Center for Christian Studies

Mission: “Scripture Alone” (sola scriptura) remains a key motto of the Protestant tradition, reminding us that the study and understanding of the Bible is at the heart of our faith. Through scripture, we learn of God’s intention for and interaction with all of creation, God’s plan for salvation, and how God has called out people and nations throughout history.

Core: Courses provide a foundation in the basics of biblical interpretation and a thorough introduction to the Old and New Testaments.

200 Level: Courses offer a more intensive focus on particular books of the Bible or portions of scripture.

300 Level: Courses offer a scholarly approach to particular themes or issues in biblical studies.

Theme Courses marked with this symbol (at left) are directly related to the theme for the 2007 - 2008 year Changing Times...Changing Seasons, which focuses on Daniel 2:21.

Bible Courses: 2007 - 2008
100 Level
Old Testament Part I: Genesis through Esther
Old Testament Part II: Wisdom and the Prophets
New Testament Part I: The Gospels
New Testament Part II: Letters of the New Testament: A Glimpse from Romans to Revelation
Jesus, the Skeleton Key Who Unlocks the Scriptures
Leadership in the Bible: A Kerygma Course
Becoming a Woman of Purpose

200 Level
Chapters in the Life and Theology of the Apostle Paul
The Past Is the Key to the Present: Archaeology, the Bible, and Our Unchanging World

TERM 1
(Click to print Term 1 Registration Form)

B117 • Old Testament Part I: Genesis Through Esther
Paul Rock
Sundays, 9:30 am - 10:45 am
September 16 to October 14

This five-week course will cover Genesis through Esther. In the first half we will concentrate on the first five books of the Bible, the “Pentateuch,” which have to do with Creation, the birth of Israel, and Israel’s interactions with God and neighboring peoples. The second half will focus on the “history” books which detail the stories of leaders, narratives, and movements that made up Israel’s identity and history. We’ll briefly cover the content of these books and which hermeneutics we employ to understand, interpret, and apply their teachings.

B122 • Leadership in the Bible: A Kerygma Course
Ariane Arpels-Josiah
Wednesdays, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
September 19 to October 17

The Bible is full of detailed stories about leaders, from Moses and David to Jesus and Paul. In this Bible study based on the Kerygma program, we’ll look closely at a number of these leaders. Our goal will be to identify qualities that we can carry into our own lives as leaders, whether in our profession, community, or home. Our goal will also be to guide the Pastor Nominating Committee at our church through specific prayer and a written summary of our conclusions. Topics will include: What does Jesus say about leading through servanthood? How do spiritual practices help shape our identity as leaders? And how do leaders serve as moral examples yet avoid the pressures of perfectionism?

Class size: 20

Book: The Kerygma Program, God Calls Leaders: Great Themes of the Bible, Resource Book. 2000, $16.

B273 • The Past Is the Key to the Present: Archaeology, the Bible, and Our Unchanging World
Gordon Franz
Tuesdays, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
September 18 to October 16

Someone once said, “The more things change, the more they remain the same.” Our instructor will draw on his extensive archaeological experiences and research in Israel to demonstrate that people’s attitudes and actions have not really changed. The topics to be discussed are: “Archaeology Is Not a Treasure Hunt: The Excavations at Ketef Hinnom, Jerusalem”; “Shake, Rattle, and Roll: An Extraordinary Earthquake in the Mid-8th Century B.C.”; “The Temple Mount Sifting Project; Noah’s Ark: Has It Been Found? If So, Where?”; and “Herod the Great: His Building Activities and His Bones.”

TERM 2
(Click to print Term 2 Registration Form)

B118 • Old Testament Part II: Wisdom and the Prophets
Katherine C. Dunn
Sundays, 9:30 am - 10:45 am
November 4 to December 9

“The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak justice.” (Psalm 37:30). This course will begin with an overview of Wisdom Literature in the Old Testament, looking particularly at Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes, and will then explore the Latter Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel) and the Twelve Prophets (particularly Amos, Obadiah, Jonah and Micah).

TERM 3
(Click to print Term 3 Registration Form)

B119 • New Testament Part I: The Gospels
Randolph L.C. Weber
Sundays, 9:30 am - 10:45 am
January 13 to February 10

This section on the Gospels will focus on the particular perspectives of the four Gospel writers, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, on Jesus’ life and ministry. And it will take a look at how they attempted to share their understanding of the imperatives of the Christian Faith in the first century A.D.

TERM 4
(Click to print Term 4 Registration Form)

B120 • New Testament Part II: Letters of the New Testament: A Glimpse from Romans to Revelation
Elaine Padilla
Sundays, 9:30 am - 10:45 am
February 24 to March 30

The letters of the New Testament contain the basic teachings that have served as the foundations of the Christian faith. This course will explore the main content of these letters that form the remaining books after the Gospels and Acts. We will look at the wider Jewish and Greco-Roman religious and cultural backgrounds of the period as well as some of the religious and secular documents. Careful attention will be given to the uniqueness of the message of these letters in their final form.

Class Size: 25

Book: Eugene H. Peterson, The Message: New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs, Eugene Peterson, NavPress Publishing Group, $15.

B123 • Becoming a Woman of Purpose
Virginia Willis and Zoe Lazarides
Tuesdays, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
February 26 to April 1

Becoming a Woman of Purpose is a study for women to discuss and gain a better understanding of God’s intended purposes for us as His people. Our aim is to grow through God’s word toward a genuine peace and fulfillment as God’s creation.

Class Size: 20

Book: Cynthia Heald, Becoming a Woman of Purpose, NavPress Books. 1994, $8.

B272 • Chapters in the Life and Theology of the Apostle Paul
Elliott Wright
Sundays, 9:30 am - 10:45 am
February 24 to March 30

Students will look at the Apostle Paul’s major theological concepts and how they fit into his life and experience. Paul is widely considered the primary organizer of Christianity, and an understanding of his views of God and Christian discipleship is essential to understand the church across the centuries and today. Participants will learn some of the reasons Paul put such heavy emphasis on grace and law, faith and righteousness, Jesus and resurrection, ethics and church life, and missionary vigor. The primary reading material will be the letters of Paul in the New Testament.

Books: Jouette M. Bassler, Navigating Paul, Westminster John Knox Press, 2006, $20. Other supplementary material will be provided by the instructor.

TERM 5
(Click to print Term 5 Registration Form)

B121 • Jesus, the Skeleton Key Who Unlocks the Scriptures
Jane and Roland Perdue
Sundays, 1:00 pm
April 20 to May 18

Roland and Jane will focus on the key teachings of Christ and how God fully revealed God’s self to humanity through the incarnation. After highlighting Christ’s main themes, they will look back over the Old Testament, viewing its history and teachings through the lens of Christ, drawing out the eternal themes of God’s love and truth.