School of Biblical Studies
The School of Biblical Theology

The goal of the School of Biblical Theology is to equip believers to be biblically literate, spiritually activated, and relationally functional in all areas of life by:

• expanding the mind of the student through sound theology and intellectual integrity
• expanding the heart of the student by impartative download of spiritual reality
• avoiding mere database knowledge transfer of facts, but achieving interior life configuration and
alignment to divine truth
• endeavoring to provide immediate applicability of knowledge to life
• retaining a Christ-centered, Holy Spirit empowered, interpretive stance

 

Divisions of Study: (click to go to section)

Old Testament Studies New Testament Studies Biblical Theology

Practical Ministries Church History

 

Old Testament Studies

OT 100 Old Testament Survey
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
This course is a “bird’s eye view” of each book of the Old Testament. The emphasis is on major themes, personalities, and Christological implications. The course explores the theme of covenant; presents the importance of a having a Semitic worldview to correctly interpret the Old Covenant; a good primer for the new convert.

OT 101 Genesis
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
Examines the great themes, personalities, and images from the book of Genesis; an introduction to the importance of the “book of firsts,” “first mentions,” and the prefiguring of Christ and grace. Many of the issues, personalities, and images in Genesis are interpretive keys for the rest of Scripture.

OT 102 The Pentateuch
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
This course examines the themes, origin, authorship and place in the life of Judaism and the New Covenant believer of the five “Books of Moses”. Emphasis is given to Exodus-Deuteronomy. Calvary is presented as the interpretive grid through which the Pentateuch is viewed; how Christ and the apostles preached from, and interpreted passages from the Pentateuch; application to the life of the believer.

OT 103 The Feasts and Offerings of Israel
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
This course examines the major calendar feasts and the Levitical offerings of Israel making Christological interpretation and application to the life of the believer.

OT 104 The Tabernacle of Moses
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
The tabernacle of Moses, its furniture and coverings and rituals, are presented in this course as symbol and type of the Person and Work of Christ and the Holy Spirit; application to the life of the believer.

OT 105 The Journey of the Children of Israel
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
The journey of the children of Israel from their captivity in Egypt, through the wilderness, crossing the Jordan and possessing Canaan are examined typologically with application to the life of the believer.

OT 106 Joshua
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
This course examines Joshua from the perspectives of leadership, generational transfer, covenant, spiritual warfare, inheritance, and the role faith in a believer’s life.

OT 107 Judges
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
The major characters from the book of Judges are examined from the perspective of “what not to do.” Special attention is given to the cyclical nature of Israel’s history, difficult chronology and ethics of the Judges, and their import on correct understanding. The comparison of Samson to Samuel is given considerable emphasis with application to the believer and issues of leadership models.

OT 108 Ruth
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
Examines the book of Ruth with special emphasis on word study and meanings; application to the believer and issues of “revival; Semitic customs, concepts of threshold covenant, and the kinsman redeemer are discussed.

OT 109 The Kings and Chronicles of Israel
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
The lives of the kings of Judah and Israel are examined from Rehoboam to the captivity with application to the life of the believer. Difficult political, chronological, and textual issues are discussed. A general understanding of the scope of Israel’s history of the period as characterized by cycles of “success and failure.

OT 110 The Life of David
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
From First and Second Samuel, David’s life is examined from the perspective of an archetype of Christ and application to the believer; David’s relationship to New Testament theology as interpreted by the Apostles; the significance of Christ being “of the seed of David;” the significance of David’s tent (tabernacle) for the New Covenant era, and New Covenant doctrine, beyond, but including issues of praise and worship are discussed.

OT 111 The Manner of the Kingdom
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
The life of Samuel is examined from the typological perspective of him being a model for post-charismatic era dimensions of the apostolic and prophetic offices. Samuel was unique in Old Testament history serving in three functions: prophet, governor, and priest. As such, his life is a picture worth close examination for application to prophetic and apostolic issues of the current hour.

OT 112 Elijah and Elisha
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
The unique lives and relationships of Elijah and Elisha are examined from a prophetic-apostolic and intergenerational point of view. The Elijah prophecy of Malachi as it relates to the New Covenant era is also discussed—Elijah representing prophetic elements and Elisha representing apostolic and “resurrection” life and power; their prototype significance for engaging the systems of this world are discussed.

OT 113 Ezra and Nehemiah
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
This course examines the contemporary lives of Ezra and Nehemiah from a church growth and leadership application point of view. Emphasis is given to apostolic principles of leadership development.

OT 114 Esther
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
Esther is taught from a detailed typological and word study perspective to glean pictorial revelation of the believer’s relationship to the King; principles of spiritual warfare and more.

OT 115 Job
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
Job is presented from the perspective of the difference between principled moralism and divine interrelationship. Emphasis is given to how easily one can be morally right and spiritually wrong; the mystery of suffering and pain is discussed; how does Job “fit” with theologies of blessing and prosperity?

OT 116 Psalms
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
A survey of the book of Psalms, its major divisions, place in Jewish practice and history, authorships, with special emphasis on messianic portions.

OT 117 Psalm 2 and Psalm 110
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
The apostles used these two Psalms as the “scriptural” foundation of the majority of New Testament doctrine. These two Psalms are examined verse by verse, word by word, for the revelation of their profound implications on the New Covenant and the New Covenant believer.

OT 118 Proverbs and Ecclesiastes
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
A study of the wisdom books with special emphasis on how to unconsciously avoid a simplistic “quid pro quo” theology that is inconsistent with New Testament revelation. How do the wisdom books apply in the New Covenant era? How can we apply wisdom, but avoid moralism?

OT 119 Song of Solomon
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
The Song of Solomon is examined from a detailed word study perspective; different interpretive theories are discussed, emphasizing the relationship between Christ and the believer.

OT 120 Minor Prophets
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
A survey of all the minor prophets, their authorship, dates, historical context, interrelationships, chronology, major themes and their application to Christ and the believer.

OT 121 Major Prophets I
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
A thematic presentation of Isaiah with emphasis on theories of authorship, divisions, and Christology themes; emphasis on the suffering servant of Yahweh.

OT 122 Major Prophets 2
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
A thematic presentation of Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel. A Christ centered emphasis is held throughout; end-time theories from Daniel’s prophecy are briefly touched on (for more detail examination of eschatological theories, see NT 119, The Book of Revelation)

OT 123 Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
The lives of these patriarchs are presented from a detailed word study and intergenerational perspective, gleaning life application truth for the New Covenant believer; Abraham as the “father” of the faithful, apostolic application of Abraham’s life is covered.

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New Testament Studies
The division of New Testament Studies is Christ-centered.

NT 100 NT Survey
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
A bird’s eye examination of each book of the New Testament, general theories of authorship, audience, original context, setting, issues, themes, and keys to facilitate both technical understanding and devotional reading.

NT 101 Gospels I
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
An examination of the life of Christ: His advent; Galilean Ministry, and training of the twelve; emphasis is given to Christ as the “pattern man;” His relationships to His Father, His disciples, the masses, and the religious community are given special attention.

NT 102 Gospels II
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
This course emphasizes the events surrounding Christ’s descent from His Transfiguration, through the Passion week, unto His resurrection. Difficult issues of chronology and harmonization between the Synoptics and John are discussed.

NT 103 The New Covenant
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
Often times believers “get saved” and do not come into full awareness of the practical implications of New Covenant living and genuine participation in the foretaste of the powers of the future age (Heb. 6:5). The essence, implications, and practical out working of the New Covenant are discussed as compared to performance-based religion and principled Christian living.

NT 104 Acts
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
Acts is presented from the perspective of the continuation of the ministry and deeds of Christ through the first century church. The issue of what can be viewed as merely historical and limited, and what is normative for all time in the book of Acts is discussed.

NT 105 Romans I
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
This course covers in detail the masterpiece of writing, thought, and theology represented by Romans chapters 1-8. Emphasis is given to the culmination in Chapter 8 and different theories of Paul’s intent and meaning in Romans 7.

NT 106 Romans II
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
This course examines Chapters 9-16 of Romans touching on issues of election and predestination; how it relates to geopolitical Israel as well as the practical exhortations and instructions included in the book.

NT 107 First Corinthians I
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
Chapters 1-10 are examined exegetically with special emphasis given to the unique cultural and historical issues faced at the church of Corinth; how to extract eternal truth from specific situations. Corinth in many ways is typical of “troubled churches” in our era. What are the implications of Holy Spirit dynamics in a flawed church environment?

NT 108 First Corinthians II
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
Chapters 11-16 are covered in depth dealing with charismatic, pneumatic and local church issues. The importance of, and issues surrounding the gifts of the Spirit (charismata) are examined. Textual and manuscriptural difficulties are also examined.

NT 109 Second Corinthians
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
Second Corinthians is examined from the perspective of the themes of suffering and glory, the nature of ministry, and dynamics between the minister and the flock. Second Corinthians is one of Paul’s less doctrinal books, as he speaks from his father’s heart to the believers in Corinth. It is a book of “heart overflows” which presents before the essence of what ministry is to a people who do not appreciate it.

NT 110 Galatians
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
This course examines the Book of Galatians from a non-traditional perspective. Emphasis is placed on the “revelation of the Mystery” as Paul called it and the Person of the Spirit in manifestation as the essential distinguishing factor of Christianity. Justification is presented as a subordinate theme. What is the essence of legalism? What was really going on in the Galatian church? How does Paul deal with different local church problems and issues?

NT 111 Ephesians
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
An exegetical approach to the Book of Ephesians, presenting both a glorious and exalted Church in Him, and the practical out-workings of being a member of this glorious company. In depth word study, grammatical nuances are presented as key to opening the depths of the riches in the book of Ephesians.

NT 112 Philippians and Colossians
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
Philippians is presented as an example, in both structure and style, of a classic Greek hortatory letter to friends. Emphasis is given chapter 2:6-11 and its importance for foundational Christian thought. Colossians is presented from a “pastoral perspective” of the exaltation of Christ as remedy for heretical influences in a local assembly. The context of Gnostic intrusion in Colossae and other first century churches is discussed.

NT 113 Thessalonians
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
The Thessalonian letters are examined from a “pastoral” perspective of a father instructing a local assembly by letter on matters he had previously spoken to them about face to face. Issues concerning the Lord’s return are discussed in detail from a variety of perspectives using conservative principles of exegesis; Paul’s relationship to the Thessalonians and theory regarding the date of writing are also presented.

NT114 The Pastoral Epistles and Philemon
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
The letters to Timothy and Titus are taught from the perspective of a Father-son ministry paradigm. The history, social, cultural and political context of each letter is investigated as critical to understanding how to apply these letters. Philemon is taught exegetically, verse by verse, as a model of apostolic peace making and conflict resolution. The significance of historical and cultural issues illuminates the letter to the modern reader.

NT 115 Hebrews
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
A chapter by chapter presentation of the Book of Hebrews with Christ in ascension and glorification as the central theme. Different theories of authorship are discussed. The intent of the author in writing the letter, provides context for interpretation. The themes of discouragement and faith, and Christ exalted as the remedy for discouragement and the object of faith are presented.

NT 116 James
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
The historical, cultural. and political background of James serves as context to aid interpretation. The alleged tension between James and Paul is discussed; James as a “wisdom” book in the tradition of Jewish wisdom writing; what applies to the believer and how?

NT 117 Petrine Epistles and Jude
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
Issues of authorship debates are briefly discussed; history, context, and an examination of the books from the background of Peter’s life experience; his experience with Christ and in the Spirit as the a priori grid of understanding; the link between suffering and glory, power and weakness, in this present age are presented as well as examination of some key verses frequently used for end time study applications.

NT 118 Johannine Epistles
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
The Johannine Epistles are presented exegetically from the frame work of the Apostle John’s personal experience of Christ--John 1:14, and 1John 1:1--as the footing for interpretation; the different words for love in Greek, their differences and interrelationships are discussed in depth. What is agape and what is its real implication upon the believer?

NT 119 Revelation
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
The major methods of interpreting the book of the Revelation are presented in a non dogmatic fashion. Each scheme is introduced, examined for strengths and weaknesses (which all schemes have) and the student is encouraged to come to his or her own conclusions by reason of independent study.

NT 120 The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
An examination of the reality of the Spirit in the life of the believer and the Spirit’s role in the local church. The Spirit as our inheritance in fulfillment to the promises made to the Patriarchs; the Spirit was as essential to Paul as was Christ and His Cross; Pentecostal issues, practical local church applications.

NT 121 Life and Epistles of Paul
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
A biographical-historical examination of the life of Paul, his missionary journeys, and how he was a unique vessel: educated secularly, trained Rabbinically, and illumined by a revelation of Christ; how each element of his life made him the man he was; how God used each, and how his doctrine derives from, his Christ encounter. Paul did not espouse new doctrine. He revealed a Person.

NT 122 The Cross of Christ
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
The cross of Christ is central to New Testament Christianity; what Christ did for us on the Cross, to us in the Cross, and through us from the Cross is presented; the Cross as the revealer of Christ and “releaser’ of the grace and power of God to the believer; making Christianity functionally viable; how to come through seasons of “crucifixion” with faith and love intact; the implications of a cross-less form of Gospel presentation, all too common in Western churches.

NT 123 The Semitic Background of the Gospels
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
Using the Gospel of John as a study guide, the course examines social, cultural, political and anthropological issues of first century Palestine as key to unlocking many difficult passages and to correct doctrinal understanding and life application of the Gospels. It is impossible to correctly understand or teach from the Gospels without knowing their Semitic worldview, Greek Culture, and Roman Law. Many have testified that this course revolutionized their understanding of the Gospels.

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Biblical Theology

BT 101 The Atonement
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
The atonement is central to Christian thought and life. It is examined from different interpretive stances, federal Calvinism, covenantal, “ransom theology,” filial, God image, and more; the practical implications of how one’s thinking on the issue affects one’s life are discussed. Our understanding of the atonement will affect how we relate to God and others at a deep level.

BT 102 Apologetics: Christian Philosophy I
Instructor: William Suttles
An apologetics course with emphasis upon the historical relationship of faith and reason in the Bible and Church history; dealing especially with "the problem of evil"; the issue of the relativity of truth (Postmodernism), and "the problem of uncertainty."

BT 103 Apologetics: Christian Philosophy II
Instructor: William Suttles
A continuation of BT 102 (prerequisite).

BT 104 Appropriation
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
If what we believe is true, why do we not see more victory? Appropriation is the “missing jewel” in much Christian teaching and theology. This course is a very practical, yet intellectually and theologically stimulating: if things are so, let’s make them work! Healing, identifying and releasing the “treasure within” is discussed.

BT 105 Doctrine I
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
This course introduces the student to the basics of NT doctrine: the nature of man, the nature of sin, soteriology, the doctrine of God, baptism, etc.

BT 106 Doctrine II
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
BT 105 follows up on BT 104 covering issues such as the baptism in the Holy Spirit, ecclesiology, satan, angels, hell, eternal judgment, the resurrection, etc.

BT 107 NT Theology
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
This course is a comprehensive study of the theology of the NT: the Synoptics, John, Paul, the Kingdom, the general epistles, the local church, eschatology, being “in Christ,” the world, the world systems, priesthood, the Christian life, eternal life, Pauline psychology, etc.

BT 108 OT Theology
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
A Christ centered interpretive approach to OT theology; the ancient history of Israel, their Messianic hope, the Abrahamic blessing, blood sacrifice, life in the Lord, the Promise, the Promised One, God’s dealings with His people;, what constitutes the people of God?; unity in diversity with Christ as the bond.

BT 109 Biblical Numerology, Types, and Shadows
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
An introduction to the study of symbolism in numbers, types, and shadows as they relate to interpreting Scripture; how to avoid superstition, over use and over emphasis; understanding when they are significant and when they are not.

BT 110 Greek I
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
Introductory level Greek; the Greek alphabet and pronunciation, with emphasis on familiarity with lexical tools.

BT 111 Greek II
Instructor: To Be Announced
Introduction to issues of Greek grammar, interpretive importance, exercises in exegesis of passages of Scripture.

BT 112 Advanced Greek:
This course is available by special request only. Contact the Director for more information.

BT 113 Hebrew I
Instructor: To Be Announced
Introductory level Hebrew; alphabet and pronunciation, introduction to the lexical tools and how to use them.

BT 114 Hebrew II
Instructor: To Be Announced
Introduction to issues of Hebrew Grammar, its interpretive importance, exercise in exegesis of passages of Scripture.

BT 115 Advanced Hebrew
This course is available by special request only. Contact the Director for more information.

BT 116 Charismatic Theology
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
An apologetic defense of the continuation of all charismatic gifts, the offices of apostle and prophet until the return of the Lord; the doctrine of Cessationism is examined and deemed biblically unsupportable. Historical perspectives on charismatic issues are presented; a theology of “baptism in the Holy Spirit” including, but beyond, “speaking in tongues” is offered.

BT 117 Dispensationalism
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
A critique of Dispensational theology and eschatology as compared to Reformation Covenant theology; history, background, personalities, current trends in Dispensationalism are presented.

BT 118 The Text of the New Testament
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
This course discusses in depth issues of the recording, preservation, and transmission of the text of the New Testament; historical, archaeological and manuscriptural issues are discussed. Why the text of the New Testament is reliable.

BT 119 Christology and the Incarnation
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
This course presents the implications of the incarnation. The Gospel is more than: “Jesus was born, died and rose again, now get saved and wait for the rapture!” His ascension, glorification, and the Spirit’s outpouring are integral to a whole Gospel presentation. Just who was Christ? His dual nature, how did we arrive at what we believe? How does your view of who Christ was, and is, make a practical difference in day-to-day living?

BT 120 Holiness: From a Wesleyan Perspective
Instructor: William Suttles
This course discusses in depth the issues of sanctification from a Wesleyan perspective of overcoming, realized victory.

BT 121 Trinitarian Warfare Theodicy
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
Augustinian/Reformation/Calvinism and Freewill Arminianism have both attempted to deal with the tension of God’s predetermination and humanity’s free will. This course offers a third, intermediate view between the historical extremes. It examines the “problem of evil” in a universe with a good God at the helm. Its fundamental premise is the cosmos is at war and it is a real war. How can this be true and God’s sovereignty not be undermined?

BT 122 Soteriology
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
An in depth examination of the doctrine of redemption, presenting it from a “cosmic” to a “personal” level.

BT 123 Ecclesiology
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
An in depth presentation of the nature of the Church Universal: what is it? What does it constitute? What is its purpose one earth? in heaven? Is it a parenthetical afterthought in the divine scheme?

BT 124 Divine Paradoxes
Instructor: William Suttles
Resolving difficult theological problems (an approach to resolving difficult theological issues such as the sovereignty of God vs. the free will of man)

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Practical Ministries

PM 100 Cell Group Development
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
Principles of cell group development and implementation; how to maximize success by avoiding common mistakes and by paying attention to local social and cultural realities, within and without the walls of the church; Why a cell model? Are cells right for everyone? What is the purpose of a small group?

PM 101 Revising Kingdom Authority
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
The issue of authority and submission has been abused for decades: leaders abuse churches and churches abuse leaders. This course reexamines some doctrines that have been taught over the years regarding authority and submission and offers a new and fresh approach that is faithful to the Scriptures yet radically different than many current emphases on the subject. This course may shock you!

PM 102 Applied Hermeneutics I
Instructor: William Suttles
A study of the art and science of biblical interpretation; the basics; the commonly accepted rules for interpreting and translating the Bible including historical precedents and an overview of the subject.

PM 202 Applied Hermeneutics II
Instructor: William Suttles
This course views biblical interpretation from the standpoint of the ministry of the Word of God; natural" vs. "spiritual" hermeneutics; seeking to understand the process whereby the words of the Bible become the "living word of God" to our hearers.

PM 302 Applied Hermeneutics III
Instructor: William Suttles
Theoretical Hermeneutics: considering philosophical/theological questions regarding the interpretation of the Bible; considering especially the issues raised by linguistic analysis and postmodern thought.

PM 103 Homiletics
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
How to prepare and deliver effective sermons; how to study, how to use resources, the different types of sermons, knowing yourself, identity, stereotypes and bad habits to avoid, personal presentation, how you come across, hygiene, dress, local church ethics.

PM 104 Incarnational Hermeneutics
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
How to interpret the Scriptures from a Christ-centered perspective; extensive “hands on” exercises are used to impart the principles of Christ-centered interpretation; emphasis is given to the principle of “originality” as it affects biblical interpretation.

PM 105 Fatherhood Cures the Curse
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
An examination of the teaching of spiritual fatherhood and sonship; its strengths, weaknesses and limitations; its fruit and its minefields; is this model the “fit all” standard for spiritual ministry? Delicate disciple-ship: how easy it to abuse and to hurt when implementing a legitimate principle; father-son (daughter); leader/saint dynamics, ethics and pitfalls; generational transfer do’s and don’ts; how to be a son, not a slave.

PM 106 Becoming a Peace Maker
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
Biblical reconciliation is a ministry upon every believer. This course examines in depth, the ethics, principles, and processes of becoming a peacemaker and establishing a culture of peace; how to recognize different levels of offenses and the different response required of each; how to appeal to leadership, the cost of failure to reconcile at personal and corporate levels.

PM 107 Overcoming Legalism and Performance-based Religion
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
Legalism and performance based religion masquerade as biblical Christianity. How to recognize it, undo it, and experience God’s liberty, freedom, and grace at both individual and corporate church levels.

PM 108 Brokenness: The Release of the Spirit
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
What is spiritual brokenness—the in-working and application of the cross of Christ to my life. The Word as the divider of soul: that which cuts up the soul; how to tell the difference between godly brokenness and demonic oppression; soul crucifixion, not soul eradication; how to feel “loved by God’ even when being chastised or enduring difficulty or a season of divine darkness.

PM 109 Christian Disciplines
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
This course is an introduction to the basics of maintaining a devotional life: prayer, Scripture reading, fasting, fellowship of the saints, relationships to one another and unbelievers, leadership, discipleship, etc.

PM 110 Guilt and Grace
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
The grace of God, to be properly understood and not abused or cheapened, must have a context: the context is God’s holiness, wrath, and judgment in the face of humanity’s sin, pride, and guilt. The wrath of God makes grace understandable, and a Savior necessary. The grace of God is presented in its context; issues of human psychology and interrelationships relating to true and false guilt and genuine and cheap grace are discussed.

PM 111 The Sermon on the Mount
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
The Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes are examined, not as a new moral code for the disciple, but rather, as an “in-breaking” of the dimension of heavenly life designed to crucify the Adamic nature, convincing us of the impossibility of ever fulfilling the requirements of the Beatitudes, thus, “making the way” for grace, and the Spirit’s empowering.

PM 112 No Other Foundation
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
A course on the eternal purposes of God in Christ and his Cross; Christ and Him crucified as the foundation of Pauline teaching and life experience and the foundation in the life of the believer; alignment to God’s eternal purpose gives meaning, place, and destiny to the individual believer.

PM 113 Manners and Customs of Bible Times
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
An examination of the unique cultural habits and customs of ancient Israel and first Century Judaism as they relate to the ability to understand many images, pictures, metaphors, similes, and sayings of the Scripture; how to avoid transferring culture from the Scripture or reading culture into the Scripture.

PM 114 Principles of Divine Guidance
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
How to recognize the subjective voice of the Lord in matters of divine guidance; tools of divine guidance: the Word and how to hear God through the Word, dreams, visions, prophetic ministry, fasting, the counsel of others, providence, circumstances; the difference between faith and presumption; gramma, graphe, rhema, and logos, their differences and relationship to divine guidance.

PM 115 Church Structures and Government
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
An overview of the different philosophies and methodologies of how structure and organize a local church; “episcopal vs. congregational” models are examined; strengths and weaknesses of each; how do the Ephesian 4 ministries relate to and in a local church; what is the role and limitation of an elder/bishop/presbyter?

PM 116 Holiness and Overcoming
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
What is holiness? An examination of the requirement for holiness and sanctification from a “positional” and “finished work” perspective; how to become what we already are; how to become holy without driving everyone around you crazy and becoming a narrow religious zealot; holiness from an incarnational and indwelling perspective; how to be in the world but not of it; how to be the friend of sinners.

PM 117 Foundations of Faith
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
What is faith and how does it work? Different kinds of faith; their development and administration; what is faith based on and why? What role does confession play? How is faith confession different from Christian Science and other new age practices? The gift of faith, faith for healing, faith for miracles, their similarities and differences.

PM 118 Creation and Evolution
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
A basic level introduction to the issues surrounding the creation-evolution debate; different creationist theories and different aspects of evolutionary theory are presented. The course is designed to stimulate individual thought and study, not dogmatize any one position or view.

PM 119 "That They May Be One:" Responding to Christ's call for unity in the Church.
Instructor: Stephen Crosby; Jeffrey Crosby
The concept of unity in the Body of Christ is one of the most misunderstood and misapplied points of Christian theology and practice. This is unfortunate, for Biblical unity is a primary means by which Christ intended for the advancement of His Kingdom. This course will examine false unity, hindrances to unity, ingredients of unity, and results of unity. We will also examine some practical models of unity that are attempting to be implemented throughout the Church.

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Church History

CH 100 Historical Theology I
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
An introductory level presentation to the development of Christian theology throughout the ages; patristic theology and the apostolic fathers; Alexandrian theology compared to Antiochene theology and emphases, key personalities of each era, the Cappadocians; Eastern and Western developments and divisions.

CH 200 Historical Theology II
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
This course examines Medieval and Reformation theology, key personalities and debates; justification, law, gospel, covenant and election; the Anabaptists; Eucharistic debates.

CH 300 Historical Theology III
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
This course examines Reformed and Puritan theology, Methodism, liberalism, Cartesianism, German higher criticism: Barth, Bultmann, Harnack; Post Modernism.

CH 101 America’s Christian Heritage
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
An examination of the lives and writings of key individuals involved in the founding of the United States of America; while the US was not established as a theocracy, biblical values and morals were deeply ingrained in the conscience of even the secularists, atheists and deists; the good, the bad, and the ugly of Christian missionary endeavors in the American context.

CH 102 The Church From Beginning to End
Instructor: William Suttles
This course provides an overview of the entire span of church history to give students a "feel" of the scope of church history, an appreciation for "those who have come before us", and a time line upon which they can build for deeper study in specific areas.

CH 103 Development of Trinitarian Doctrine
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
This course is an introduction to the development of Trinitarian doctrine: how we got to what we believe. Is what we believe sound? Is it reliable? We will be conformed to our understanding of the image of God. If our God image is incorrect, the conforming process will be incorrect; ancient heresies and debates, and their modern day resurgences of ancient heresies are examined.

CH 104 Heresies and the Cults
Instructor: Stephen Crosby
This course examines the major doctrines and tenets of groups such as the Mormons, Jehovah’s Wit-nesses, Ba’hai, New Age, Secularism, Rationalism, Christian Science and others, and subjects their teachings to scrutiny from the whole counsel of Scripture. This course aids in practical understanding of who our neighbors might be, how they think, what they believe, and how to effectively reach them with Gospel revelation.

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