(3 credits)
The history and spiritual growth of the early Christian church are explored through a study of the book of Acts and the letters of James, Peter, John, and Jude. This class fulfills part of Hartland’s mission by familiarizing students with these books of the Bible. As one vital objective of the Theology Department, an in-depth study of these books is indispensable for helping future pastors and teachers to fulfill the various aspects of their ministry.

(3 credits)
This course serves as an introduction to some of the issues that have divided Adventists in the past and present. Students will have an opportunity to examine the root theological and interpersonal causes that contributed to division. As taught from year to year, the class will vary in response to newly rising issues.

(3 credits)
An overview and investigation of humanity’s origins, including our Fall and the history of God’s dealings with us is indispensable for the 21^st century missionary. This course consists of an overview of Old Testament history from Creation to the time prior to the Israelite kingdom. A study is made of the books of Moses (Genesis to Deuteronomy) and Job, continuing with the historical books of Joshua, Judges, and Ruth.

(3 credits)
A study of the time of the kings, including I and II Samuel, I and II Kings, and I and II Chronicles, to the reign of King Josiah. The class includes a review of the early Old Testament prophets Hosea, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Isaiah, and Amos. There will also be a brief review of the Psalms and the wisdom literature of Solomon.

(3 credits)
A survey of the history of Israel from the time of King Jehoiakim to the period of restoration after the Babylonian captivity. The historical books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther are studied with a review of the latter Old Testament prophets Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Joel, Habakkuk, Haggai, Zechariah, Zephaniah, and Malachi.

(4 credits)
In this introduction and survey to the book of Daniel, students will employ sound prophetic principles of interpretation to understand the content. As students compare prophecy and history, there will be an emphasis on applying the prophecies to many questions 21^st century missionaries face today, and to the prophetic heritage that stands behind the commitment and growth of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

(4 credits)
In this last book of the New Testament, all the themes of the Bible meet and end. Students will be introduced to sound principles of prophetic interpretation to understand the content. This course covers the revelation of Jesus Christ throughout the history of the seven churches, the seven seals, and the seven trumpets, which take up the first 11 chapters of Revelation.

(4 credits)

This class constitutes an in-depth study of the final phases of the great controversy between Christ and Satan as outlined in the epic battle between the mark of the beast and the seal of God, which comes to its climactic finale at Jesus’ second coming.

(3 credits)
21^st century missionaries would greatly benefit from emulating the indomitable spirit, courage, energy, and love exemplified in Paul’s life. This course is a study of the epistles of I and II Thessalonians, I and II Corinthians, Galatians, and Romans. The goal of this course is to understand Paul’s basic themes in their original context, as well as their application and relevance to Christians of all ages.

(3 credits)

This course consists of a study of the messages and present application of Paul’s prison epistles: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. Also covered are Paul’s pastoral epistles to Timothy and Titus, and the book of Hebrews.

(4 credits)
This course reveals how the prophetic word points to the influential role of Greek philosophy in shaping the doctrines and movements of this era, beginning with the apostolic fathers in the 2^nd century and ending with Thomas Aquinas in the 13^th century. The student will also explore the role of the church in the wilderness in preparing the way for the Protestant Reformation.

(4 credits)
This course covers the Protestant Reformers, the Catholic Counter-Reformation, and the French Revolution. Students will obtain a general knowledge of the key philosophical movements that the Reformers and their followers assumed in their doctrines. The major impact of the Reformation on theology, spirituality, worship, church administration, and church/state issues will be studied.

(4 credits)
This course traces how the shift in philosophy during the Enlightenment shaped the following movements: Liberal Theology, Vatican I, Fundamentalism, Vatican II, and the Emerging Church.

(3 credits)
This course gives attention to the preparation of the preacher, the application of biblical hermeneutics, the elements that make up a sermon, and the principles of sermon delivery. Students will deliver topical, biographical, narrative, and evangelistic sermons.

(4 credits)
An investigation of the role of the prophetic gift in the church from Bible times to the present day, with special emphasis on the role of Ellen G. White in the development of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. This course also explores the context from which she emerged as God’s special messenger and examines issues surrounding her ministry and challenges to her credibility. Students will be provided with interpretive tools for understanding and applying Ellen White’s writings.

(3 credits)
21^st century missionaries are confronted by an array of complex issues. Students will evaluate various ethical theories promulgated throughout the centuries by the Bible and become familiar with the biblical principles involved in the task of making decisions that glorify God.

(3 credits)
Examines leadership as a Christian calling. There is an investigation of the biblical roles of a pastor, elder, and deacon. God’s plan of church organization and government is explained. The preparation of baptismal candidates and funeral, marriage, dedication, ordination, communion, and baptismal services are discussed.

(3 Credits)
This course will cover the issues concerning sin, salvation, the church, and ecumenism by first taking a historical overview of those subjects before combining an exegetical and systematic method that is based on the Bible and that incorporates the insights from the heavenly sanctuary as the main hermeneutical pillar.

(4 credits)
Ellen White referred to the heavenly sanctuary as the key that opened to view a complete system of truth connected and harmonious (GC 423). Students will examine the history of interpretations concerning the sanctuary before tracing its hermeneutical impact on a host of doctrines.

(3 credits)
This class will undertake an overview of the various theories of knowledge that are assumed by all who study Scripture and nature and who wish to understand the issues involved in the origins of the universe.

(4 credits)
The administration of the Word in corporate worship, Bible studies, counselling, teaching, and preaching, constitutes a very important aspect of pastoral ministry. Students will discover the biblical theology of the Word by analyzing several corporate worship scenes in Scripture and then by comparing Scripture’s theology of the Word with the rest of Christendom.

(4 credits)
Students will examine various models that interpret how we understand the revelation and inspiration process. In this endeavor, there will be an investigation of how human philosophy distorts the content of revelation, the understanding of inspiration, the concept of illumination, and the consequences for Christian doctrine and experience.

(14 credits)
Contact the department chair for more details →