Part 1 - Core Courses
Advanced Bible Study Method 3 Credit Hours
Assigned Staff Professor:
Dr. Julie Tofilon
Dr. Robert Varnam
Dr. Rod Annis
Dr. Franklyn Canada
Dr. Ogum Nsaka
Dr. Patrick Gabriel
Course Duration: Four – Twelve Weeks
COURSE DESCRIPTION: The Bible—both Hebrew and New Testament—is a complex and fascinating text, written by multiple authors and communities, in different languages, over a vast period of time, yet it nonetheless displays an overarching—or underlying—unity, which some attribute to divine inspiration and others to the human imagination. Our purpose in this course is to consider the Bible as both a collection of disparate books and as a unified whole, with special attention given to the inspiration, formation, and function of the canon and to the development of interpretation consistent with the nature of scripture. The importance of the Bible as a witness to the life and faith of ancient Israel and earliest Christianity will be emphasized.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: At the end, students will be able to articulate Roman Catholicism’s professed understanding of Revelation: Scripture, Tradition, and the theologies that undergird them. To identify and explain structural features of both the OT and NT. To analyze ancient biblical texts (exegesis) using the Historical-Critical method. To recount in chronological order, the biblical metanarrative, identifying major historical figures and events. To explain various factors that that influence Biblical interpretation. To investigate Biblical texts and discover what each periscope has to say about God, one’s self, and what it means to be a human person.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Reading Assignments - Students will be expected to have carefully and thoughtfully read the assigned text materials for the course prior to doing research and writing the essay assignments and taking the final exam.
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS: The written assignments are to made to enable the student to think through the course issues and also to practice their responses to the course’s intellectual and scriptural challenges.
EXAMS: Twelve-page Research Essay Paper
25 – 50 questions combination mini essays and multiple choice questions.
COURSE POLICIES: The students’ grade will be based on the following percentages.
Essay: 50%
Final online test: 50%
REQUIRED TEXTS:
The New Oxford Annotated Bible with Apocrypha by Michael Coogan and Marc Brettler
THE THREE FORMS OF UNITY, The Heidelberg Catechism the Belgic Confession the Canons of the Council of Dordrecht.
Beyond Bible Study: Finding Jesus Christ in Scripture by Frank Viola
Grading Method:
100 – 90 4.00 A
89 – 80 3.00 B
79 – 70 2.00 C
69 – 60 1.00 D
59 – 0 F
Hermeneutics 3 Credit Hours
Assigned Staff Professor:
Dr. Julie Tofilon
Dr. Robert Varnam
Dr. Rod Annis
Dr. Franklyn Canada
Dr. Ogum Nsaka
Dr. Patrick Gabriel
Course Duration: Four – Twelve Weeks
COURSE DESCRIPTION: An advanced course in hermeneutics including a study of the history of interpretation, both biblical and extra-biblical, and an examination of the current status of various interpretive approaches to the Scriptures.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: At the end, students will have the ability to interpret God’s Word correctly. Pastors, associate pastors, and teachers will be able to develop expository sermons and lessons. Students fields, such as counseling, business, and education, will be able to integrate biblical truths with the principles and hypotheses of people in their fields.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Reading Assignments - Students will be expected to have carefully and thoughtfully read the assigned text materials for the course prior to doing research and writing the essay assignments and taking the final exam.
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS: The written assignments are to made to enable the student to think through the course issues and also to practice their responses to the course’s intellectual and scriptural challenges.
EXAMS: Twelve-page Research Essay Paper
25 – 50 questions combination mini essays and multiple choice Questions.
COURSE POLICIES: The students’ grade will be based on the following percentages.
Essay: 50%
Final online test: 50%
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Kaiser, Walter. Toward an Exegetical Theology.
Kaiser, Walter and Silva, Moises. An Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics.
Grading Method:
100 – 90 4.00 A
89 – 80 3.00 B
79 – 70 2.00 C
69 – 60 1.00 D
59 – 0 F
Advanced New Testament Survey 3 Credit Hours
Assigned Staff Professor:
Dr. Julie Tofilon
Dr. Robert Varnam
Dr. Rod Annis
Dr. Franklyn Canada
Dr. Ogum Nsaka
Dr. Patrick Gabriel
Course Duration: Four – Twelve Weeks
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is aimed to help students read and doing research on the books of Ephesians and Colossians as Christian Scripture.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: At the end, students will learn more about the craft of exegesis; Learn more about the theological visions in Ephesians and Colossians and how to faithfully appropriate these visions for life and leadership in the real-world context of today’s Church; Deepen their understanding of the importance of, role of, and problems with the “history” underlying the biblical text; Become more effective at critically engaging with commentaries as resources for exegesis; Develop their own preaching resources on a text from Colossians or Ephesians.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Reading Assignments - Students will be expected to have carefully and thoughtfully read the assigned text materials for the course prior to doing research and writing the essay assignments and taking the final exam.
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS: The written assignments are to made to enable the student to think through the course issues and also to practice their responses to the course’s intellectual and scriptural challenges.
EXAMS: Twelve-page Research Essay Paper
25 – 50 questions combination mini essays and multiple choice Questions.
COURSE POLICIES: The students’ grade will be based on the following percentages.
Essay: 50%
Final online test: 50%
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Introduction to the New Testament by Louis Berkhof
Analysis of the Message of the New Testament by Dr. Richard T. Vann, Jr.
Grading Method:
100 – 90 4.00 A
89 – 80 3.00 B
79 – 70 2.00 C
69 – 60 1.00 D
59 – 0 F
Advanced Old Testament Survey 3 Credit Hours
Assigned Staff Professor:
Dr. Julie Tofilon
Dr. Robert Varnam
Dr. Rod Annis
Dr. Franklyn Canada
Dr. Ogum Nsaka
Dr. Patrick Gabriel
Course Duration: Four – Twelve Weeks
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Introduction to Old Testament literature and history, with emphasis on application within the church.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: will be familiar with the content of the books of Psalms to Malachi; will be familiar with the various ways Old Testament texts have been interpreted.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Reading Assignments - Students will be expected to have carefully and thoughtfully read the assigned text materials for the course prior to doing research and writing the essay assignments and taking the final exam.
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS: The written assignments are to made to enable the student to think through the course issues and also to practice their responses to the course’s intellectual and scriptural challenges.
EXAMS: Twelve-page Research Essay Paper
25 – 50 questions combination mini essays and multiple choice Questions.
COURSE POLICIES: The students’ grade will be based on the following percentages.
Essay: 50%
Final online test: 50%
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Journey Through the Old Testament by Elmer Towns
The World and Literature of the Old Testament by John T. Willis
Grading Method:
100 – 90 4.00 A
89 – 80 3.00 B
79 – 70 2.00 C
69 – 60 1.00 D
59 – 0 F
Introduction to Systematic Theology 3 Credit Hours
Assigned Staff Professor:
Dr. Julie Tofilon
Dr. Robert Varnam
Dr. Rod Annis
Dr. Franklyn Canada
Dr. Ogum Nsaka
Dr. Patrick Gabriel
Course Duration: Four – Twelve Weeks
COURSE DESCRIPTION: An investigative research on of the themes that comprise Christian systematic theology; focusing on Revelation, God, Man, Sin, Christ, Salvation, Holy Spirit, Church, Last Things, and Angelology.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: At the end, Students will be able to explain the relevance and the practical implications of theology. Articulate the meaning of key theological terms and concepts. Communicate sound theology in a variety of mediums. Critically evaluate past and present theological systems/beliefs. Know and love God with greater intelligence. Analyze one’s own spiritual life in light of biblical doctrine and determine areas in which one needs to grow. And help others to see the relevance of theology to the needs of today.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Reading Assignments - Students will be expected to have carefully and thoughtfully read the assigned text materials for the course prior to doing research and writing the essay assignments and taking the final exam.
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS: The written assignments are to made to enable the student to think through the course issues and also to practice their responses to the course’s intellectual and scriptural challenges.
EXAMS: Twelve-page Research Essay Paper
25 – 50 questions combination mini essays and multiple choice Questions.
COURSE POLICIES: The students’ grade will be based on the following percentages.
Essay: 50%
Final online test: 50%
REQUIRED TEXTS:
A Systematic Study of Bible Doctrine by Thomas Paul Simmons
Study Guide: Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem
Grading Method:
100 – 90 4.00 A
89 – 80 3.00 B
79 – 70 2.00 C
69 – 60 1.00 D
59 – 0 F
Part II – Major Courses 14 hours
Advanced Systematic Theology 4 Hours
Assigned Staff Professor:
Dr. Julie Tofilon
Dr. Robert Varnam
Dr. Rod. Annis
Dr. Franklyn Canada
Dr. Ogum Nsaka
Course Duration: Four – Twelve Weeks
COURSE DESCRIPTION: The purpose of the course is to develop students’ own theological positions on ultimate reality or God. To this end it will study first-order issues about the nature of ultimate reality and also methodological or second-order issues about theology itself and the arguments that go into it. The philosophical problem at the heart of theologies of ultimacy is “the one and the many.” The thesis of the course is that there is one ontological ultimate reality, an ontological act that creates everything determinate, including its own nature as creator. Indeterminate apart from creation, this ontological act can be symbolized only with broken symbols, of which there are three main families: as person, as consciousness, and as spontaneous emergence. There are also four cosmological ultimate realities giving rise to the religious projects of righteousness, wholeness, engagement of others, and achieving meaning or value-identity, each of which is addressed by every major religious tradition. Readings will illustrate these three families of ontological symbolism and touch on the cosmological ultimates. Standard positions within Christian philosophical theology will be explored more thoroughly than representatives of other traditions.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: Goal 1. To help students become aware of the philosophical alternatives lurking behind symbols of ultimate reality, especially conceptions of God, alternatives that might be in contradiction with one another. Goal 2. To help students become expert in the standard moves or arguments that lead thinkers to embrace one alternative or another. Goal 3. To enable students to develop their own systematic positions concerning issues of God and other ultimate realities at a doctoral level of sophistication. Goal 4. To improve students’ ability to write research papers with imagination at the doctoral level.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Reading Assignments - Students will be expected to have carefully and thoughtfully read the assigned text materials for the course prior to doing research and writing the essay assignments and taking the final exam.
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS: The written assignments are to made to enable the student to think through the course issues and also to practice their responses to the course’s intellectual and scriptural challenges.
EXAMS: Twelve-page Research Essay Paper
25 – 50 questions combination mini essays and multiple choice Questions.
COURSE POLICIES: The students’ grade will be based on the following percentages.
Essay: 50%
Final online test: 50%
REQUIRED TEXTS:
1. Chan, Wing-tsit, editor. A Source Book in Chinese Philosophy. Princeton UP.
2. Moltmann, Jürgen. God in Creation: A New Theology of Creation and the Spirit of God. Harper.
3. Neville, Robert, editor. Ultimate Realities. SUNY
4. Nishitani, Keiji. Religion and Nothingness. Translated by Van Bragt. U. of California P.
5. Tillich, Paul. Systematic Theology. Volume I. U. of Chicago P.
6. Wildman, Wesley J. Religious Philosophy as Multidisciplinary Inquiry. SUNY
Grading Method:
100 – 90 4.00 A
89 – 80 3.00 B
79 – 70 2.00 C
69 – 60 1.00 D
59 – 0 F
Hermeneutics II
Assigned Staff Professor:
Dr. Julie Tofilon
Dr. Robert Varnam
Dr. Rod Annis
Dr. Rod O’Neil
Dr. Elliud Esseko
Dr. Troy Pearsall
Course Duration: Four – Twelve Weeks
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This graduate-level course will focus on Hermeneutics: The branch of knowledge that deals with techniques of interpreting and applying ancient writings (specifically the Bible) to today. The course is aimed at accomplishing the following objectives:
1. Define Hermeneutics,
2. Review and establish effective exegesis,
3. Develop a workable hermeneutical practice for one’s ministry context,
4. To have opportunities to apply sound Hermeneutics under instructor guidance and review
COURSE OBJECTIVES: Disciples are tasked with following the instruction of their teacher. In the case of Christians, we are obligated to follow the word of our Teacher through the time span of thousands of years from an ancient document colored by different cultures, languages, immediate contextual issues, unique theological insights and then process what has been communicated to respond appropriately.
At the end, the student will learn that the task of correct biblical interpretation (hermeneutics) is a daunting one. Yet, it must be pursued. We must understand what biblical interpretation is. So, it must be defined. We must also be aware of the danger of poor interpretation and poor interpreters. So, we must acknowledge how one ought to approach the ancient text of the Bible. We must establish the best methods to biblical interpretation. So, we are obligated to become familiar with the standard rules of interpretation. Finally, we must make application of our findings. So, we must understand how to cross the bridge of meaning to make the application. We take our study and insight from then to now or as John Stott says, “Between two worlds,”
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Reading Assignments - Students will be expected to have carefully and thoughtfully read the assigned text materials for the course prior to doing research and writing the essay assignments and taking the final exam.
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS: The written assignments are to made to enable the student to think through the course issues and also to practice their responses to the course’s intellectual and scriptural challenges.
EXAMS: 25 – 50 questions combination mini essays and multiple choice Questions.
COURSE POLICIES: The students’ grade will be based on the following percentages.
Essay: 50%
Final online test: 50%
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Robert L. Thomas, Evangelical Hermeneutics: The New Versus the Old (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2002). (required reading for all students)
All assigned journal articles according to the topics listed in the class schedule. The student will have to obtain most of these journal articles on his own.
Grading Method:
100 – 90 4.00 A
89 – 80 3.00 B
79 – 70 2.00 C
69 – 60 1.00 D
59 – 0 F
Philosophical and Biblical Theology 4 Hours
Assigned Staff Professor:
Dr. Isaac Ozobiani
Dr. Rod Annis
Dr. Philip Jegede
Dr. Franklyn Canada
Dr. Ogum Nsaka
Course Duration: Four – Twelve Weeks
COURSE DESCRIPTION: A survey of philosophical issues including the problems of God, evil, religious language, and religious experience, as they relate to theological issues.
COURSE OBJECTIVES RESEARCH I: After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
A. To interact with the revival of Christian philosophy since 1980, and to connect it with contributions made by Christian thinkers throughout church history.
B. To evaluate the Christian philosophical responses to the challenges posed by contemporary intellectual trends opposed to the Christian worldview.
C. To produce their own philosophical reflections and apologetic responses which are informed by contemporary Christian philosophy of religion.
COURSE OBJECTIVES RESEARCH II: Advanced Biblical Exegesis: Emphasis will be placed upon OT-NT issues, particularly redemptive-historical considerations and covenant theology. Background hermeneutical issues will be covered, including the role of the interpreter and creeds/confessions. In addition, the course will include a brief overview of the history of interpretation of the Bible from the early church to modern day. Finally, the class will explore the relationship between original meaning and modern meaning.
COURSE OBJECTIVES RESEARCH III: Advanced Biblical Exegesis: Become familiar with personal and historical factors that influence one’s hermeneutic
• Present the history of hermeneutics in the church and draw both positive and negative consequences
• Understand “meaning” and “application” of a Scriptural text
• Justify using the same hermeneutic that the Bible itself uses
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Reading Assignments - Students will be expected to have carefully and thoughtfully read the assigned text materials for the course prior to doing research and writing the essay assignments and taking the final exam.
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS: The written assignments are to made to enable the student to think through the course issues and also to practice their responses to the course’s intellectual and scriptural challenges.
EXAMS: 25 – 50 questions combination mini essays and multiple choice Questions.
COURSE POLICIES: The students’ grade will be based on the following percentages.
Essay: 50%
Final online test: 50%
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Research I: Moreland, J.P. and William Lane Craig. Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2003.
Peterson, Michael, William Hasker, Bruce Reichenbach and David Basinger (editors). Philosophy of Religion: Selected Readings (5th edition). Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014.
Plantinga, Alvin. Knowledge and Christian Belief. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2015.
Research II & III: Beale, Greg K. Handbook on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament: Exegesis and Interpretation. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2012.
Greidanus, Sidney. Preaching Christ from the Old Testament: A Contemporary Hermeneutical Method. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1999.
Pratt, Richard L. He Gave Us Stories: The Bible Student’s Guide to Interpreting Old Testament Narratives. Phillipsburg: P&R, 1990. Silva, Moises, ed. Foundations of Contemporary Interpretation. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996.
Grading Method:
100 – 90 4.00 A
89 – 80 3.00 B
79 – 70 2.00 C
69 – 60 1.00 D
59 – 0 F
Part III – Dissertation Work Credit 5 hours
Dissertation Proposal
Assigned Staff Professor:
Dr. Julie Tofilon
Dr. Robert Varnam
Dr. Rod Annis
Dr. Isaac Ozobiani
Dr. Philip Jegede
Course Duration: Four – Twelve Weeks
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This research course will examine the lives and thought of the Greek and Latin Fathers of the Christian Church. Attention will be given to the development and substance of Christian doctrine during the Patristic Period. Primary sources will be utilized in our investigation. Lectures, reading, and discussion will constitute the main substance of the course.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: At the end of the course the student will be able to understand the stages of the church’s doctrinal formation during the Patristic Period. Recognize the doctrinal contributions made by prominent church fathers. Review the church’s past from a Christological and biblical norm. Possess historical perspective on the theological and practical problems of the present.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Reading Assignments - Students will be expected to have carefully and thoughtfully read the assigned text materials for the course prior to doing research and writing the essay assignments and taking the final exam.
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS: The written assignments are to made to enable the student to think through the course issues and also to practice their responses to the course’s intellectual and scriptural challenges.
EXAMS: Dissertation Proposal
25 – 50 questions combination mini essays and multiple choice Questions.
COURSE POLICIES: The students’ grade will be based on the following percentages.
Essay: 50%
Final online test: 50%
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Research Proposals: A Guide to Success 3rd Edition by Thomas E. Ogden
Grading Method:
100 – 90 4.00 A
89 – 80 3.00 B
79 – 70 2.00 C
69 – 60 1.00 D
59 – 0 F
Dissertation 20 Credit hours
Dissertation Review Committee:
Dr. Julie Tofilon
Dr. Robert Varnam
Dr. Rod Annis
Dr. Philip Jegede
Dr. Isaac Ozobiani
Course Duration: Six months to one year
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Students are to begin their research on their thesis. Student work independently, and may use North Central Theological Seminary online library, or other public libraries and resources. Students may also accomplish their research through surveys or interviews.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: After completing their writing student must submit a minimum 80 page them to the Thesis committer for review.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Read required course material relevant to their Thesis proposal, do their research and submit their Dissertation.
Minimum 80-page Dissertation
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Writing the Doctoral Dissertation: A Systematic Approach Third Edition by Gordon B. Davis
Grading Method:
Thesis Acceptance or Rejection
