Master’s Level Courses

Day:

Time: –

Location: Online

Format: asynchronous with weekly/biweekly live video conference sessions required

Course Description:

In this one-semester course, students lay a foundation for other seminary courses by reading through the entire Bible, Old and New Testaments. The major events, persons, places, and chronologies of the biblical materials are introduced, as well as the major themes of each individual book. Finally, the redemptive-historical thread of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation is expounded. Students may exempt themselves from this course by passing the Bible Challenge Exam administered by the Bible Department, and, in that case, they are to use the hours for another Bible course. All master’s-level students must complete this course or pass the Bible Challenge Exam in one of their first three semesters of enrollment. MDiv students may pass the Bible Challenge Exam or take this course as an elective. MAPM students normally take this course, although they may pass the Bible Challenge Exam and take a Bible elective in place of this course. MATS students may opt out of this course by passing the Bible Challenge Exam and will take a Bible/Theology elective in place of this course. Three hours.

Adjunct Professor of Old Testament

Email: barney@erskine.edu

Format: Online – contact the dean to take this course with our partner, Biblemesh

Format: Online – contact the dean to take this course with our partner, Biblemesh

Format: Online – contact the dean to take this course with our partner, Biblemesh

Day: 4 Mondays: 6/8, 6/29, 7/20, 8/10

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Location: Online

Format: live video conference only

Course Description:

The creeds of the early Church as well as Reformation and modern confessions provide windows through which this course examines the development of vital doctrines in their historical and theological contexts. Elective. Three hours.

Distinguished Professor of Church History Emeritus

Email: djohnson@erskine.edu

Day: 4 Saturdays: 6/6, 6/27, 7/18, 8/8

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Location: Online

Format: live video conference only

Course Description:

This course explores the writings and legacy of the American theologian Benjamin Breckinridge Warfield (1851–1921). Students will interact with Warfield’s books, essays, and published sermons, while investigating the secondary literature on Warfield and Old Princeton theology. Warfield’s relevance for pastoral ministry today will be of special concern. Elective. Three hours.

Adjunct Professor of Historical Theology

Email: david.smith@erskine.edu

Day: 4 Mondays: 5/18, 6/15, 7/6, 7/27

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Location: Due West & Online

Format: in-person and live video conference for distance students

Course Description:

The course begins with class discussions of introductory problems related to the interpretation of the gospel of John. The next period of the course is devoted to a thorough reading of the gospel in an effort to understand its central message and purpose, its content, and its historical situation. The structure of the gospel is analyzed, followed by a general exposition of its content. The latter part of the course is devoted to more detailed interpretation of several individual passages. Throughout the course special attention is given to recent literature on the gospel of John. Prerequisite: Students must have successfully completed BI 502 Principles of Exegesis prior to taking this class. Exegesis/Elective. Three hours.

Distinguished Professor of New Testament Emeritus

Email: melton@erskine.edu

Phone: 864-379-8883

Day: 4 Mondays: 6/1, 6/22, 7/13, 8/3

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Format: online; live video conference only

Course Description:

This course examines the history, content, milieu, text, structure, and meaning of the books of Judges and Ruth. Attention is given to their ancient historical settings and the light they shed on the gospel of Jesus Christ. Prerequisite: Students must have successfully completed BI 502 Principles of Exegesis prior to taking this class. Exegesis/Elective. Three hours.

Professor of Old Testament

Email: schwab@erskine.edu

Phone: 864-379-8882

Learn more about Dr. Schwab

Day: –

Time: –

Location: Online

Format: asynchronous with weekly/biweekly live video conference sessions required

Course Description:

This course is a study of Christian leadership as it relates to the Christian Church. Emphasis is placed upon organizational dynamics, conflict management, spiritual formation, leadership skills, and management practices. Assessment of structures and individuals, problem-solving, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit are formulated in the context of ecclesiastical life cycles and polity. Required for MDiv students. Three hours.

Dean of the Seminary | Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology and Educational Leadership

Email: seth.nelson@erskine.edu

Day: –

Time: –

Location: Online

Format: asynchronous with weekly/biweekly live video conference sessions required

Course Description:

This course offers students the opportunity to work in a structured ministry setting with an approved supervisor. The focus of the learning centers on the student’s own learning goals which the student designs with emphasis on spiritual formation, theology, and ministry practice. The classroom sessions help the student integrate theory and practice of ministry by the use of case studies, group interaction, and peer feedback. The instructor must approve the field supervisor and ministry setting prior to registration. The ministry setting must be in a church or religious agency that will support the student’s growth for leadership in ministry. This field experience must include 130 hours of ministry over the span of at least 13 weeks, with a minimum of one hour per week of direct supervision by the field supervisor. Prerequisites: PM 502 Christian Vocation and Transformation and at least 24 hours of coursework. PM 774 Clinical Pastoral Education I may be substituted for PM 705. Required for MDiv and MAPM students. Three hours.

Adjunct Professor of Pastoral Ministry

Email: richard.williams@erskine.edu

Day: Week-long intensive, July 13–17

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Location: Due West & Online

Format: in-person and live video conference

Course Description:

This course is an analysis of the biblical theme of mission and its significance for the development of a missional ecclesiology of ministry. Students are presented with a missional Church model of ministry that is derived from a collaborative study of both Testaments as well as pertinent missional Church studies. Implications of the missional Church model for 21st century Church ministry in a variety of contexts are considered. Elective. Three hours.

Research Professor of Historical and Pastoral Theology

Email: belcher@erskine.edu

Format: contact Director of MDiv Chaplaincy before registering; course is taken in conjunction with The Institute for Clinical Pastoral Training

Format: contact Director of MDiv Chaplaincy before registering; course is taken in conjunction with The Institute for Clinical Pastoral Training

Day: Tuesdays

Time: 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Location: Greenville & Online

Format: in-person and live video conference for distance students

Course Description:

Using both historical and modern materials, this course aims to deepen awareness of the major doctrines of Christian theology and the current discussion of them. Required for MAPM students. MDiv and MATS students may not take this course. Three hours.

Associate Professor of Historical and Pastoral Theology | Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program

Email: crain@erskine.edu

Phone: 864-379-6693

Day: Mondays

Time: 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Location: Columbia & Online

Format: in-person and live video conference for distance students

Course Description:

This course concludes a systematic presentation of the Christian faith. Using biblical constructs, historical developments, and confessional statements, students explore the doctrine of the Holy Spirit and salvation, the doctrine of the Church and sacraments, and the doctrine of last things. Prerequisites: Students should complete ST 601 and 602 (Systematic Theology I and II) prior to taking this course. Required for MDiv and MATS students. Three hours.

The First Presbyterian Church – John R. de Witt Chair of Theology | Associate Dean for Erskine Columbia

Email: ross@erskine.edu

Day: 4 Saturdays: 5/30, 6/20, 7/11, 8/1

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Location: Online

Format: live video conference only

Course Description:

Students will pursue advanced readings in classical, modern, and postmodern challenges to the Christian faith, including secularism, scientism, the new atheism, and non-Christian religions. Students will select a significant challenge to the Christian faith, evaluate a key classical or contemporary effort to defend the Christian faith against that challenge, and produce a major research project that demonstrates the student’s mature reflections on how to defend the Christian faith against that challenge. Prerequisites: Students should complete ST 780 Apologetics and World Religions prior to taking this course. Elective. Three hours.

Research Professor of Apologetics

Email: janosik@erskine.edu

Day: Tuesdays

Time: 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Location: Columbia & Online

Format: in-person and live video conference for distance students

Course Description:

This course is a study of the history, theology, form, and content of Christian worship. Emphasis is placed upon the development and practice of worship in the Protestant tradition. Opportunities are given for practical experience in planning and conducting of services, which include the Lord’s Supper, baptism, weddings, funerals, and other elements of the public worship of the Church. Required for MDiv students. Three hours.

The First Presbyterian Church – John R. de Witt Chair of Theology | Associate Dean for Erskine Columbia

Email: ross@erskine.edu