Syllabi

Printing is not supported at the primary Gallery Thumbnail page. Please first navigate to a specific Image before printing.

Switch View to Grid View Slideshow

CO 751 Professional Counseling Seminar

Asbury Theological Seminary Staff

Seminar Format: This seminar will be a series of 40-45 minute interviews. Interviews usually begin at 9:00 am. Each student will be interviewed by two faculty or one faculty and one graduate from the program, other students in their group will be observers. Following the formal interview, those observing will be asked to provide feedback to the person who was interviewed. This feedback can be in the form of questions, suggestion, affirmations, etc.
CD 511 X The Pastor and Christian Discipleship

Catherine Stonehouse

"The Pastor and Christian Discipleship" points us in several directions (which is appropriate, since pastors and Christian educators are usually running in several dozen at one time). We’ll look at roles and responsibilities of the pastor or lay leader in the teaching, discipling ministries of the church. You can anticipate navigating through biblical and social science models of understanding, teaching, learning, and faith developing. Lay ministers (volunteers) require nurturing, training, and guiding. Their involvement and your support of their education ministries are crucial in the faith community, so we’ll turn our hearts and minds in that direction as well. Throughout our travels together, you will begin constructing your own understanding of the Christian’s teaching and discipling ministry.
CD 655 Ministering with Children Through the Church

Catherine Stonehouse

1. Joining Children on the Spiritual Journey, Catherine Stonehouse 2. Experiencing the Bible with Children, Dorothy Jean Furnish. 3. The Pastoral Care of Children, Daniel H. Grossoehme 4. Children in Crisis: A New Commitment, Phyllis Kilbourn, ed. 5. Offering the Gospel to Children, Gretchen Wolff Pritchard 6. Children in the Early Church, W.A. Strange
CL MS 651 Women in Ministry

Catherine Stonehouse

(1) Equal to the Task: Men and Women in Partnership, Ruth Haley Barton (2) Women in Ministry: Four Views, Bonnidell Clouse and Robert G. Clouse, Eds., Pages 9 – 123. (3) Women in the Church:A Biblical Theology of Women in Ministry, Stanley J. Grenz with Denise Muir Kjesbo (4) Not Without a Struggle: Leadership Development for African American Women in Ministry, Vashti M. McKenzie (5) Origins of Difference: The Gender Debate Revisited, Elaine Storkey. (6) "Learning from Gender Differences" by Catherine Stonehouse. (7) Or, if you have read the Stonehouse article for another course, review it and read two chapters from You Just Don't Understand: Women and Men in Conversation, Deborah Tannen. (8) An additional 200 pages,
BT 605 Old Testament Theology

Lawson G. Stone

(1) Sailhammer, John. H., Introduction to Old Testament Theology: A Canonical Approach. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1995. This book reviews the history and achievements of OT Theology, but does so with a thematic and methodological concern that goes beyond a mere bibliographic survey. (2) Eichrodt, Walther, The Theology of the Old Testament, 2 Vols, Westminster, 1961ff.
BT 605 Old Testament Theology

Lawson G. Stone

(1) Sailhammer, John. H., Introduction to Old Testament Theology: A Canonical Approach. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1995. This book reviews the history and achievements of OT Theology, but does so with a thematic and methodological concern that goes beyond a mere bibliographic survey. (2) Eichrodt, Walther, The Theology of the Old Testament, 2 Vols, Westminster, 1961ff.
OT 520 Foundations for Old Testament Study

Lawson G. Stone

Aspirations: OT 520 seeks to equip students for ministry by providing selected tools fundamental to responsible interpretation of the OT. The course neither offers a comprehensive approach, nor emphasizes direct textual study, but enhances both by developing a framework within which competent interpretation can take place. Students explore contemporary approaches to the literary character, historical and cultural setting, composition, authorship, and literary unity of these books, their various literary types, settings, and functions, and how these affect Christian reading of the OT. Students who realize these aspirations will be able to : 1. Show how a close reading of the the OT itself provides the stimulus and basis for OT studies; 2. Illustrate how a knowledge of Hebrew and sensitivity to the OT’s literary character enhance OT study; 3. Employ specific knowlege of the the historical and cultural setting of selected OT books, traditions, and personages to illuminate passages of scripture; 4. Apply to selected texts of scripture a grasp of the background, concepts, and procedures and major claims of selected types of OT study: These include archeology, Textual criticism, Source criticism, Form criticism, Redaction criticism, Selected contemporary literary approaches. 5. Identify, clarify, and strengthen essential convictions regarding biblical theology and authority; 6. Discover study as a means of spiritual growth. This involves seeing our work as: a. “Studying (hurry, hasten, be eager, take pains, make every effort) to show yourself approved unto God, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining (cut a path in a straight direction, cut a road across country, guide along the right path) the word of truth;” (2 Tim. 2:15) b. Exploring practically how to love God with all our mind (dianoi‰a) (Matt. 22:37)); 7. Embrace and seek to exemplify certain integrative aspirations distinctive of ATS, including: a. The implications of our commitment to the Bible as “the foundation, controlling center and formative concern of the entire curriculum (Catalogue, p. 15).” b. The centrality in ATS’ history, identity, and destiny of the doctrine and experience of Entire Sanctification. c. The lost art of expository preaching as the norm and standard for pulpit ministry; d. In opening prayers and openness to God’s grace, seeking renewal in learning by the revival spirit which birthed this institution. Far from obstructing the full use of critical reason, revival should rather energize and focus it!
OT 520 Foundations for Old Testament Study

Lawson G. Stone

Aspirations: OT 520 seeks to equip students for ministry by providing selected tools fundamental to responsible interpretation of the OT. The course neither offers a comprehensive approach, nor emphasizes direct textual study, but enhances both by developing a framework within which competent interpretation can take place. Students explore contemporary approaches to the literary character, historical and cultural setting, composition, authorship, and literary unity of these books, their various literary types, settings, and functions, and how these affect Christian reading of the OT. Students who realize these aspirations will be able to : 1. Show how a close reading of the the OT itself provides the stimulus and basis for OT studies; 2. Illustrate how a knowledge of Hebrew and sensitivity to the OT’s literary character enhance OT study; 3. Employ specific knowlege of the the historical and cultural setting of selected OT books, traditions, and personages to illuminate passages of scripture; 4. Apply to selected texts of scripture a grasp of the background, concepts, and procedures and major claims of selected types of OT study: These include archeology, Textual criticism, Source criticism, Form criticism, Redaction criticism, Selected contemporary literary approaches. 5. Identify, clarify, and strengthen essential convictions regarding biblical theology and authority; 6. Discover study as a means of spiritual growth. This involves seeing our work as: a. “Studying (hurry, hasten, be eager, take pains, make every effort) to show yourself approved unto God, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining (cut a path in a straight direction, cut a road across country, guide along the right path) the word of truth;” (2 Tim. 2:15) b. Exploring practically how to love God with all our mind (dianoi‰a) (Matt. 22:37)); 7. Embrace and seek to exemplify certain integrative aspirations distinctive of ATS, including: a. The implications of our commitment to the Bible as “the foundation, controlling center and formative concern of the entire curriculum (Catalogue, p. 15).” b. The centrality in ATS’ history, identity, and destiny of the doctrine and experience of Entire Sanctification. c. The lost art of expository preaching as the norm and standard for pulpit ministry; d. In opening prayers and openness to God’s grace, seeking renewal in learning by the revival spirit which birthed this institution. Far from obstructing the full use of critical reason, revival should rather energize and focus it!
OT 631 Book of Jeremiah

Lawson G. Stone

This course explores selected exegetical issues in the Book of Jeremiah, and provides students with opportunities to apply original-language tools to the book’s strategic passages.
OT 651 Intermediate Hebrew: Readings in Narrative and Poetry

Lawson G. Stone

Course Description: An intermediate level readings class in which students will read the Hebrew Bible in a seminar setting twice per week. Selections will come primarily from prose narratives in order to reinforce standard grammatical principles. The last several weeks of the course will focus upon poetry. Class preparation will be complemented by weekly quizzing on vocabulary and verbal distinctives, a midterm, and a final exam.
BS 501 Introduction to Biblical Studies

Lawson G. Stone and David Loren Thompson

1. Bauer, David R (ed.). Biblical Resources for Ministry. Second edition. Evangel Press, 1995. 2. Dillard, Raymond B. and Tremper Longman III. An Introduction to the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994. 3. Klein, William W., Craig L. Blomberg and Robert L. Hubbard, Jr. Introduction to Biblical Interpretation. Dallas: Word Publishing, 1993. 4. Revised Standard Version of the Bible or New American Standard Bible or some other contemporary, formal (vs. dynamic) equivalence translation with minimal editorial clutter in the layout. NRSV and NIV are also fine. 5. Thompson, David L. Bible Study That Works. Revised edition. Nappanee, IN: Evangel Press, 1994. 6. Several articles of importance for OT Studies have been scanned and saved as MS Word documents, and are located in the “Articles” folder with the lecture materials for this class on the lecture drive.
NT 500 X Concise Greek

J. Christian Stratton

1. Black, David Alan. It's Still Greek to Me: An Easy-to-Understand Guide to Intermediate Greek. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1998. 2. Cotterell, Peter and Max Turner. Linguistics and Biblical Interpretation. London: S.P.C.K.; Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity, 1989. 3. Douglas, J.D., ed. The New Greek-English Interlinear New Testament. Wheaton: Tyndale, 1990. 4. NT500X Course Packet
CO 715 Assessment Tools and Inventories

Stephen P. Stratton

a. To begin development of the interviewing skills necessary to provide clinical care. b. To acquaint the student with general principles of psychological test evaluation, interpretation, and use. c. To help the student understand the major principles of psychological test construction. d. To sensitize the student to social and ethical implications and issues involved in psychological assessment. e. To broadly familiarize the student with the kinds of assessment instruments and methods available. f. To involve the student in practical, personal, and experiential as well as theoretical learning about psychological assessment. g. To familiarize students with the basic principles and format for constructing assessment reports.
CO 715 Assessment Tools and Inventories

Stephen P. Stratton

(1) Kaplan, R. M. & Saccuzzo, D. P. (2000). Psychological testing: Principles, applications, and issues, 5th Ed. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole Publishing Co. (2) Heitzman, C. A. (2000). Workbook for Kaplan & Saccuzzo’s Psychological Testing, 5th Ed. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole Publishing Co. (3) Zuckerman, E.L. (2001). Clinician’s thesaurus: The guidebook for writing psychological reports, 5th Ed. New York: The Guilford Press.
CH 650 John W. Fletcher: His Life and Theology

Patrick Streiff

Streiff, Patrick, Reluctant Saint? A Theological Biography of Fletcher of Madeley. Epworth Press, Peterborough 2001. (350 pages with notes; without index of sources) From the Works of John Fletcher (to be found in the printed editions of his works; pages according to the edition in 9 volumes of 1806-08): - A Vindication of the Rev. Mr. Wesley’s Last minutes: In five letters to the Hon and Rev. Author of the circular letter. By a Lover of quietness and liberty of conscience. (later called: First Check to Antinomianism) (1771) (95 pages) - The fictitious and the genuine creed; being ‘A creed for Arminians’ composed by Richard Hill, Esq; to which is opposed A creed for those who believe that Christ tasted Death for every man. (1775) (45 pages) - The Last Check to Antinomianism. A polemical essay on the twin doctrines of Christian Imperfection and a Death Purgatory. (1775) (305 pages) - The Doctrines of Grace and Justice. Equally essential to the pure Gospel. (1777) (39 pages) - The Reconciliation: or, An easy method to unite the professing people of God … (containing: Bible Arminianism and Bible Calvinism, a twofold essay.) (1777) (130 pages) From previously unpublished works: - The Asbury Theological Journal, Spring 1998, Vol. 53, No. 1 (90 pages)
CH 750 / MW 745 Methodism in Europe: 19th and 20th century

Patrick Streiff

1. McLeod, Hugh, Religion and the People of Western Europe 1789-1989. Oxford University Press, 1997 (second edition) (150 pages) 2. Kimbrough, S T Jr., Methodism in Russia and the Baltic States. History and Renewal. Abingdon Press, Nashville 1995 (250 pages) 3. Garber, Paul Neff, The Methodists of Continental Europe. Editorial Department, Board of Missions and Church Extension, The Methodist Church, New York, 1949. (125 pages) 4. Wunderlich, Friedrich, Methodists linking two Continents. Methodist Publishing House Nashville, 1960 (ca 170 pages) Total: 700 pages 5. For additional reading requirements (500 pages) according to personal choice see below under “course reading – recommended”.
MS 550 The Congregation as Evangelist

Roger K. Swanson

1. The Faith-Sharing Congregation, Roger Swanson & Shirley Clement 2. Either The Celtic Way of Evangelism, or Church for the Unchurched, by George Hunter III 3. Reclaiming the Great Commission, Bishop Claude Payne & Hamilton Beazley
CS 601 Christian Ethics

James R. Thobaben

(1) Dayton, Donald W., Discovering an Evangelical Heritage (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1988). (2) Miles, Rebekah L. The Pastor as Moral Guide (Minneapolis: Fortress, 1999). (3) Packet
CL 553 United Methodist Polity and Discipline

H. O. Thomas

1. The Book of Discipline 2000. Nashville: United Methodist Publishing House, 2000. 2. Thomas Edward Frank, Polity, Practice, and the Mission of the United Methodist Church Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1997. 3. Tuell, Jack M., The Organization of the United Methodist Church. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1997.
SM 701 Internship

H. O. Thomas

You have elected to fulfill one of your Supervised Ministry requirements in a full-time internship off-campus. This is a commitment that will involve you in continuing daily relationship with both supervisor and the people to whom you are ministering. You will find this a unique opportunity to “test the waters” of real ministry and help to confirm your call to ministry.
NT 511 The Gospel of Mark

David Loren Thompson

This course seeks to introduce the various aspects of methodical, inductive Bible study, especially observation and interpretation. It intends, by study of Mark’s Gospel, to foster Bible study which values orderly procedure, direct personal contact with the text, analysis of relations which hold between text units, and recognition of the book as the crucial context for interpretation. The English Bible will serve as the text of entry for the study, with emphasis also on appropriate use of the Greek New Testament and “original language” skills and tools for interpreting the book of Mark.
NT 511 X The Gospel of Mark

David Loren Thompson

1. Revised Standard Version. Any edition that gives an uncluttered text, without paragraph titles or other interpretive comments is recommended. Similar formatted editions of the NASB, NRSV, and NIV are also acceptable. 2. Either Nestle-Aland Novum Testamentum Graece, 27th rev. ed. Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1993; Or J. D. Douglas (ed.). The New Greek-English Interlinear New Testament. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale Publishers, 1993, or its equivalent. 3. Either 1) Bauer, et. al. (eds.). A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000, And 2) a concordance that allows you to track original language words, either a regular Concordance of the Greek New Testament, or an “Englishman’s” concordance (BSTW, 55) or, less preferably, an analytical concordance (e.g., Strongs, Youngs). Or Bible Works 5: Software for Biblical Exegesis and Research. Distributed by Hermeneutika (which incorporates allowable lexical information and concordance search capabilities). 4. Bible Study That Works. Revised edition. Evangel Press, 1994. Thompson, David L (=BSTW). This non-technical book will give us a quick overview of the terrain we will explore more precisely throughout the semester.
NT 511 X The Gospel of Mark

David Loren Thompson

A. Regarding method and content, by the end of the course students will: 1. Distinguish between each of the major phases of inductive Scripture study: observation, interpretation, evaluation, application; 2. Analyze content and structure of a selected passage from the book of Mark, and locate that passage accurately in its immediate context as well as the larger, book context; 3. Apply a coherent set of interpretive questions to guide research aimed at discovering the meaning of a passage; 4. Answer these questions based on evidence from within and beyond the text; 5. Situate a text’s teaching in the Bible’s larger treatment of the issues raised by that text, with a view toward determining how it might speak to times and cultures beyond its own; 6. Draw valid and practical lessons from Scripture thus studied; 7. Present an overview of the Gospel of Mark without recourse to the text or notes, identifying major passages and delineating major themes. B. Regarding attitude, I purpose that by the end of the course you will desire to: 1. Apply the inductive method to other biblical books; 2. Make the Gospel of Mark the object of life-long study; 3. Use the Gospel of Mark as a resource for preaching, teaching and living.
OT 615 Minor Prophets

David Loren Thompson

1. A standard contemporary English translation. Revised Standard Version of the Bible, or some other contemporary, standard (non-paraphrasing) version such as The New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, New American Standard Bible, with minimal editorial clutter in the layout. 2. A Masoretic text of the Hebrew Bible. Either Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia. 4th ed. Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1990, or The NIV Interlinear Hebrew-English Old Testament. John Kohlenberger III, editor. Zondervan, 1993, or its equivalent. 3. Bible Study That Works. Revised edition. Evangel Press, 1994. David L. Thompson. Do not use the 1982 edition for class! 4. Biblical Resources for Ministry, edited by David R. Bauer. Second edition. Nappanee, IN: Evangel Press, 1995. 5. A concordance of the Hebrew Bible Either Even-Shoshan, A New Concordance of the Old Testament, Baker, or G. V. Wigram , The New Englishman’s Hebrew Concordance, Hendrickson or BibleWorks5 with its concordance search capability 6. A lexicon of the Hebrew Bible Either M. E. J. Richardson, The Hebrew & Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament, Brill, 1999. or William Holladay, A Concise Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament, Eerdmans, or BibleWorks5, with its lexical capabilities (outdated but OK for preliminary definition for this class). 7. A Syntax of Biblical Hebrew A Guide for the Perplexed or A Guide to the Syntax of Biblical Hebrew by Bill Arnold and John Choi, 2002.
ST MS 680: Contemporary Cults

Steven Tsoukalas

Sire, James. Scripture Twisting: Twenty Ways the Cults Misread the Bible. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1980. Stark, Rodney, and William Sims Bainbridge. The Future of Religion: Secularization, Revival, and Cult Formation. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1985. Tsoukalas, Steven. Masonic Rites and Wrongs: An Examination of Freemasonry. Phillipsburg, N.J.: Presbyterian and Reformed, 1995. Tucker, Ruth. Another Gospel: Alternative Religions and the New Age Movement. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1989.