Bible

Teachers

• Tom Burns
• Dan Hammers
• Buzz Inboden

Curriculum

Four Credits Required for Graduation

Course No. 001

This course is required of all freshmen students.

This course will give students a big picture of the Bible by learning the Walk Thru the Old and New Testament. Key words of the Bible will be learned. Students will master the structure of the Old Testament, do a project on the book of Job, and study key Old Testament personalities including Adam, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Saul, David, Solomon, and Elijah. In the New Testament various projects and presentations will complement the study.

Course No. 002

This course is required for all sophomores and will meet first semester.

This course is an in-depth study of Christ's ministry as portrayed in the four gospels. The focus of each gospel will be emphasized in examining our Savior's life (i.e. Matthew's view of Christ as King of the Jews; John's view of Christ as the Divine Son of God). Examining His words and actions will give us an understanding of what God is like and a standard for the life He expects His children to demonstrate to the world in which they live. The course will include Bible memorization and book reports.

Course No. 003

This course is required for all sophomores and will meet second semester.

The Christian Life is a follow-up course to The Life of Christ. This course will walk through the book of Acts to ascertain what it was like for those first Christians. Among the many areas of study, Christian ethics and Christian relationships will be studied and each student will address the impact that a relationship with Jesus has on life. Other topics of study include Christian disciplines, spiritual warfare, and an examination of purpose in life through the book of Ecclesiastes.

Course No. 004

This course is required for all juniors.

This course will be a systematic study of the great foundational themes of biblical teaching. The student will become familiar with what the Bible teaches about the Bible, God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, man, sin, salvation, the church, angels, and prophecy. These topics will be studied in detail and the student will be challenged to understand and apply these truths to the development of a practical, consistent Christian lifestyle.

Course No. 005

This will be a challenging course introducing the student to the various elements related to the discipline of Psychology. A college-level introductory textbook is used. There will be lengthy reading assignments followed by lively discussion.

The Bible has much to say about human thinking and behavior. Much attention will be given to helping the student develop an approach to psychological research and theory that is consistent with a biblical worldview.

Quizzes, tests, a project, and a final will constitute the grade.

This class will be open to sophomores and seniors if there is space.

Course No. 006

This class will examine the biblical account of creation through a scientific eye. We will compare the evolution model to the literal account of the Bible as well as to other interpretations of Scripture. We will spend time reading articles and short books by various authors and critique these views. Testing will be primarily in the form of essays and short papers where the emphasis will not be on rote memory but on critical thinking.

This class will be open to sophomores and seniors if there is space.

Course No. 007

This course looks at our American culture today and evaluates it from a biblical perspective. The Christian's role in such a culture is discussed, as well as the role of the church as a body. Areas studied include economics, education, the arts, foreign policy, health, and social justice. The class requires extensive reading of non-fiction books and articles as well as extensive writing projects on the reading.

This course may be open to sophomores and seniors as well if space is available.

Course No. 008

This course will focus on para-Christian religious organizations and the typical errors that they make. An historical evaluation will take place, labeling cults of Christianity from the early church to the current day. Several specific cults will be studied, but primarily this course will focus attention on a list of twelve "marks of cults" that can be learned to help avoid the spiritual pitfalls of these insipid groups.

This course may be open to sophomores and seniors as well if space is available.

Course No. 009

This course is a study of Galatians, Ephesians, and Philippians. It will teach believers how to know, love, and serve Jesus Christ. This class will not only strengthen your walk with the Lord, but it will equip you for life.

This course may be open to sophomores and seniors as well if space is available.

Course No. 010

This course will provide students with a biblically-based system for making ethical decisions. It will begin with a study of the nature of man and his relationship to his Creator and to his world. Our accountability to God, as well as the standards God has established for human behavior, will be examined in detail. The concept of law and liberty as governed by biblical prohibitions, precepts and principles will be discussed in order that each student may be able to establish a firm biblical basis for all of life's decisions. Included will be discussions of the Christian's response to current ethical problems in our society.

This course may be open to sophomores and seniors as well if space is available.

Course No. 011

What is art? How is a Christian to honor Christ through his artwork? How is a Christian to respond to modern art and art of the past? How has art influenced cultural mindsets? This course will focus on discussion regarding man's creative makeup and what Christlikeness looks like in artistic realms. Students will examine and evaluate driving philosophies of major art movements, observing where we have fallen short of God's design for the arts.

This course may be open to sophomores and seniors as well if space is available.

Course No. 012

This course will study the message of the prophets from Daniel to Malachi. Issues covered will include the historical and prophetical implications of these messages, the characteristics of God revealed in their writings, the characteristics of a culture that is religious and yet ungodly, the committed believer's responsibilities in and to such a culture, and the necessity of social justice and compassion in a culture that pleases God.

This course may be open to sophomores and seniors as well if space is available.

Course No. 013

This course is an inductive study of Paul's letter to the church in Rome. It will ask and answer questions pertaining to critical points of theology that are clearly stated throughout this letter. The students will be responsible for reading, studying, and discussing these issues that are as pertinent today as they were in the first century.

This course may be open to sophomores and seniors as well if space is available.

Course No. 014

This course is required for all seniors to take first semester.

Students on the edge of freedom and adulthood are preparing to enter a world that is the territory of the enemy of Christ. With that in mind, this course attempts to prepare the mind for the battle that is ahead. The course intermingles the study of classic apologetics and a ready defense of the truth claims of Christianity with an in-depth look at the philosophical and religious systems prevalent in the modern world. These philosophies will be compared to Scripture and a consistently Christian worldview to demonstrate how a relationship with God, through Christ Jesus, is the only thing that will satisfy man's soul.

Course No. 015

The last course that each graduating senior will complete will be unlike any other experience they have had. Attempting to exercise the necessary "muscles" for interacting with a fallen world, the students will be broken into small groups (around fifteen students) and rotated through a series of seminars for the purpose of practicing engagement with a post-modern society. Guided by the various members of the biblical studies department, the students will read, write, and interact with one another on critical issues of life and practice in the early twenty-first century. The purpose of this course is not to cover every topic imaginable, but to prepare each student for the battle of shaping authentically Christian values in a secularly saturated society. This course will also contain large sessions where the entire class will be addressed by guest speakers and round table panels.

Resources

Christian Issues and Answers (Thanks to Tom Short for compiling this list.)

• Leadership University - The most comprehensive web site covering issues which are debated on the college campus. Sponsored by Campus Crusade for Christ. Check this one out!
• Probe Ministries - Check out the section on "current issues" for good biblical information on everything from homosexuality and abortion to drug abuse and pornography. A great section on comparative religions is included.
• Institute For Creation Research - This has been the leading creation science organization for over 25 years. Nearly 300 quality articles written by qualified scientist on all aspects of creation science.
• Christian Answers Network - Answers to question people wonder about concerning the Christian faith. Check out "Wallbuilders" for good information on the Christian history of America.
• Ravi Zacharias International Ministries - Christianity from a philosophical point of view.

Discipleship

• InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA - Homepage for the organization detailing mission, ministries, and resources for discipleship.
• The Navigators U.S. Ministries - Homepage for the organization detailing mission, ministries, and resources for discipleship.

Parenting

• Focus on the Family - Homepage for the organization detailing mission, resources, and broadcast schedule.
• Christian Spotlight on the Movies - Reviews of today's movies and videos from a Christian perspective.