Course Descriptions

All courses except introductory languages will be taught at both an undergraduate and graduate level. The level at which the student takes the class will be determined by his previous college work and will be noted on his transcript.

An asterisk (*) after the credit hours indicates that the course may be used for ACSI credit.

APOLOGETICS

AP 111 — Christian Worldview. Explores the implications of biblical truth for a Christian philosophy of life. The study includes a survey of the development of Christian philosophy and contemporary trends. (2 hours*).

AP 121 — Modern Cults. A study of the modern cult phenomenon, examining the history and distinctives of popular cults. (2 hours*; elective).

AP 211 — Introduction to Apologetics. A study of the presuppositional method of apologetics as the proper Biblical strategy for defending the faith. Attention will be given to competing methodologies, including rationalism, empiricism (evidentialism) and irrationalism. (2 hours*).

AP 221 — Evidences. An investigation into the use of evidences in apologetics. Issues of concern are the value of evidences, the historical reliability of the Bible and textual criticism. Attention will be given to the philosophical deficiencies of the theory of evolution. (2 hours.* Prerequisite: AP 211).

AP 311 — Applied Apologetics. The application of the presuppositional method of apologetics. Readings will focus on specific challenges to the Christian faith. (2 hours*; elective. Prerequisite: AP 211).

CHURCH HISTORY

CH 111 — Ancient Church History. A study of the ancient church from the close of the New Testament canon through the accession of Pope Gregory I (AD 590). Emphasis will be given to the development of doctrine, worship, ecclesiology, and the growth of the papacy. (2 hours).

CH 121 — Medieval Church History. A study of the doctrinal and organizational development of the church in the Middle Ages. The effects of scholasticism and the sacerdotal theology on European church and society will be considered. (2 hours; elective).

CH 122 — Readings in Ancient and Medieval Theology. A seminar in primary source materials from the first century through the middle ages. (2 hours; elective. Prerequisites: CH 111 and CH 121).

CH 211 — Reformation Church History. A study of the sixteenth-century Reformation, focusing on the pre-Reformers, the relationship between the Renaissance and the Reformation, the work of the Reformers (specifically Luther, Zwingli, Calvin and Knox), and the Roman Catholic Counter-Reformation. (2 hours).

CH 212 — Readings in Reformation Theology. A seminar in primary source materials from the chief Reformers of the sixteenth century. Attention will be given to distinguishing the views of the various authors. (2 hours; elective. Prerequisite: CH 211).

CH 221 — Modern Church History. A study of doctrinal and ecclesiastical developments since the Reformation. Attention will be given to changes within Lutheranism, Calvinism, Evangelicalism and Romanism. An examination of modern theological liberalism will be included. (2 hours).

CH 331 — American Church History. A study of the issues of American Protestantism. Topics will include New England Puritanism, Edwards and the New Divinity, the impact of the Civil War and slavery on the development of the American church, Princeton and the Southern Presbyterians, Darwinism and the Social Gospel. (2 hours; elective).

NEW TESTAMENT

NT 111 — New Testament Studies I. A comprehensive, chronological study of the New Testament, focusing on events, people, geography and archaeology, with particular emphasis on theological and political developments in the intertestamental period and the ministry of Jesus. (2 hours*).

NT 112 — New Testament Studies II. A continuation of NT 111 with particular emphasis on the book of Acts and Paul’s early epistles. (2hours*).

NT 211 — New Testament Studies III. A continuation of NT 111 and 112 with particular emphasis on Paul’s later epistles, the general epistles and the book of Revelation. (2 hours*).

NT 231 — Elements of Greek Grammar I. A study of New Testament Greek, including orthography, grammar, syntax and vocabulary, including selected readings from the New Testament. (4 hours).

NT 232 — Elements of Greek Grammar II. A continuation of NT 231. (4 hours. Prerequisite: NT 231).

NT 233 — Intermediate Greek Grammar. Study of Greek syntax: cases, moods, and tenses. The purpose is to acquaint the reader of the Greek New Testament with the linguistic constructions found in the New Testament. (2 hours. Prerequisite: NT 232).

NT 311 — New Testament Canon and Text. A consideration of the text of the New Testament, focusing on the origin and transmission of the text. Special attention will be given to the office of the apostolate, the concept of canon and textual criticism. (2 hours. Prerequisite: NT 232).

NT 321 — New Testament Biblical Theology. An intensive study of the history of redemption as revealed in the New Testament. Attention will be given to the use of the Old Testament by Christ and the apostles, as well as the development of apostolic doctrine. (2 hours*; elective).

NT 411 — Exegesis of the Gospels and Acts. Integrated exegetical study of selections from one or more of the gospels and/or the book of Acts, including introduction, history, textual criticism and an evaluation of genres and themes. (2 hours.* Prerequisite: NT 233).

NT 421 — Exegesis of the Epistles. Integrated exegetical study of one of the New Testament epistles, including introduction, history, textual criticism and an evaluation of genres and themes. (2 hours.* Prerequisite: NT 233. The student may elect to take CC 411 instead).

OLD TESTAMENT

OT 111 — Old Testament Studies I. A comprehensive, chronological study of the Old Testament, focusing on events, people, nations, geography, archaeology and law, with particular emphasis on the Pentateuch and Job. (2 hours*).

OT 112 — Old Testament Studies II. A continuation of OT 111 with particular emphasis on the conquest through the reign of Jeconiah. (2 hours*).

OT 211 — Old Testament Studies III. A continuation of OT 111 and 112 with particular emphasis on the deportation of Jeconiah through Malachi. (2 hours*).

OT 231 — Elements of Hebrew Grammar I. A study of Old Testament Hebrew, including orthography, grammar, syntax and vocabulary, including selected readings from the Old Testament. (4 hours).

OT 232 — Elements of Hebrew Grammar II. A continuation of OT 231. (4 hours. Prerequisite: OT 231).

OT 233 — Intermediate Hebrew Grammar. Study of the basic principles of exegesis through the translation of selected Old Testament passages. (2 hours. Prerequisite: OT 232).

OT 311 — Old Testament Canon and Text. Investigates the evidence bearing on the authenticity and trustworthiness of the Old Testament, including the establishment of the canon, history and versions of the text and methods of interpretation. Emphasis will be given to the Mosaic authorship of the Pentateuch and the negative effects of the Graf-Wellhausen theory. (2 hours. Prerequisite: OT 232).

OT 321 — Old Testament Biblical Theology. Examines the nature and formation of Old Testament theology, with special attention given to the outworking of salvation within the context of the divine covenants. (2 hours*; elective).

OT 411 — Exegesis of Hebrew Narrative and Law. A study of the unique contributions of the Hebrew language to an understanding of the narrative and law of the Old Testament, especially the writings of Moses. Attention will be given to the narrative structure of the creation account of Genesis 1 and 2. (2 hours.* Prerequisite: OT 232).

OT 421 — Exegesis of Hebrew Poetry and Prophecy. A consideration of the unique style and contribution of the Hebrew language to the poetic and prophetic literature of the Old Testament. Attention will be given to the method of interpreting and applying the text. (2 hours.* Prerequisite: OT 232).

OT 422 — Exegesis of the Psalms. An exegesis of the Psalms, focusing on their historical and theological setting. Selected Psalms will be assigned. Attention will be given to the method of interpreting and applying the text. (2 hour*; elective. Prerequisite: OT 232).

PRACTICAL THEOLOGY

PT 111 — Hermeneutics. An examination of the history and principles of Biblical interpretation. Special attention will be given to the analogy of faith (i.e., “comparing Scripture with Scripture”) and the grammatico-historical method (2 hours*).

PT 121 — Introductory Homiletics. A look at the Biblical approach to preparing sermons, including a study of the types of sermons, outline structure, illustrations, applications and the dynamics of delivery. (2 hours.* Prerequisite: PT 111. Not open to women students).

PT 122 — Preaching Practicum. Students who have completed the prerequisites will be automatically registered for this course for a total of six semesters. The preaching practicum includes preaching in chapel and submitting written sermons, as well as preaching outside the classroom. Each semester in which a student preaches in chapel will count as one-third of a credit. (A total of 2 hours is needed. Prerequisites: PT 111, PT 121, plus two Systematic Theology courses. Not open to women students).

PT 211 — Pastoral Theology. Provides a theology of the gospel ministry with special attention being given to the idea of “call” versus “vocation,” the nature of Christian service, the primacy of the teaching ministry, and the contribution of the pastor’s life to his ministry. (2 hours. Not open to women students).

PT 221 — Worship and Preaching. A study of the nature and importance of Biblical worship, the centrality of preaching, the elements of worship, essential versus accidental characteristics of worship, and the Word of God as a means of grace. Attention will also be given to teaching others how to develop personal and family worship practices. (2 hours. Not open to women students).

PT 231 — Advanced Homiletics. A continuation of Introductory Homiletics. (2 hours; elective. Prerequisite: PT 121. Not open to women students).

PT 311 — Church Education and Discipleship. An overview of the Biblical principles of discipleship within the context of the local church’s ministry, including theological foundations, goals, methods, curriculum, organization, leadership and evaluation of the teaching/learning process for various settings and age groups. (2 hours*).

PT 321 — Pastoral Care and Counseling. Considers the routines of daily pastoral ministry, including good study habits, accurate record keeping (church and personal), discipleship, visitation, conducting weddings and funerals, and working with a church board. This course will also focus on counseling — bringing the Word of God to bear upon various circumstances of life, e.g., birth, sickness, death, marriage, etc. (2 hours. Not open to women students).

PT 322 — Marriage and Family Issues. This course will examine various issues in marriage and family relationships, with an emphasis on how to build strong relationships within the Christian home. (2 hours; elective).

PT 331 — Evangelism. A study of the biblical foundations, principles and methods of communicating the Gospel to unconverted persons, both within our own cultural contexts and among other cultures. This course will focus on personal evangelism and the role of evangelism in the life of the church. (2 hours*).

PT 341 — Missions. An examination of the Biblical teaching on the worldwide missionary outreach of the church, with attention given to current issues that shape missionary endeavor. The missionary call, goals and challenges of foreign ministry, as well as the local pastor’s role in encouraging the support of foreign missions will be considered. (2 hours*; elective).

PT 411 — Internship. Five hundred hours of supervised field education in a local church, the purpose of which is to provide the student with “hands on” experience in order to test and develop his gifts for the ministry. (3 hours).

SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY

ST 111 — Prolegomena. An examination of theological method, the nature of Biblical revelation, verbal inspiration, inerrancy and infallibility. (2 hours.* A working familiarity with ancient and modern philosophy would be helpful).

ST 121 — Theology Proper. A study of the existence and knowability of God, his attributes, the Trinity and the decrees of God. Attention will be given to the doctrine of creation and its importance for Biblical study. (2 hours*).

ST 211 — Anthropology. A study of the origin and nature of man, his creation in the image of God, the Fall and its effects on creation. (2 hours*).

ST 221 — Christology. A consideration of the Covenant of Redemption and the Covenant of Grace, as effectuated in the person and work of Christ. Attention will be given to the natures, offices and states of Christ. (2 hours*).

ST 311 — Soteriology. A study of the work of the Holy Spirit in salvation, focusing in particular on regeneration, effectual calling, conversion, faith, justification, adoption, sanctification and the perseverance of the saints. (2 hours*).

ST 321 — Ecclesiology. An investigation into the nature of the church, its government and authority, including the means appointed by the Savior to work and confirm faith in his people. (2 hours).

ST 411 — Eschatology. A study of the last things, including death, the intermediate state, the Second Coming, the Resurrection, the final judgment and life everlasting. Consideration will be given to the millennial views and the final state of unbelievers. (2 hours*).

ST 421 — Biblical Ethics. The development of a Christian world-and-life view. Examination of the Scriptural basis for ethics, including the role of the Ten Commandments in the construction and application of ethics to the modern world. Church-state issues will also be considered. (2 hours*).

ST 451 — Contemporary Theology. A consideration of current trends in theology. Attention will be given to the major churches. The New Perspective on Paul and Postmodernism will be examined at length. (2 hours*; elective).

CASIMIR COLLEGE ELECTIVES

These courses are required of RCUS students in the B.D. and M.Div. programs. Other students may take them as electives.

CC 411 — Exegesis of Romans. An exegetical study of the Greek text of the book of Romans, focusing on its major themes of sin, redemption and thankfulness. The correct method of presenting and defending the faith will be emphasized throughout. (2 hours.* Prerequisite: NT 232).

CC 421 — Creeds and Confessions of the Reformation. A study of the creeds and confessions produced during the Protestant Reformation, especially the Three Forms of Unity and the Westminster Standards. (2 hours*).

CC 431 — Covenant Theology. A Biblical-theological study of the divine covenants of Scripture, with special attention on their role in the life of the church. Attention will be given to the sacraments as signs and seals of the covenant, and Calvin’s understanding of “covenant confirmation.” (2 hours*).

CC 461 — Government and History of the Reformed Church in the United States. A consideration of the uniqueness of the Reformed Church in the United States in regard to its history and form of government. Distinctive positions of the RCUS will be studied. (2 hours. Prerequisite: ST 312).