skip to Main Content

Master’s Level Courses

Spring 2026 Courses

Bible Courses

BI 502: Principles of Exegesis

Day: 4 Saturdays – 1/31, 2/28, 3/28, 4/25

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Location: Columbia

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

Course Description:

This course introduces the student to the principles and practice of exegesis of the Old and New Testaments and surveys the history of the texts and translations of the Bible, as well as the ways the Old and New Testaments have been interpreted by the Church. Passages for exegetical practice are selected from both Testaments. Required during the first year of study for M.Div. and MATS students. This course is a prerequisite for all exegesis-credit courses. Three hours.

Max Rogland

Professor: Dr. Max Rogland

Research Professor of Old Testament

Email: rogland@erskine.edu

NT 602: New Testament II

Format: Online – asynchronous with biweekly live video conference sessions required

Course Description:

The course explores the background, literary art, theological teaching, and contemporary message of Romans through Revelation. Attention is given to the canonical significance of these writings and to their value for ministry. Prerequisites: Students should complete NT 601 New Testament I prior to taking this course. Required for MDiv, MAPM, and MATS students. Three hours.

Dr. Richard Winston

Professor: Dr. Richard Winston

Associate Professor of New Testament | Director of the MATS and Th.M. programs

Email: winston@erskine.edu

Phone: 864-379-8828

NT 785: The New Testament's Use of the Old Testament

Day: 4 Mondays – 1/26, 2/23, 3/23, 4/20

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Location: Columbia

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

Course Description:

This course introduces the student to the use of the Old Testament by New Testament authors. A select Old Testament book will be used to illustrate the variety of ways New Testament writers quoted or alluded to other passages of Scripture. Students will learn how to apply the interpretive methods of the biblical writers for their own study of the Bible today. Prerequisite: Students must have successfully completed BI 502 Principles of Exegesis prior to taking this class. Exegesis/Elective. Three hours.

Max Rogland

Professor: Dr. Max Rogland

Research Professor of Old Testament

Email: rogland@erskine.edu

OT 501: Old Testament I

Day: Tuesdays

Time: 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Format: Online – live video conference only

Course Description:

This course surveys the history and literature of Israel to the end of the united kingdom. In dealing with Israelite economic, social, political, cultural, and religious life, the Old Testament is illumined by studies in archaeology, geography, and ancient Near Eastern texts. Introductory issues such as canon, historicalcritical approaches, and the authority of the Old Testament are also treated. Required for M.Div., MAPM, and MATS students. Three hours.

Dr. George Schwab

Professor: Dr. George Schwab

Professor of Old Testament

Email: schwab@erskine.edu

Phone: 864-379-8882

OT 785: The Minor Prophets

Day: 4 Mondays – 2/9, 3/2, 3/30, 4/27

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Format: Online – live video conference only

Course Description:

This course surveys the history and literature of Israel to the end of the united kingdom. In dealing with Israelite economic, social, political, cultural, and religious life, the Old Testament is illumined by studies in archaeology, geography, and ancient Near Eastern texts. Introductory issues such as canon, historicalcritical approaches, and the authority of the Old Testament are also treated. Required for M.Div., MAPM, and MATS students. Three hours.

Dr. George Schwab

Professor: Dr. George Schwab

Professor of Old Testament

Email: schwab@erskine.edu

Phone: 864-379-8882

GK 501: Biblical Greek I

Day: Thursdays

Time: 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

Format: Online – live video conference only

Course Description:

This course teaches the basics of New Testament (Koine) Greek grammar. This course prepares students to read and interpret the Greek New Testament through a mastery of vocabulary, morphology, and syntax. Students taking the biblical languages must complete this course and GK 502 prior to taking their Greek exegesis course. Three hours.

Brandon Szerlip

Professor: Dr. Brandon Szerlip

Adjunct Professor of New Testament

Email: szerlip@erskine.edu

HEB 505: Basics of Biblical Hebrew I

Contact the dean to take this course through our partner, Biblemesh

HEB 510: Basics of Biblical Hebrew II

Contact the dean to take this course through our partner, Biblemesh

HEB 515: Hebrew Reading I

Contact the dean to take this course through our partner, Biblemesh

Theology & Church History Courses

ST 602: Systematic Theology II

Day: Mondays

Time: 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Location: Columbia

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

Course Description:

This course continues a systematic presentation of the Christian faith. Using biblical constructs, historical developments, and confessional statements, students explore the doctrine of God, the doctrine of humanity, and the doctrine of Christ. Prerequisites: Students should complete ST 601 Systematic Theology I prior to taking this course. Required for MDiv and MATS students. Three hours.

Mark Ross

Professor: Dr. Mark Ross

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

Email: ross@erskine.edu

Phone: 803-392-3748

ST 715: The Westminster Standards

Day: 4 Saturdays – 1/17, 2/7, 3/7, 4/11

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Location: Columbia

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

Course Description:

This course considers the origin and convening of the Westminster Assembly. Students analyze the theology of the Assembly through a study of the Westminster Standards. Recommended for ARP, PCA, and EPC MDiv students; open to others. Three hours.

Mark Ross

Professor: Dr. Mark Ross

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

Email: ross@erskine.edu

Phone: 803-392-3748

CH 502: Reformation & Modern Church History

Day: Thursdays

Time: 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Format: Online – live video conference only

Course Description:

This survey course covers the historical, spiritual, and institutional development of western Christianity from the Renaissance to the modern era. Students examine the Protestant reformers, the Counter Reformation, the Enlightenment, Pietism, and the development of Evangelicalism. Prerequisites: Students should complete CH 501 Early and Medieval Church History prior to taking this course. Required for M.Div. and MATS students. Three hours.

Dr. Chris Crain

Professor: Dr. T. Chris Crain

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

Email: crain@erskine.edu

Phone: 864-379-6693

CH 750: The English Reformation & Puritanism

Day: 4 Mondays – 1/12, 2/16, 3/16, 4/13

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Format: Online – live video conference only

Course Description:

This course provides students with the opportunity to examine the dramatic changes in the English Church through the Tudor and Stuart monarchies. Students focus on the causal factors and history of the English Reformation, the origin of Puritanism, and the struggle between the Anglican Church and Puritans over governance, worship, and theology. Elective. Three hours.

Dr. Dale Johnson

Professor: Dr. Dale Johnson

Distinguished Professor of Church History Emeritus

Email: djohnson@erskine.edu

MS 725: Contextual Theology

Day: 4 Saturdays – 1/24, 2/21, 3/21, 4/18

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Format: Online – live video conference only

Course Description:

This course focuses on the relation between culture and the Christian faith, as that relation is expressed in worldwide Christianity. Students examine the influences of culture on biblical interpretation, theological formulation, and Christian practice. Special emphasis is placed on what it means to be both biblical and culturally appropriate in a world of widely diverging perspectives. Elective. Three hours.

Dr. Daniel Janosik

Professor: Dr. Daniel Janosik

Research Professor of Apologetics

Email: janosik@erskine.edu

Ministry & Pastoral Courses

WP 770: Preaching Practicum

Day: Thursdays

Time: 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Format: Online – live video conference only

Course Description:

Building on WP 650 Introduction to Preaching, this course equips students through practice and workshops to strengthen their organization and delivery of sermons. Students will prepare and deliver sermons from various genres and portions of Scripture. Students will also explore other types of and occasional sermons ordinarily preached in pastoral ministry. Prerequisite: WP 650 Introduction to Preaching. Elective. Three hours.

Dr. Jim Belcher

Professor: Jim Belcher

Research Professor of Historical and Pastoral Theology

Email: belcher@erskine.edu

PM 502: Christian Vocation & Transformation

Professors: Drs. Jim Belcher and Richard Winston

Day: Tuesdays

Time: 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Location: Greenville

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

Course Description:

This course introduces students to God’s great purpose for the world and our calling to serve that purpose in discipleship for the Church, family, and community. Emphasis is placed upon growing in the grace of God and discerning one’s gifts and calling within the service of God. Additionally, the course will address the foundations of theological research and writing, providing training in the ETS Style Manual. All master’s-level students must complete this course in one of their first two semesters of enrollment. Three hours.

Dr. Jim Belcher

Dr. Jim Belcher, Research Professor of Historical and Pastoral Theology

Email: belcher@erskine.edu

Dr. Richard Winston

Dr. Richard Winston, Associate Professor of New Testament | Director of the MATS and Th.M. programs.

Email: winston@erskine.edu

PM 505: Educational Ministries in the Local Church

Day: Mondays

Time: 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Location: Due West

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

Course Description:

This course examines the theology and practice of educational ministries in the local church. Students explore biblical and theological foundations of learning, creative methods of teaching the Bible, models of intentional educational ministries, and discipleship strategies. Particular attention is given to the responsibilities and opportunities for pastors and other ministry leaders as teachers within the local church. Required for M.Div. students. Three hours.

Florica Saracut

Professor: Dr. Florica Saracut

Assistant Professor of Educational Ministries | Director of Seminary Assessment and Effectiveness | Director of the MAPM Program

Email: saracut@erskine.edu

Phone: 864-379-6554

PM 610: Introduction to Chaplaincy

Format: Online – asynchronous with biweekly live video conference discussion sessions required

Course Description:

This course is an introduction to the biblical-theological foundations of chaplain ministry and its history, key concepts, and unique place as a distinctive calling within the larger vocation of the minister of Word and sacrament. Students analyze the unique contexts and callings of eight different chaplaincy sectors: corporate, military, healthcare, public safety, institutional, sports, educational, and crisis/disaster relief. Required for M.Div.-Chaplain Ministries elective for all other students. Three hours.

Dr. Michael Stewart

Professor: Dr. Michael Stewart

Research Professor of Chaplain Ministries | Director of the M.Div.-Chaplain Ministries Program

Email: stewart@erskine.edu

PM 705: Supervised Ministry

Format: Online – asynchronous with some live video conference discussion 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.

Dr. F. Richard Williams

Professor: Dr. F. Richard Williams, Jr.

Adjunct Professor of Pastoral Ministry

Email: richard.williams@erskine.edu

PM 774: Clinical Pastoral Education I

Contact director of M.Div. Chaplaincy before registering; course is taken in conjunction with The Institute for Clinical Pastoral Training.

PM 775: Clinical Pastoral Education II

Contact director of M.Div. Chaplaincy before registering; course is taken in conjunction with The Institute for Clinical Pastoral Training.

Back To Top Erskine Theological Seminary, the graduate school of theology of Erskine College 210 South Main Street P.O. Box 338 Due West, SC 29639 Phone: 864-379-8821; Fax: 864-379-3171