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Theology Major

About Theology Major more

The Theology major at Concordia provides a thorough grounding in Biblical and Lutheran theology. Students develop a greater understanding of people, interrelationships and morally important contemporary societal issues.

Success in Theology more

Course for Theology Major

ARC-250 Near Eastern Archaeology

The course surveys the archaeology of the Levant from prehistoric times into the Islamic periods. It explores sites, monuments, and artistic remains as expressions of each society's institutions, beliefs, and self understanding. This course also introduces the main issues in the practice of Near Eastern archaeology.

ARC-351 Field Archaelogy

Through work at a field site, students gain experience in the excavation, recording, collection, conservation, and interpretation of material remains.

ED-454 Teaching the Faith

Theories of spiritual growth and development of children and adolescents, organization and distinctive characteristics of various religion curricula, theories and methods of effective teaching of the faith and materials for instruction at both elementary and secondary levels are studied. Classroom management and discipline from the Lutheran perspective is also considered. (Prerequisite: ED 336 Educational Psychology, upper level standing.)

GRK-212 Beginning Greek II

Students complete their study of the fundamentals of Greek grammar. (Prerequisite: GRK211)

GRK-312 Matthew

Through reading of major portions of the Greek text of Matthew, students build their skills in the translation of biblical Greek and analysis of grammatical forms. Particular attention will be given to the indicative verb. Matthew is read in the fall term prior to Year A in the liturgical cycle. (Prerequisite: GRK212 with a grade of C or above.)

GRK-314 Mark

Through reading of the complete Greek text of Mark, students build their skills in the translation of biblical Greek and analysis of grammatical forms. Particular attention will be given to nouns, pronouns, and adjectives. Mark is read in the fall term prior to Year B in the liturgical cycle. (Prerequisite: GRK212 with a grade of C or above.)

GRK-316 Luke

Through reading of major portions of the Greek text of Luke, students build their skills in the translation of biblical Greek and analysis of grammatical forms. Particular attention will be given to the vocabulary of Luke. Luke is read in the fall term prior to Year C in the liturgical cycle. (Prerequisite: GRK212 with a grade of C or above.)

GRK411 GRK411 Acts, Prison Epistles

No details available

GRK-412 Galatians and Romans

Through the reading of the complete Greek texts of Galatians and Romans, students build their skills in the translation of biblical Greek and analysis of grammatical forms. Particular attention will be given to participles. (Prerequisite: GRK212 with a grade of C or above.)

GRK413 GRK413 Gen Epistles, Hebrews & Rev

No details available

GRK-414 Corinthians

Through reading of major portions of the Greek texts of both letters, students build their skills in the translation of biblical Greek and analysis of syntactic relationships. Particular attention will be given to the syntax of subordinate clauses. (Pre requisite: completion of GRK 212 with a grade of C or above.)

GRK-416 Other Epistles

Through selected reading of the Greek texts of a wide variety of epistolary writings, students build their skills in the translation of biblical Greek and in the analysis of textual variants. Particular attention will be given to texts displaying a broad range of textual variation. (Prerequisite: GRK212 with a grade of C or above.)

HBR-312 Biblical Hebrew II

The study of basic Hebrew grammar is continued in this course. Students are introduced to weak verbs and to the study of the Hebrew text of the Torah. (Prerequisite: HBR311)

PHI-341 Major Systems of Philosophy

A selective historical survey of the principal areas of inquiry, key figures, major issues and tentative resolutions and the central themes prevailing in western philosophy during the ancient, medieval, modern and contemporary periods. The course is based on readings from primary sources and supplementary lectures and discussions.

THL-203 Old Testament Narrative

A survey of the narrative of the Torah, the Former Prophets, and the Writings. Special attention is paid to the concepts of promise, law, covenant, grace, and the presence of God in the story of God's people. The course concludes with a survey of the intertestamental period and the Old Testament apocryphal literature.

THL-206 New Testament

An introduction to the historical context and literature of the New Testament. Students master the stories and teachings of early Christianity, practice the use of the tools of biblical interpretation, and grow in their ability to read texts of the Bible in their historical and literary contexts.

THL-241 Church History

A panoramic survey of Christian history and thought from the apostolic age to the present. As such, the course traces the church's institutional history, its theology, its worship life, and the history of its missionary expansion against the larger political, intellectual, and socio-cultural back drop.

THL-303 Old Testament II

A study of the major and minor prophets; Psalms and wisdom literature; and apocalyptic literature. The course will examine the nature of prophecy, and the nature of worship and response to God's gifts and struggles in life. The overarching framework is God's covenant promise to be with His people and an analysis of how the people responded. (Prerequisite: THL203, Old Testament Narrative; THL206, New Testament)

THL-320 Global Christianity

The question �What is Christianity?� will be explored from a global perspective. After surveying the state of Christianity, its teachings, and practices, students will wrestle with basic questions of life and Christian vocation in the third millennium. A major component of the course will be study of worship practices of areas churches representing diverse cultural and immigrant groups. (Prerequisite THL100 Biblical Heritage of Christianity or THL206 New Testament)

THL-325 Christian Ethics for Professio

This course uncovers a foundation for the discussion of ethics and vocation in the chief elements of Christian doctrine and in the writings of major Lutheran theologians. Both ethical theory and personal values are explored. Students examine issues of accountability in business, sport, and politics through classroom discussions, and debates. In conversation with Christian themes, students develop a system for making ethical decisions in their personal lives as well as in public and employment

THL-330 Our Living Faith

A study of the content and effective application of the Christian understanding of creation, redemption, and sanctification; with an exploration of the biblical basis, the conceptual framework and the contemporary significance of the historic doctrines of the church.(Prerequisite THL100 Biblical Heritage of Christianity or THL206 New Testament)

THL-331 Seminar in Theology

A study of the nature, tasks and methods of Christian theology on the basis of primary sources from the Old and New Testaments, the Lutheran Confessions and representative writings from the classical Christian tradition. Students' readings and subsequent discussions will explore the variety of questions addressed in selected periods of Christian history, paying special attention to how the gospel is implicitly or explicitly an issue in these theological debates.

THL-334 Love and Hate

These two words bring forth a wide variety of actions, emotions, mind�sets, and frameworks for life. Students will spend a significant amount of time examining texts that speak of love and hate in the Bible. But the course will range widely to evaluate concepts of love and hate during various eras, in such diverse areas such as psychology, philosophy, history, literature, politics, and as conveyed in various media. The goal will be to understand various ways of addressing the subject of love

THL-335 God, Death and Destiny

An exploration of the diverse interpretations of death and ultimate human destiny in the major world religions, with particular attention to how these topics are addressed in the Christian Bible (the Old and New Testaments) and in the Christian tradition.(Prerequisite THL100 Biblical Heritage of Christianity or THL206 New Testament)

THL-336 Evil Meets Good

From earliest days of human history, people have struggled with the significance of evil and wickedness, especially in a world created by a God who is all and only good. Events such as the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon have deepened the questions, especially for Americans. This course will probe this conversation through interaction with some of the classic expressions of humanity�s understanding of good and evil, in the process considering texts from both Christian

THL-341 Lutheran Confessional Writings

A survey and analysis of the gospel-centered doctrinal content of the Book of Concord in its 16th century historical and theological context. The eleven confessional documents are studied and interpreted as the church's normative exposition of Holy Scripture, to which exposition the evangelical Lutheran church is committed in terms of both theological method and doctrinal substance.

THL-350 Religions of the World

Major religions are surveyed in terms of artifacts, behaviors, emotions, beliefs, values, world views, and histories. Surveys will be done of the religions in the Far East, Animism, Islam, Judaism, Christianity, and the cults.

THL-351 Jesus and Muhammad

This course takes a serious look at two billion�some adherent religions, Christianity and Islam. The �founders,� history, teachings and texts of the religions, as well as their contemporary practice will be studied, compared and contrasted. Questions of peaceful and political coexistence in the 21st century will be considered.(Prerequisite THL100 Biblical Heritage of Christianity or THL206 New Testament)

THL-352 Is God Green?

Drawing on the resources of Christianity and other religions, this course examines issues of ecology, sustainability and human health (broadly conceived). Students will explore the significance of Biblical themes of creation and new creation as they consider 21st century ethical choices for the care of the cosmos and the human community.(Prerequisite THL100 Biblical Heritage of Christianity or THL206 New Testament)

THL-356 One Nation under God?

The claim that the United States is a Christian nation will be examined from the Puritan settlers through the rise of the religious right in the late twentieth century, with particular emphasis on the notion of covenant and the influence of Christian leaders in various reform movements (abolitionist, temperance, women�s suffrage, civil rights). The question of �one nation under God� will be tested against the Lutheran doctrine of the two kingdoms.(Prerequisite THL100 Biblical Heritage of

THL-357 Christianity & the Media

Christianity has an unmistakable interplay with various forms of the media. This course explores subtle and overt Christian themes in movies, music, magazines/newspapers, theater, the World Wide Web, and television. Students locate, watch, and critically analyze numerous media resources and discuss them in correlation to Christian themes in the Bible.(Prerequisite THL100 Biblical Heritage of Christianity or THL206 New Testament)

THL-409 Studies in Biblical Theology

An exploration of sections, books, or major topics of the Old and New Testaments, as determined by the instructor and announced by the division.

THL-422 Christian Ministry & Practice

The concepts of call, vocation, ministry and team ministry are studied in relation to the worship, witness, teaching, service and fellowship of the church. Students will develop an awareness of the oneness of the church as the body of Christ gathered around Word and Sacrament. The nature of the ministry as servant hood is explored in the context of the life of local churches. Students spend time off campus in local congregations observing and participating in the life of the church.

THL-439 Studies in Christian Hst & Thg

An exploration of key periods, important individuals, or significant theological issues or movements in the history of Christianity from the end of the New Testament period to the present. Topics are determined by the instructor and announced by the department.

THL-460 Worship for Lutherans

Exploring early church experience and Reformation teaching, the student uncovers the meaning of worship. Critical evaluation of contemporary practice and recent developments in worship make the student better able to provide leadership in congregational worship life.

THL-488 Independent Study

Independent study offers students an opportunity to do research and complete a major project in an area of religion of their own choosing.

THY371 THY371 Mission of God

This course traces the mission of God through the Old and New Testaments. It explores God�s intent for his mission people in the past, present and future and discovers that intent in biblical narratives and texts and in Lutheran theology and confessions.

THY496 THY496 Theology Internship

No details available

Online, In-Class or Blended?

Offered Online?
Classes meet entirely online.

Offered In-Class?
Classes meet face-to-face at our St. Paul campus or other off-campus location.

Offered Blended?
Course work is completed through a combination of in-class and online class meetings.

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