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Master of Sacred Theology
EXEGETICAL COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

EXT E500   BIBLICAL ARAMAIC
A study of the grammar and vocabulary of biblical Aramaic, comparing it with biblical Hebrew, based on Daniel and Ezra.

EXT E501   ARCHAEOLOGY AND THE OLD TESTAMENT
A historical survey of archaeological work in the Bible lands, with particular attention to the cultural and religious life of the Israelite and non-Israelite populations in Palestine. Method of archaeological research and interpretation of findings are studied, not only for apologetical purposes, but especially for the exegetical study of Holy Writ.

EXT E502   SYRIAC
A study of Syriac grammar. Similarities with other Semitic languages will be stressed. Selected portions from the Syriac version of the Old and New Testaments will be read. Its importance for textual criticism will be stressed.

EXT E503   ISRAEL BIBLE LANDS SEMINAR
This undergraduate-graduate offering provides students with the thrilling opportunity of a ten-day tour of the Holy Land, with professors as hosts and lecturers on Old and New Testament subjects—before, during and after the overseas travel. Numerous sites of archaeological interest are visited.

EXT E504   GREECE AND TURKEY BIBLE LANDS SEMINAR
This undergraduate-graduate offering provides students with the exciting experience of a 10- 14 day tour of Greece and Turkey “in the footsteps of Saint Paul,” with professors as hosts and lecturers chiefly on New Testament subjects—before, during and after the overseas travel. Numerous sites of archaeological interest are visited.

EXT E506   UGARITIC
A study in Ugaritic grammar. Similarities with Hebrew and other Semitic languages are observed. Selections from Ugaritic texts are read. The usefulness of Ugaritic in Old Testament studies is noted.

EXT E518   SYNOPTIC GOSPELS
A comparison among Matthew, Mark and Luke based on literary analysis. Their inter-relationship and the probable order of their appearance are discussed. Attention is given to each one’s unique theological themes.

EXT E520   SERMON ON THE MOUNT
An in-depth reading of the Sermon on the Mount in the Greek. Students will prepare a substantial paper on one aspect of the sermon’s structured meaning.

EXT E522   HERMENEUTICS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT
This course will describe and assess the status of recent developments in the interpretation of the Bible. Particular focus will fall on those hermeneutical issues which attend structuralism, reader-response criticism, narrative criticism, diachronic and synchronic methodologies. For each perspective, primary sources will be read, discussed, analyzed and critiqued from the confessional Lutheran point of view.

EXT E543   HAGGAI-MALACHI
An exegetical study of these two books in their entirety. The post-exilic historical setting is examined. Attention is paid to structure, style and the use of both in the New Testament. Law and Gospel aspects are stressed. Emphasis is given to how these books speak to the Church today.

EXT E555   ECCLESIASTES
An examination of the book of Ecclesiastes in the original language. The course will examine authorship, the book’s place in the larger field of biblical wisdom, and theological application to the modern world.

EXT E580   I AND II THESSALONIANS
An exegetical course designed to deal with the basic content of Paul’s correspondence with the Thessalonian congregation. The Greek style of the letters will be analyzed in some detail.

EXT E585   PASTORAL EPISTLES
Interpretation of the Pastoral Epistles using the Greek text. Emphasis on Timothy with selected portions from Titus and II Timothy. Special attention to the exegetical problems of the Pastorals.

EXT E590   REVELATION
The 22 chapters of this last book of the New Testament are studied on the basis of the Greek text. A sane, Lutheran interpretation of the apocalyptic visions pertaining to the continuous reign and triumph of the tremendous, glorified Christ—triumph absolute at the end of the world—is provided. The Christian view of history as set forth in the Apocalypse, and the latter’s strengthening message that faith triumphs over all opposing marshalled worldly might are emphasized. Numerous ancient and modern extravagant interpretations of the divine revelation this book records are viewed.

EXT E710   SEPTUAGINT STUDIES
The course surveys the major scholarly work on Septuagint study. The problems of textual criticism, interpretation, relevance to New Testament citation of Old Testament texts, and related matters will be examined. Selected portions of the LXX will be translated.

EXT E716   JEWISH LITERATURE OF THE SECOND TEMPLE PERIOD
A study of Jewish history and literature in the time of the second temple, especially in the Hellenistic era (c. 300 B.C. to A.D. 70). Select documents from the Old Testament Apocrypha, Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, Dead Sea Scrolls, Philo and Josephus will be read. The major theological ideas of these documents and their importance for New Testament exegesis will be discussed.

EXT E722   OLD TESTAMENT THEOLOGY
A historical overview of approaches to Old Testament theology will be combined with an evaluation of contemporary Old Testament theologies. The appropriate relationship of the Old Testament to Christology will be central to the discussion.

EXT E729   STUDIES IN EARLY CHRISTOLOGY
This course will study the importance of the Old Testament and Jewish traditions about the Angel of YHWH, the Name of YHWH, the Glory of YHWH and the Word of YHWH for early Christology. Select portions of the Pauline Epistles, the Gospel of John, the Epistle to the Hebrews and Revelation will be examined in order to further the teaching and preaching of biblical Christology.

EXT E748   ANCIENT NEAR EAST HISTORY
A survey of Sumerian, Babylonian, Assyrian and Egyptian history with special attention to the intersection of these cultures with the history of Israel. The theological significance of such relationships will be discussed as well.

EXT E749   BIBLICAL PATTERNS OF PASTORAL MINISTRY
This course will explore biblical texts that provide guidance and insight for our understanding of the pastoral office and its duties. Many of the texts will be drawn from the New Testament witness to the ministry of Jesus and the Apostles, especially Paul. The study of these texts will show that Holy Scripture does provide clear pastoral models that inform pastoral theology and practice.

EXT E750   OLD TESTAMENT PICTURES OF CHRIST
The Old Testament categories of Christology will be studied on the basis of the Hebrew text. The centrality of the prophetic and priestly offices as well as the direct Messianic prophecies will be expounded.

EXT E752   PROBLEMS IN INTERPRETING HEBREWS
The epistle to the Hebrews provides a rich and complex text. The extensive use of the Old Testament in describing the person and work of Christ illumines various hermeneutical models which the author finds most appropriate for his readers.

EXT E755   PROBLEMS IN HERMENEUTICS
This seminar will investigate important recent developments relating to the principles of biblical interpretation. It will cover such topics as the nature of meaning, structuralism, reader-oriented criticism, social and literary criticism, existential approaches to interpretation, and other hermeneutic methods.

EXT E761   THE NEW TESTAMENT AS CATECHESIS
This course explores the hypothesis that the New Testament originated as catechesis (catechisms) to prepare catechumens for church membership. Attention is given to the place these early catechesis had in church liturgies in relation to Baptism and Holy Communion. Students enrolled in this course for graduate credit are asked to pick their topics for a paper after prior consultation with the instructor. Such papers can be exegetical, systematic or practical (homiletical, catechetical) in their thrust.

EXT E773   SERMON ON THE MOUNT
An exegesis of Matthew 5-7 and introduction to the history of the interpretation of the Sermon on the Mount. Students will examine the setting of the sermon in Matthew and will investigate its principal themes in the context of the New Testament. Questions of origin and organization will be discussed as will the various schools of interpretation that have arisen throughout the centuries.

EXT E781   JAMES
The interpretation of this epistle from the original text. The history of its interpretation from the ancient to the modern era is reviewed. This epistle is compared to the Sermon on the Mount.

EXT E788   PASTORAL EPISTLES
An exegetical study of the Greek text of the Pastoral Epistles with consideration of their isagogical problems. Special attention will be devoted to the contemporary pastoral and ecclesiastical implications and directives of these Epistles.

EXT E790   EXEGETICAL SEMINAR
(EXT E790 - EXT E794) A graduate exegetical seminar for the advanced study of biblical texts and hermeneutical questions. Specific topics to be determined by the professor.

EXT E795   INDEPENDENT STUDY
When students wish to fulfill a special need, they may request an independent study course through the department chairman.

EXT E796   DIRECTED READINGS
When students wish to fulfill a special need, they may request a directed reading course through the department chairman.

 
 
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For more information about the Master of Sacred Theology degree,
please contact at Prof. Naomichi Masaki
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Fort Wayne, IN 46825
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