This course orients new students for the online study system in WWES.

Contents of the course:

• My goals and expectations 
• My vision and calling
• How online studies may contribute my goals?
• Studying in WWES - "do's and don'ts"
• Reflection on Biblical Interpretation

Texts for the course:

• Craig S. Keener. Biblical Interpretation
  

2 credit course

This course is an introductory course to the Bible and it's interpretation.

Contents of the course:

• God's story and your story
• General and special revelation
• Inspiration, inerrancy, and authority of the Bible
• How the Bible Came to Be?
• Interpreting and applying the Bible

Texts for the course:

• The Baker Illustrated Bible Handbook - J.D. Hays and J.S. Duvall, eds. ~150 pages selected.
• Some supplementary texts (provided with the course material)

2 credit course

In this course we study or "survey" the whole New Testament.

We learn the nature, setting, and "heart" of each of the New Testament book. We investigate also what makes the book unique, and how we should apply its teaching.

The contents of the course

• Authorship and audience of each book
• Setting and the "heart" of a book
• What makes a book unique
• How we can apply the message of a book
• Two key verses of each of the books

Texts for the course:

• The Bible. A translation in your native language is preferred. An English Bible as a reference.
• The Baker Illustrated Bible Handbook. Pages 465-992.  J.D. Hays and J.S. Duvall, eds.

3 credit course

BI-20203 explores the Historical Books of the Old Testament, covering the narrative from the conquest of Canaan to the restoration after the Babylonian exile. This course delves into the theological themes of covenant, kingship, prophecy, exile, and restoration as revealed in the books of Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther. The course also explores how these historical events point forward to their fulfillment in the New Testament through Jesus Christ.

The contents of the course:

• The Conquest of Canaan (Joshua)
• Cycles of Apostasy and Deliverance (Judges)
• The United Monarchy (1 and 2 Samuel, 1 Kings)
• The Divided Kingdom and Exile (1 and 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles)
• Covenant Renewal in the Post-Exilic Period (Ezra and Nehemiah)
• New Testament Fulfillment of the Historical Books' themes (kingship, prophecy, restoration)
  

Course materials:

• The Historical Books textbook by WWES (provided free of charge)
• The Bible: Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther
• BibleProject videos: Historical Books Series (YouTube)

Completing this course requires Watching video series, Bible and textbook reading, responding to six (6) quizzes, and writing orientation and feedback responses.

3 credit course.

BI-30203 explores the Prophetic Books of the Old Testament, focusing on major prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel, as well as the twelve Minor Prophets from Hosea to Malachi. This course examines the theological themes of judgment, covenant faithfulness, social justice, and messianic hope as expressed through the prophetic messages. Students will also explore how these themes are fulfilled in the New Testament.

The contents of the course:

• Judgment and Redemption (Isaiah)
• Covenant Faithfulness and the New Covenant (Jeremiah)
• Exile, Restoration, and the Glory of God (Ezekiel)
• Faithfulness in Exile and Apocalyptic Hope (Daniel)
• Justice, Mercy, and the Messianic Kingdom (Minor Prophets)
• New Testament Fulfillment

Course materials:

• OT Prophets Textbook by WWES (provided free of charge)
• The Bible: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and the Minor Prophets
• BibleProject videos: Prophets Series (YouTube)

Completing this course requires watching the video series, reading the Bible and textbook, responding to seven (7) quizzes, and submitting orientation and feedback responses.

3 credit course.

In this course we connect the dots of the Old and New Testament books to reveal the big picture of salvation history. We will survey through the Scriptures in chronological order, starting from creation and ending with the first century church.

Text for the course:

• The Promise and  the Blessing: A Historical Survey of the Old and New Testaments, Michael A Harbin 2005.

Prerequisites:

• BI-1103 Old Testament Survey
• BI-1303 New Testament Survey

3 credit course

BI-4503 introduces students to the foundational elements of New Testament (Koine) Greek, equipping them to engage directly with the Greek New Testament for deeper Bible study and exegesis. This 3-credit course begins with the Greek alphabet and progresses to basic grammar, vocabulary, and translation skills, providing a strong basis for further study in BI-4603 (New Testament Greek II).

The Contents of the Course:

1. Learning the Greek Alphabet and Pronunciation: Master the foundational elements of Greek script and pronunciation.
2. Greek Verbs: Study tenses, moods, voices (active, passive, and middle), and their grammatical nuances.
3. Greek Nouns: Understand declensions, gender, number, and person.
4. Translation Skills: Begin translating small sentences, both Greek to English and English to Greek.
5. Greek Vocabulary: Memorize commonly used biblical Greek words.
6. Introduction to Biblical Exegesis: Practice translation and interpretation of Scripture from its original language.

• Basics of Biblical Greek – Grammar and Workbook by William D. Mounce (Zondervan).
• Other materials and hanouts during the course
• Video lectures by Dr. William Mounce (YouTube).

Course Objectives:
By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Identify and write all Greek alphabets.
• Parse Greek verbs, understanding their tense, voice, and mood.
• Decline Greek nouns, recognizing their gender, number, and case.
• Explain the differences between active, passive, and middle voices.
• Distinguish between Greek and English aspects and tenses.
• Translate basic Greek sentences and begin interpreting biblical texts.

Assessment and Grading:
Students are assessed through workbook exercises, quizzes, and practical application of translation skills.

Prerequisites:

• BI-1103: Old Testament Survey.
• BI-1303: New Testament Survey.

New Testament Greek I is the first step in mastering the biblical language, preparing students to read and interpret the New Testament in its original language. The course lays the groundwork for accurate exegesis and enriches personal and ministerial Bible study.

3 Credit Course.

This course is a concise primer to Apologetics and Christian Ethics.

Texts for the course:

• Know Why You Believe - Paul E. Little
• Christian Ethics in Plan Language - Kerby Anderson

Prerequisite:

• ST-1002 Bible and Its Interpretation

2 credit course

In this course we will study how to develop local church's ministry from the missional perspective. This course is a combination of New Testament missiology, church planting, and church ministry development from indigenous church perspective.

Texts for the course:

• The Indigenous Church - Melvin L. Hodges 1953/2009.
• Understanding Church Growth (Ch. 2) - Donald A. McGavran 1970/1990
• Global Church Planting (Chs. 3 and 4) - Graig Ott & Gene Wilson 2011 

2 credit course

Church Leadership

• Spiritual leadership
• How to lead your church

Texts for the course:

• Spiritual Leadership: A Commitment to Excellence for Every Believer - J. Oswald Sanders (any edition)
• Simple Church: Returning to God's Process for Making Disciples - Thom S. Rainer and Eric Geiger 2011 (ISBN: 0805447997/978-0805447996)

2 credit course

The course covers various alternative preaching patterns such as narratives, life situations, Biblical principles, key verses, and parables. The student learns also skills for proper exposition and developing a preaching plan.

Text for the course:

• Expository Preaching - George Batson, Global University 1988 (Chapters 9 - 13)

Prerequisites:

• MI-4102 Teaching and Preaching in the Church
  
• MI-5102 Expository Preaching

2 credit course

MI-50503 explores the foundational texts of Lutheran theology: The Small Catechism, The Augsburg Confession, and The Book of Concord. This course equips students with a deeper understanding of confessional Lutheran teachings and their relevance for mission and ministry, emphasizing the integration of sound theology with Spirit-empowered Gospel witness.

The contents of the course:

• The Small Catechism: Foundations for discipleship and Gospel proclamation.
• The Augsburg Confession: Defending and confessing the faith in diverse contexts.
• The Book of Concord: Uniting doctrine and mission for the Church’s witness.
• Vision for the Future: Applying Lutheran theology to contemporary missional challenges.

Course materials:

• WWES textbooks, provided free of charge:
  • The Small Catechism: Missional Edition
  • The Augsburg Confession: Missional Edition
  • The Book of Concord: A Missional View
• Supporting resources from Lutheran-focused platforms (e.g., videos, articles).

Completing this course requires:

• Reading the assigned textbooks.
• Completing three quizzes, one for each section of the course.
• Submitting orientation and feedback responses.

3 credit course.

Theological English (PS-4003) is an introductory course for theological studies, as the full name of the course puts it: "Theological English: Introduction to Theological Studies in English."

However, this is also an ESL/EFL* course designed for high-intermediate to advanced learners of English. It means you must be able to read and use general English already, and with this course you will learn to read and use theological literature in English.

You can study this course as a stand-alone course, or as preparation for your further studies in this area.

The theological content of the course is as follows:

- Starting with the Bible
- Introducing Theology
- God
- Revelation
- Humanity: Anthropology
- Jesus Christ: Christology
- Holy Spirit: Pneumatology
- Salvation and the Christian Life: Soteriology
- Church: Ecclesiology
- Last Things: Eschatology
- Determining God's Will in Day-to-Day Situations

Textbook for the course is Exploring Theological English. It follows the classic structure of systematic theology. Each chapter is based on a theological subject (see the contents here), and has five or six major sections presenting new information and/or exercises (the book is as much a workbook as a textbook). The student acquires key reading skills, a broad general vocabulary, and familiarity with the important concepts and terminology used in theological texts. (Buy the textbook here.)

This course (3 credits) equals approximately 150 hours of academic work.

3 credit course

________

* ESL/EFL = English as a Second or Foreign Language

Note: If you are buying your books online, please use the links provided above (or here).
This way we get a commission, but you don't pay anything more than usually.

NO NEW ENROLLMENTS

Take these instead:

BI-10303 The Pentateuch

BI-20103 OT Historical Books

In this course we study the historical books of the Old Testament selecting a few central themes of each book, form Genesis to Eshter. This way we understand God's dealings with his people, and the "storyline" that forms the backbone for the New Testament message.

Texts for the course:

• The Bible. A translation in your native language is preferred. An English Bible as a reference.
• The Baker Illustrated Bible Handbook - J.D. Hays and J.S. Duvall, eds. 214 pages selected.

Prerequisite:

• BI-1103 Old Testament Survey

3 credit course

Study of the life and teaching of Jesus.

Contents of the course

• Our sources about Jesus
• The Life of Jesus
• The Teaching of Jesus

Texts for the course:

• The Bible. A translation in your native language is preferred. An English Bible as a reference.
• The Baker Illustrated Bible Handbook - J.D. Hays and J.S. Duvall, eds. ~ 225 pages selected.

Prerequisite:

• BI-1303 New Testament Survey

3 credit course

Study of the Book of Acts and Paul and his teaching.

Contents of the course

• Acts
• Paul's life and ministry
• Paul's teaching

Texts for the course:

• The Bible. A translation in your native language is preferred. An English Bible as a reference.
• The Baker Illustrated Bible Handbook - J.D. Hays and J.S. Duvall, eds. ~ 210 pages selected.

Prerequisite:

• BI-1303 New Testament Survey

3 credit course

NO NEW ENROLLMENTS

Take these instead:

BI-10303 The Pentateuch

BI-20103 OT Historical Books

Courses BI-3103 to 3403 guide a student to read through and study the whole Bible using an one-volume commentary. Bible reading can be done in one's native language (strongly recommended). Issues of Biblical interpretation related to texts and genres under the study are also covered.

Each course (BI-3103-3403) covers a particular section of the Bible. The sections are:

- Historical Books of the Old Testament (BI-3103, this course)
- Wisdom, Poetry and the Prophets in the Old Testament (BI-3203)
- Gospels and Acts (BI-3203)
- Letters and the Revelation (BI-3203)

This course will acquaint the student with the actual text and narrative of the Scriptures, provides socio-historical background for Biblical text, and addresses some key exegetical issues.

There will be brief reflective summary papers around specific themes. The student does journaling during the course. The main objective, however, is to read the Bible with a good non-technical commentary and get aquainted with the contents of the Bible.

Required texts for the course are the following:

• The Bible. Student's preferred translation into one's native language. (NIV or TNIV is seminary's standard English Bible.)
• How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth - Gordon D.  Fee & Douglas Stuart 1981/2002.
• The Baker Illustrated Bible Commentary  - Gary M. Burge & Andrew E. Hill, eds. 2012.
  

3 credit course

This course is an orientation course for the whole M.A. program. We are going to study

• the role of theology and a theologian in the church,
• the nature of theological study,
• the role of theology in the context of world Christianity,
• the need and method of exegetical theology,
• the practice of expository preaching in delivery of theological messages, and
• principles of writing scholarly essays, papers, and dissertations.

Texts for the course:

• Who Needs Theology? An Invitation To The Study Of God - Grenz & Olson 2006.
• The New Global Mission: The Gospel From Everywhere To Everyone - Samuel Escobar 2006.*
• Toward an Exegetical Theology: Biblical Exegesis for Preaching and Teaching - Walter C. Kaiser Jr. 1998.*
• Christ-Centered Preaching: Redeeming the Expository Sermon - Bryan Chapell 2005.*
• Quality Research Papers: For Students Of Religion And Theology - Nancy Vyhmeister 2008.*
• How to Read Bible for all of Its Worth- Gordon Fee & Douglas Stuart 1992/2002

* selected chapters

3 credit course

An Introduction to the New Testament focuses on "special introduction" that is historical questions dealing with authorship, date, sources, purpose, destination, and so forth. The course ensures that the New Testament books will be accurately understood within historical settings. For each New Testament document, the course provides a substantial summary of that book’s content, discuss the book’s theological contribution to the overall canon, and give an account of current studies on that book, including recent literary and social-science approaches to interpretation.

Texts for the course:

• An Introduction to the New Testament, 2nd ed.  - Carson & Moo 2005.

3 credit course

In the New Testament theology we study theologies of the New Testament:

• The synoptic gospels
• The fourth gospel
• The primitive church
• Paul
• Hebrews and the general epistles
• The Apocalypse

Text for the course:

• A Theology of the New Testament, rev. ed. - George E. Ladd 1993.

Prerequisite:

• BI-5103 Introduction to the New Testament

3 credit course

This course studies Jesus from perspective in which a proper historical context is used to understand the historical Jesus and the gospels. The course includes:

• Disperate views about Jesus
• The character of the Gospels
• What we learn about Jesus from the Best Sources
• The whole gospel in historical scrutiny
  

Text for the course:

• Historical Jesus of the Gospels, rev. ed. - Craig S. Keener 2012.

Prerequisites:

• BI-5103 Introduction to the New Testament
• BI-6103 New Testament Theology
  

3 credit course

• The nature and purpose of Historical Theology 
  
• The Patristic Period (c. 100-450)
  
• The Middle Ages and the Renaissance (c. 500-1500)
  
• The Reformation and Post-Reformation Periods (c. 1500-1750)
  
• The Modern Period (c. 1750-Present Day)
  
• Three basic models of Christian theology throughout the history
  

Required texts for the course:

• Historical Theology, 2nd Ed - Alister E. McGrath, Wiley-Blackwell 2012
  
• Christian Thought Revisited, Revised Edition - Justo L. Gonzalez, Orbis 1999
  

Prerequisite:

• CH-4002 Church History (or equivalent)
  

3 credit course

This course builds on the doctrines of God and Revelation, as studied in the previous course. The main doctrines and themes studied in this course are:

• Humanity
• Sin
• Jesus Christ
• Salvation

Main text for the course:

• Evangelical Theology - 
• A Biblical And Systematic Introduction - 
• Michael F. Bird 
2013.
• Selection of other contemporary systematic theologies

Prerequisites:

• PS-5003 Orientation to Theological Studies
• BI-6003 Old Testament Theology
• BI-6103 New Testament Theology
  
• BI-7003 Paul's Theology
• ST-5103 Systematic Theology I

3 credit course

This course studies intellectual coherence of and current debates in evangelical theology.

Required texts for the course:

• A Passion for Truth - Alister McGrath, 1996
• Across the Spectrum, 2nd Ed - Boyd & Eddy, 2009

• ST-5003 Historical Theology
• ST-5103 Systematic Theology I
• ST-5203 Systematic Theology II
• ST-5303 Systematic Theology III

3 credit course

The entire Bible is generated by and is all about God's mission. Themes studied in this course are:

• Missional Hermeneutic
• The God of Mission
• The People of Mission
• The Arena of Mission

Main text for the course:

• The Mission of God: Unlocking the Bible's Grand Narrative - Christopher J.H. Wright, IVP Academic 2006.
  

Prerequisites:

• PS-5003 Orientation to Theological Studies
• BI-6003 Old Testament Theology
• BI-6103 New Testament Theology
  
• BI-7003 Paul's Theology
• ST-5103 Systematic Theology I
• ST-5203 Systematic Theology II
• ST-5303 Systematic Theology III

3 credit course

A course on world religions. Thorough and up-to-date review of major world religions. Also, students will become familiar with the study of religions.

There are three main parts in the course:

• Understanding study of world religions
• Overview of contemporary study of world religions from evangelical perspective
• Concentration on one religion or topic related to the study of religions

Main text for the course:

• Understanding World Religions. Irving Hexham, 2011.

3 credit course

Ensimmäinen Mooseksen kirja eli Genesis kertoo maailman luomisesta sekä ihmisen, perheen, kulttuurin ja pelastuksen lähtökohdista.

Kurssimateriaalit:

• Sana Elämään: 1.Mooseksen kirja, s. 2-113, Aikamedia 2018
• Raamattu Avautuu I - Vanha Testamentti: 1.Mooseksen kirja, s. 17-74, TV7 Kustannus 2017
• Videot linkitetty kurssisivulle
  

Suoritettava ennen kurssin aloittamista:

• ei ennakkovaatimuksia

2 opintopistettä

This is a preparatory course for those students who need to write a thesis as part of their degree program.

The goal of this course is to present philosophy to newcomers as a living discipline with historical roots. The course also traces a developmental progression of thought that introduces basic philosophical methods and frames issues that remain relevant today. These include philosophy of science and philosophy of mind, areas where philosophy has shown dramatic recent progress.

African Christian Apologetics is the application of Africans' socio-cultural, religio-cultural, socio-economic, and socio-political realities to the art and science of apologetics. In this course, the student will be introduced to the philosophical world of Christian apologetics in Africa and the issues that underlie such a discipline.

There are a great many religions being practiced as you read this sentence. Each has its way of interpreting and responding to the world. Expressed in rites and rituals, institutions and practices, each has a view of what there is—of the cosmos as a whole and of the role and status of persons in it. Taken seriously, these views have implications for most if not all of life. Some practice withdrawing from the world, looking internally into oneself for answers to questions as to what one is and how one may flourish. Others look to a community for such answers. Many if not all treat verbal traditions or oral texts, or both, as being at least helpful and more likely authoritative in terms of discerning a proper path in life. Among these religions, we will consider four examples. Each includes a view of what there is (metaphysics), of how it may be known (epistemology), and of what has deep value (value theory, including ethics). Our choices are cross-cultural and intended to be representative of two diverse sorts of religious traditions. No disrespect is intended to any religious tradition in this selection. The field is too vast to cover in one volume, and one cannot help being selective. The idea is to provide very diverse samples.

This is an introductory advanced course on Biblical Hebrew. The course introduces the student to the basic aspects of the Hebrew language, the major language of the Old Testament, the Hebrew alphabet (alef-bet), basic grammatical rules, verbs, tenses, etc. This is part one of a two-part course and students will be able to read, write, and make meaningful transitions of the Hebrew Old Testament.