General Instructions for Study *

       Recommended Textbooks *

       Course Descriptions *

MCC 507: Systematic Theology I (4 credits) *

MCC 508: Systematic Theology II (4 credits) *

MCC 509: Systematic Theology III (4 credits) *

MCC 515: Law and the Gospel (3 credits) *

MCC 516: Biblical Hermeneutics (3 credits) *

MCC 517: Holiness (3 credits) *

MCC 518: Overcoming Sin and Temptation (3 credits) *

MCC 519: The History of the Reformation (3 credits) *

MCC 520: Christian Ethics (3 credits) *

MCC 521: Knowing God (3 credits) *

MCC 522: Knowing the Holy Ghost (3 credits) *

MCC 501: New Testament Greek (4 credits) *

MCC 631 & 632: Clinical Pastoral Counseling (6 credits) *

MCC 540 Soul Winning 3 credits

MCC 535 & 536 Introduction to Missions 6 credits

MCC 537 Homiletics 3 credits

MCC 750 Thesis 18 credits

MCC 720 Internship 10 credits

Total credits : 90

MNGST-North: $25 per undergraduate credit hour; $3,000 for a 120 credit hour bachelor’s degree; financial aid for tuition available; $50 per credit hour for a 90 credit Master of Divinity for $4500 (plus $450 administrative fees)

Compare this to seminaries that charge over $250-$300 per credit hour!

The preparation for teaching outlines and thesis work should follow the guidelines for thesis preparation included in this packet.

Microsoft Word outline mode and thesis work is a preferred software program for this line of study.

Attach the outlines and thesis file to an e-mail and send it to me. I will download it and send you the comments and grade. They will be permanently retained on disc for future reference.

Please correspond with me at least every month and more often if you need any assistance at all.

The thesis is a major effort. It is not too early to begin thinking about the topic you plan to write about and to start saving notes, formulating a table of contents, etc. In your case, maybe the topic will be on the blood?

Chase the rabbits when God leads you. The objective is to grow in the knowledge of our God by letting the Holy Spirit guide.

The Reformation – Diarmaid MacCulloch

A Quest for Godliness – J.I. Packer

Rediscovering Holiness – J.I. Packer

Knowing God (with study guide) – J.I. Packer

The Analytical Greek Lexicon – Zondervan

Essentials of New Testament Greek – Summers

The Interlinear Greek – English New Testament – Nestle

These can be ordered at Christianbooknews@Christianbook.com

New and used books can sometimes be obtained from www.amazon.com

MCC 507: Systematic Theology I (4 credits)

Textbook: Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem

Prepare an original teaching outline that defends biblical inspiration, inerrancy, and infallibility.

Prepare an original teaching outline on the origin, classification, nature, fall, works, and destiny of angels.

Prepare an original teaching outline on the doctrine of soteriology, saving faith, and the assurance of salvation.

Prepare a 4,000 word thesis on one of the three topics studied. Be able to defend your conclusions, recognizing difficult areas and preparing a reasonable resolution that supports your conclusions.

 

MCC 508: Systematic Theology II (4 credits)

Textbook: Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem

Prepare an original teaching outline that outlines Christ’s pre-existence, his role in the Old Testament, his birth, his teachings to the disciples, his empowering of the church body, and his death, resurrection, and glorification.

Prepare an original teaching outline on the topic of theological anthropology.

Prepare an original teaching outline on the nature of God, his essence and attributes, creation, the decrees of God, the sovereignty of God.

Prepare a 4,000 word thesis on one of the three topics studied. Be able to defend your conclusions, recognizing difficult areas and preparing a reasonable resolution that supports your conclusions.

 

MCC 509: Systematic Theology III (4 credits)

Textbook:  Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem

Course study: You will need references from other theologians to do the following work:

Prepare an original teaching outline about God the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead, from Genesis to Revelation.

Prepare an original teaching outline on the doctrine of the true church. Include its sacraments, mission, and destiny.

Prepare an original teaching outline that discusses the importance of the second coming of Christ, the purpose of his coming, and the various views of the timing and method of his coming.

Prepare an original teaching outline defending the Lutheran view of the sacraments of baptism and communion.

Prepare a 4,000 word thesis on one of the three topics studied. Be able to defend your conclusions, recognizing difficult areas and preparing a reasonable resolution that supports your conclusions.

 

MCC 515: Law and the Gospel (3 credits) [Elective]

Textbook: Law and the Gospel in the Church Today: Handling the Word of Truth—John T. Pless

"Rightly distinguishing the Law and the Gospel is the most difficult and the highest art of Christians in general and of theologians in particular. It is taught only by the Holy Spirit in the school of experience" (Thesis 3, C.F.W. Walther).

This textbook has 13 chapters with questions for reflection and discussion following. Address and document each question for all 13 chapters and conclude with a short essay describing what you got out of the study.

 

MCC 516: Biblical Hermeneutics (3 credits)

Textbook: An Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics--Walter Kaiser & Moses Silva

Prepare a teaching outline that prepares you to teach the topic of biblical hermeneutics.

Dr. Kaiser has many words in his vocabulary most of us do not have. As you read, have a dictionary handy and enjoy the way he communicates.

 

MCC 517: Holiness (3 credits)

Textbook: A Quest for Godliness: the Puritan Vision of the Christian Life and Rediscovering Holiness – J.I. Packer

Prepare a teaching outline that discusses what holiness is, why it is important and necessary, and where it begins.

Prepare an original teaching outline that defines spiritual growth.

Prepare an original teaching outline of the teachings and life experiences of the Puritans.

Prepare a 4,000 word thesis on holiness, your experience in the pursuit of godliness, and what you do to practice it. Be able to defend your conclusions, recognizing difficult areas and preparing a reasonable resolution that supports your conclusions.

 

MCC 518: Overcoming Sin and Temptation (3 credits) [Elective]

Textbook: Overcoming Sin and Temptation—John Owen (ed. Kapic and Taylor)

Prepare a teaching outline that discusses mortification of sin in believers.

Prepare an original teaching outline that discusses temptation, its nature, and its power.

Prepare an original teaching outline that discusses indwelling sin, its nature, power, and strength.

Prepare a 3,000 word thesis on the provision God has given us to overcome sin in our lives, recognizing difficult areas and preparing a reasonable resolution that supports your conclusions.

MCC 519: The History of the Reformation (3 credits) [Elective]

 Textbook: The Reformation—Diarmaid MacCulloch

During the 16^th and 17^th century Reformation period, theologians wrestled with some of the same issues Augustine wrote about in the 4th century. To some extent the same issues are in existence today. In that period of history, many saints were martyred for their faith. They willingly died defending the truths that were revealed to them.

Today worldwide, Christians are being martyred for holding fast to their faith.

In this study, write a 4,000 word thesis about the following personalities that fueled the 200-year Reformation:

§ Augustine & Pelagius

§ Luther & Erasmus

§ Zwingli & Calvin

§ John Knox & Thomas Cramer

Address their theology, their effect upon the historical Reformation period, and finally their effect upon Christianity as we know it today.

There is much more history to discover in the textbook, and I encourage you to read the whole book for your lasting enjoyment and edification.

MCC 520: Christian Ethics (3 credits)

Textbook: Christian Ethics—Norman L. Geisler

Prepare eight Bible-based essays on the following topics:

§ Abortion

§ Euthanasia

§ Homosexuality

§ Suicide

§ War

§ Capital Punishment

§ Marriage and Divorce

§ Biomedical Issues

Present opposing views and prepare a defense of your view.

The length of your essay is not an issue; the content is what is important.

MCC 521: Knowing God (3 credits)

Textbook: Knowing God (with study guide)—J.I. Packer

J.I. Packer states that "the ignorance of God lies at the root of the contemporary church’s weakness."

Utilizing the study guide included in the book, complete the following studies:

§ 2 The people who know their God

§ 3 Knowing and being known

§ 4 The only true God

§ 8 The majesty of God

§ 10 God’s wisdom and our wisdom

§ 12 The love of God

§ 13 The grace of God

§ 14 God the judge

§ 15 The wrath of God

§ 16 The goodness & severity of God

§ 17 The jealousy of God

§ 22 The adequacy of God

In preparing your 12 papers, include a title, your name, and date. Type out the questions and indent under it your answer complete with biblical reference if appropriate.

 

MCC 522: Knowing the Holy Ghost (3 credits) [Elective]

Textbook: Knowing the Holy Ghost God—Don Hanson

Prepare an original teaching outline on the doctrine of the Holy Spirit, his work, ministry, fruit, and gifts.

Prepare an original teaching outline that will equip you to teach on the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Research and determine if it is the seal of the new covenant. Defend your position. Discuss the various views as to the evidence of having experienced the baptism in the Spirit and defend your view.

Prepare a 4,000 word thesis on your experience with the Holy Spirit. Develop a conclusion as to your continued experience with Him and your view of its importance in your life.

Research and prepare a paper on the seven Spirits of God in Isaiah 11:2 and their relationship to the Holy Ghost.

Be able to defend your conclusions, recognizing difficult areas and preparing a reasonable resolution that supports your conclusions.

MCC 501: New Testament Greek (4 credits)

Textbook: The Analytical Greek Lexicon – Zondervan

MCC 501: An introduction to New Testament Greek. Focusing on the study of the Greek verb forms with emphasis on applying the force of the grammar to preaching.

 

MCC 631 & 632: Clinical Pastoral Counseling (6 credits)

Textbook: Special order; see your professor for details.

MCC 631: Christian Counseling in Ministry. The problem with counseling, the Holy Spirit in counseling and treatment by physical means

MCC 632: Christian Counseling in Ministry. Nouthetic counseling, the pastor as nouthetic counselor, and Rogerian counseling

MCC 540, 535 & 536: Soul Winning and Introduction to Missions (9 credits)

Textbook: Special order; see your professor for details. He/she will order them for you.

Complete accelerated Christian education materials for course number 41137, introduction to missions 1-6.

Write a 6 page essay regarding your interest in missions.

Acquire accelerated Christian education courses 42001 and 42002.

Share the gospel of Christ with at least 3 people and document your experiences.

MCC 537: Homiletics (3 credits)

Textbook: Parsing to Preach—David A. Lysaker

Inductive Preaching—Ralph L. Lewis

Record 3 - 30 minuet messages on DVD or VHS

Develop one , thematic, exegetical, and evangelism message.

Fill out the sermon worksheet for each message. Create a sermon notes handout for each message to fit in a church bulletin. Use an object lesson or Illustration in each message

Write one sermon manuscript for a 30 minute message

Write one sermon outline for a 30 minute message

In one of your messages parse a key verb from your text and expand the meaning of the grammar developing an application for the practice of your hearer’s faith.

Write two children’s sermons

• Thesis
• Internship