Asian and Third World Theology
This course is a critical survey of theologies in Asia, including the Philippines . It also surveys African and Latin American theologies.
Prerequisite: Theology 1
Building Christian Communities
This course will introduce students to a range of models of Christian community from the Early Church, Monasticism, the Anabaptists, Moravians, and contemporary Christian communities such as Catholic Covenant Communities, L'Arche, Sojourners, House Churches, and the Base Ecclesial Communities. It will provide perspectives for evaluation and determining general applicability and will identify ways in which Christian communities are developed and maintained.
Church History
This course presents a broad panorama of church history from the apostolic age to the present, highlighting key people, events, and issues, as well as illustrating and assessing our Christian heritage.
Doing Local Theology
This course emphasizes indigenous practical theology. During the course, participants identify or generate data, apply a method of interpreting that data, and present a paper on the findings. A seminar paper either on a cultural contribution to understanding a Christian concept or a pertinent local phenomenon is required. Prerequisites: Hermeneutics and Theology 1
Earthkeeping: A Theology and Stewardship of the Environment in the Philippine Setting
This course is an interdisciplinary approach to the responsible use, care, and enjoyment of creation. The course will survey the biblical and theological materials on humanity's relationship to nature, present and evaluate current environmental concerns in the Philippines and the world, and lay a foundation toward a spirituality and ethics of the environment.
Ethics
This course is a seminar/workshop on the theology and practice of moral decision-making within Asian culture and the Christian tradition, seeking to answer the question: "How will an Asian evangelical Christian worker do what is right?" The course trains students to develop their own ethical value framework and to develop ethical perspectives which are both true to Scripture and applicable to their own cultural and ministerial contexts. Prerequisite: Hermeneutics
Evangelical-Roman Catholic Dialogue and Witnessing
This course is a practical theology of dialogue and witness to Filipino Roman Catholics. After exploring the theological basis for the course, students will examine newer resources and developments in understanding and witnessing to Roman Catholics. On the whole, dialogue will be seen as an integral form of Christian witness. Here dialogue is best understood not simply as witnessing, but also as cooperating with and learning from Roman Catholics about public life and spiritual matters.
Spiritual Theology
Early Christian theology took the form of what we call today “Spiritual Theology,” which is, a reflection of the Christian's experience of knowing and following God in Christ through the Holy Spirit in the light of the biblical revelation. As a particular discipline of theology, the course studies and seeks to apply contemporaneously the different spiritual practices and theologies in the Judeo-Christian tradition. We will also explore a contextual (Filipino) approach and expression of the experience and theology of the Christian spiritual life.
Historical Theology
T his course presents a broad panorama of the history of theology from the second century to the present, highlighting key theologians, theological themes, and theological movements or schools of thought. The purpose of this course is to help one better understand and appreciate Christian tradition and apply insights gleaned from it toward the formation of a vital Christian life and an effective Christian ministry. Prerequisite: Church History
Theology 1
This course is a critical reflection on the nature of theology, the being of the self-revealing God and His relationship to His creatures, and the inspiration and authority of the Bible. An evaluative treatment of the basic tenets of the Evangelical tradition will also be discussed. Prerequisite: Hermeneutics
Theology 2
This course examines the nature of humanity made in the image of God, the nature and effects of sin in our relationship to God, society and self, and the person and work (salvation) of Jesus Christ. Emphasis is given to the Evangelical view and its application to the Asian context. Prerequisite: Theology 1
Theology 3
This course studies the role of the Holy Spirit in the believer's spiritual maturity, the nature and purpose of Christ's church, and the consummation of history. In each of these areas, specific issues relevant to the Asian context are emphasized. Prerequisite: Theology 1
Theology Internship
This course involves the practice of theological reflection skills in a specific target community context. Ideally, the student is expected to do field work and theological reflection during an extended stay in a target community under the direction of a field supervisor, who is a resident theological practitioner in the target community, and a mentor, who is a faculty member of ATS. Prerequisite: Doing Local Theology
Transformation Theology
This multi-disciplinary course engages the student in a praxis-reflection on the church's role and task in society, with particular input from and output to the areas of biblical studies, theology, Christian education, missions, pastoral studies, and Christian counseling. The seminar course exposes the student to the realities of present society; provides a biblical and theological framework to help understand how social and cultural change takes place; equips students with the basic tools for doing theology, social analysis and cultural analysis; and involves students in an ongoing reflection on the problems and issues confronting the Christian church in Asia while empowering them to develop solutions. Throughout the course students are expected to do field work in a chosen target community as well as participate in community outreach programs sponsored by the seminary. Prerequisite: Hermeneutics
