Ministry > Our Daily Bread Christian University
Contemporary Theology II: From Theology of Hope to Post-modernism
Post-Modernism is having a profound influence on the Church, from within and without. Changing ideas about the source and nature of truth are affecting Christians’ lives and ministry. In this course, learners examine current trends in contemporary theology, and how these trends arose. The course focuses on the theologies that were prevalent in the 1960’s, including Theology of Hope, Liberation Theology, Feminist Theology, Process Theology, New Age Theology, and four forms of Post-modern Theology. Students are encouraged to draw from the course content so as to relate and communicate better to their post-modern world.
Adult Ministries in the Church
How do adults learn? What are the most successful ways to teach them? This course presents principles of adult education and their application to various adult age levels within the church. Learners explore theories in young, middle, and older adult education, and examine successful ministries to singles, single parents, and families. The course promotes Malcolm Knowles’ andragogical model of adult education, emphasizing such important subjects as how adults learn, how to structure the classroom, and how to facilitate learning.
Church History Since the Reformation
Since the Reformation, the church has experienced countless changes and advancements. In this course, learners survey the development of the Christian church’s doctrine, faith, and practice from the Protestant Reformation to the present. The lectures focus on the cultural, political, and economic backgrounds of the Reformation, Enlightenment, and Great Awakenings, and emphasize the contributions of key figures of these eras. The course highlights the rise and spread of various traditions, including Lutheranism, Calvinism, Anglicanism, Puritanism, Evangelicalism, and Fundamentalism. Students will also study the nature and trends of modern and postmodern Christianity, with the goal of applying insights to contemporary life.
Foundations of Systematic Theology
Theology can be intimidating for beginners. Many students have been overwhelmed by the diversity of opinions and sheer volume of information to comprehend. If they are to succeed in theological studies they must first establish a foundation of concepts and terminology on which to build their theological framework. In this course, Dr. Frame covers the essentials of all major areas of systematic theology with the goal of orienting listeners to the basic material necessary to understand and study God’s Word. Focusing on the overarching theme of God’s Lordship, Dr. Frame uses three “Lordship Attributes” (control, authority and presence) to organize…
Church Leadership and Administration
What is leadership? How do you make effective decisions? How do you motivate those around you? This course answers such theoretical and practical questions by examining the administrative process, including goal setting, organization, delegation, human relations, group dynamics, supervision, and leadership training. Though administration principles are universal, the course focuses on Christian organizations, particularly the local church. The course is designed to help students become more effective church leaders in both theory and practice.
Theologies of Liberation
Liberation theology has sought to liberate the disenfranchised from poverty, oppression, and social injustice – but at what price? This course addresses the historical and thematic development of liberation theologies in the social and religious context of Latin America. The course covers the various denominational roots, as well as the various methodologies that those denominations utilize. Dr. Mulholland presents a systematic theology of liberation, analyzing its relation to the areas of soteriology, Christology, and ecclesiology.
Church History to the Reformation
Nearly every major doctrine of the church was established before the Reformation. In this course, learners discover how the Church’s doctrine, faith, and practice developed from Pentecost to the time of the Protestant Reformation. The lectures focus on the cultural, political, and economic backgrounds of both the Patristic and Medieval periods of church history, and emphasize the contributions of key figures up to the Reformation. The course culminates with the Renaissance, which was the cultural context for Luther’s Reformation. From Augustine to Wycliffe, students will see how God used ordinary people to accomplish divine purposes.
Soteriology
Soteriology means different things to different people. Buddhism views salvation as a death of desire. Hinduism sees salvation as an end to samsara. Muslims surrender themselves as they repent and atone for their sins while Sikhism looks to one’s personal meditation and discipline to achieve union with God. But what about Christianity? What does the Bible teach about salvation. In this course, Dr. H. Phillip Hook explores the Scripture’s teachings on soteriology in order to know how one is saved and to understand the impact of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.
Interpersonal Communication and Conflict Management
Organizational communication is a powerful tool of construction or destruction. In this course, learners discover biblical principles of interpersonal communication and conflict management in human relationships. The course gives attention to communication models, self-concept, nonverbal messages, stress, and strategies that assist Christian leaders in developing interpersonal communication skills. In addition, the course focuses on the nature of conflict, how to identify common styles of conflict management, and how to manage conflict acceptably and productively.
Urban Missiology
The large cities of the world present enormous challenges and opportunities to the church of Christ. The purpose of this course is to develop a relevant evangelical practice for the church within the urban context, understood as contextual, or local theology. This course will expose the student to various dimensions of post-modernity as examined by several contemporary authors. The goal of the course is to help learners develop pertinent theological, missiological, and strategic initiatives for urban settings that can be applied to their own ministry.
Karl Barth and Neo-Orthodoxy
Through the years, the church has been greatly influenced by theologians. Augustine shaped the church’s understanding of orthodoxy. Aquinas brought philosophy and theology together. Luther reclaimed salvation by faith alone; and Calvin reminded believers of God’s sovereignty over all things. In a postmodern world, the church continues the process of knowing God in the wake of the teachings of Karl Barth. In this course, Dr. Lubbertus Oostendorp explores the impact of Barth’s influence on Neo-Orthodoxy. Developed shortly after the Age of Enlightenment, Neo-Orthodoxy provided the springboard for today’s theologians as believers seek to be both biblically true and culturally relevant.
Ministering to Women in the Church
Often overlooked or misunderstood are the vital roles of women in the home, society, and the church. Learners will study ministry to and by women, including biblical foundations for women and principles for evangelizing, discipling, and counseling women. Lectures focus on the history of women’s ministries in the church, the role of women’s ministries in the New Testament, and the contemporary cultural context for women’s ministries. In addition, students will learn how to minister to the needs of specific women’s groups, such as singles, homemakers, those in the workplace, and those who are hurting.
Doctrine of Salvation
“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” No question is more important or more debated than this one posed by the Philippian jailer. This course presents a critical and historical overview of the message, plan, and components of salvation. The lectures trace each element of the salvation process, from God’s decree to our final glorification and union with Christ. Topics such as the order of salvation, the nature of justification, and the possibility of perfection are given in-depth treatment. The course emphasizes a Reformed view of salvation, while offering fair treatment to all sides.
Urban Mission and Ministry
As the cities go, the world goes – politically, intellectually, economically, socially, and religiously. This course addresses Christian mission and ministry in the world’s growing cities. A biblical basis for urban ministry is presented and case studies of effective urban strategies worldwide are examined. The course provides key logistics, strategies, models, and insights from one of today’s leading experts in urban missiology. Throughout the lessons the instructor emphasizes holistic ministry, i.e., meeting all needs: social, civil, and political, as well as the spiritual.
A History of the Church in China Since 1949
With almost twenty percent of our world’s population, China is a large mission field. This course presents a history of Protestant Christianity in China since 1949, tracing the development of the church within the context of modern Chinese history. Learners examine the influence of politics on religious and church life, and study the Party’s influence upon both the Three-Self Patriotic Movement and the independent house churches. The course begins with a discussion of church and state relations and concludes with spiritual lessons learned from Chinese history. Students are encouraged to appreciate the tremendous needs and opportunities in China, and to…
