“That we may obtain this faith, the Ministry of Teaching the Gospel and administering the Sacraments was instituted. For through the Word and Sacraments, as through instruments, the Holy Ghost is given, who works faith; where and when it pleases God, in them that hear the Gospel, to wit, that God, not for our own merits, but for Christ’s sake, justifies those who believe that they are received into grace for Christ’s sake.”
Degree Requirements
Students must complete successfully either 72 or 48 hours of course work with a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.00 on a 4.0 scale. Courses in the M.A. Program are chosen from the M.Div. curriculum. Students with 30 or more quarter hours of credit in religion or theology on the bachelor’s or master’s level may be eligible for the 48 hour program. Enrollment in the 48 hour program must be approved by the registrar in consultation with the academic dean in advance of beginning the M.A. Program.
| M.A. Course Requirements | 72 Hour Program | 48 Hour Program |
|---|---|---|
| Exegetical Theology | ||
| Gospels I | 4 | 4 |
| Pentateuch I | 3 | 3 |
| Pentateuch II | 3 | |
| Pauline Epistles | 4 | 4 |
| Major Prophets | 4 | 4 |
| Gospels III | 3 | |
| Historical Theology | ||
| Church History I | 3 | 3 |
| Church History II | 3 | 3 |
| Church History III | 3 | 3 |
| History Area Elective | 3 | |
| Pastoral Ministry and Mission | ||
| Theological Ethics | 3 | 3 |
| Ministry in a Pluralistic Context | 3 | |
| Systematic Theology | ||
| Dogmatics I | 4 | 4 |
| Theologia I: Baptism or Theologia III: Lord’s Supper | 3 | 3 |
| Dogmatics II | 3 | 3 |
| Dogmatics III | 4 | 4 |
| Seminar: Luther Text | 3 | |
| Electives | 15 | 6 |
| MA Essay | 1 | 1 |
| Total | 72 | 48 |
“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.”