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Undergraduate Courses

Bible
BIBL 2013 Interpreting the Bible

This course on how to interpret the Christian Scriptures examines and integrates practical and theoretical perspectives on the Biblical writings. Students will learn how to read, interpret, and apply the Bible. Among the various subjects discussed are: Bible translations, text and context, literary genres, and the influence of our own cultural context on interpretation

BIBL 2023 Survey of the Bible

This course lays the foundation for advanced study of the Bible by helping students acquire knowledge of the basic contents and narrative of the Bible. This course may not be used for credit toward the Bachelor of Theology program or the Certificate in Christian Studies program. (BIBL 2023 is intended for non-credit Certificate students.

BIBL 3013 Introduction to the Old Testament 1

An examination of Genesis through Nehemiah. This course will survey these texts within the historical, political, and religious contexts of the Ancient Near East, and will introduce the student to the academic, literary, and theological study of this section of the Bible.

BIBL 3023 Introduction to the Old Testament 2

An examination of Esther through Malachi. This course will survey these texts within the historical, political, and religious contexts of the Ancient Near East, and will introduce the student to the academic, literary, and theological study of this section of the Bible.

BIBL 3033 Introduction to the New Testament 1

An examination of the New Testament gospels. This course will survey these texts within their 1st century historical, political, and religious contexts, and will introduce the student to the academic, literary, and theological study of this section of the Bible.

BIBL 3043 Introduction to the New Testament 2

An examination of Acts to Revelation. This course will survey these texts within their Greco-Roman contexts, and will introduce the student to the academic, literary, and theological study of these sections of the Bible.

BIBL 3053 Israel Study Tour

A study tour in Israel and the Palestinian Territories (and surrounding areas as possible) designed to introduce the geography of the land and to shed light on events of the Old and New Testaments and the intertestamental period. Some consideration will also be given to the role that Christians and the Church have played in the land in ancient and modern times.

BIBL 3143 Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus

The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus is central to historic Christian belief. This course will consider how the historicity of these events can be established confidently, despite criticisms and objections. Through a close reading of the evidence in the four Gospels and other portions of the New Testament, and examination of other historical and archeological evidence, the historicity of these events will be explored.

Christian History
CHUR 2033 History of Christianity

Christianity developed out of the context of the Roman world as a new movement, beginning with Jesus and over time spreading to the rest of the world. This course will explore the development of different traditions and denominations, the emergence of theological ideas, and the changes in the Church as has grown and interacted with culture.

CHUR 3023 Baptist History and Polity

This course is a survey of Baptist history and of Baptist principles and polity.  Baptist principles and polity flow from both Baptist history and their distinct theological interpretations drawn from Scripture. Students will learn to understand both the past and the present of the people called Baptists. This course will satisfy the history and polity ordination requirement within the Canadian Baptist context.

CHUR 4033 Women in the Christian Tradition

This seminar course will explore the biblical, theological, and historical understandings of women in the Christian tradition. It will emphasize women’s lived religious experiences, female leaders, and changing views of women’s roles throughout Christian history. Students will read both primary and secondary source texts related to women from throughout Christian history. Prerequisite: Completion of, or concurrent enrolment in, CHUR 2033.

Discipleship
DISP 2023 Introductory Praxis

This course will introduce students to reflective practice (praxis). Students will be expected to commit to volunteer positions in church or community settings in consultation with the instructor. Students will be encouraged to become ‘reflective practitioners’ by contemplating their volunteer experiences in reflection papers and in structured debriefing sessions with the instructor.

DISP 3013 Transformational Discipleship Ministry

This course prepares students to be transformational leaders in the discipleship ministries of their local congregations.  Based on a Biblical understanding of making disciples who will make disciples, the course provides models for transformative change and spiritual growth in the lives of individual believers as well as in the life of the corporate faith community, especially in the midst of a secular social environment.

DISP 3023 Junior Praxis

In this course students will develop reflective practice (praxis) by volunteering consistently in a specific church or community ministry setting, chosen in consultation with the instructor.  Students will develop abilities as ‘reflective practitioners’ through reflection papers and structured debriefing sessions with the instructor.

DISP 3036 Mission Praxis

Through preparation and through guided participation in an intensive international short-term mission trip, students experience cross-cultural mission and engage in reflective practices during and after the mission experience. Prerequisite: EVAN 3073.

DISP 4013 Faith Development through Small Groups

Explores the place of small groups within the wider ministry of the church in church in nurturing Christian spiritual growth – both in the individual and in the community of faith. Provides a practical knowledge of small-group ministry with its benefits and challenges and of various models, approaches and leadership training. Recommended prior study: DISP 3013

DISP 4023 Senior Praxis

In this course students will develop critical reflective practice (praxis) by volunteering consistently in a specific church or community ministry setting, chosen in consultation with the instructor.  Students will be expected to integrate knowledge and skills as ‘reflective practitioners’ through regular journaling and structured debriefing sessions with the instructor.

Evangelism and Mission
EVAN 3013 Evangelism and Mission in Contemporary Society

The aim of this course is to provide the theological and practical tools necessary to reach people in contemporary society with the good news of Jesus Christ. This course will provide the student with a theology of evangelism that focuses specifically on the evangelistic mission of the church in contemporary society. The course will provide a comprehensive understanding of current changes and trends in Canadian society as they relate to religious beliefs and practices. Students will develop a practical understanding of how congregations can effectively engage their communities and successfully reach people with the gospel and integrate new members into the congregation.

EVAN 3023 Bringing Renewal to Established Congregations

This course will consider how to give effective leadership to older, established congregations in order to bring renewal and growth.  Beginning with a Biblical understanding of renewal, students will consider the strengths and weaknesses of established churches, why established churches don’t change easily, and how to lead real change in an established church.  The typical life cycle of established congregations will be examined, along with ways to interrupt the cycle. The course will examine both spiritual and social reasons for congregational decline, the effect of the social environment on church life, and how to interact with contemporary society.  The course will emphasize the pastor’s leadership role in church renewal, and will look at practical ways to attract younger adults to a congregation of older members. Recommended prior study: EVAN 3013.

EVAN 3033 Perspectives on the World Christian Movement

Building on a Biblical rationale for world evangelization, this course examines the challenges involved in, and skills necessary for, communicating the gospel cross-culturally.  The course considers the components necessary for strategic and intelligent planning in the missionary task of the Church. Students are given the necessary perspectives for effective participation in the complex tasks of world evangelization and international development. New avenues and opportunities available for involvement in world missions at home or abroad are examined.

EVAN 3043 Integral Mission

This course explores, from a multidisciplinary approach, the role of the church in bringing shalom (peace with justice) to a broken world. In integral mission, word and deed are woven together. Students will explore the implications of the Christian Gospel within the psycho-social, economic, political, environmental and spiritual realm of human suffering.  Offered in partnership with CBM (Canadian Baptist Ministries).

EVAN 3063 Leading Healthy and Effective Churches

This study of principles and practice for effective leadership will focus on ways to lead congregations in rural, small-town, and urban settings. Students will learn about a variety of local church models and congregational dynamics. Effective local church pastors and leaders will provide input and answer questions about their ministries. Students will be taught how to incorporate diverse groups of people in the church, how to lead consistent numerical and spiritual growth, how to build effective team ministries, how to provide wise financial leadership for the congregation, how to resolve conflict effectively, and how to lead significant social impact in the community. Cross-listed as LEDR 3063. Recommended prior study: EVAN 3013.

EVAN 3073 Cross-Cultural Mission Partnership

This course prepares students for lifelong missional living and helps them develop a theology of mission. Topics covered: theoretical foundations of cross-cultural mission; the benefits and risks for the sending and receiving partner, team preparation and leadership, and elements of the post-experience debriefing.

EVAN  4033 Evangelism and Discipleship of Youth

This course explores the theology, methods, and tools for effective evangelism and discipleship of youth. The course considers how to reach youth in today’s culture with the Gospel, how to communicate the Gospel in word an deed to this generation, and how to engage this generation in transformational discipleship. Cross-listed as NXGN 3033

EVAN 4043 Reaching and Retaining Young Adults

This course will examine the changing young adult (18-30) culture.  Through examining demographic and developmental issues, students will explore ministry implications for local churches. Various models will be introduced as students are taught how to develop effective and contextualized young adult ministries. Cross-listed as NXGN 3043.

Greek
GREE 3013 Foundations of New Testament Greek 1

Careful study of the New Testament is based upon access to the language in which it was originally written. This course will equip students to use the many tools available for the study of the New Testament in its original language. In order to prepare students for careful and critical study, foundational New Testament Greek grammar and vocabulary will be covered.

GREE 3023 Foundations of New Testament Greek 2

This course builds on GREE 3013, focusing on developing vocabulary acquisition and a more in-depth understanding of grammar.   At the end of the course, students should be able to translate portions of the Greek New Testament.  Prerequisite: GREE 3013.

Hebrew
HEBR 3013 Foundations Biblical Hebrew 1

Careful study of the Old Testament is based upon access to the language in which it was originally written. This course will equip students to access the many tools available for the study of the Old Testament in its original language. In order to prepare students for careful and critical study, foundational Hebrew grammar and vocabulary will be covered.

HEBR 3023 Foundations of Biblical Hebrew 2

This course builds on HEBR 3013, focusing on developing vocabulary acquisition, and a more in-depth understanding of grammar.  By the end of the course, students should be able to translate portions of the Old Testament.  Prerequisite: HEBR 3013.

Interdisciplinary Study
IDTH 2010 Orientation

This non-credit, Pass/Fail course is part of the annual orientation to Acadia Divinity College (ADC) and is normally required for all entering students at ADC (not including students in program partnerships). It will orient students to ADC and to seminary-level research and writing. Through lectures, demonstrations, practice exercises, readings, testing, and an all-day retreat, students will be introduced to various expectations, skills, and resources necessary for advancing successfully through their degrees, and they will also begin their preliminary personal testing. A part of this course will be an all-day session which provides an overview of the Bible’s narration of events from Abraham to the early church.

Leadership
LEDR 2113 Theology and Practice of Racial Justice

The church has a vital role and witness in addressing prevalent societal ills that continue to hinder the flourishing of racialized, marginalized, and under-represented communities. Students will consider holistic approaches, rooted in a biblical theology of justice, as they engage a variety of global and human rights concerns. This will include the Indigenous Peoples of Canada and the African Nova Scotian community. Students will research and discuss ways by which they might lead the church to have a significant social impact in the community and the work of allyship. Prerequisites: Any 3 of the following: BIBL 2013; BIBL 3013; BIBL 3023; THEO 3013; THEO 3023.

LEDR 3023 Leadership and Youth Ministry

This course will explore contemporary leadership theory from a Christian perspective with a view toward applying discoveries to ministry among youth. The course will include significant reflection on the student as a leader. Other topics will include: leading change effectively, time management, stress management, budgeting, and recruiting a leadership team. This course will also explore practical ways youth leaders can assist adolescents in developing their leadership gifts. Cross-listed as NXGN 3023.

LEDR 3043 The Practice of Leadership in Contemporary Ministry

Based on Biblical models and principles of leadership, students will learn how to lead in times of change to integrate a Biblical understanding of Christian leadership with the realities of contemporary society. Students will consider the characteristics of good leaders (from both Biblical and sociological perspectives) and the congregational dynamics that must be understood and applied by an effective leader. The challenges of Christian leadership in the contexts of bureaucratization, institutionalization, and secularization will be addressed, as well as why leaders fail and how to respond appropriately in times of failure or stress.

LEDR 3063 Leading Healthy and Effective Churches

This study of principles and practice for effective leadership will focus on ways to lead congregations in rural, small-town, and urban settings. Students will learn about a variety of local church models and congregational dynamics. Effective local church pastors and leaders will provide input and answer questions about their ministries. Students will be taught how to incorporate diverse groups of people in the church, how to lead consistent numerical and spiritual growth, how to build effective team ministries, how to provide wise financial leadership for the congregation, how to resolve conflict effectively, and how to lead significant social impact in the community. Cross-listed as EVAN 3063. Recommended prior study: EVAN 3013.

LEDR 3073 Leadership that Advances the Mission

This course will explore leadership theory and leadership arts that can help a Christian leader advance the mission of the ministry he or she has been asked to lead. Topics to be explored will include: defining leadership and followership, establishing and communicating vision, time management, communications, fund raising, and growth strategies. Barriers to success in ministry leadership including failure, disappointment, and conflict will also be discussed.

LEDR 3083 Camping Ministry

This course examines camping ministry by considering a variety of camping ministry models and the theological rationale undergirding each model. A focus on understanding children and youth campers will include a review of typical stages of development and faith formation. Students are introduced to camp leadership topics including: staffing, programming, the business side of camp and the skills needed for camp leadership. The course explores the role camp plays in evangelism, discipleship, and leadership development of children and youth, as well as the potential benefit to the child, church and community. Cross-listed as NXGN 3083.

Next Generation Ministry
NXGN 3013 Youth and Family Ministry

This course will study the application of theology to the youth and family ministry context. Students will investigate current youth and family ministry philosophies and methods while considering the underlying theological and biblical foundations of these approaches. The role of families and the importance of intergenerational connections will also be explored. Students also develop practical ministry skills for ministering to youth and their families.

NXGN 3023 Leadership and Youth Ministry

This course will explore contemporary leadership theory from a Christian perspective with a view toward applying discoveries to ministry among youth. The course will include significant reflection on the student as a leader. Other topics will include: leading change effectively, time management, stress management, budgeting, and recruiting a leadership team. This course will also explore practical ways youth leaders can assist adolescents in developing their leadership gifts. Cross-listed as LEDR 3023.

NXGN 3033 Evangelism and Discipleship of Youth

This course explores the theology, methods, and tools for effective evangelism and discipleship of youth. The course considers how to reach youth in today’s culture with the Gospel, how to communicate the Gospel in word an deed to this generation, and how to engage this generation in transformational discipleship. Cross-listed as EVAN 4033

NXGN 3043 Reaching and Retaining Young Adults

This course will examine the changing young adult (18-30) culture.  Through examining demographic and developmental issues, students will explore ministry implications for local churches. Various models will be introduced as students are taught how to develop effective and contextualized young adult ministries. Cross-listed as EVAN 4043.

NXGN 3063 Children’s Ministry

This course considers the importance of children’s ministry in the local church, as well as different models and philosophies, including the Biblical and theological rationale for each. Students are challenged to think purposefully about children’s ministry, and to examine ways to launch new children’s ministries in a variety of settings and demographics. This course explores ways to support and reach families, ways to cultivate intergenerational ministry opportunities, and ways to support children with diverse needs and from different backgrounds. The intention is for students to develop practical ministry skills for initiating and leading children’s ministry in today’s culture.

NXGN 3083 Camping Ministry

This course examines camping ministry by considering a variety of camping ministry models and the theological rationale undergirding each model. A focus on understanding children and youth campers will include a review of typical stages of development and faith formation. Students are introduced to camp leadership topics including: staffing, programming, the business side of camp and the skills needed for camp leadership. The course explores the role camp plays in evangelism, discipleship, and leadership development of children and youth, as well as the potential benefit to the child, church and community. Cross-listed as LEDR 3083.

NXGN 4013 Counselling Adolescents and their Families

Addictions, eating disorders, self-injury, sexual choices, media saturation, sexual abuse, family breakdown, anxiety, depression, and suicide – these are the dark realities that mark the lives of many young people today. This class is designed to address a number of these contemporary behavioral, emotional, and relational issues faced by new millennium adolescents.  It is meant to prepare the student for increased ministry effectiveness through a deeper awareness of underlying issues affecting adolescents and their families today. Students will develop a greater level of freedom in addressing and discussing these issues with both adolescents themselves and adults who intersect with the adolescent world. Cross-listed as PACC 4013. Recommended prior study: PACC 3013.

Pastoral Care and Counselling
PACC 3013 Understanding Pastoral Care and Counselling

This course is a study and exercise in understanding the nature, form, and purpose of the pastoral relationship in bringing about healing and wholeness to those with whom we journey. Pastoral response involves understanding of the situation of others and understanding one’s self through a process of self-exploration and theological reflection. Through the acquisition of relational, pastoral care, and counselling skills, each person will consider and form their own identities and skills as caregivers who care for the body, mind, and Spirit.

PACC 3053 Care for People with Mental Health Concerns and Addictions

Drawing on relevant and current research, this course will provide students with an overview of a range of mental health concerns and an overview of addictions, as well as best practices for offering care. Students will be challenged to relate Christian theology to mental illness and to addiction and to consider the possibilities and limitations for offering care within a congregational setting and as an aspect of the church’s mission. Appropriate boundary-setting, the need for self-care and a theologically robust understanding of care will be important aspects of this discussion.

PACC 4013 Counselling Adolescents and their Families

Addictions, eating disorders, self-injury, sexual choices, media saturation, sexual abuse, family breakdown, anxiety, depression, and suicide – these are the dark realities that mark the lives of many young people today. This class is designed to address a number of these contemporary behavioral, emotional, and relational issues faced by new millennium adolescents.  It is meant to prepare the student for increased ministry effectiveness through a deeper awareness of underlying issues affecting adolescents and their families today. Students will develop a greater level of freedom in addressing and discussing these issues with both adolescents themselves and adults who intersect with the adolescent world. Cross-listed as NXGN 4013. Recommended prior study: PACC 3013.

PACC 4023 Marriage and Family Counselling

This course focuses on how to support couples and families in times of transition, difficulty, and crisis. Students will be introduced to the structure and function of marriage, the various aspects of the marital relationship, family systems, and ways the counsellor may approach premarital, marriage, and family counselling as a creative, preventative, and healing ministry. Recommended prior study: PACC 3013.

PACC 4033 The Church’s Response to Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is a serious and pervasive problem in contemporary society and in church congregations.  This course will define and explain what domestic violence is, provide an overview of current research, explain the role of churches and church leaders in responding to the needs of victims, and provide information about accessing community resources, all in the context of a Biblical understanding of care for those who suffer.  The course will consider the church’s response to social needs as an important aspect of witness.

PACC 4043 Ministry in the Face of Grief, Loss, and Death

The reality of death dramatically informs our living, and yet it is a reality that we can tend to ignore until forced to consider it. It is vital for ministering-persons to grapple with the reality of mortality and to develop means of caring that address the complexity found in experiences of dying and grief. In this course, Biblical, theological, spiritual, psychological, social, medical and ethical dimensions of dying and bereavement will be discussed. Students will be given opportunity to embrace more deeply the reality of their own mortality, and will develop strategies to effectively and compassionately care for others in the midst of dying and grief.

PACC 4063 Suicide: Perspectives and Intervention

Suicide is a devastating issue, both for those considering it, and for their friends and loved ones and community. This course will draw on current research, theological resources and historical perspectives to illuminate the complexity of the phenomenon and means of care for those at risk of suicide and for those who have experienced the death of a loved one due to suicide. Issues of self-care for the pastoral caregiver will also be addressed. Students will participate in the nationally-accredited, two-day ASIST workshop (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) to equip participants to recognize, effectively intervene, and offer care to those considering suicide.

Pastoral Ministry
PAST 3053 Preaching as a Practice and the Practice of Preaching

In this course, participants will focus upon three sets of skills. First, the interpretation of the Scriptures for preaching. Second, the design of sermons. Third, the delivery of sermons. The first will involve practicing basic exegesis to determine what a Scripture is talking about and what it is saying about what it is talking about. The second will focus on crafting sermon structure and content that enables communicating a clear message according to a predetermined purpose. The third will focus on matters of verbal and non-verbal communication in public speaking and negotiating mediated delivery. Throughout this course, participants will be required to prepare, design, and deliver various messages to be delivered publicly and on which they will receive peer and tutor feedback. In-between classes, participants will be expected to give time and attention to preparation, practice, and rehearsal.

PAST 3063 Christian Worship….Now.

Participants will be introduced to the biblical, historical, and theological understandings of gathered Christian ‘worship’. With reference to history and geography the variety of potential approaches will be highlighted before focusing on what is meant by ‘traditional’, ‘contemporary’, ‘blended’ and ‘alternative’ worship. The potential acts and activities that can constitute a worship service and the range of possible service ‘orders’ will be explored. Specific attention will be given to several key practices such as the public reading of Scripture, public prayer, the Lord’s Supper, and Baptism. Through observation, reflection and rehearsal, participants will have the opportunity to design worship services and develop the skills of leading public corporate worship.

PAST 4013 Mentored Ministry 1

This course guides students in the formation of pastoral identity and in the development of ministry skills.  This will be accomplished in class through the integration of theory and theology under the direction of the professor, and within a healthy local church under the mentorship of a pastor. Minimum of 240 in-ministry hours required. May be completed in the summer or during the fall and winter semesters. Open only to Bachelor of Theology (Ordination Track) students. Prerequisite: Completion of a minimum of 30 credit hours.

PAST 4023 Mentored Ministry 2

This course guides students in the formation of pastoral identity and in the development of ministry skills.  This will be accomplished in class through the integration of theory and theology under the direction of the professor, and within a healthy local church or other approved ministry setting, under the mentorship of a pastor or ministry leader. Minimum of 240 in-ministry hours required. May be completed in the summer or during the fall and winter semesters. Open only to Bachelor of Theology (Ordination Track) students. Prerequisite: PAST 4013 and completion of a minimum of 60 credit hours.

PAST 4053 Creative Preaching: Beyond the ‘Big Idea’

This course will focus upon preaching as the embodied oral/aural communication of biblically informed Christian convictions with the purpose of effecting some sort of change. Participants will be introduced to the embodied nature of preaching before exploring a variety of approaches and understandings of the practice of preaching. The course will cover-form sensitive; testimony; sequential’ trouble and grace’ collaborative; prophetic; evangelistic; extreme; and African-American celebratory styles of preaching. In exploring these approaches, the contribution that women’s styles of preaching, and black styles of preaching in particular make to our understanding will be highlighted and themes such as the use of multi-media, post-modern culture, preaching and politics, and ‘out-church’ preaching discussed as appropriate. Participants will have the opportunity to focus on two approaches to preaching that particularly interest them and can enhance their own practice and will have the opportunity to design and deliver sermons in these styles receiving peer and tutor, group and individual feedback. Prerequisite: PAST 3053.

Spiritual Formation
SPFM 3013 Christian Spiritual Formation for Ministry Leaders

This course will consider the Biblical and theological foundations of Christian discipleship.  Students will reflect on the indispensable role that spiritual disciplines have in cultivating deeper Christian spiritual formation. While aimed at those who are called to be leaders in the church, the course will also explore the application of spiritual disciplines to the life of the church as a whole and to its mission in the world.

SPFM 4013 Pathways of Prayer: The Soul’s Quest for God

Prayer is as vital to the health and vibrancy of the soul of the church, as breathing is to the human body.  This course is designed to equip ministry leaders to lead and encourage the church in the practice of consistent prayer as a vital aspect of our relationship with God and one another, and a viable means of nurturing healthy growing congregations.  Recommended prior study: SPFM 3013.

Theology
THEO 3013 Christian Theology 1

An introduction to Christian doctrine and theological inquiry. This first course in theology will begin with a discussion of theological method followed by a survey of the Christian doctrines of God, revelation, creation, and humanity. These doctrines will be studied by focusing on their relevance to contemporary issues faced by church and society.

THEO 3023 Christian Theology 2

A survey of the Christian doctrines of the person and work of Christ, the person and work of the Holy Spirit, salvation, the Church, and Last Times. These doctrines will be studied by focusing on their relevance to contemporary issues faced by church and society.

THEO 3033 Christian Ethics

An introduction to basic issues in Christian ethics faced by individuals and society today. The course will help students to develop an ethical approach to difficult problems, moral dilemmas, and the development of a personal ethical framework that is Christian in context. Issues to be explored include race/ethnicity, sexuality, bioethics, the environment, peace and justice, and global concerns/human rights.

THEO 3153 Theology of Love

What is love? Why is it considered the most essential human value for so many? How is it connected to such fundamental facets of the human condition as family, sex, religion, justice, forgiveness, etc.? This course will engage the topic of love as it is related to perennial dimensions of our human experience, and how our humanity can be understood through divine love. This course will set out to define love in its various forms, chart its history from ancient ideas (such as the Epic of Gilgamesh, the Bible, Plato, Aristotle, and Augustine) to modern ones (such as C. S. Lewis and Thomas Jay Oord), and will set out to explore modern contributors to the practice of love (such as Martin Luther King Jr, Desmond Tutu, Mother Teresa).

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