Theology Department

810 Old Testament

Grade required

9

Required

This course studies God’s involvement in and with creation, and traces the revelation of God’s Covenant from Adam to Malachi. Additional emphases would include the underlying principles of biblical interpretation, and practical experience in using the Bible for personal study and devotion.

811 New Testament

Grade required

9

Required

New Testament continues the study of God’s relationship with his people, who now encompasses all the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and the work of the Holy Spirit in the establishment and sustenance of the Church is emphasized.

825 Understanding and embracing Jesus as the Messiah

Grade required

10

Required

How is it that faith in Christ results in a changed life? The transforming effects of the Holy Spirit on the lives of the apostles and how we are also transformed today, is examined in this course. Christ’s life and His effects on the world of today. This course also encourages our students to share their faith with others.

826 Christianity: Understanding & embracing Christianity

Grade offered

10

Required if not in Field Service

Length

One Semester

Credit

½ unit

Prerequisite

This course is designed to give the student an understanding of the development of the Christian church from the time of Christ, through the Protestant/Catholic split of the church (Reformation), to the church divisions of today.

836 Faith & Practices in the Christian Life

Grade offered

11

Required of all juniors

Length

Full year

Credit

1 unit

Prerequisite

How does the high school student of the 21st century apply their faith to worldly situations? This course equips young adults to relate their faith to their personal beliefs, relationships with others, marriage and career. The student will be able to apply an understanding of Christian ethics and theology in a reflective and responsible way to the reality of major social issues facing our contemporary world.

841 The Last Word

Grade required

12

Required of all seniors

This course gives the student an in-depth look at the last nine books of the New Testament, which traces the development of the Christian faith through the first century AD. Christ’s supremacy, one of the key unifying themes, is explored using modern resources for scripture interpretation. Emphasis is placed on skills for personal Bible devotions and continued spiritual growth.

844 Death & Dying

Grade offered

11, 12

Elective

Death has always been fascinating to people. It is universal and mysterious. Here we view its medical, psychological, spiritual and social aspects. Attention is given to funeral practices and the economics of dying.

845 World’s Religions in Focus

Grade offered

11, 12

Elective

Length

One Semester

Within our global community we are exposed to all peoples’ beliefs through personal contact and the media. This course compares the world’s major religions and cults. It is designed to give the student exposure to different religious cultures and traditions.

846 African/American Religious Experience

Grade offered

11, 12

Elective

Length

One Semester

The historical important of the role of the African-American Church in the community is traced in this course. The biblical foundation for the church practices will be emphasized along with an overview of the sacred song tradition that sustains and nurtures the African-American community. The relationship between African-American communities and Christian expression will be explored through historical contexts.

839 Understanding & Embracing Christianity II

Grade offered

11, 12

Elective

Length

One Semester

This course continues the student on Christian Doctrine and inter-church relationships. Students taking the course are encouraged to be spiritually confident about their Christian faith and intellectually capable of defending their Christian faith to others.

847 Careers in Church Work

Grade offered

11, 12

Elective

Length

One Semester

Pastor, Missionary, Director of Christian Education, Deaconess, Music Minister, and other professional offices within the Church are examined. Students who are interested in entering professional church work or those who are curious about what is involved with church work are invited to take this course. An opportunity to gain hands-on training and experience will also be provided.

850 Field Experience

One semester of theology classes AND active “Field Experience” under the direction of the student’s pastor are required during the sophomore, junior, and senior years at Luther South. Field experience involves learning the student in the student’s congregation (singing in the choir, ushering, teaching Sunday school or VBS, visiting shut-ins, and many other activities), not simply attending workshop services. Activity can continue throughout the school year. The grade for Field Experience is P (for “Pass”) or NC (for “No Credit”). It is not included in the GPA (grade point average).
NOTE: If the student’s pastor declines to accept the opportunity to guide the student’s parish activity, or if the student does not hold membership in a Christian congregation, the student is required to take theology classes for the additional semester each year.

851 Independent Study

In situations where theology credit is needed and courses will not fit into the student's schedule, Independent Study may be arranged, in which the student will research a topic or topics and write appropriate papers under the direction of a designated member of the theology department. The letter grade that is given for independent study is counted in the grade point average. Note – student cannot take more than 1 Independent Study course per semester.