Current Courses - Spring 2024

This seminar introduces theology students to graduate-level research and writing skills with specific attention to academic writing, theological research, citations, and elements of writing style. The seminar introduces the nature of theological reflection and “thinking theologically” concerning various topics and issues they encounter in academic study and ministry. This course will also cover a basic introduction to Populi including how to use your school email account, access files, submit assignments etc. This course is a prerequisite for all certificates and degrees.

This readings seminar emphasizes Coptic syntax and translation techniques of liturgical (St. Cyril Liturgy) and hagiographic (Life of Apa Shenouda) Coptic texts as well as the context and function of such texts. These texts represent translations most probably from a Sahidic original. It is intended for students who have a good working knowledge of Coptic grammar. The primary focus will be on texts in the Bohairic dialect. Reference to the classical Sahidic dialects maybe addressed based on the prior knowledge of enrolled Students.

This course provides a preliminary study of Koine based on the New Testament. The basic concepts of New Testament Greek grammar, syntax, and vocabulary are studied and applied to the text of the Gospels. This course is for students who have little or no prior knowledge of Greek. A basic outline of the Grammar, both in etymology and syntax, sufficient for earlier stages of the study with graduated exercises will be introduced. Examples to be studied will be taken primarily from the Scriptures and from the Greek language in the Coptic liturgy.

Christ’s birth, life, crucifixion, and glorious Resurrection were all prophesied centuries earlier in Old Testament times. This course aims to reconstruct the prehistory of Christ or Old Testament messianism. Selected messianic texts are interpreted in the light of the patristic tradition with reference to modern scholarship.

This course is a survey of the New Testament books in their historical and religious background with attention to hermeneutics, the patristic exegetical heritage, and modern biblical studies. Students will be introduced to (1) the basic historical and literary realities that shaped the books of Scripture as well as to (2) some of the many ways in which the Tradition of the Church is founded firmly on sacred Scripture.

This course covers the life, writings, doctrines and thoughts of the early church Fathers. It presents the living story of the early church in all its aspects of worship, pastoral and social concepts, preaching and spirituality. This introductory core-course consists of two parts: (1) a general introduction to the Fathers and the main periods of Patristic Literature from post-apostolic times to the beginnings of the Schism between the Oriental and Eastern Orthodox Churches; and (2) a brief profile of some of the most important Fathers of this period, including their writings and doctrinal focus and concerns. This course fulfills a core requirement for the MTS Program and elective for the Certificate Programs. (First class will be live at ACTS on January 18 and  then the subsequent classes will either be live or pre-recorded on Thursdays 6:00-9:00 PM PST)

LITG

This course is an examination of the origins and development of the Coptic liturgical tradition of Holy Week, comprising the services for Lazarus Saturday, Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and the Resurrection. An initial survey of liturgical time, the liturgical year, and the development of feasts in the Early Church paves the way for exploring the Coptic services of Holy Week as a unique expression of the paschal mystery in the life of Coptic Orthodox Christians reflected in liturgical texts and rituals.

This course introduces the dogmatic content of Orthodox theology, those things which are fundamental and authoritatively presented as the basis of our Faith. It will ask how we come to a knowledge of theological truth, and the relation of theology to spirituality. The majority of the course will be a reflection on the Scriptural and Patristic teaching about the nature and character of God, and a detailed consideration of the theology of the Holy Trinity which will include a study of the various heterodox teachings which the Church has rejected as inadequate or defective explanations of God as He has made Himself known to us.

This is an introduction to the rich spiritual tradition of Orthodox Christianity. The various dimensions of spirituality in the Scriptures, the Church Fathers, the Desert Fathers and modern spiritual writers will be examined. The course will explore the interrelationship of theological and spiritual concepts as well as principles of spiritual direction in the present day world placed in the proper historical background.

This guided study focuses on the Sahidic dialect of Coptic, the literary language of the Coptic Church from Late Antiquity until the early Middle Ages. This is the language in which the great majority of well-known biblical, monastic, and hagiographical literature was either produced or into which it was translated. The course uses Bentley Layton’s Coptic in 20 Lessons (Leuven: Peeters, 2007) as the course textbook. You are required to purchase this textbook. It is available for purchase online. All 20 lessons will be completed during this semester. You will learn elements of Coptic grammar, morphology, and syntax, along with hundreds of vocabulary words. As needed, solutions to the exercises for each lesson will be provided or discussed during the weekly meetings. Short, supplemental lessons on features of the Bohairic dialect of Coptic are incorporated throughout the semester. Bohairic is the dialect with which most Copts are acquainted, and in which liturgical services are performed in most Coptic Orthodox churches today. 

This course provides an overview of the field of family psychology. The four primary areas of study include: 1) several family theory frameworks from which to understand families, 2) the family life cycle, and 3) interventions to improve behavioral, developmental and emotional health among individuals and between family members across the lifespan. Students will also 4) apply these concepts to their own family of origin, for in order to help others, a counselor must first know oneself (Matthew 7:4).