Systematic Theology

Advanced Level Certificate

Course Benefits:
The Advanced Level Systematic Theology track is designed to provide the student with a thorough knowledge of the major doctrines of the Christian faith.

Course Description:
The Advanced Level track consists of twenty-nine 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 Systematic Theology 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-nine courses in the Advanced Level Systematic Theology 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.

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 the author's major conclusions and the author's support for his conclusions.

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.

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:
1. Introduction to Systematic Theology
2. The Sources of Theology
3. The Doctrine of Scripture
4. The Doctrine of Sola Scriptura
5. The Being and Attributes of God
6. The Doctrine of the Trinity
7. Predestination and the Decrees of God
8. Creation
9. Providence
10. Angels
11. The Doctrine of Man
12. The Doctrine of Sin
13. The Covenants
14. The Person of Christ
15. The Doctrine of the Atonement
16. The Resurrection of Christ
17. The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit
18. The Ordo Salutis
19. Effectual Calling and Regeneration
20. Saving Faith and Justification
21. Sanctification, Perseverance, and Glorification
22. The Doctrine of the Church
23. Worship
24. Baptism
25. The Lord's Supper
26. Individual Eschatology
27. General Eschatology I (The First Advent and the Kingdom of God)
28. General Eschatology II (The Millennium)
29. General Eschatology III (The Second Advent, The General Resurrection, the Final Judgment, the Final State)

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