What is the gospel? Few questions are more fundamental to our personal lives and organizational calling than this. Although we spend a lot of time and energy strategizing how to introduce men and women to the gospel, we often spend little time reflecting on the gospel itself. Furthermore, we often live as if the gospel is only for “lost” people and not also for those of us who have been “found.” In this class, we will explore historic Christian teaching regarding the doctrine of humanity, the person and work of Christ, and the doctrine of salvation. Together these doctrines shape our understanding of the gospel. We will explore the basis of salvation in the Father’s sovereign plan; the accomplishment of salvation through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ; and the application of salvation to God’s children by the Holy Spirit. Because theology includes not merely what we believe but also the moral vision that shapes how we live, we will also explore how we “practice” these doctrines so that we may better live to the glory of the triune God.
This course will trace the global expansion of Christianity from its beginnings to the present era. Attention will be paid to the theological, cultural, sociological, and missiological dimensions of the worldwide Christian movement as it developed and spread throughout history. In addition to exploring European and American Christian history, the course will also investigate African, Asian, and Latin American varieties of Christianity, which are currently enjoying resurgence in the global south
Course Instructor:
- Professor: Dr. Sean Doyle
- TA: Deb Riedy
This course will equip you to confidently and winsomely respond to common objections to the Christian faith, identify and appropriately challenge the worldviews from which they arise, and better understand how cultural contexts shape unbelief. Topics we will explore include the existence and nature of God, the relationship between science and Christianity, miracles, the problem of evil and hell, religious and moral relativism, the trustworthiness of the Bible, and the historicity of the resurrection.
Required Texts:
- Keller, Timothy. The Reason For God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism. New York, NY. Dutton, 2008. (IBSN: 9781594483493)
- Chatraw, Joshua D. Telling a Better Story: How to Talk About God in a Skeptical Age Grand Rapids, MI. Zondervan, 2020. (ASIN: 0310108632)
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Allberry, Sam. Is God Anti-Gay? Epsom, Surrey, U.K., The Good Book Company, 2013. (ISBN: 9781908762313)
This course will trace the global expansion of Christianity from its beginnings to the present era. Attention will be paid to the theological, cultural, sociological, and missiological dimensions of the worldwide Christian movement as it developed and spread throughout history. In addition to exploring European and American Christian history, the course will also investigate African, Asian, and Latin American varieties of Christianity, which are currently enjoying resurgence in the global south
Course Instructor:
- Professor: Dr. Sean Doyle
- TA: Deb Riedy
- Teacher: Nick Alsop
- Teacher: Bradley Anderson
- Teacher: Deb Riedy