Curriculum

This department offers courses in biblical, theological, and philosophical studies, as well as Christian ministries. Students may earn degrees in both Religious and Philosophical Studies and Christian Ministries.

RELIGIOUS AND PHILOSOPHICAL STUDIES MAJOR (BA)

The major in Religious and Philosophical Studies seeks to provide a broad-based understanding of biblical, theological, and philosophical concepts. It offers an appropriate plan of study for students interested in various forms of Christian ministry. Students who desire to pursue seminary training, law school, and other graduate degrees are highly recommended to pursue this course of study.

	Core Requirements:
RP238	History of Philosophy	3 credits
RP272	Jesus	3 credits
RP281	Church History and Mission I	3 credits
RP282	Church History and Mission II	3 credits
RP286	Research Methods	1 credit
RP339	Ethics	3 credits
RP392	Service Component	1 credit
RP470	Philosophy and Christian Thought	3 credits
RP484	Contemporary Christian Thought	3 credits
RP499	Senior Thesis	2 credits
RP230	Introduction to New Testament Greek I	3 credits
RP232	Introduction to New Testament Greek II	3 credits
	Subtotal:	34 credits

	Electives:
Any additional four RP Department courses beyond the
general education requirements		12 credits
	Total:	43 credits

RELIGIOUS AND PHILOSOPHICAL STUDIES MINOR

A minor is also available in Religious and Philosophical Studies. Because this minor is specifically designed for each individual, no specific course list is provided. The minor requires any six RP courses beyond the general education courses required for graduation. Interested students should contact the Religious and Philosophical Studies Department Chair for the planning of the minor.

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CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES MAJOR (BS)

The Christian Ministries major at Sterling College challenges students practically as well as intellectually. The CM major is not only an exercise in academic rigor, it also points students to the love of Jesus Christ and provides them with opportunities to serve. As a result, students in this program receive more than just a quality education; they embark upon four years of discipleship, experiencing growth in their personal walk with Christ and developing the skills necessary to serve as leaders.

Four areas of concentration are available to the Christian Ministries major: Youth, Mission, Educational Leadership, and Worship Leadership. Students exiting this program will be prepared to assume leadership roles in churches, Christian schools, camps, para-church ministries, missionary organizations, and Christian publishing companies, as well as pursue various avenues of graduate study. The training and placement of tomorrow’s Christian leaders lies at the heart of the CM major and is the ultimate goal of the program.

	Core Requirements:
RP120	Introduction to Christian Education	2 credits
RP247	Instructional Bible Study	3 credits
RP281	Church History and Mission I	3 credits
RP282	Church History and Mission II	3 credits
RP286	Research Methods	1 credit
RP392	Service Component	1 credit
RP348	Biblical Hermeneutics	3 credits
RP466	Senior Project: Curriculum Design	3 credits
RP470	Philosophy and Christian Thought	3 credits
RP214	Biblical Prophecy or
RP217	Wisdom Literature & Poetry	3 credits
RP272	Jesus or
RP277	Paul	3 credits

	Subtotal:	28 core credits

Specialization Areas - students must choose at least one of the following:

	Youth Concentration:
ES253	Recreational Leadership	3 credits
RP254	Spiritual Formation	3 credits
RP321	Adolescent Culture & the Gospel	3 credits
RP325	Theology of Family Life	3 credits
RP340	Gender and Ethnic Issues in Ministry	2 credits
RP357	Youth & Family Ministry	3 credits
RP360	Internship in Christian Ministries	2-3 credits
	Subtotal:	20-21 credits

	Educational Leadershop Concentration:
BS225	Developmental Psychology	3 credits
CT265	Interpersonal/Group Communication	3 credits
RP249	Teaching Practicum	3 credits
RP279	Leadership and Administration in Christian Education	3 credits
RP339	Ethics	3 credits
RP356	Children's Ministry	2 credits
RP357	Youth & Family Ministry	3 credits
	Subtotal:	20 credits

	Mission Concentration:
BS115	Principles of Sociology	3 credits
BU332	Social Entrepreneurship	3 credits
HG272	International Relations	3 credits
LL344	Language Studies	3 credits
RP263	Theology of Religions	3 credits
RP284	Mission Ecclesiology	2 credits
RP327	Doctrine of the Holy Spirit	3 credits
RP360	Internship in Christian Ministries	2-3 credits
	Subtotal:	23-24 credits

	Worship Leadership Concentration:
MU111	Music Theory I	4 credits
MU333	Choral Conducting and Methods or
MU334	Instrumental Conducting and Methods	3 credits
MU360	Technology in Music	2 credits
Private Lessons (one semester Instrumental & one semester Vocal)		2 credits
MU480	Internship - Music Ministry Practicum	2 credits
RP260	Contemporary Trends in Worship	3 credits
RP328	Biblical Foundations & Theology of Worship	3 credits
RP284	Missional Ecclesiology*	3 credits
RP321	Adolescent Culture and the Gospel*	3 credits
RP327	Doctrine of the Holy Spirit*	3 credits
*Choose 2 of these 3.
	Subtotal:	23 credits
	Total:	49-53 credits

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MINOR OPTIONS:

Family Studies – requires departmental approval
Social Entrepreneurship – for students specifically interested in para-church ministries.
Religious and Philosophical Studies – for students specifically interested in seminary training; requires departmental approval.

CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES MINOR


RP120	Introduction to Christian Education	2 credits
RP247	Instructional Bible Study	3 credits
RP284	Mission Ecclesiology	3 credits
RP340	Gender and Ethnic Issues in Ministry	3 credits
RP356	Children's Ministry	2 credits

	Choose one of two
RP339	Ethics	3 credits
RP490	Philosophy of Christian Thought	3 credits
	Choose one of three
RP254	Spiritual Formation	3 credits
RP321	Adolescent Culture & the Gospel	3 credits
RP357	Youth & Family Ministry	3 credits
	Choose one of two
RP249	Teaching Practicum	3 credits
RP279	Leadership and Administration in C.E.	3 credits

	Total:	22 credits

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FAMILY STUDIES MINOR

Family Studies is offered as a minor and provides students with an in-depth understanding of the family as a central unit in society. This minor proves useful to students who hope to develop and nuture their own nuclear family units and/or who wish to work in family services as volunteers or professionals. Departmental approval required. (See this page for further description.)

	Core Requirements:
BS225	Developmental Psychology	3 credits
RP325	Theology of Family Life	3 credits
	Subtotal:	6 credits

	Electives - Choose nine credits from the following:
BU201	Microeconomics	3 credits
CT265	Interpersonal and Group Communications	3 credits
RP321	Adolescent Culture & the Gospel	3 credits
RP339	Ethics	3 credits
RP357	Youth and Family Ministry	3 credits
RP394	Directed Readings	1-3 credits
	(to explore a topic related to family)
	Total:	18 credits

NOTE: On occasion, an interterm course may be designated as an elective.

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Religious and Philosophical Studies Course Descriptions:

RP104	Themes In Biblical History	3 credits
A course designed to acquaint students with the major biblical themes through the study of selected passages throughout the Bible, beginning with the creation narrative and culminating with the return of Christ. Meets the general education requirement.

RP120	Introduction to Christian Education	2 credits
This course provides an overview of Christian Education as a mission of the church. Foundations are laid for further study in the field and the student is encouraged to examine a variety of vocational options open to Christian educators. (Spring)

RP137	Basic Philosophical Concepts	3 credits
Introduction to the terms, areas, problems, and types of philosophy. Meets general education requirement.

RP214	Biblical Prophecy	3 credits
A study of the background, content and purpose of the prophetic writings of the Old Testament. Prerequisites: RP104 and Sophomore standing or consent of instructor. (Fall, even)

RP217	Wisdom Literature and Poetry	3 credits
An introduction to the wisdom literature and poetry of the Old Testament. Particular attention is given to Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Job. Prerequisites: RP104 and Sophomore standing or consent of instructor. (Spring, odd)

RP230	Introduction to New Testament Greek I	3 credits
Equips students with a fundamental understanding of grammar, syntax and vocabulary of biblical Greek. (Fall, even)

RP231	Introduction to Logic	3 credits
This course will introduce the student to the basic components of sound argumentation. Students explore the use and meaning of language in order to differentiate between cognitive and emotive responses to ideas. Employing principles of logic, the student will learn to identify false logic, critique arguments, show proofs that are coherent and consistent, as well as use symbols and formulas of logic. Students are recommended to take RP137 before taking this course. Meets general education requirement for mathematics. (Spring, even)

RP232	Introduction to New Testament Greek II	3 credits
Continuation of RP230 through the reading of the Johannine literature of the Bible. (Spring, odd)

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RP238	History of Philosophy	3 credits
Through the reading of primary sources, this course examines the development of philosophical thinking in the West through a study of major philosophers from ancient times to the present. Prerequisite: RP137 or consent of instructor. (Spring, even)

RP247	Instructional Bible Study	3 credits
Students study basic principles of biblical interpretation and learn to apply these concepts with integrity in personal Bible study and in preparation for leading creative group studies. (Fall)

RP249	Teaching Practicum	3 credits
This course builds on the principles and methods learned during in RP247. Special attention is given to the development of necessary exegetical skills for guiding a study group through the process of careful observation, interpretation, and application of the Biblical text. Prerequisite: RP247 (Spring)

RP254	Spiritual Formation	3 credits
This course prepares students for a ministry directed toward facilitating spiritual maturity. An emphasis is placed on spiritual formation of both minister and congregation, and to the interrelatedness of these. Focused consideration will be given to biblical principles and processes, including the teachings of Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit, as well as to the dynamics of discipleship. Students will examine the process of spiritual formation in three movements: Upward (relationship with God), Inward (relationship to ourselves), and Outward (relationship to others). (Spring)

RP260	Contemporary Trends in Worship	3 credits
This course will examine contemporary trends in Christian worship. In a comparative study liturgical, hymn-based, contemporary, charismatic, blended, and emerging church styles will be probed, valued, and discussed from a Trinitarian perspective. Students will be expected to assess the broad scope of present-day approaches.

RP263	Theology of Religions	3 credits
This course examines the major non-Christian religions of the world from a Christian perspective and probes the issue of the salvific uniqueness of Jesus Christ. (Interterm)

RP266	Basic Christian Doctrine	3 credits
This course considers the major tenets of the Christian faith, their biblical basis and present relevance to life and faith. Topics such as God, revelation, humanity, sin, Christ, the Holy Spirit, salvation, the Church, the sacraments, and the future will be studied. Meets general education requirement. Prerequisite: RP104 & RP137 or consent of instructor.

RP272	Jesus	3 credits
A study of New Testament perspectives on Jesus, as well as consideration of some historical and contemporary interpretations. Prerequisites: RP104 and Sophomore standing or consent of instructor. (Fall, odd)

RP277	Paul	3 credits
A chronological survey of the apostle Paul’s life and work, interrelating the narrative in Acts with his letters. Prerequisites: RP104 and Sophomore standing or consent of instructor. (Spring, even)

RP279	Leadership & Administration in Christian Education	3 credits
Principles and procedures for planning and structuring a program for Christian education, as well as the selection and evaluation of teaching resources form the focus of this course. Attention is also given to the spiritual qualities a Christian leader must possess, leadership styles, and the recruitment and training of lay leaders and teachers for educational ministry. Prerequisite: RP120. (Fall, odd)

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RP281	Church History and Mission I	3 credits
This course provides a chronological overview of the spread and progress of Christianity from Apostolic times up to the Protestant Reformation, with its doctrinal developments and missionary activities. (Fall)

RP282	Church History and Mission II	3 credits
This course continues a survey of the key figures and movements that have contributed to the spread and progress of Christianity from the Protestant Reformation to the present. (Spring)

RP284	Missional Ecclesiology	3 credits
This course examines the doctrine of the church as it primarily relates to missiological perspectives. The purpose of the course is to reflect and explore how the church – in service to the kingdom of God – should approach the sharing of the Gospel to the world cross-culturally. (Spring, odd)

RP286	Research Methods	1 credit
This course is required for all RP and CM majors, as it exposes students to the research skills and methodologies needed to conduct significant and appropriate research in biblical, theological, and sociological studies. (Spring)

RP295

Topics

1-3 credits

RP321	Adolescent Culture and the Gospel	3 credits
This course revolves around three sets of challenging questions: (1) What is the nature of culture, generally, and pop and youth culture more specifically? (2) How do contemporary culture systems affect young people in our society? (3) How can we keep track of all that’s going on in youth culture and apply our information to ministry? This course attempts to raise students’ professionalism, their ability to respond to the needs of young people, and their effectiveness in communicating the Gospel. (Fall, even)

RP325	Theology of Family Life	3 credits
This course seeks to provide a biblical and theological understanding of the family. Through lecture, discussion, reading, personal reflection and research students are encouraged to see how their own understanding and experience of family and other related systems affect whom they are and how they operate. This process, in turn, will equip the student to be more effective in serving people in the name of Jesus Christ in a variety of ministry settings. (Interterm)

RP327	Doctrine of the Holy Spirit	3 credits
This course examines the biblical teaching on the Third Person of the Holy Trinity and explores the development of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit in the history of the Christian church. The major focus will be on systematic-theological reflection as well as contemporary issues such as charismatic gifts, discernment, Spirit-baptism, and religious experience. Prerequisites: RP104, RP137, & RP266, or consent of instructor. (Fall, even)

RP330	New Testament Greek Reading I (LL330)	3 credits
Introduction to exegesis and textual criticism. Prerequisite: RP230 and RP232 or consent of instructor. (Fall, odd )

RP332	New Testament Greek Reading II (LL332)	3 credits
Continuation of RP330 through the translation of other Hellenistic Greek literature. (Spring, even )

RP328	Biblical Foundations & Theology of Worship	3 credits
This course will examine the biblical and historical roots of worship. Old Testament worship, New Testament worship, and teaching concerning the ministry of Christ as leader of Christian worship will be examined. The biblical foundations of worship will illumine the Christocentric theology of worship that will be developed in this course. Sophomore standing, or above.

RP339	Ethics	3 credits
This course provides an introduction both to ethical theory and to moral decision-making. The course examines philosophical and theological foundations of ethics as well as offers the opportunity of doing case studies in areas such as medical, social and business ethics. Prerequisite: RP137 or consent of instructor. (Spring, odd)

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RP340	Gender and Ethnic Issues in Ministry	3 credits
This course examines issues of gender and ethnic diversity as it pertains to leadership and ministry in the church. Course discussions focus on theological and practical concerns relating to the role of women in the church, the relationships that leaders maintain with members of the opposite sex, and the dynamics and pertinence of promoting ethnic diversity within vocational ministry. Prerequisite: RP120 (Spring)

RP345	Aesthetics	3 credits
An analysis of the distinct problems of aesthetics and the inter-relationships of those problems carried out through reading, lecture, discussion, research, and the examination of aesthetic objects. The approaches to the field will be treated as they are instrumental in clarifying the problems studied. Inquiry into the philosophical and psychological avenues of the discipline, the nature of art, the creative act, the aesthetic judgment, and the functions of art — religious, social, moral, autonomous, and cognitive. Prerequisite: Junior standing. (As needed)

RP348	Biblical Hermeneutics	3 credits
This course deals with the art of interpretation and the principles of the interpretation of biblical genres. Genres include law, poetry, narration, epistles, Gospels, prophecy, apocalyptic writings, parables, wisdom, and songs. Prerequisite: RP104, sophomore status or above.

RP356	Children’s Ministry	2 credits
This course considers the foundational years, including needs, interests, skills and abilities, of the children to whom we minister. It also examines instructional methods and teaching resources. Prerequisite: RP247. (Spring, even years)

RP357	Youth and Family Ministry	3 credits
This course exposes students to various youth ministry models and introduces them to the practical, administrative duties that an effective youth minister must perform. Students will develop their own philosophical paradigm for ministering to youth. Sociological concerns, especially linked to issues of family dynamics, will be explored. Prerequisite: RP247. (Fall)

RP360	Internship in Christian Ministries	2-3 credits
Direct participation in leadership responsibilities by which a student serves with an experienced professional in a ministerial context. Requires instructor permission.

RP392	Service Component	1 credit
Every student who is majoring in the department takes the initiative in creating, developing, and providing some form of hands-on voluntary service to an agency or ministry in which they can utilize the skills and insights acquired from their studies in the department. The student’s department advisor must approve in advance the proposed service. A pass/fail grade will be given. Prerequisite: Senior standing and instructor permission.

RP394	Directed Readings	1-3 credits
Prerequisite: Junior standing.

RP397	Independent Study	1-3 credits
Prerequisite: Junior or senior RP or CE majors.

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RP466	Senior Project: Curriculum Design	3 credits
Through this course students are exposed to the fundamental issues pertaining to curriculum theory and development. The course intends to prepare students to develop and implement an integrated curriculum in church and academic settings. Students work to design a proposed curriculum and critique various existing curriculums. Emphasis will be placed on the development of creative abilities. Prerequisite: Senior standing. (Fall)

RP470	Philosophy and Christian Thought	3 credits
Philosophic approach to religious faith, with special consideration of problems and challenges to the Christian faith. Examines such themes as traditional arguments for the existence of God, religious experience, the problem of evil, miracles, death and immortality, faith and reason, religious pluralism. Prerequisites: RP104, RP137, RP266, and Junior standing or consent of instructor. (Spring, odd years)

RP484	Contemporary Christian Thought	3 credits
Introduction to contemporary religious issues and schools within the framework of Christian thought. Based on readings in primary sources; modernism, neo-orthodoxy, existentialism, theology of hope, liberation theology,m feminism, Pentacostalism and charismatic theology are among the subjects studied. Prerequisites: RP104, RP266, and either Junior standing or consent of instructor. (Fall, odd years)

RP499		2 credits
This course involves in-depth research and the production of a theological or philosophical paper. Prerequisite: Senior standing. (Fall)

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