmatics I |
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A thorough overview of matters pertaining to the First Article of the Creed,
especially the doctrine of God and his creation. Emphasis is given to the teaching on the
Holy Trinity found in the Scriptures, the church fathers, and the ecumenical councils, as
well as the inseparable connection of the locus on creation to christology and
ecclesiology. Also covered in the course are angelology and divine revelation. |
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| Dogmatics II |
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A study of the person and work of Jesus Christ as confessed in the Second Article of
the Creed. The testimony of the Scriptures, the early church and ecumenical councils, and
the Lutheran Confessions is set forth over against the many Christological errors, ancient
and modern. Emphasis is given to the importance of christology for such points of doctrine
as justification, man, ecclesiology, and sacramentology. In connection with christology,
the course treats the locus on Scripture, showing how Christ is central to biblical
revelation, the Author, Subject, and Goal of the written Word of God.. |
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| Dogmatics III |
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An in-depth look at the loci on anthropology, original sin, grace, justification,
sanctification, and law and gospel. These topics are not treated in abstraction, but in
their relation to God and creation, Christology, Scripture, ecclesiology, and the
sacraments, as well as in their relation to one another. Scripture, church history, and
the Lutheran Confessions are examined in this connection. Ancient and modern heresies and
questions are discussed in this course. |
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| Dogmatics IV |
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A treatment of the doctrinal themes of church and ministry, sacraments, and
eschatology. These points of doctrine are studied not only individually but with a view
toward their relationship to one another, as well as to the themes covered in the other
sections of Dogmatics. Emphasis is placed on the teaching of the Scriptures, the testimony
of the church fathers and the church through the ages, and the Lutheran Confessions.
Questions of contemporary church doctrine and practice are addressed. |
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| Religious Bodies in Russia |
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| Liturgics |
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| Homiletics |
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| Parish Catechesis and Evangelism |
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| The Lutheran Hymnology |
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| Christian Ethics |
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| Pastoral Theology |
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| Theological English |
