Curriculum Detail

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Theology

  • Apologetics

    This course is a thorough introduction to Christian apologetics and is meant to equip the student to declare the Christian truth with integrity and clarity and to defent Christian truth with scholarship and boldness. The course will help the student inter

  • Christianity and Ethics

    The first semester of this course focuses on the metanarrative of Scripture as it reveals God's plan for the redemption of humanity through the mission of Jesus, the nature of the Kingdom of Heaven, and how that Kingdom spreads through the diversity of human experience. With insights drawn from anthropology, intercultural communication, and the cultural context of the New Testament, students will come to appreciate Christianity's dynamic interaction with the cultural distinctives of the nations of the world. The second semester will focus on the application of biblical hermeneutics in the formation of ethical responses to modern social justice issues. With an emphasis on Christian responsibility to further the cause of Christ, students will develop the tools to engage with and evaluate familiar ethical dilemmas common to the modern experience.

    Prerequisite: Theology III

  • Church History

    This course is intended to serve as a senior theology elective, and is designed to introduce students to the history of Christianity, the development of key Christian doctrines, and to a selection of primary theological texts. The course begins with the Resurrection and continues roughly to the present. It approaches the history of Christianity in its human dimension as it unfolded over time through the central theological questions of the various periods under study. However, it also assumes that God was directly involved in and led that history and seeks to understand Church history as a divine-human interaction. Students will also have a chance to explore both the broad tradition of Christianity and their own specific traditions as they finish their high school education and prepare for the challenges of college.

  • Humanities & Theo 1

    This is the first course in the Oliver Honors Institute and receives both Theology and English elective credit. Students will read the Torah and Gospels while engaging in biblical history, fundamentals of exegesis, and corresponding great works. Corresponding classical texts will include The Peloponnesian War by Thucydides, The Iliad and Odyssey by Homer, The Trial and Death of Socrates by Plato, The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius, The Aeneid by Virgil, Metamorphoses by Ovid, and Julius Caesar by Shakespeare. In following the Oxford tutorial model, students will display mastery of theological, biblical, historical, and literary concepts through essays, Socratic dialogue, and formal debate.

    Prerequisites: Program admission, Honors English approval, 3.7 GPA, a writing sample, and 6-9 English score on the ISEE.

  • Humanities & Theo 2

    This is the second course in the Oliver Honors Institute and receives both Theology and Honors English elective credit. Students will read the Old Testament prophets and New Testament epistles while engaging biblical history, fundamentals of exegesis, and corresponding great works. Corresponding classical texts will include The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith, City of God by Augustine, Meditations by Descartes, The Divine Comedy by Dante, Les Miserables by Hugo, and the Small and Large Catechisms of Martin Luther. In following the Oxford tutorial model, students will display mastery of theological, biblical, historical, and literary concepts through essays, Socratic dialogue, and formal debate.

    Prerequisites: Successful completion of Humanities and Theology 1 with a grade of B or better. Honors English approval and 3.7 GPA

  • Humanities & Theo 3

    This is the third course in the Oliver Honors Institute and receives both Theology and Honors English elective credit.
    Students will read the Old Testament latter prophets and writings, as well as New Testament epistles and Revelation.
    While reading the biblical texts, students will engage biblical history, fundamentals of exegesis, and corresponding great
    works. Corresponding classical texts will include The Republic by Plato, The Brothers Karamazov and Crime and
    Punishment by Dostoyevsky, A Practical View of Christianity by William Wilberforce, Religious Affections by Jonathan
    Edwards, Leaves of Grass by Whitman, and Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. In following the Oxford tutorial model,
    students will display master of theological, biblical, historical, and literary concepts through essays, Socratic dialogue,
    and formal debate.

    Prerequisites: Successful completion of Humanities and Theology 2 with a grade of B or better. Honors English approval and 3.7 GPA.

  • Humanities & Theo 4

    This Humanities survey will cover the mythological foundations and features of post-modernity including Existentialism, religious ecumenicalism, models of political progress, and the meta-narrative of scientific materialism. Students will understand the structure, purpose, and common features of post-modern mythology as it relates to the lived experience of personal philosophy, religion, politics, and science. Students will articulate and understand Jean-Luc Nancy, Claude Lévi-Strauss, and Sigmund Freud's theories of mythology and how they provide insights into reading ancient and modern mythologies with accuracy. Cultural similarities and differences in post-modern mythologies will be highlighted and explored through comparative readings of works including The Waste Land, As I Lay Dying, Briefer History of Time, and selected passages from Jewish and Christian religious texts. Students will also understand the scientific, political, and ethical transformations that provide the historical context for the post-modern mythologies and literature they will explore through readings of Darwin, Chesterton, and Orwell among others.

    Prerequisites: Successful completion of Humanities and Theology 3 with a grade of B or better. Honors English approval and 3.7 GPA.

  • Missiology

    With an emphasis on our ministry of reconciliation, this course will equip the students to effectively respond to injustices around the world and serve in cross-cultural settings. The course enables students to encounter and understand human differences within local communities through the combined study of topics in applied anthropology and the development of cross-cultural relationships. Insights are also drawn from ethnography, intercultural communication, and missiology. 

  • Pastoral Theo & Ministry Team

    This course prepares students who are interested in vocational ministry by exploring issues of identity, family history, vocation, calling, spiritual formation, doctrines of God, and different systems of religious thought that shape our current cultural context. A significant amount of time in the class is devoted to studying the student’s family system and how that has shaped their understanding of theology and spirituality. Additionally, a main Scriptural focus of this class is the Sermon on the Mount. By the end of the course, students will have begun the process of addressing three of the most important questions in life: Who am I?, Who is God?, and Who is my neighbor? 

    Prerequisite: There is an application process and interview. The class  is only open to Juniors and Seniors who have been selected.

  • Philosophy

    This course is academically rigorous. This class introduces students to philosophical topics discussed in an introductory college Philosophy course. Students will be introduced to philosophical terms, historical and contemporary arguments, and key contributors to the field of philosophy. Students will explore metaphysics, epistemology, aesthetics, philosophical theology, and ethics. Each student will develop a framework within which to reflect upon his/her own philosophy of life and be better prepared to engage in critical thinking and philosophical discussions with other students and faculty at the college level. 

    Prerequisite: Theology III

  • Theology 1: Jesus & The Gospels

    This course covers the major themes and narrative development of each Gospel on its own terms. Major focuses of the class include the following: the reliability of the Gospel record, epistemology and miracles, the kingdom of God, basic orthodox doctrines found in the gospels, teach about discipleship. Additionally, this class will encourage students to integrate what they are learning cognitively about the faith with a developing relationship with the living Christ.

  • Theology 2: Old Testament Theology

    This course focuses primarily on the Old Testament. The first semester will concentrate on the Pentateuch, beginning with a Biblical account of the creation of the world and the origin of man, and continuing on to the birth of the Israelite nation and their exodus from Egypt. The second semester will focus on the rest of the Old Testament including the Wisdom books and the Prophets, as well as the history of the Israelite nation from its entrance into the Promised Land through its destruction, exile, and eventual restoration and return to the Promised Land. An additional goal of this class is to discuss how the Old and New Testament fit together in the salvation story, and to provide opportunities for students to deepen their relationship with Christ through their studies of His word. 

    Prerequisite: Theology I

  • Theology 3: New Testament Theology

    This is the third course in the Oliver Honors Institute and receives both Theology and Honors English elective credit. Students will read the Old Testament latter prophets and writings, as well as New Testament epistles and Revelation. While reading the biblical texts, students will engage biblical history, fundamentals of exegesis, and corresponding great works. Corresponding classical texts will include The Republic by Plato, The Brothers Karamazov and Crime and Punishment by Dostoyevsky, A Practical View of Christianity by William Wilberforce, Religious Affections by Jonathan Edwards, Leaves
    of Grass by Whitman, and Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. In following the Oxford tutorial model, students will display master of theological, biblical, historical, and literary concepts through essays, Socratic dialogue, and formal debate.
     
    Prerequisites:     Successful completion of Humanities and Theology 2 with a grade of B or better. Honors English approval
    and 3.7 GPA.

  • Theology and Literature

    this course will provide students with orthodox frameworks for identifying and understanding the theologies of literary works. Students will gain foundational theological knowledge and will acquire literary and theological analytical skills. With readings from both theology and literature, students will udnerstand the importance of orthodoxy in offering relevant apologetics to the questions raised by modern culture.

    Prerequisite: III

  • Theology and the Arts

    This course is designed to help students who are passionate about art, develop an understanding of what it means to be both a follower of Jesus Christ and an artist at the same time. The course will explore the role Christian theology has played in the development of art, as well as the role of art in the development of Christian theology. Througout the course, students will deepen their approach to life by analyzing both visual and performing arts from a biblical perspective. In addition to classroom instruction, students, will explore both the sacred and the secular art world through field trips and hear from various speakers who are making their way as Christian artists.

    Prerequisite: Theology III and two years of visual and/or performing arts courses.

  • Theology Practicum

    This course prepares students who are interested in vocational ministry by exploring issues of identity, family history, vocation, calling, spiritual formation, doctrines of God, and different systems of religious thought that shape our current cultural context.

  • Theology, Reconciliation, & Formation

    Embark on a transformative journey as this course delves into Christ’s ministry of reconciliation and God’s call to engage
    in biblical justice. Engaging in theological conversations, we explore diversity as a reflection of God’s image, equity as an
    expression of God’s desire for human flourishing, and the inclusive nature of God’s mission to restore Creation. Through
    a comprehensive exploration of Christ-centered leadership, students will acquire tools to become catalysts for justice,
    reconciliation, and inclusive community building. Designed to equip students for impactful leadership in justice and
    reconciliation across diverse settings, this course offers a transformative learning experience.

    Prerequisites: Senior-level CARE Team members. There is an application and interview process.

  • World Religions

    This course is an introduction to the study of major worldviews, philosophies, religious traditions, and contemporary practices such as, but not limited to, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism, Islam, and Judaism. Students will explore the diverse human nature to assign and extract meaning to narratives, stories, symbols, rituals, ideas, and ethical practices through the lens of orthodox Christianity. In doing so, students will be provided with a distinctively Christian framework within which to reflect on their own journey to Christ, as well as a deeper appreciation to the diversity and commonalities of religious life in various cultures and periods. 

    Prerequisite: Theology III

  • Worship Design

    This course introduces students to the history and traditions of church music and culture, develop the tools needed to minister effectively in an ever-changing music ministry environment, and cultivate a richer imagination for worship while gaining deeper insights into the nature of God and the worshiping community. Coursework addresses various theological and operational elements of worship from 300 AD through the present. This course will work alongside the Ministry Team to help design integrated and holistic weekly chapels, as well as help focus the overall vision of spiritual life at Maranatha.
    Students will engage in unique forums led by professionals dedicated to worship arts and sacramental leadership, vocational formation, community building, mission, songwriting, and studio recording.


    Note: This course is for driven and passionate juniors and seniors who want to use their gifts to help guide their
    community into an artistic, imaginative, and theologically rich relationship with God, and the Body of Christ.

Faculty