Undergraduate Course Descriptions

 

Apologetics: 30 Hours

 

APOL 100 - Apologetics (3)

A systematic presentation of the objective evidences which support Christianity’s claims. The course is designed to give intelligent and convincing answers to questions and objections raised in reference to the Christian faith. Evidence is presented to answer two fundamental questions which Christians are frequently asked: "Does God exist?' and "Is the Bible reliable?" A number of arguments and answers for today's critics are explained and simplified.

 

APOL 105 - Logic (3)

A study of the major divisions of traditional logic: Categorial (categorical syllogisms with proofs of validity), Truth-Functional (truth tables, rules of replacement and inference and formal proofs), and Informal (induction, scientific reasoning, informal fallacies).

 

APOL 110 - Christian Ethics (3)
An Analysis of the complex moral issues faced by modern men and women with various approaches to the ethical dilemmas of contemporary life.

 

APOL 115 - Christian Worldview (3)

A study into the comparison of major worldviews and the development of a consistently Christian worldview using both general and special revelation.

 

APOL 120 -  Introduction to Philosophy (3)

A study from a biblical perspective of the major philosophical areas, such as ontology, epistemology, and linguistics, with special emphasis on traditional philosophical problems and Christian answers.

 

APOL  125 - Values And Ethics (3)

A study of Christian morality from a biblical perspective. This course surveys the complex moral issues faced by modern men and women and provides Bible-based solutions to the ethical dilemmas of contemporary life in a post-modern age.

 

APOL 130 - Creation And Worldview (3)

This course examines definition and significance of a creationist perspective as it relates to understanding truth, and offers a comparison/contrast of non‐creationist perspectives.

 

APOL 135 - Issues in Ethics (3)

An analysis of a particular issue or figure relevant to contemporary ethics including Moral Relativism, the Legislation of Morality, Gender Roles and the Bible, Truth and Postmodern Thought, Sanctity of Life in Modern Society, and others. May be taken more than once as topics vary.

 

APOL 140 - World Religions (3)

An in–depth study of the non–Christian religious systems of the world including Animism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and others.

 

APOL 145 - Independent Studies (3)

Guided research in the areas of apologetics.


Biblical Language (Greek & Hebrew): 15 hours

 BLGK 200 - Greek for Beginners (3)

This is a basic Greek course for people who want to learn the basic for personal Bible studies in the New Testament.

 

*BLGK 205 - Greek I (3)
A course in the Greek grammar and syntax, with an application of these principles to selected portions of the Gospels and Epistles to demonstrate their value in the interpretation of Scripture.

 *BLGK 206 - Greek II (3)
A course in the Greek grammar and syntax, with an application of these principles to selected portions of the Gospels and Epistles to demonstrate their value in the interpretation of Scripture. Prerequisite: Greek I.

BLHE 215 - Hebrew I (3)
A fundamental study of the elements of biblical Hebrew, vocabulary, word forms, grammar, and reading.

BLHE 216 - Hebrew II (3)
All elements of the Hebrew grammar will be presented, preparing for translation work. Prerequisite: Hebrew I.

Biblical Studies - Old Testament: 24 hours

 BSOT 300 - Old Testament Survey  (3)
A study of the books of the Old Testament, giving attention to questions of authorship, date, origin, destination, purpose, literary characteristics, content, and problem areas. This course provides an overview of the Old Testament from Genesis to Malachi, focusing on the distinctive message of each book.  The historical setting and theological contribution of each book is emphasized with geographical and archaeological support.  Practical application is included.

 

BSOT 307 - Pentateuch (3)
A theological and literary introduction to the first five books of the Old Testament. The laws, which form the basic of Israel's theocracy, are examined with regard to their content, meaning, and its implications for the rest of Scripture.

BSOT 308 - Historical Books (3)
A study of the history of Israel (Joshua - Esther) from its origin in Egypt to its return from exile.  A geographical-historical survey of the Bible. Solomon through the return from exile.

BSOT 309 - Poetical and Wisdom Books (3)
A detailed study of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, with special attention to the forms of Hebrew poetry. Including the background, literary character, composition, authorship, and analysis of the message of each  book. 

BSOT 310 - Major Prophets (3)
A study of the Major Prophets (Isaiah - Daniel), including the authorship, historical setting, the ministry of each prophet, and an analysis of the message and the prophetic content of each book.

BSOT 311 - Minor Prophets (3)
A study of the twelve Minor Prophets (Hoses - Malachi), including the authorship, historical setting, the ministry of each prophet, and an analysis of the message and the prophetic content of each book.

*BSOT 320 - Genesis (3)
A careful study of the major teachings of the books of Genesis. Emphasis is given to Creation, the Flood, patriarchs, and the ancient origins of the nation of Israel.

BSOT 346 - Daniel (3)

An analytical study of Daniel from the premillennial standpoint, noting the historical and cultural context of the book and its relationship to the Book of Revelation. Emphasis will be given to the prophetic sections of the book.

 Biblical Studies - New Testament: 42 hours

*BSNT 400 - New Testament Survey (3)
A study of the books of the New Testament. This course provides an overview of the New Testament, including an emphasis on the distinctive message, the historical setting, and theological contribution of each book.  Geographical and archaeological support for each book is also considered.

 

*BSNT 405 - The Life of Christ (3)
A detailed study in the life of Christ constitutes this course.  The chronological and geographical aspects of the Lord’s ministry will be stressed as He offers the Kingdom to Israel with its subsequent rejection.  A term project tracing the geographical and chronological movement is required.

 

BSNT 408 - Synoptic Gospels (3)
A detailed study of the Synoptic Gospel: Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The purpose and distinctive nature of the book is emphasized. Practical application to Christian living is an integral part of this course.

 

*BSNT 409 - Pastoral Epistles (3)
An analytical study of the epistles of 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus, with special emphasis on Paul’s practical counsel to his young co-workers in their leadership responsibilities in local churches.  Special emphases include the topic of exemplary Christian living, qualification of elders and deacons, and church practices.

 

BSNT 411 - General Epistles  I (3)
1 Peter, 2 Peter, and Jude - A survey of the historical background,  and an analytical and practical study of the epistles Peter.

 

BSNT 412 - General Epistles II  (3)
1,2,&3 John - An exposition of the three epistles of John will be presented with an emphasis on the argument, theology and problem passages of each epistle.  Special attention is given to John’s doctrinal emphases.

 

BSNT 415 - Corinthian Epistles (3)
A study of the two epistles to the Corinthians identifying the kinds of problems faced by the first century church and Paul's solution to them.

 

*BSNT 420 - Prison Epistles (3)
An analytical study of the epistles of Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon with special attention given to the argument, theology, and uniqueness of each epistle.

 

BSNT 425 - 1 & 2 Thessalonians (3)
A practical and exegetical study of the early epistles of Paul based on a careful consideration of the text.  Special attention is given to the eschatology (rapture Day of the Lord) of the epistles and the practical ramifications of that eschatology. 

*BSNT 443 - Gospel of John (3)
A detailed study of John’s Gospel which emphasizes the deity of Christ, and salvation by faith alone in Christ alone.  Special attention is given to the book’s structure.  Practical application will be included. 

*BSNT 444 - Acts (3)
A course centering upon a practical and exegetical consideration of the book of Acts.  A study of the expansion of the church from Jerusalem to the whole Mediterranean area.  Special emphasis will be given to church principles, transitional problems and missionary principles.  The character and work of Paul is enlarged to include details from his writings.

 

BSNT 445 - Romans (3)
An exegetical and practical study of Paul’s most theological epistle based on a careful consideration of the development of the argument of the book, the authorship, recipients, occasion, purpose, and theology of the epistle are also considered.

 

BSNT 459 - Hebrews (3)
A practical and exegetical study of Hebrews based on careful attention to the development of the argument of the book.  Emphasis is placed on the superiority of Christ to Judaism, and special attention is given to the historical background, authorship, and to the warning passages

BSNT 460 - Epistle James (3)
James - A practical and exegetical study of James based on careful attention to the development of the argument of the book.  Emphasis is placed on living out your faith and dealing with the issue of Lordship Salvation vs Free Grace Salvation.

BSNT 467 - Revelation (3)

An exegetical study of the book of Revelation. Consideration is given to the various schools of eschatological thought and the nature of apocalyptic literature.
Christian Education: 18 hours

 *CEDU 500 - Introduction to Christian Education (3)
A survey of what Christian education is and its philosophical and historical backgrounds with an overview of the local church's total educational program. Study of the curriculum, principles, and methods, of Christian Education as they apply to teaching in the church.

 

CEDU 511 - Teaching Methods (3)
An evaluation of various teaching methods, with applications made in the classroom. Emphasizes learner-centered teaching skills, including how to design lessons plans.

CEDU 520 - Ministry to Children (3)
A study of the needs and developmental characteristics of children through the elementary age. Emphasis is placed upon teaching methods and a biblical theology of children’s ministry, with observation and actual ministry to children required.

CEDU 531 - Youth Ministry (3)
A study of the needs and nature of youth in relation to a Biblical and developmental study of early, middle and later adolescence. The course will look at organization, administration, supervisions, and various philosophies of youth ministry in the local church.

CEDU 540 - Ministry to Adults (3)
An analysis of the needs and developmental stages of adults in modern society. Includes a survey of principles of effective programming, adult ministry resources, trends, and practical application of those to the local church.

CEDU 551 - Ministry of Women (3)
A guided study of a woman’s role in the church and in society.  Areas such as character development, New Testament principles, and the ministry of women in family, church, society, and missionary endeavor will be considered. 

     General Studies: 33 hours

 

GENS 600 - Introduction to Theological Research and Writing (3)

Students must take the course prior to their second semester of classes. This is an introductory survey of basic research and writing skills that are required of undergraduate students. Topics include: Library research, theological tools, internet research, Turabian formatting, writing a term paper, documenting sources, and common writing errors.

 

GENS 605 - English Grammar (3)
This course will emphasize the basic grammar such as the parts of speech, verb tenses, sentence structure, punctuation, etc.

GENS 608 - English Composition (3)
This course is a practical approach to understanding the basic principles ot the English language including the development of writing skills.

 

GENS 611 - Public Speech - (3)

Public speech is a study of the requirements for effective oral communication. Topics will include selecting a speech topic, researching the topic, outlining, and organizing the speech, use of visual aids, persuasion,

analyzing the audience, and critiquing the speech.

 

GENS 620 - Geography and Archaeology of Ancient Near East (3)

A study of geography of the Ancient Near East with special emphasis on Isreal and the Middle East.

 

GENS 625 - Basic Computer Skills (3)

An introduction to the basic functions of a computer system, audio visual methods, techniques and emphasizing the use of AV equipment and computers for church education.

 

GENS 626 - Principles of Computer Management (3)

A study of the use of software, such as Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint). Emphasis will not be on the mechanics of the software but the use of the software to present ideas, for persuasion, and for analysis.


GENS 631 - Cults (3)
An analysis of the major cults and their points of departure from Scripture that challenge the historic Christian Faith.

 

GENS 635 - World Religions (3)
An exploration of the major world religions will be undertaken and a comparison of their teachings with the teachings of orthodox Christianity. Religions such as Animism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, etc. will be analyzed as the background of Christian world missions.

 GENS 638 - World Civilization (3)
A study of civilizations from the beginning of recorded history to the close of the Roman period. Emphasis will be given to the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Babylonia, Persia, Palestine, Greece, and Rome.

*GENS 640 - Church History (3)
An introduction to the study of Church History from the first century AD to the present.

     Music: 6 hours

 MUSI 650 - Introduction to Music (3)
A study of the basic knowledge of the elements of music: melody, harmony, and rhythm.

 

MUSI 651 - Music Appreciation (3)

This is a study of the development of music as revealed in major compositions of representative composers from each major period. This course is designed for students who desire to expand their appreciation and understanding of music. Prior knowledge of music is not required.


Pastoral Theology: 18 hours

 PTHE 700 - Pastoral Theology (3)
Instruction in the biblical teaching about spiritual gifts in the local church.  Principles of leadership, preaching, Christian Education, counseling, and visitation are included, together with suggestions for baptisms, remembrance services, weddings, and funerals. 

PTHE 711 - Leadership (3)
A consideration of the biblical and practical principles vital for leadership in the Christian ministry.

PTHE 720 - Church Administration (3)
A consideration of biblical and practical principles for administering the affairs of the local church. This includes both business and spiritual areas and particularly underscores the role of the pastor in conducting the various types of public services.

PTHE 731 -  Homiletics (3)
An examination of the case for expository preaching,  Major emphasis is placed on the nature, preparation, and delivery of expository messages. Attention is also given to the gathering of material for the sermon.

PTHE 732 - Advanced Homiletics (3)
Advanced training in the preparation and delivery of sermons focusing on biblical interpretation, outline structure, dynamics of delivery, illustration, and appreciation. A course concentrating on the preaching of the expository sermon according to literary categories: narrative, didactic, poetic, and prophetic.  Prerequisite: Homiletics.

 

PTHE 771 - Church Growth Principles (3)
A study of various means which promotes church growth

 

Practical Ministries - 24 hours

 PMIN 800 - Spiritual Life (3)
A directed study of the biblical principles that govern true Christian character and service, with emphasis on the sufficiency of the Scriptures and the yieldedness of the believer for holy living and spiritual effectiveness in ministry.

*PMIN 811 - Personal Evangelism (3)
Practical instruction in methods of evangelization with emphasis on making personal evangelism a part of daily living. This course examines the biblical and theological foundations of evangelism and practical methods of personal evangelism. The course covers such topics as the gospel message, the need for relevant evangelism, techniques for establishing relationships, developing a clear presentation of the gospel message, the use of apologetics, follow-up, discipleship, and current issues in evangelism.

PMIN 820 - Christian Evidences I (3)
Christian Evidences is a systematic presentation of objective evidences to support the claims of Christianity. In this course evidence is presented to answer two fundamental questions: "Does God exist?" and "Is the Bible reliable?" Included in the lectures are practical applications and answers for today's critics.

*PMIN 821 - Christian Evidences II (3)
This course presents evidence for the deity of Jesus Christ, miracles, Creation and the Flood. Scientific evidence is presented for a young universe and young earth, as well as recent life. Included are illustrations designed for use in defending the Christian faith. 

PMIN 840 - Theology of Evangelism (3)

A study of the supreme task of evangelism and contemporary challenges to evangelism are discussed. A practical component of the course contributes to the cultivation of an evangelistic mindset and lifestyle, moving the study from theology to praxis.

PMIN 861 - Basic Principles of Biblical Counseling (3)
A course considering the proper principles, procedures, techniques, and goals of effective counseling for the pastor and/or Christian leader in the church setting. Limitations of the counselor and referral techniques are discussed.

PMIN 864 - Marriage and Family Counseling (3)
A course concentrating on the conflicts and issues of marriage and family life, noting the most frequent cases for breakdown. There is a positive stress on building a healthy Christian family life. Attention is also given to premarital counseling.

PMIN 870 - Christian Service (0)
Christian service is an integral part of the educational philosophy of Free Grace Seminary. All students are required to minister in some area of Christian service during their enrollment at the Seminary. An important part of Christian service is to help students discover and develop their spiritual gifts and talents. Christian service offers the opportunity for students to apply classroom instruction and theory to practical ministry experiences.

 

*PMIN 880 - Introduction to Missions (3)
An introduction and in-depth overview of missions and its related concepts including its Biblical basis, its variety of ministries and personal involvement from the calling to service on the field.  The course also includes a survey of the major target areas of world missions today.

 

Theology: 24 hours

 

*THEO 900 - Free Grace Theology - (3)

An introduction and in-depth overview of Free Grace Theology. The course presents the distinctions and objections of Free Grace Theology.


*THEO 911 - Survey of Bible Doctrine (3)
A basic foundation in theology is provided through a study of the major themes of the Bible, including Bibliology, Theology Proper, Christology, Pneumatology, Angelology, Soteriology, Anthropology, Harmartiology, Ecclesiology, and Eschatology.  A personal Statement of Faith is required of each student as a term project.

*THEO 920 - Bible Study Methods (3)
A study of the principles of biblical interpretation in all of its basic aspects such as theological, historical, cultural, grammatical, and literary. This includes particular topics such as typology, symbolism, prophecy, figures of speech, and parables.

 

*THEO 931 - Bibliology, Theology Proper, & Angelology (3)
Bibliology: The doctrine of the Word of God is studied from Scripture, including revelation, inspiration, authority, canonicity, interpretation, illumination, preservation, and translation. Theology Proper: A detailed studies of the nature of God, attributes of God, the Trinity and the functions of each Person of the Godhead, and the decrees. Angelogy: An examination of the doctrine of angels (elect and fallen) and their relationship to man and to God.


*THEO 940 - Pneumatology & Christology (3)
Pneumatology: A detailed studies of the Person and work of the Holy Spirit, including discussion of His deity, personhood, and ministries to unbelievers, and to believers. Christology: A detailed study of the person and work of Christ from eternity as set forth in the Scriptures. A biblical and historical examination of two areas of Christian theology: (1) The doctrine of Christ, including discussion of His full deity, sinless humanity, and His substitutionary atonement and (2) the hypostatic union.

*THEO 951 - Anthropology, Hamartiology, & Soteriology (3)
Anthropology: The doctrine of man, including a study of his origin, nature, and royal calling. Hamartiology: The doctrine of sin, including a study of the fall of man, imputed, inherited, and personal sin. Soteriology: A systematic and historical study of the doctrine of salvation is presented.  Special attention is given to the work of Christ, the nature and extent of the atonement, the terms of salvation, election and human responsibility, and the eternal security of the believer.

THEO 960 - Ecclesiology  (3)
Ecclesiology: An analysis of the New Testament doctrine of the church as to its nature, purpose, and destiny.  Emphasis is placed on church government, the officers, spiritual gifts, the meetings of the church, gender roles within the church, church finances, discipline in the church, ministries of the local church, and the ordinances of the church.

*THEO 971 - Dispensationalism & Eschatology (3)
Dispensationalism: An introduction to and exposition of the dispensational system of Bible interpretation will be made.  Contrasts will be drawn with Covenant Theology and Ultradispensationalism.  Special attention will be given to current refinements of the system among progressive dispensationalist. Eschatology: An analysis of the biblical teaching concerning last things, including a discussion of the coming of Christ from a premillennial perspective.  The students will be given a comprehensive outline of the future events of God’s prophetic program.  The major millennial views will be presented along with various views relating to the Rapture.  Attention will be given to the unconditional covenants of the Old Testament.



* = Available Online Course