This is a listing of Religion (RELG) classes available at Bethany. These are included in the requirements for the Religion Major and other programs. Not all courses are available every semester. Please contact the registrar with any questions.
There are 25 courses in this subject. View other subjects or view all courses.
| Code | Course Title / Description |
|---|---|
| RELG108 | Essentials of Christianity I 2 credits Religious Studies 108 is the first semester of study of a general introduction to the study of Christianity. Through selected readings, the course focuses on the nature of the essential elements of the Christian faith along with a general background in Biblical history. The intent of the course is not only to familiarize the student with the study of Religion as an academic discipline, but also to lead to a deeper understanding of the Christian faith. |
| RELG109 | Essentials of Christianity II 2 credits Religious Studies 109 is the second semester of study of a general introduction to the study of Christianity. Through selected readings, the course focuses on the nature of the essential elements of the Christian faith along with a general background in Biblical history. The intent of the course is not only to familiarize the student with the study of Religion as an academic discipline, but also to lead to a deeper understanding of the Christian faith. |
| RELG110 | Introduction to Christianity I 2 credits This course, or RELG108 - Essentials of Christianity I, is one part of a required sequence (108&109 or 110&111) of introductory courses for full-time incoming students. It is an introduction to the study of Christianity. Through selected readings, it focuses on the nature of the Christian faith, the gospel, and the doctrines of Christianity. It serves also as an introduction to the academic study of religion and theology. |
| RELG111 | Introduction to Christianity II 2 credits This course, or RELG109 - Essentials of Christianity II, is one part of a required sequence (108&109 or 110&111) of introductory courses for full-time incoming students. It is an introduction to the study of Christianity. Through selected readings, it focuses on the nature of the Christian faith, the gospel, and the doctrines of Christianity. It serves also as an introduction to the academic study of religion and theology. |
| RELG223 | The Life of Christ 3 credits This is a study of the historicity, person, life, and meaning of Jesus Christ for humanity. A harmony of the four Gospel accounts provides the basic chronology. |
| RELG224 | History of Israel 3 credits This course is a survey of the history of the people of Israel from the Patriarchal Age (ca. 2000 BC) through the end of the Old Testament Era and into the Intertestamental Period. Special emphasis is placed on the promises of God, and faith in those promises as the great integrating theme of the Old Testament. The promises find their fulfillment in the Christ of the New Testament. |
| RELG225 | The Gospel According to Isaiah 3 credits This course is an introduction to and study of the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. Course content includes: a) an examination of Isaiah's place in the History of Israel and in the larger context of the ancient world; b) the poetics and rhetoric of the book; c) the theology of the book with special emphasis on Messianic prophecy; and d) a basic introduction to major issues in Isaiah scholarship. |
| RELG226 | Acts of the Apostles 3 credits Study of the Acts of the Apostles in its historical and biblical context. |
| RELG227 | Paul's Letter to Roman Christians 3 credits A close study of this instructive and interesting letter of St. Paul to the Christians in Rome. The course seeks to develop a deeper appreciation of this epistle both for the richness of its teachings and for its timeliness. |
| RELG229 | Christian Doctrine 3 credits A detailed study of the doctrines of the Bible with reference to their importance for Christian faith and life. Topics include: Scripture, God, Law and Sin, the Person and Work of Christ, Conversion, Faith, Justification, Good Works, and Prayer. |
| RELG235 | Hymnody and Liturgics 3 credits The history and development of hymnody and liturgical forms in the Western Church, especially as they relate to the Lutheran Divine Service, pedagogy and devotion. Special emphasis on the chorale and hymnody of the traditions of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod. The course integrates the academic disciplines of music, history, and theology. (Course is cross-listed with MUSC235 - Hymnody and Liturgics.) |
| RELG316 | Comparative World Religions 3 credits The five major world religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism) are examined and discussed. Their central teachings are outlined and compared. |
| RELG320 | Luther: His Ongoing Significance 3 credits The Lutheran Reformation is examined through the biography and selected writings of Martin Luther. Chief emphasis is on the years to Luther's death, with an examination of the structure and themes of Luther's thought. |
| RELG325 | Psalms and Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament 3 credits This course is an introduction to and survey of the Book of Psalms, the Books of Job and Ecclesiastes, and selected portions of the Book of Proverbs. It examines the origins, literary artistry, theological content, and the use of these books across the ages. |
| RELG330 | Christian Social Thought 3 credits Controversial topics in contemporary Christianity are discussed on the basis of Scripture and human reason. Topics include such issues as war, capital punishment, the role of women, science, and sexuality. |
| RELG335 | The Lutheran Confessions 3 credits This course studies the Lutheran Book of Concord, the confessions of the Lutheran Church. The course examines the basic historical background of each of the Lutheran Confessional documents; the relationship between Scripture and the Confessional writings; the normative nature and authority of the Book of Concord for Lutheran Church confessional and church life. |
| RELG340 | Apologetics 3 credits This course examines the nature and purpose of apologetics theologically, philosophically, historically, scientifically, equipping students to fashion an apologetic within the contemporary postmodern and modern context. |
| RELG350 | Islam 3 credits Islam, the fastest growing and second largest world religion, is examined and discussed. Attention is given to its historical roots, major teachings, schisms, and importance in the world today. |
| RELG360 | History of the Christian Church 3 credits A survey of the History of the Christian Church from the post-apostolic age to the present. Major emphasis is on the Middle ages, reform movements, and post-Reformation. |
| RELG380 | Pauline Literature 3 credits Representative letters of the Apostle Paul will be studied in detail. The student will be required to read through all of Paul's letters, but the focus of the course will be a study of selected letters, and will examine various critical issues raised in secondary literature. |
| RELG382 | Johannine Literature 3 credits The Gospel of John, John's epistles, and the Revelation to John will be studied in detail. The course will also examine various critical issues raised in secondary literature. |
| RELG435 | Intertestament Period 3 credits This course is an introduction to and survey of the Biblical period from about 500 B.C. to the birth of Christ. The core of the content includes the canonical Books of Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi, and the 14 writings commonly referred to as the Apocrypha. The course examines the content of these writings and the historical circumstances out of which they arose. |
| RELG480 | Topics in Religious Studies 3 credits Students examine a variety of special religion topics that emerge from present day issues, the expertise of the instructor, and/or the special interests of the students. |
| RELG489 | International Study Tour 3 credits Course allows the student to travel to a specific country, selected by the professor, and covers various aspects of the selected country or geographic area. |
| RELG495 | Senior Seminar in Religious Studies 3 credits Integration of the various facets of the liberal arts into a coherent personal perspective on reality. Focus on the epistemological bases of the disciplines; translation of liberal arts study into a productive life serving the needs of church and society. (Cross listed with HIST495 - and LART495 - .) Prerequisite: RELG490 - . |