Christian Studies
Advanced Level CertificateCourse Benefits:
The Advanced Level Christian Studies track introduces the student to the several fields of theological studies. As part of the Christian Studies track, the student will take courses in biblical studies, systematic theology, church history, philosophy, apologetics, and ethics.
Course Description:
The Advanced Level track consists of twenty-eight courses that can be completed in a three-year period. Although students may take longer to complete the courses if they wish, the courses are designed so that the student may earn the Certificate in three years.
After registration, the student will be assigned a tutor to answer questions that may arise from the required reading and who will evaluate the student's coursework. An online forum will also be provided. The forum will provide a place for students in the Advanced Level Christian Studies track to submit questions to the tutor and to discuss course related issues with other students registered for the same track.
Course Requirements:
Each of the twenty-eight courses in the Advanced Level Christian Studies track requires a large amount of reading. In order to benefit from the reading, the student is required to keep a reading journal, which is to be submitted to the tutor after completing the final course. The reading journal must be typed. For each required text, the student is to include the following information:
1. State the author and title of the book (If the reading requirement is only part of a book, state the author and title of the book from which the reading assignment is taken).
2. In no less than 25 and no more than 50 words, state what the book is about. In other words, what is the subject matter of the book, and how does the author present the material?
3. In no less than 300 and no more than 350 words, summarize how the book contributed to your knowledge of the Christian faith.
4. In no less than 125 and no more than 150 words, state whether you agree or disagree with the author's conclusions and why.
5. In no less than 25 and no more than 50 words, state what difference reading this book has made in your life.
[NOTE: As part of the reading requirements for the Advanced Certificate in Christian Studies, the student will be required to read each book of the Bible as well as secondary textbooks. The reading journal is only required for the secondary textbooks. Entries in the reading journal are NOT required for the assigned reading in the text of Scripture].
In addition to the reading journal, the student is required to write and submit one research paper after completing the final course. The student may choose any subject covered in one or more of the required courses. The paper should be no less than 4,000 and no more than 5,000 words.
The research paper should adhere to the format outlined in Kate L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations (7th edition).
Students may also find the following work useful in the preparation of the research paper: Robert Hudson, ed. The Christian Writer's Manual of Style (updated and expanded edition).
Required Courses:
Section 1 – Biblical Studies
1. Introduction to Biblical Interpretation
2. Introduction to the Old Testament
3. The Pentateuch
4. The Historical Books
5. The Poetic Books and Wisdom Literature
6. The Prophets
7. Introduction to the New Testament
8. The Gospels and Acts
9. The Epistles
10. The Book of Revelation
Section 2 – Systematic Theology
11. Introduction to Theology
12. The Doctrine of God
13. The Doctrine of Man and Creation
14. The Doctrine of Christ
15. The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit
16. The Doctrine of Salvation
17. The Doctrine of the Church
18. The Doctrine of the Last Things
Section 3 – Church History
19. The Early Church
20. The Medieval Church
21. The Reformation
22. The Post-Reformation Era (17th – 18th Centuries)
23. The Modern Era (19th Century – Present)
24. Historical Theology
Section 4 – Philosophy
25. Logic
26. Introduction to Philosophy
Section 5 - Apologetics
27. Introduction to Apologetics
Section 6 - Ethics
28. Christian Ethics
