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Christian Core Courses at CoA

At College of Athens, our Program Objectives, Christian Philosophy of Education,

and Educational Goals for the Christian Ministry program cohere around 5 main axes:

 

1. Personal Relationship with Christ (RC)

2. Biblical Knowledge, Understanding, and Interpretation Skills (KUI)

3. Biblical Worldview (BW)

4. Ministry Application (MA)

5. Servant Leadership (SL)

 

Our Christian Core courses are designed to set the foundation for those principles that are then further developed throughout a student’s time at the College regardless of major or vocational direction. While certain courses emphasize certain aspects of those axes more than others, all CoA courses are designed to incorporate some aspect of all of them. For example, while Old Testament and New Testament survey courses naturally align with the Biblical Worldview and Biblical Knowledge, Understanding, and Interpretation categories, students are also encouraged to reflect on how the text forms their identity in Christ and to teach and lead others outside of the classroom through biblical passages or contemporary issues that those passages may inform. Likewise, courses that emphasize spiritual formation or applied ministry will still include foundational elements of biblical study and how the biblical text informs our worldview so that students are combining theory and practice in every course 

Old Testament Survey (4 credits)

Emphases: Biblical Worldview, Biblical Knowledge, Understanding, and Interpretation

Course description

This course presents an overview of the history of the Bible, its writing and centuries of preservation, and provides an introduction to the history and theology of selected books and passages of the Old Testament. Through the study of the Old Testament, students will build their inductive Bible study skills. 

Why this course?

The Old Testament and New Testament survey courses provide the foundation for Scriptural engagement that serves as the basis for everything else. Students are taught how to read and understand the biblical texts in their original contexts but also how to bridge the gap to apply biblical reasoning to relevant issues inside and outside of the church in our own times. Students are introduced to important aspects of academic study of the Bible (e.g., critical and interpretive issues, genre, cultural context, etc.), but the emphasis of both courses is to engage students in the reading of the text, to ask relevant questions, and to give space for the Spirit to speak through the power of the Word. One New Testament scholar diagnosed the American society (including those in church!) as being a “Jesus haunted culture that is biblically illiterate.” The Old Testament and New Testament survey courses help to lay a foundation of biblical literacy but also to equip students with the tools to begin studying the Scriptures on their own by utilizing academic tools as a way of connecting with the ultimate Author of the text. 

New Testament Survey (3 credits)

Emphases: Biblical Worldview, Biblical Knowledge, Understanding, and Interpretation 

Course description

This course explores the basic principles of Christian beliefs, community and ministry, as well as the promise of Christ’s return through a study of the history and theology of the books of the New Testament. Through the study of the New Testament, students will build their inductive Bible study skills. 

Why this course?

The Old Testament and New Testament survey courses provide the foundation for Scriptural engagement that serves as the basis for everything else. Students are taught how to read and understand the biblical texts in their original contexts but also how to bridge the gap to apply biblical reasoning to relevant issues inside and outside of the church in our own times. Students are introduced to important aspects of academic study of the Bible (e.g., critical and interpretive issues, genre, cultural context, etc.), but the emphasis of both courses is to engage students in the reading of the text, to ask relevant questions, and to give space for the Spirit to speak through the power of the Word. One New Testament scholar diagnosed the American society (including those in church!) as being a “Jesus haunted culture that is biblically illiterate.” The Old Testament and New Testament survey courses help to lay a foundation of biblical literacy but also to equip students with the tools to begin studying the Scriptures on their own by utilizing academic tools as a way of connecting with the ultimate Author of the text. 

Foundations of Faith (3 credits)

Emphases: Biblical Worldview, Biblical Knowledge, Understanding, and Interpretation 

Course description

The course presents a survey of Christ-centered biblical history and provides, through the study of Scripture, a theological framework for God, Jesus, salvation, the Holy Spirit, the spiritual world, evil, the Church, and specific theological beliefs. The course includes an introduction to inductive Bible study and an overview of church history. 

Why this course?

This course is designed as an entry point into the fundamentals of the Christian faith that encompasses three broad areas: church history, systematic theology, and inductive Bible Study. Students are given a birds-eye view of these foundational areas to equip them with essential tools and resources for future study in all areas of Christian education and formation. The section on Church History provides enough depth for students to trace the development of faith and practice across thousands of years and geographical miles to help them see various challenges faced and overcome that continue to show up in various forms in the church today. The overview of Systematic Theology lays a foundation of key theological questions set into a narrative framework to help students grapple with the larger story the Bible is telling. The segment on Inductive Bible Study equips students with the basic tools for biblical study that they will need throughout their time at the College. 

His Creation: Identity in Christ (2 credits)

Emphases: Personal Relationship with Christ and Ministry Application 

Course description

This course will equip students to identify and develop their identity in Christ as stewards entrusted with unique, individual talents. The course provides a biblical perspective on spiritual gifts and explores theological issues surrounding spiritual gifts in ministry. This course will give students the tools to discover, explore, and practice their God-given gifts and talents and will prepare them to represent the Lord in their circles of influence within a domain of leadership through the application of strengths and gifts within the context of ministry teams and as team leaders. Students will examine biblical, historical, and philosophical precedents for working groups and teams as related to ministry applications and realities. 

Why this course?

As students prepare for life in ministry, whether vocationally or in the marketplace, they will learn how to discern God’s call on their lives and how to leverage their unique gifts and talents for kingdom work. This course begins with a thorough grounding of the student’s identity in Christ as the foundation for ongoing education and formation. Students learn how to discern and strengthen their own gifts and talents while also being equipped to guide another person through the same process. 

Prayer & Spiritual Direction (3 credits)

Emphasis: Personal Relationship with Christ 

Course description

The course examines the Christian practice of prayer through biblical and theological lenses, types of prayer (adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication), and it introduces students to the theology and practice of hearing God and discerning His will. Students will engage in the spiritual discipline of prayer and reflect on their experiences with God through collaborative learning, individual assessment, and class discussion with an emphasis on application outside of the classroom environment. 

Why this course?

From its inception, CoA’s founders recognized the sad reality of those engaged in theological training to burnout or for their faith to stagnate during or shortly following their studies. At the course and program levels, the intention of the staff and faculty is to nurture faith formation as an essential aspect of Christian education. The Prayer & Spiritual Direction course fills an important role in that experience by allowing students to explore and engage in a wide range of prayer practices both individually and corporately as the lifeline for a sustainable and mature faith. 

The Great Commission: Evangelism (3 credits)

Emphases: Personal Relationship with Christ, Ministry Application, and Servant Leadership 

Course description

This course challenges students to consider the relationship between Christ and culture by equipping students with an overview of Christian philosophy and answers to the most difficult questions posed by both believers and unbelievers. Within the theological framework, students will study major doctrines pertaining to the existence and nature of God, evil, the nature of man, Scripture as the source of truth, and the Church as the body of Christ. The course introduces students to tools and models for evangelism by applying Christian philosophy in the context of sharing the Good News in a contemporary culture of competing world views and relativism. Students will perform and evaluate personal evangelistic activities. 

Why this course?

The great commission courses cover the fundamental aspects of ministry broadly encompassed in discipleship and evangelism. Students will be introduced to practices and habits of spiritual formation as the seedbed for living out a missional faith in the world. Students are challenged to unite vertical and horizontal dimensions of the faith that combine individual spiritual practices with shared life in community as a proclamation and invitation to the world. They are also equipped and challenged to seek out ways to be involved in the local community as a vehicle for sharing the love of Christ with others. 

 

The Great Commission: Discipleship (3 credits)

Emphases: Personal Relationship with Christ, Ministry Application, and Servant Leadership 

Course description

This course examines a biblically-based reflection on an individuals’ personal spiritual growth. Based on an individual’s progress along the pathway, students will consider spiritual needs and potential barriers to spiritual growth. Students focus on using Christian discipleship and leadership principles to develop healthy, thriving, Christian communities that promote and encourage spiritual growth and sanctification.  

Why this course?

The great commission courses cover the fundamental aspects of ministry broadly encompassed in discipleship and evangelism. Students will be introduced to practices and habits of spiritual formation as the seedbed for living out a missional faith in the world. Students are challenged to unite vertical and horizontal dimensions of the faith that combine individual spiritual practices with shared life in community as a proclamation and invitation to the world. They are also equipped and challenged to seek out ways to be involved in the local community as a vehicle for sharing the love of Christ with others. 

Christian Ethics (3 credits)

Emphases: Biblical Worldview, Ministry Application 

Course description

The Ethics course presents students with a series of case studies of difficult issues encountered inside and outside of the church and equips them with models of biblical decision making to help guide their choices through those issues. The ethics course is a prerequisite for all students to begin their apprenticeship experiences. Students are forced to grapple with difficult decisions in a safe, classroom environment before they are placed in situations where they may need to apply these skills in real-life situations. 

Testimonials

from students

These seven courses, along with the Christian Ethics course, form the core around which the rest of the Christian Ministry program is built. Collectively, these courses equip students to discover who they are in Christ (His Creation), how to connect with the one who made them through spiritual practices (Prayer & Spiritual Direction) and through the living and active Word (OT, NT, and Foundations), and how to connect with other faithful believers (Discipleship) and non-believers (Evangelism) in their communities. The rest of the coursework that students will undertake at CoA will further develop and build upon this core curriculumThe core is designed to help students see and experience how their Christian identity informs, integrates, and influences further study in any degree area.