This is the first course students take for Certificates, the M.A. in Theology and M.Div. degree programs. It is an in person intensive course that introduces students to the study of theology in connection with prayer and ministry. The course revolves around a structured examination of the Book of Job. This initial course provides students with insights and opportunities that are vital to them growing in wonder, love, and praise. Typically offered: Autumn.

Students will reflect on their seminary experience, with particular attention to what they have learned about themselves, the world, and God. Using intentional reflection, students will communicate how they have experienced formation as a member of the Seattle Pacific Seminary community and their ability to integrate what they've learned into their life and ministry. This course functions as a bridge to prepare students for their transition out of Seminary, giving them tangible artifacts and emphasizing practices of prayer, reflection, and vocational discernment. Typically offered: Autumn.

Students will be educated in the texts and contexts of the Old Testament with a particular focus on the Pentateuch. Students will be equipped with the tools, methods, and virtues needed to interpret and teach Scripture for the building up of the church. Through the study of Scripture, students will be empowered to pursue the double love of God and neighbor. Typically offered: Autumn.

Explores the history of Christianity as a global movement of the Holy Spirit, from its beginnings through the fall of Constantinople. With particular attention to primary sources, students will connect the story of their faith to the larger Church's story, including the geographic spread of the early church, creedal development, the role of apologists, martyrs, and monks, the institutionalization of the Church into Christendom, the variety of worship life, and the development of medieval theology. Typically offered: Autumn.

The Doctrine sequence of courses is organized by the structure of the Nicene Creed. This first course explores the basic teaching of the historic Christian faith as expressed in the first section of the Creed. As such, it introduces students to theological method and the doctrines of the Triune God, creation, and human nature with attention to their ethical, missional, and devotional embodiments. Typically offered: Autumn.

Students will be educated in the texts and contexts of the Old Testament with a particular focus on the Historical books to the Prophets. Students will be equipped with the tools, methods, and virtues needed to interpret and teach Scripture for the building up of the church. Through the study of Scripture, students will be empowered to pursue the double love of God and neighbor. Typically offered: Winter.

Explores the history of Christianity as a global movement of the Holy Spirit, from the late medieval roots of the Reformation to the middle of the 19th century. With particular attention to primary sources, students will connect the story of their faith to the larger Church's story, including the various Reformation movements, the effects of European colonization and enslavement, the influence of modernity on theology, the thriving of indigenous forms of Christianity in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, and the empowering movements of spiritual awakening in the 18th and 19th centuries, especially the Wesleyan revival. Typically offered: Winter.

The Doctrine sequence of courses is organized by the structure of the Nicene Creed. This second course explores the basic teaching of the historic Christian faith as expressed in the second section of the Creed. As such, it introduces students to the doctrines of the person of Christ, the work of Christ, and salvation with attention to their ethical, missional, and devotional embodiments. Typically offered: Winter.

Students will be educated in the texts and contexts of the New Testament with a particular focus on the Gospels. Students will be equipped with the tools, methods, and virtues needed to interpret and teach Scripture for the building up of the church. Through the study of Scripture, students will be empowered to pursue the double love of God and neighbor. Typically offered: Spring.

Students will be educated in the texts and contexts of the New Testament with a particular focus on the books of Acts to Revelation. Students will be equipped with the tools, methods, and virtues needed to interpret and teach Scripture for the building up of the church. Through the study of Scripture, students will be empowered to pursue the double love of God and neighbor. Typically offered: Autumn.

Explores the history of Christianity as a global movement of the Holy Spirit, from the middle of the 19th century to the present. With particular attention to primary sources, students will connect the story of their faith to the larger Church's story, including the apex (nadir?) of modern theology, missions and ecumenism, the development of postmodern theologies of crisis and liberation, the Pentecostal and charismatic renewal movements, and especially the worldwide spread of Christianity throughout the global South. Typically offered: Spring.

Explores the theological doctrine of the church from the vantage of the particular context of the Pacific Northwest. Various ecclesiological perspectives will be studied and applied to the unique background and history of Christianity in the PNW, including the challenges and exciting entrepreneurial possibilities of ministry in the region. Typically offered: Winter.

The Doctrine sequence of courses is organized by the structure of the Nicene Creed. This third course explores the basic teaching of the historic Christian faith as expressed in the third section of the Creed. As such, it introduces students to the doctrines of the Holy Spirit, the church and sacraments, and Christian hope with attention to their ethical, missional, and devotional embodiments. Typically offered: Spring.

Emphasizes the essentials of Koine Greek vocabulary, grammar, and syntax, enabling the student to begin reading the New Testament and with the potential to study other kinds of Greek literature, including the Septuagint. Requirements include class participation, regular homework assignments, including translation from and into Greek, an event journal, and both midterm and final exams.

Emphasizes the essentials of Koine Greek vocabulary, grammar, and syntax, enabling the student to continue reading the New Testament without looking up every word and with the potential to study other kinds of Greek literature, including the Septuagint. Requirements include class participation, regular homework assignments, including translation from and into Greek, an event journal, and both midterm and final exams.

An introduction to koine Greek grammar, with an emphasis on reading the New Testament in Greek Typically offered: Spring, Alternate Years.

Explores the various administrative tasks related to ministerial leadership in church and non-profit contexts. Students will be equipped with the practical skills necessary for sustaining the church’s mission in complex institutional contexts. Rotating topics include budgeting for mission, human resources, leadership, and real estate management. Typically offered: Autumn, Winter, Spring.

Explores the various administrative tasks related to ministerial leadership in church and non-profit contexts. Students will be equipped with the practical skills necessary for sustaining the church’s mission in complex institutional contexts. Rotating topics include budgeting for mission, human resources, leadership, and real estate management. Typically offered: Autumn, Winter, Spring.

This ministry workshop course draws on the expertise of ministry practitioners serving with marginalized communities. These contextual, practice-based courses will empower students to grow in love for the least of these and respond adaptively to emerging ministry challenges. Rotating workshops may include ministry with the immigrant, the sick, the elderly, the unhoused, and the disabled. Typically offered: Autumn, Winter, Spring.

This ministry workshop course draws on the expertise of ministry practitioners serving with marginalized communities. These contextual, practice-based courses will empower students to grow in love for the least of these and respond adaptively to emerging ministry challenges. Rotating workshops may include ministry with the immigrant, the sick, the elderly, the unhoused, and the disabled. Typically offered: Autumn, Winter, Spring.

Surveys the essentials of biblical Hebrew, including grammar, morphology, syntax and vocabulary, through the translation of selected Old Testament texts.

Continues to survey the essentials of biblical Hebrew, including grammar, morphology, syntax and vocabulary, through the translation of selected Old Testament texts. It seeks to provide a beginning knowledge of the exegetical task and the tools to achieve it. This course is meant to be taken in a sequence with Hebrew I. If the sequence is interrupted, a placement exam must be passed before the second quarter begins.

Continues to survey the essentials of biblical Hebrew, including grammar, morphology, syntax and vocabulary. It seeks to provide a beginning knowledge of the exegetical task and the tools to achieve it. This course is meant to be taken in a sequence with Hebrew I and II. If the sequence is interrupted, a placement exam must be passed before the third quarter begins. Includes a translation of the book of Jonah. Typically offered: Spring, Alternate Years.

This course involves a text centered analysis of a single biblical book (e.g. Genesis, Luke) or several related biblical books (e.g. Samuel-Kings, the Pauline Letters). Cross-listed with THEO 4250 for undergraduate students. Typically offered: Winter, Occasionally.

Examines the theological vision of John Wesley and the theological methodologies, doctrinal commitments and strategies for Christian formation characteristic of the Wesleyan tradition, and explores their relevance for contemporary Methodist, Wesleyan and Holiness church bodies.

This class will explore the origins and key developments in how the church has worshipped the Triune God. Attention to will be given to ways Christians have prayed, preached, sung, marked time, and participated in sacraments in various ecclesial families. In investigating the history of worship, students will also develop a vibrant theology of worship. Typically offered: Autumn, Alternate Years.

Examines a representative theologian or a theological topic of significance for students preparing for ministry. Representative theologians include Augustine of Hippo, Martin Luther, and Karl Barth. Potential topics include missional theology, theodicy, theology and the moral imagination, and contemporary intellectual currents. Typically offered: Occasionally.

This class will equip students to plan and lead Christian worship services. The focus will center on the weekly worship of Christians with attention also given to occasional services like weddings and funerals. Students will sharpen their skills for leading in public worship; particularly acts of worship like public prayer and reading of Scripture, art, media, music, and space. Typically offered: Spring, Alternate Years.

This course explores how worship is the foundation for Christian ethics. The course explores how practices of worship like the Lord’s Supper, Sabbath, baptism, funerals, weddings, etc. form us into a people of character able to respond with the church to issues such as poverty, violence, bioethics, and racism. Typically offered: Alternate Years.

This course examines the ethical and theological ramifications in the church’s work of reconciliation in the world. Students will explore topics in the church's work of being with the poor, the sick, the young, the disabled, etc Typically offered: Occasionally.

What is the good news we have to proclaim? How do we embody it effectively in the city, and what can the church universal learn from our unique context? This class will explore answers to these questions by looking at various models from scripture, history, and contemporary approaches. Typically offered: Autumn.

Explores theological understandings of disability, with attention given to historical, cultural, medical, educational, psychological, and legal perspectives. Attention will also be given to ministries of care, support and advocacy to and with people with disabilities, as well as ministry to and with their families. Typically offered: Alternate Years.

Examines the relationship between the ministry of the church and the complicated realities of race and culture in the modern world. The course will trace the development and varying interpretations of racial and cultural identity through theological and non-theological materials as well as cultivate a theological framework to negotiate these realities in the church and the world.

This course examines Christian perspectives on gender and human sexuality through hermeneutical, historical, theological, and ecumenical lenses. Studying both egalitarian and complementarian frameworks, students will consider the implications of these models for Christian leadership and community life. The course introduces and explores queer theologies as part of the broad ecclesial conversation. Typically offered: Occasionally.

Explores the scriptural and doctrinal foundations of God's reconciling work in the world Typically offered: Winter, Occasionally.

This course empowers students to winsomely and contextually proclaim the gospel from a book or genre of the Bible. Students will be guided in the practice of exegesis for sermon preparation, public speaking, teaching, etc. In this course, students will prepare and deliver sermons in the course. (Pre-requisite THEO 6740 Preaching) Typically offered: Spring.

Examines religions such as Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Confucianism, Taoism, Shinto, and primal faiths. Each religion is studied in philosophical and cultural context. From the perspective of the Christian faith, each religion is approached with appreciation and critique, seeking points of contact and also areas of contrast.

Introduces students to practical theology as disciplined reflection on the church's life and ministry in response to God's revelation. Students will be encouraged to reflect critically on congregational practices in worship, education, pastoral care, and mission. Grounded in both theology and the social sciences, students will be equipped to design more faithful and effective ministries in multicultural, local, and global church contexts.

This course introduces students to classic works from the Christian tradition on knowing and loving God. Through deep reading and conversation, students will explore the theological and practical dimensions of the Christian spiritual life with the aim of grace-enabled growth in holiness. Typically offered: Autumn, Occasionally.

Explores the church’s ministry to and with young people and their families from theological, cultural, and practical perspectives. Historical and contextual aspects about the nature of youth and the nature of family will be examined. Typically offered: Alternate Years.

Ministry leaders play a critical role in forming the faith of those in their ministry. The formation of Christian identity takes place in both formal and informal teaching ministries of the church. Formal moments include baptism, the Lord’s Supper, Sunday school, confirmation, children’s messages, Bible studies, youth group, retreats, and camps. Other informal, but still formative educational moments include the ways the community embodies its beliefs through serving the community, educating the public, and participating in local civic life. In this class, students will identify, evaluate, and create learning goals for the teaching ministry in their setting. Students will gain skills in culturally responsive teaching methods. Students will also grow in their understanding of human development that will help them create age-appropriate learning experiences for the entire lifecycle. Typically offered: Alternate Years.

This course empowers students to winsomely and contextually proclaim the gospel. Students will learn the practice of preaching, including skills such as sermon preparation, public speaking, attentiveness to communal realities, and biblical interpretation for proclamation. In this course, students will prepare and deliver sermons and engage in sharing and receiving feedback from their professor and their peers. Typically offered: Winter.

Focuses on different paradigms and practices in evangelism and mission throughout the history of the Christian church, as well as different theological and literary approaches to understanding and communicating the good news of the kingdom of God. Attention will be given to sociological and cultural influences of postmodernism on popular culture. Equips students to generate new strategies for engaging the emerging generation with the gospel.

Ministry leaders love and care for individuals and communities through seasons of discernment, transition, and suffering. This course equips students to promote the psychological and spiritual health of individuals, couples, congregations, and communities. Pastoral care skills will be learned and developed utilizing the resources of Christian Scripture, practical theology, contemporary psychology, and social theory. Students will grow in knowledge of themselves to develop a non-anxious presence in pastoral care settings. Students who complete this course will be prepared to support people through tensions, conflict, and life’s transitions. Typically offered: Autumn.

The rapidly changing context of ministry in the 21st century requires creative, adaptive leaders. This course will equip and empower ministry leaders with skills to navigating significant change in local contexts and adapt to the ever-changing landscape of Christian ministry. Topics may include adaptive leadership skills, human-centered design thinking, conflict management, group decision making, building and empowering teams for sustainability. Students will learn from practitioners and real time case studies, while analyzing their own ministry contexts. Typically offered: Autumn.

Assists current and future church leaders to combine business skills with theological grounding in order to establish social enterprises and fresh expressions of church. Students will apply economic and business knowledge to areas of pastoral support and teaching. They will develop a workable social venture business plan to apply this learning directly to a particular faith community. Course content will include church planting models, financial management and accounting, and community exegesis.

Examines the polity of a given denomination and the congregations that belong to it. Explores the ways in which a given denomination's ecclesiology, governance structures (legislative, executive and judicial), social policies and ecumenical relations have evolved historically and in which they presently function. It is presumed that all the students enrolled in a given section of this course belong to or intend to join the denomination in question and are preparing for ordination or other professional service therein.

Examines the history of a given denomination from its founding to the present day. Attends to its major theological voices and to the ways in which its doctrines, policies and practices have been shaped both by the various nationalities and ethnic groups which have affiliated with it and by the religious, socio-cultural and economic conditions of the nations in which it has taken root (especially the USA). It is presumed that all the students enrolled in a given section of this course belong to or intend to join the denomination in question and are preparing for ordination or other professional service therein.

Narrates the story of Methodism from the time of John Wesley through the twenty-first century, including the growth of American Methodism, the rise of Holiness denominations (Free Methodism, Nazarenes, etc.), the Holiness precursors of Pentecostalism, the development of the United Methodist Church, and the spread of global Methodism. United Methodist students completing this course will fulfill the denomination’s history requirement, in preparation for UMC ordination. Typically offered: Alternate Years.

The purpose of this course is to integrate what the students have learned about Christian Scripture, history, theology and ethics with their disciplinary knowledge, and to explore ways of appropriately “theologizing” the work that they do in their other fields. Typically offered: Occasionally.

Provides the opportunity for the student to study a topic of special interest under faculty supervision. Permission to enroll must be granted by the Dean of SOT or the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies. To secure permission, the student must submit a proposal outlining the objectives of the project and demonstrating why his/her educational interests are best served in this way. The proposal must be signed by the faculty member who has agreed to supervise the project.

Supervised ministry, taken for academic credit, and carried out in a local congregation, clinical setting (hospital, prison, etc.), parachurch agency, or church-related non-profit organization. Minimum time commitment per quarter is 10 hours per week at the placement site for 10 weeks. All sites by which SPS students can satisfy their Contextual Education requirement must be approved by the Dean of SOT or the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and must agree to abide by the SPS Contextual Education Handbook.

Intensive on-site supervised ministry that provides students with an opportunity to reflect on the practice of ministry in light of prior learning in THEO 6940 and other courses. All 6 credits will be completed in one quarter or summer (30 hours per week for 10 weeks). May not be taken in conjunction with any more than 3 additional quarter credits of course work. Internships must be approved by the Dean of SOT, the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, or the SPU faculty member assigned to teach this course during the quarter in which the internship takes place. All sites at which SPS students can satisfy their Contextual Education requirement must be approved the by Dean of SOT or the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and must agree to abide by the SPS Contextual Education Handbook.

Provides a detailed examination of a topic in Christian Scripture, theology, or ministry chosen by the instructor. The course may be taught in an intensive format by a visiting faculty member. Students receive credit for the course as a Scripture, Theology or Ministry elective, depending on topic.

Explores issues and questions pertaining to ministry across cultural boundaries. Students will have the opportunity to experience and reflect on specific historical and theological issues of culture and ministry as they pertain to a specific locale. This will include engagement with local ministries, developing paradigms of holistic ministry, biblical foundations of missions, theology of religions and community exegesis and development. Typically offered: Autumn, Occasionally.

Provides the opportunity for students to utilize competencies developed in their coursework by engaging in a sustained research project on a carefully framed topic. This course is a faculty-supervised research component of the MA (Christian Scripture) and MA (Christian Studies) degree programs. The topic and research methodology must be approved in advance by the faculty supervisor.