Mount Vernon Nazarene University

Mount Vernon Nazarene University

Religion

Program Coordinator, Rick L. Williamson

Faculty

W. Terrell Sanders, PhD

C. Jeanne Serrão, PhD

Alexander Varughese, PhD

Eric M. Vail, PhD

Rick L. Williamson, PhD

Religion Program Objectives

The courses and curriculum of the religion programs are designed to achieve the following student outcomes:

  • nurture and develop a call to Christian service;
  • demonstrate an understanding of biblical literature and history;
  • study the Scriptures using proper hermeneutical guidelines, leading to biblical scholarship and spiritual formation;
  • demonstrate an understanding of the historical development and theological traditions of the Christian church;
  • evidence an understanding of and appreciation of the doctrines, tradition, and mission of the Church of the Nazarene;
  • master basic skills in various functions of pastoral ministry;
  • demonstrate skill in the use and application of theological language and vocabulary;
  • evidence critical abilities to evaluate truth claims of different thought systems; and
  • grow and mature in the knowledge and experience of Jesus Christ as Redeemer, Sanctifier, and Lord.

Religion Departmental Programs

Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies

The student with a major in biblical studies must complete a minor in another discipline or a supporting area of 18 hours approved by the department chair. This program prepares students for graduate school or seminary.

Required Courses

BIB1003G Old Testament History and Literature

3

BIB1013G New Testament History and Literature

3

BIB2013 Biblical Hermeneutics

3

CED/BIB2053 Teaching the Bible: Curriculum and Methods

3

Upper division Old Testament electives (two courses)

6

Upper division New Testament electives (two courses)

6

Additional biblical literature elective

3

BLA2004g Beginning New Testament Greek I

4

BLA2014 Beginning New Testament Greek II

4

aBLA2024g Beginning Biblical Hebrew

4

BLA3013 Greek Readings

3

CHH3013 Christian Heritage I

3

CHH3053 Christian Heritage II

3

MIN1002 Introduction to the Spiritual Journey

2

THE3003G Christian Beliefs

3

THE4003 Christian Theology I

3

THE4013 Christian Theology II

3

MIN1000 Ministry Seminar I

0

MIN2000 Ministry Seminar II

0

MIN3000 Ministry Seminar III

0

MIN4000 Ministry Seminar IV

0

Elective Religion Courses

6

aBIB2084G History and Geography of Biblical Lands

 

Approved travel course to the Middle East, Greece or Turkey

 

Other biblical literature elective

 

Other biblical language elective

 

Required Cognate Courses

HIS1003g Western Civilization I: Antiquity to the Reformation

3

HIS1013G The Western Tradition in World Context

3

PHI2023g Classical and Christian Philosophy

3

SOC1013G Introduction to Sociology

3

Total

77 Hours

Bachelor of Arts in Religion Humanities

The student with a major in religion humanities must complete a minor in another discipline or a supporting area of 18 hours approved by the department chair. This program prepares students for graduate school or seminary.

Required Courses

BIB1003G Old Testament History and Literature

3

BIB1013G New Testament History and Literature

3

BIB2013 Biblical Hermeneutics

3

CHH3013 Christian Heritage I

3

CHH3053 Christian Heritage II

3

MIN1002 Introduction to the Spiritual Journey

2

THE3003G Christian Beliefs

3

THE3013 Doctrine of Christian Holiness

3

THE4003 Christian Theology I

3

THE4013 Christian Theology II

3

THE4083 Wesley’s Life and Thought

3

MIN1000 Ministry Seminar I

0

MIN2000 Ministry Seminar II

0

MIN3000 Ministry Seminar III

0

MIN4000 Ministry Seminar IV

0

Elective Courses

Old Testament elective
(selected from courses numbered 3000 or above.)

3

New Testament elective
(selected from courses numbered 3000 or above.)

3

Biblical literature elective
(selected from courses numbered 2000 or above.)

3

Select one of the following:

3

PHI2023g Classical and Christian Philosophy

 

aPHI3043 Modern Philosophy

 

aPHI4003 Contemporary Philosophy

 

Required Cognate Courses

HIS1003g Western Civilization I: Antiquity to the Reformation

3

HIS1013G The Western Tradition in World Context

3

SOC1013G Introduction to Sociology

3

SOC4003 Sociology of Religion

3

Biblical language(s)*

12

aPHI2063G World Religions

3

aPHI3093 Christian Apologetics

3

Total

74 Hours

*Includes one course at the intermediate level. Students may substitute this requirement with a modern language with the department chair’s approval.

Bachelor of Arts in Theological Studies

The student with a major in theological studies must complete a minor in another discipline or a supporting area of 18 hours approved by the department chair. Religion majors are ineligible to take Religion minors. This program prepares students for general Christian ministry, graduate school or seminary.

Required Courses

BIB1003G Old Testament History and Literature

3

BIB1013G New Testament History and Literature

3

BIB2013 Biblical Hermeneutics

3

CHH3013 Christian Heritage I

3

CHH3053 Christian Heritage II

3

MIN1000 Ministry Seminar I

0

MIN2000 Ministry Seminar II

0

MIN3000 Ministry Seminar III

0

MIN4000 Ministry Seminar IV

0

MIN1002 Introduction to the Spiritual Journey

2

MIN5029 Ministry Internship

2

PMI3033 Worship in the Christian Tradition

3

PMI3043 Homiletics

3

THE3003G Christian Beliefs

3

THE4003 Christian Theology I

3

THE4013 Christian Theology II

3

Old Testament elective
(selected from courses numbered 3000 or above.)

3

New Testament elective
(selected from courses numbered 3000 or above.)

3

Select one of the following:

3

CHH4053 History of the Church of the Nazarene

 

CHH4063 Studies in Modern Denominational
Histories

 

Select one of the following:

3

PHI2023g Classical and Christian Philosophy

 

aPHI3043 Modern Philosophy

 

aPHI4003 Contemporary Philosophy

 

Select one of the following:

3

PMI4003 Pastoral Ministry and Leadership

 

PMI4023 Pastoral Care and Counseling

 

Select one of the following:

3

THE3013 Doctrine of Christian Holiness

 

THE4093 Wesley’s Life and Thought

 

Required Cognate Courses

Biblical language(s)*

12

Communication (COM1023 Public Speaking is recommended.)

3

HIS1003g Western Civilization I: Antiquity to the Reformation

3

HIS1013G The Western Tradition in World Context

3

PHI2003g Introduction to Philosophy

3

Select one of the following:

3

PSY1013G General Psychology

 

SOC1013G Introduction to Sociology

 

Total

79 Hours

*(Students may fulfill this requirement with a combination of Greek and Hebrew courses.)

Biblical Languages Minor

BLA2004g Beginning New Testament Greek I

4

BLA2014 Beginning New Testament Greek II

4

aBLA2024g Beginning Biblical Hebrew

4

BLA3013 Greek Readings (two enrollments)

6

Total

18 Hours

Biblical Literature Minor

BIB1003G Old Testament History and Literature

3

BIB1013G New Testament History and Literature

3

BIB2013 Biblical Hermeneutics

3

Old Testament elective
(selected from courses numbered 3000 or above.)

3

New Testament elective
(selected from courses numbered 3000 or above.)

3

Old or New Testament elective
(selected from courses numbered 3000 or above.)

3

Total

18 hours

Religion Minor

BIB2013 Biblical Hermeneutics

3

Old Testament or New Testament elective (selected from courses numbered 3000 or above.)

3

CHH3013 Christian Heritage I

3

CHH3053 Christian Heritage II

3

THE4003 Christian Theology I

3

THE4013 Christian Theology II

3

Religion elective (selected from biblical languages or courses numbered 3000 or above in biblical literature, church history, missions, pastoral ministry, or theology except for the THE3003G Christian Beliefs)

2-3

Total

20-21 hours

Religion General Program Notes:

General Program Note: Students who transfer into a Religion major having already taken BIB1014G The Narrative of Scripture, BIB1004G History and Faith of the Biblical Communities or aBIB2084G History and Geography of Biblical Lands must complete another biblical literature course to satisfy general education bible requirements. Those with a "B-" grade or above may choose between BIB1003G Old Testament History and Literature, BIB1013G New Testament History and Literature, or an upper division biblical literature course. Those with a "C+" grade or below must complete BIB1003G Old Testament History and Literature or BIB1013G New Testament History and Literature.

Students may not substitute religion or philosophy courses numbered 2000 or above from another institution (transient school, transfer credit, online courses, etc.) without securing written permission from the Religion and Philosophy Department Chair or dean of the School of Theology and Philosophy. Current students are strongly encouraged to get permission prior to taking courses from other colleges or universities.