3 Units

An overview of Genesis through Malachi, focusing on the literary contents, historical contexts, and theological contributions of the Old Testament books. Highlights the major historical people, places, and events of the Old Testament while mapping them onto the overarching redemptive storyline.

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Explain the significance of key people, places, and events in the Old Testament.
• Identify the book and chapter references for important Old Testament concepts and events.
• Describe the historical setting of the Old Testament books.
• Summarize the messages and theological contributions of the Old Testament books, and their contemporary Christian relevance.

3 Units

An overview of Matthew through Revelation, focusing on the literary contents, historical contexts, and theological contributions of the New Testament books. Highlights the major historical people, places, and events of the New Testament while mapping them onto the overarching redemptive storyline.

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Explain the significance of key people, places, and events in the New Testament and the intertestamental period.
• Identify the book and chapter references for important New Testament concepts and events.
• Describe the historical setting of the New Testament books
• Summarize the messages and theological contributions of the New Testament books, and their contemporary Christian relevance.

3 Units

An introduction to the origin, transmission, and translation of the Bible, including its inspiration, canonization, preservation, and textual reconstruction. Addresses the major historical-critical questions relating to the Bible’s authority, and provides the student with an apologetic for the inspiration and inerrancy of Scripture.

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Explain when and how the biblical books were inspired and canonized as Scripture.
• Describe how ancient biblical manuscripts were transmitted and the original autographs reconstructed.
• Contrast the various methods used in modern Bible translation.
• Defend the authority and veracity of Scripture, as well as the significance of these doctrines for the Christian life and ministry.

3 Units

An introduction to the principles and methods of biblical interpretation, focusing on the history of interpretation, the literal-historical-grammatical approach, and the primary tools for biblical study. Hermeneutical strategies will be used to interpret various literary genres, examine historical and literary contexts, analyze structural relationships, perform word studies, and develop principles for practical application.

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Define key terms and concepts relating to biblical interpretation.
• Identify significant approaches, trends, and presuppositions of biblical interpreters, both past and present.
• Interpret various genres of biblical literature from a dispensational perspective.
• Employ the essential tools and methods of biblical research.

3 Units

A survey of the essential categories of systematic theology, including bibliology (the Bible), theology proper (the existence, attributes, and triunity of God), anthropology (humanity), angelology (angels and demons), and harmartiology (sin). Introduces the various branches of theology, including biblical theology, historical theology, philosophical theology, and practical theology, and how they relate to systematic theology. Emphasis is given to how the theological topics covered impact personal discipleship and church ministry.

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Summarize the attributes and promises of God.
• Explain the responsibilities and rebellion of humanity.
• Defend important evangelical doctrinal commitments with Scripture.
• Apply theological truths in contemporary church settings.

3 Units

A survey of the essential categories of systematic theology, including Christology (the person and work of Christ), pneumatology (the person and work of the Holy Spirit), soteriology (salvation), ecclesiology (the church), and eschatology (last things). Emphasis is given to how the theological topics covered impact personal discipleship and church ministry.

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Explain how the work of Christ and the Spirit impacts the believer’s salvation and sanctification.
• Describe the mission of the church and its relationship to national Israel within the history of redemption.
• Defend important evangelical doctrinal commitments with Scripture.
• Apply theological truths in contemporary church settings.

3 Units

An overview of the major world religions and Christian cults, including Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Mormonism, and the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Surveys the origins, beliefs, and practices of important religious movements and provides strategies for responding to them critically yet charitably.

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Summarize the core beliefs and practices of the major world religions and Christian cults.
• Distinguish between orthodox and unorthodox Christian theology.
• Critique disparate worldviews with sound reason and biblical support.
• Demonstrate the liabilities of opposing viewpoints while exhibiting Christian virtue.

3 Units

• A study of the principles and practices of defending the Christian faith, covering worldview, origins, science and faith, truth, God, miracles, the resurrection, the problem of evil, and more. Introduces students to different approaches to apologetics, including their respective aims and limits, and equips students with the requisite knowledge to dialogue about important contemporary issues with confidence.

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Explain the relationship between faith and reason and the significance of apologetics for evangelism, discipleship, and the church’s witness.
• Assess contemporary approaches to Christian apologetics.
• Defend crucial tenets of orthodox Christian doctrine from recent critics.
• Evaluate important events, movements, and ideas in contemporary society with sound reason and biblical support.

2 Units

A study of worldview as a concept including examining the questions of identity, origin, morality, existence of God, etc. Beginning with Christian theism, the student will study the worldviews that make up the foundations of philosophy, religion, and science in order to effectively identify a person’s worldview in supporting an apologetic of Christianity. This class will be a great compliment to TH301 (Apologetics) and Cults and World Religions.

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Identify the 8 fundamental questions that every worldview seeks to answer.
• Evaluate and define the 8 primary worldviews that provide the foundation of the various belief systems of mankind.
• Identify the crucial differences between Christian Theism and these other worldviews including an ability to defend the merits of Christian Theism.
• Interact more effectively with the lost through understanding the worldview that provides the foundation for their beliefs.

3 Units

A study of the principles and practices of sharing the gospel and nurturing the spiritual growth of others. Examines how these principles relate to biblical methods of outreach and spiritual formation. Provides opportunities for employing evangelistic strategies and discipleship techniques.

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Explain the gospel succinctly and persuasively.
• Design biblical strategies for engaging contemporary cultures with the gospel.
• Understand principles and practices of effective church planting.
• Summarize key people and events in the global expansion of the church.

2 Units

A study of the history, theology, and practice of the spiritual disciplines, including Bible study, scriptural meditation, prayer, fasting, giving, worship, fellowship, and service. Prepares students to approach spiritual growth and sanctification with thoughtfulness and intention, while providing strategies for assisting others to pursue the same.

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Identify key signs of spiritual vitality.
• Explain how the spiritual disciplines contribute to spiritual growth.
• Study the Bible in a manner that is both simple and spiritually enriching.
• Design a long-term plan for growing in Christian maturity and spiritual intimacy.

1 Unit (x3)

An opportunity to gain valuable firsthand experience through weekly participation in an assigned ministry of Compass Bible Church. Requires a minimum of 50 hours of service throughout the semester under the direction of a ministry leader. Ministry assignments must be approved by the supervising faculty member.

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Complete basic ministry tasks tailored to one’s ministry involvement.
• Identify areas in need of attention or assistance within a church ministry.
• Explain the aims and methods of a particular church ministry.
• Design an event or program that meets the needs of a particular demographic within a church ministry.