Concentration in Systematic Theology (MA/ST)
MA/ST Concentration Purpose
The Master of Arts concentration in Systematic Theology provides specialized study in Christian doctrine: its biblical grounding, historical development, logical coherence, and contemporary context. The MA/ST trains students to engage theological ideas in the world today through a strong biblical, evangelical foundation, mastery of our diverse theological heritage, and familiarity with contemporary (including global) developments in theology. The concentration seeks to equip students to become responsible interpreters of Scripture and faithful stewards of Christian thought. The MA/ST is academic rather than professional in focus, preparing participants in knowledge and practice for teaching or researching in Christian secondary schools, or as a preparatory step (among others) toward doctoral study in a related area.
MA/ST Concentration Objectives and Student Learning Objectives
- Students will learn to think from a biblical, evangelical foundation and responsibly interpret Scripture (e.g., by taking the “Use of Scripture in Theology” course).
- Students will obtain competence in the historic traditions of Christian theology (e.g., by taking courses in historical theology).
- Students will gain familiarity with contemporary, global developments in Christian theology (e.g., by taking Contemporary Theology).
- Students will develop skills in speaking, writing, and teaching towards professional/vocational goals (e.g., through papers, seminar presentations, and perhaps a thesis).
MA/ST Prerequisites
An undergraduate major in Bible and/or theology, or a minimum of 12 hours of undergraduate work in biblical and/or theological studies. Students entering with deficiencies are advised to satisfy up to 9 hours of those deficiencies by taking any or all of ST 5201, 5202, and ID 5000.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Biblical and Theology Core | ||
| ID 5000 | Biblical Theology and Interpretation | 3 |
| ST 5201 & ST 5202 | Theology I: The God of the Gospel and Theology II: The Gospel of God | 6 |
| Students who have taken the equivalent of ST 5201 and ST 5202 with a grade of B or above are encouraged to take at least two advanced doctrinal courses such as the following: | ||
| Divine Action and the Doctrine of Providence | ||
| God in Biblical Theology and Systematic Theology | ||
| Models of Sanctification | ||
| Justification | ||
| Pneumatology | ||
| Christology: Classical Formulations and Contemporary Issues | ||
| Concentration Core 1,2 | ||
| ME 8300 | Global Theologies | 3 |
| ST 7505 | Use of Scripture and Theology | 3 |
| Select one course in Biblical Theology such as: | 3 | |
| New Testament Theology | ||
| Old Testament Theology | ||
| Select two courses, in Historical Theology and/or Contemporary Theology such as: | 5-6 | |
| Luther | ||
| Calvin | ||
| Jonathan Edwards | ||
| Essentials of Reformed Theology | ||
| Karl Barth as Theological Interpreter of Scripture | ||
| Analytic Theology | ||
| Bonaventure | ||
| Anselm and the Victorines | ||
| Arminius and Arminianism | ||
| Theology of Augustine | ||
| Karl Barth | ||
| Recent & Contemporary Theologians | ||
| ST electives (6-12 hours) | 6-12 | |
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select 10-11 hours of elective courses 3 | 10-11 | |
| Field Education | ||
| Select one of the following: | ||
| ID 5080 | Formation Group (2 semesters) | 0 |
| PT 5090 | Field Education (1 semester) | 0 |
| MA/ST Capstone | 1-3 | |
| ST 7477 | MA Major Comprehensive Exam | 1 |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| ST 7485 | MA Thesis | 0-2 |
| ST 7980 | MA Major Research Paper (Two) | 0-2 |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
- 1
Up to 2 hours of the Capstone Project may be applied to the Core
- 2
MA/ST students should work with faculty advisor to ensure coursework provides adequate background for the capstone comprehensive exam and writing projects.
- 3
After satisfying the above mentioned requirements, students who have not taken a total of 36 hours may take further elective course work in a secondary area related to the Concentration (e.g., Apologetics; Ethics; Philosophy of Religion; Bioethics).