21 courses with the subject BMS, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
This course introduces students to the Old Testament as history, literature, and sacred story. An introduction to each book of the canon and Apocrypha/deuterocanon will be given in the course.
This course introduces students to the New Testament as history, literature, and sacred story. An introduction to each book of the canon will be given in the course.
Students will trace the historical development of Christian dogma, rooted in the writing of the Early Church “Fathers”; Medieval and Scholastic divines; Reformation thinkers, Counter-Reformation theologians, and Radical Reformers; and Recent Western Theological Movements (Liberal Protestantism, Neo-Orthodoxy, Political Theology, Modern and Post- modern influences). Prerequisites: BMS 105 and 106, or by permission of the department chair. (Fall of odd numbered years)
Students will construct statements of faith (credos) as they contrast the main doctrines of different historically Christian traditions: Trinity, Creation/Fall/Providence, Christology, Pneumatology, Christian Theological Anthropology, Ecclesiology, Soteriology, Eschatology/Consummation, General and Special Revelation. Prerequisite: BMS 105 and 106. (Fall of even numbered years)
This course will survey the background, context, and issues relevant to each of the books of the Old Testament prophetic literature. Students will research the primary resources and explore various issues of biblical scholarship within the limits of the English Bible. Prerequisite: BMS 105 or 106. (Offered when interest is expressed and departmental resources permit.)
This course will examine the various ways that the life and teachings of Jesus are depicted in the Gospels. Attention will be given to the various ways that Jesus has been understood and interpreted in the Gospels and by looking at historical and modern scholarship regarding the Gospel texts. Prerequisite: BMS 106. (Fall of odd numbered years). BMS 209. Philosophy of Religion (Cross-listed as PHL 209) 3 credits A philosophical reflection on religious experience and conceptions of the divine. Topics to be discussed include: the existence of God, faith and reason, religious language and symbolism, and the religious situation in our time. Reading from both classical and contemporary authors. (Offered when interest is expressed and departmental resources permit.) BMS 215. Science and Faith (Cross-listed as PHL 215) 3 credits This course will consider many of the important issues in the relation of science to faith. The central issue will be the implications of Darwinian evolution for faith but will also consider some of the wider implications for faith from this touchstone. For example: Are science and faith compatible? If God is God then why is there such apparent waste and cruelty in nature? Students will develop a coherent theology of nature in response to Darwin’s challenge. (Offered when interest is expressed and departmental resources permit.)
2023-2024
(Cross-listed with HIS 228) This course will explore the persecution of the early church, the legalization of Christianity in 313 AD, the seven ecumenical Councils, monasticism, the missionary efforts of the early medieval church, the Great Schism, the cultural achievements of the Later Medieval church, and the efforts of Zwingli, Luther, and Calvin during the Protestant Reformation. (Fall of even numbered years)
This course is an introduction to the principles and issues relate4d to basic Christian Leadership. Students will explore the nature of their calling as a Christian leader with a particular focus on the character, conviction and capabilities of an effective ministry leader. Prerequisite: BMS 105 or 106. (Offered when interested is expressed and departmental resources permit.)
This course is an introduction to the principles and issues related to basic Christian ministry and discipleship. Students will learn about the relationship between spiritual maturity and spiritual disciplines as they develop a discipleship plan and form a working definition of Christian ministry. Prerequisite: BMS 105 or 106. (Offered when interest is expressed and departmental resources permit.)
A course designed for the exploration and study of biblical principles for the leadership of children’s ministry, from birth through the elementary ages. Special emphasis will be given to hands-on strategies and developing a mission statement as one implements and leads in the context of children’s ministry. Prerequisite: BMS 105 or 106. (Offered when interested is expressed and departmental resources permit.)
By means of readings, films, field trips, group discussions, lectures, and expressive and research papers, the course introduces students to the experiential phenomena of selected major world religions. A typical selection is Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Prerequisite: BMS 105 or 106. (Spring of odd numbered years)
A study of biblical principles in establishing and maintaining a ministry to adolescents. Emphasis is placed upon a system of philosophy and general principles for adolescent ministry. Special attention is given to developing a youth ministry mission statement, objectives, and strategy. (Spring of odd numbered years)
This course is an introduction to theories and practices regarding teaching the Bible. Students will learn to incorporate responsible methods of biblical interpretation for teaching and preaching. Student will develop skills that assist in sermon and teaching preparation, delivery, public speaking, and the process of receiving feedback. This course will also guide students to discover a variety of homiletic styles, from both historical and modern teacher and pastors. (Spring of odd numbered years) BMS 317. Psychology of Religion (Cross-listed as PSY 317) 3 credits This course is designed to help the student understand the ways in which individual and social psychology and the process of spiritual growth influence one another. The student will understand how people develop spiritually, and how psychology can help to encourage this growth. Both spiritual and psychological authors are included in the reading. This course is intended to encourage individual thought and to aid in the students’ struggle to maintain faith while learning this science. Prerequisite: PSY 105. (Spring of even numbered years) BMS 319. Religion in America (Cross-listed as SOC 319) 3 credits
Students will engage in theological reflection on the mission of the church, and learn about various historical and contemporary mission strategies. Students will identify and articulate their responses to contemporary issues faced by Christian missionaries in cross-cultural contexts, such as emerging postmodern perspectives, cultural and religious pluralism, global poverty and economic disparities, gender issues, and balancing evangelism with socio-economic development. Practical realities of missionary life will be explored through case studies. Prerequisite: BMS 105 or 106 or permission of the department chair. (Fall of even numbered years)
In this course, students will engage in a minimum of 50 clock hours of church or campus-related ministry. Students may be placed in various churches or para-church organizations in the region under careful on-site supervision. Students may also be placed in leadership positions in University Campus Ministries under the supervision of the Chaplain of the University. In the process of professional skill development in the performance of ministry, students will integrate critical reading and academic analysis in the various areas of ministry defined by the BMS major programs: pastoral ministry, children and youth, drama, international missions, and media. To enroll in this course, students must have junior standing in one of the BMS options or permission of the department chair.
An in-depth investigation of a current topic in religion, such as the thought of a religious leader, the study of a theological or religious issue, or a religious movement. A special topics course in BMS may also include the study of a biblical language or topic or period in church history of Christian theology. (Offered when interest is expressed and departmental resources permit)
Students will engage in an exceptional experiential learning experience as a para-professional in the ministry of the church. Written requirements for these internships include a final paper where students must engage in reflective self- assessment and relate the experience to previous classroom learning/theory in the particular ministry studies option. All students in this course will keep a daily reflective journal upon which mid-term and final grades will be based. In addition, all students who complete this course will make public oral presentations of their learning and findings. An additional learning outcome specific to this course is that students will develop a personal mission statement that articulates application of a worldview consistent with the many expressions of historic Christianity. Students will invest 35 clock hours per academic credit, for a total of 210 clock hours during the semester in which they are enrolled. To enroll in this course, students must have junior or senior standing in one of the BMS options or the permission of the department chair.
In the spirit of the mission of Waynesburg University, this course intends to provide junior and senior level students with an unparalleled opportunity to integrate the Bible materials and its history of interpretation to the academic disciplines. Ordinarily, students would relate their academic majors to the Biblical tradition in the research and composition of a major, publish-ready paper. Minimum requirements will be at least one meeting per week between the student and the supervisory professor. The course is limited to students who have completed at least three credits in Biblical and Ministry Studies and who have accumulated at least a 3.00 grade point average. Interested students must take initiative to seek out instruction for the course prior to the pre-registration period from both their academic advisors and the Chair of the Biblical and Ministry Studies major program. The faculty advisors will ordinarily be the instructors of record and will provide the on-going supervision of the course. Ordinarily, both the faculty advisors of the students and the Chair of the Biblical Studies and Ministry Studies major program will read the paper. An average of the grades determined by these members of the faculty will be recorded in the students’ transcripts. Upon completion of the project, the faculty member and student will arrange an oral presentation of the results to the campus community. When BMS majors take the course, and academic advisor will supervise the course and grade the paper. This course will not substitute for senior capstone/research courses required in the majors. Prerequisites: Junior or Senior standing; three credits in BMS courses; 3.00 minimum grade point average. (Offered when interest is expressed and departmental resources permit.) 2023-2024
A carefully supervised study of topics and issues in BMS beyond the other course offerings. Normally, the independent study would be taken by only those students who have previously accumulated at least six credits in BMS. Students who enroll in the course must have at least a 3.00 grade point average. Interested students must take initiative to seek out instruction for the course prior to the pre-registration period. No more than six credits may be accumulated toward the BMS minor. Minimum requirements will be at least one meeting per week between the student and the supervisory professor. (Offered when interest is expressed and departmental resources permit.)
Under supervision of an appropriate faculty member, the student will create a portfolio of work accomplished within one’s chosen option. This portfolio will be reviewed and evaluated. Required of all BMS majors in the second semester of the senior year. Spring
Source: Waynesburg University's catalog, linked per course · table learning_unit · CourseShelf publish 59
