Find Out More About the Black Church Studies Program
SOC/THE 683NE: Black Theology with Dr. Dara Delgado
The course will examine the enduring institution and changing dynamics of the Black Church from its inception in America to present. It will explore its changing history, theology, Biblical interpretation, culture, education, ethics, and ministry. It will examine the importance of the Black Church in the life of the community and its people. Emphasis includes the relationship of the twentieth century Black liberation theologies and civil rights movements. The lives and contribution of Black women and men who offered new theological interpretations, social change movements, and provided a foundation for the global church in the twenty first century is examined.
BHT 525NE: The Great Conversation: The Reformation and Renewal with Dr. Doug Cullum
In this course students enter into the ongoing conversation on the nature of God’s restorative grace in human life, with a particular focus on the church as the people of God. Through a focus on the theological perspectives of the Catholic and Protestant Reformations and the Great Awakening, the course moves toward contemporary understandings and application of such questions as how people come into a restored relationship with God and what it means to be to people of God in today’s world.
BIB 518NE: Old Testament Poetry: Psalms with Dr. Josef Sykora
This course focuses on hands-on, practical skills in reading the biblical text carefully in its literary and historical/cultural context to understand its message for today. Focus will be placed on Old Testament poetic and prophetic books as case studies in exegesis. Significant attention will also be paid to the process of researching and writing an exegesis paper as a basis for teaching and preaching in the church. This course may be repeated if the topic differs. [Prerequisite or corequisite: BIB 511NE]
MIN 625 NE: Sharing Christ with Rev. Derrill Blue
This course explores the theology and practice of the Church’s ministry of evangelism and discipleship as both personal and corporate practices. The course focuses on Christian identity in the midst of religious plurality and the ethical and spiritual requirements of Christian life and witness. In this course students will develop an approach to evangelism and discipleship that is a natural expression of the Christian faith, rooted in the truth of Scripture, and appropriate to changing cultural contexts. This course fulfills the Evangelism in the Wesleyan Tradition requirement for students preparing for United Methodist ordination.