Theology

Prerequisites: None
Credits: 2 (two-semester class)

Course description: Biblical Foundations is a freshman-level designed curriculum to immerse students in the saving narrative of Holy Scripture, using the Concordia Bible History curriculum from Concordia Publishing House (CPH) with a department-created curriculum. This course confesses that all Scripture is the inspired and inerrant Word of God, given to reveal Christ and His work of salvation for sinners.

The course is divided into two semesters: the Old Testament and the New Testament. Due to the condensed nature of each semester, the Old Testament is studied through seven major historical periods, tracing God’s unfolding plan of salvation. Central to this study is the first Gospel promise in Genesis 3:15—the Protoevangelium—in which God declares that the Seed of the woman will crush the serpent’s head. Throughout Israel’s history, students will see how God faithfully preserves His promise, pointing to the coming Messiah.

The New Testament semester focuses on the fulfillment of that promise in Jesus Christ. Organized into three major periods, this portion of the course follows the life and ministry of Christ—from the events surrounding His incarnation to His atoning death on the cross. As our Lord Himself declares in John 5:39, “the Scriptures… bear witness about Me.” Therefore, the entirety of this course is Christ-centered, showing that both Testaments testify to Jesus as the Savior of the world, who “came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28).

In accordance with Lutheran doctrine, this course teaches that the Scriptures were given not only to reveal our sin under the Law but also to proclaim the Gospel—namely, that we are justified by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Flowing from this faith, students are also instructed in the Christian life of good works, which are the fruit of faith and service to the neighbor.

Through this study, students will grow in their understanding of God’s Word, their identity as redeemed children of God, and their calling to live faithfully in Christ.

Prerequisites: Biblical Foundations
Credits: 2 (two-semester class)

Course description: This upper-level theology course invites students into a deeper engagement with the Holy Scriptures as the living and active Word of God. Through sustained study of key biblical texts, students will examine the nature of faith, the formation of the Christian life, and the ethical implications of living as followers of Christ in the world today.

Rooted in the conviction that all Scripture bears witness to Jesus Christ (John 5:39), the course explores how God reveals Himself, confronts human sin, and restores His people through His gracious promises. Students will consider how faith is created and sustained through the Word, and how that faith shapes identity, purpose, and daily living.

Particular attention is given to Christian ethics as they emerge from a biblical worldview. Students will wrestle with questions of vocation, responsibility, and moral decision-making, seeking to discern how believers live faithfully amid the complexities of contemporary culture. The course emphasizes that Christian living flows not from obligation alone, but from a life transformed by grace, resulting in love for neighbor and service in one’s various callings.

By engaging Scripture thoughtfully and reflectively, students will be equipped to articulate their beliefs, examine their lives in light of God’s Word, and grow in wisdom, discernment, and faithful witness.

Prerequisites: Biblical Foundations
Credits: 2 (two-semester class)

Course description: This course is designed to guide students into a deeper understanding of the teachings of Holy Scripture as they relate to the central doctrines of the Christian faith. Through careful study and reflection, students will explore key theological topics such as the nature of God, the reality of sin, the person and work of Jesus Christ, justification, salvation, and the life of faith, etc.

Described as “systematic,” this course approaches Christian doctrine in an ordered and thoughtful way, recognizing that the teachings of Scripture may be studied both individually and as part of a unified whole. Each doctrine is examined on its own terms while also being understood within the broader witness of the Bible, which consistently reveals God’s saving work in Christ.

Drawing from the theological heritage reflected in the Book of Concord and Christian Dogmatics, the course presents doctrine in a way that is faithful to the historic Christian confession while remaining grounded in the authority of Scripture. Students will consider how these teachings speak not only to belief, but also to the formation of faith, assurance of salvation, and the daily life of the Christian.

At the instructor’s discretion, portions of Scripture and Apologetics may be studied in greater depth to illuminate particular doctrines. Throughout the course, emphasis is placed on seeing how each teaching contributes to a fuller understanding of God’s Word, culminating in a coherent and Christ-centered grasp of the Christian faith.

By engaging doctrine in this structured way, students will grow in their ability to articulate what they believe, discern truth with clarity, and live confidently in the promises of God.

Prerequisites: Biblical Foundations
Credit: 2 (two-semester class)

Course description: This course engages students in the study of world religions, Christian traditions, and contemporary belief systems through the lens of Holy Scripture. Students will examine the core teachings, practices, and worldviews of major faith traditions, while also considering the fundamental questions all religions seek to answer—questions of truth, identity, purpose, and salvation.

Grounded in a biblical understanding of God’s self-revelation, the course invites students to evaluate differing beliefs with clarity, humility, and discernment. Through this process, students will reflect more deeply on the uniqueness of the Christian faith and the person and work of Jesus Christ as revealed in Scripture.

The course also includes focused study on the teachings of Martin Luther, key elements of Christian doctrine, and the distinctions among various Christian denominations. Students will explore how theological differences shape belief and practice, and how Christians throughout history have sought to confess the truth of the Gospel.

In addition, students will engage with new religious movements and alternative spiritual claims, developing the ability to think critically and respond thoughtfully. Emphasis is placed on cultivating a well-formed Christian worldview that is both intellectually grounded and personally meaningful.

By the end of the course, students will be better equipped to understand the religious landscape of the world, articulate their own beliefs with confidence, and live as faithful witnesses in a diverse and complex cultural context.