Saddleback Master of Theological Studies (48 units)
PREREQUISITES
Old Testament Survey & New Testament Survey (Students may submit portfolio for faculty approval.)
GENERAL COURSES (11 COURSES / 33 UNITS)
CLSG 646 Leadership and Character Development (3 units) – An exploration of the interior life of the leader in order to understand how character, spirituality and personal ethics of the leader influence interpersonal relationships and the public roles of leadership in the workplace.
CLSG 715 The Church & Contemporary Moral Issues (3 units) – This course seeks to develop a constructive Christian ethic as a basis from which to understand and evaluate the moral problems confronting the contemporary church. The theological character of the church’s ethical reflection on moral issues is emphasized.
CLSG 720 Theology & Theory of Leadership (3 units) – An examination of selected theological issues regarding leadership and an overview of leadership theory since its inception as a discipline and a focus in research. Particular emphasis is placed on the student’s research skills to explore and articulate theological, theoretical and contemporary findings in the field.
CLSG 741 Biblical Exegesis and Expository Preaching (3 units) – A study of the movement from the sound exegesis of the biblical text to the effective exposition of the text in sermonic form.
NTG 508 Foundations for New Testament Exegesis (3 units) – This course surveys the basic issues in the interpretation of the New Testament and the academic disciplines that have been developed to address them. As such, it constitutes a basic introduction to exegetical method. The final project will be an exegesis of a passage of New Testament Scripture.
NTG 640 Theology of Jesus (3 units)
OTG 508 Foundations for Old Testament Exegesis (3 units) – This course is designed to acquaint the student with some of the methodological, cultural, literary and theological issues that facilitate and condition the study of the Old Testament and that will lay a foundation for further work in that field. The final project will be an exegesis of a passage of Old Testament scripture.
OTG 630 The Kingdom of God in the Old Testament (3 units) – This course will focus on the following aspects of kingdom theology in the Old Testament: the theology of the kingship of Yahweh; the theology of human kingship in ancient Israel as it was ideally conceived; the rise of the monarchy – the idealized Davidic kingship; the development of the monarchy as it actually materialized in Israel and in Judah and; the application of these theologies to life situations. Included will be a study of the theological values in the patriarchal journeys, together with the archaeological backgrounds of the patriarchs; the contribution of genealogies; the competition from neighboring concepts of God and kingship, the people of Israel & their land.
THOG 508 Foundations for Theological Studies (3 units) – This course is designed mainly to expose the student to the nature and task of theology, especially to the issue of theological method. Included in theological method will be how biblical themes are interpreted in light of tradition and social/cultural contexts. Also included will be an awareness of the major fields of theological study.
THOG 640 Systematic Theology (3 units) – This course will introduce the student to the major loci of systematic theology, including such major topics as God, Christology, Pneumatology, Soteriology, Ecclesiology, and Eschatology. Each topic will be explored with the biblical witness, historical developments, and current issues in mind. The goal is to provide a broad basis for advanced graduate-level work in systematic theology.
THOG 645 Theology & Ministry in a Post-Modern Context (3 units) - The cultural-linguistic turn, otherwise known as postmodernism, changes everything. This course aims to enable students to recognize the effect of postmodernity on the twin tasks of doing theology and engaging in ministry. The goal will be to explore what it means to effectively contextualize the timeless message of God’s Word without accommodating it to the prevailing Zeitgeist. Toward this end, students will evaluate various evangelical responses to postmodernism, explore what it means to do ministry in a missional rather than institutional manner, and examine the various ways in which evangelical churches have endeavored to reinvent themselves so as to minister effectively (make disciples, image the kingdom of God) in a postmodern, post-Christian context.
SADDLEBACK LEADERSHIP ACADEMY PRACTICUM (4 COURSES/12 UNITS)
Students in the program will be engaged in weekly hands-on ministry leadership training and classroom training centered on learning and developing healthy personal leadership habits, a healthy philosophy of ministry leadership, and healthy methods or ministry leadership. They have the option of gaining experience in one or more of the following areas:
- Children’s Ministry
- Student Ministries
- Worship Arts
- Adult Ministries
- Church Administration
EXIT PROJECT (3 UNITS)
Integrative Seminar
MTS Program Details
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Schedule & Design
The Vanguard/Saddleback Partnership
