THL 105   Life of Christ   3 Units

This course provides an introduction to Christianity through the life and work of Christ. It begins with the study of Jesus in the Gospels and then moves into the rest of Scripture. The theological, historical, and cultural background and significance of Christ will be examined. The unity and reliability of Scripture will also be addressed. This course is designed primarily for the student who has had little or no contact with Western culture, and no formal education or exposure to Christian doctrine and practice. Departmental approval is required to register for this course.

THL 201   History and Literature of the Old Testament   3 Units

This course will investigate the literature of the Old Testament in light of its cultural and canonical contexts with an emphasis on its major theological questions and themes and their relevance for Christian faith and life.

THL 202   History and Literature of the New Testament   3 Units

Through a historical and literary survey of the New Testament, this course will emphasize theological themes and their relevance for Christian faith and life.

THL 222   Christian Witness and Evangelism   1 Unit

This course will introduce students to the theology and practice of Christian evangelism through the development of the skills needed to share the Gospel with others within a North American context.

THL 281   Introduction to Worship Arts   1 Unit

This course will provide an overview of the contemporary worship arts profession and its methods and principles including the study and evaluation of worship services in churches of various sizes and denominations; technologies, equipment, and tools that support worship arts programming; common worship band principles; approaches used in service planning; and the use of dance, drama, and visual arts.

THL 304   History of the Christian Church   3 Units

This course will survey the origin and development of the Christian church through the examination of its political and cultural contexts and influences with special consideration given to theological themes which surfaced at different times and places throughout the history of the Christian church, culminating with 21st century trends in fundamentalism, evangelicalism, and ecumenism.

THL 311   Old Testament Book of the Bible   3 Units

This course will offer an in-depth study of a single book of the Old Testament or several books in their entirety which will vary from offering to offering and be selected by the instructor. Prerequisite: THL 201 or consent of instructor. This course may be repeated for credit if a different book is studied.

THL 312   New Testament Book of the Bible   3 Units

This course will offer an in-depth study of a single book of the New Testament or several smaller books in their entirety which will vary from offering to offering and be selected by the instructor. Prerequisite: THL 202 or consent of instructor. This course may be repeated for credit if a different book is studied.

THL 351   Patristic and Medieval Christianity   3 Units

With an emphasis on the major themes in the history of Christian thought beginning with the church fathers, this course will look at the medieval thinkers and culminate with the work of St. Thomas.

THL 355   The Reformation   3 Units

This course will introduce students to the social, political, and intellectual context of the various 16th century reformations of the church in Europe as well as the events, ideas, and implications of these reform movements with attention given to both the "magisterial" and "radical" Protestant and Catholic reformations.

THL 358   Contemporary Church History   3 Units

After a survey of the 18th and 19th century, this course will focus on theological thought after Protestant liberalism and up to the present day with some time devoted to conservative responses.

THL 368   Lutheran Confessions   3 Units

A study of the Augsburg Confession, The Apology of the Augsburg Confession, Luther’s Large and Small Catechisms, The Smalcald Articles, The Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope and the Formula of Concord in terms of their historical setting and their theological content. Explores the relationship of the Confessions to Scripture, and the confessional application of their teaching in the 21st century context.

THL 371   Christian Doctrine and Confessions I   3 Units

This introductory course in systematic and confessional theology will cover theological method, revelation and Scripture, Law and Gospel, the Triune God and His attributes, humanity and sin, and the person and work of Jesus Christ as the God-man, with an emphasis on key biblical material and its expression in the Lutheran Confessions.

THL 372   Christian Doctrine and Confessions II   3 Units

This introductory course in systematic and confessional theology will cover the work of Christ, the person and the work of the Holy Spirit, the church and eschatology with an emphasis on key biblical materials and its expression in the Lutheran Confessions. Prerequisite: THL 371.

THL 381   Worship Arts Ministry   3 Units

This course will look at the theology, methods, and principles for leading a worship arts ministry including the evaluation and development of working definitions for 'contemporary' worship; planning worship services for varied congregational settings; worship ministry in the context of congregational change; values that shape worship ministry programming; the role of technology; and the application of a theology of worship in cultivating a character of leadership.

THL 382   Corporate Worship   3 Units

Through an examination of the theology of corporate worship as it is taught in Scripture, the Lutheran Confessions, and how it has developed throughout the history of the church, this course will look at the criteria for preparing and evaluating worship services in today’s church. Prerequisite: CTHL 101 or CTHL 200 or equivalent.

THL 390   Practicum: Theology   1-4 Units

This course is a practical, hands-on experience outside the classroom directly related to the student's major, minor or professional program that is a beneficial complement to the student's academic experience.

THL 395   Preparing for Mission and Service   1 Unit

This course focuses on the tasks of Christian witness and service as aspects of discipleship. It introduces students to theological and practical skills which are essential for responsible mission work, especially as that work relates to and is distinguished from service work. It is a prerequisite for all students who will be participating in Concordia University Irvine-sponsored mission or service trips. It is also required for those seeking the Great Commission Certificate.

THL 399A   Special Topics in Exegetical Theology   3 Units

This course will examine a special topic in exegetical, systematic, or historical theology.

THL 399B   Special Topics in Systematic Theology   3 Units

This course will examine a special topic in exegetical, systematic, or historical theology.

THL 399C   Special Topics in Historical Theology   3 Units

This course will examine a special topic in exegetical, systematic, or historical theology.

THL 401   Introduction to Theological Research   2 Units

This course will examine the essential methods and resources for the academic study of theology with attention given to research methods for projects that do not require an academic thesis. Procedures for identifying, proposing, researching, organizing, writing, and defending the thesis or project will be covered as students are guided in beginning their research. Students will be provided with a personal copy of Logos Bible software. Course software fee $400.

THL 429   Biblical Theology and Exegesis   3 Units

Through an intensive study of the major themes of the Old and New Testaments, this course will introduce and apply the tools and principles of exegesis and hermeneutics with special emphasis on deriving Law and Gospel principles for use in congregational ministry. Prerequisites: THL 201 and THL 202 or concurrent enrollment allowed.

THL 430   Christian Apologetics   3 Units

The relationship of the Christian faith to the major philosophies and ideologies that conflict with Christianity will be evaluated from the 2nd century to the present in this course. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing or consent of instructor.

THL 463   Readings in Classical Christian Thought   3 Units

Selected primary source readings in Western Christianity including Augustine (Confessions), Life of St. Antony, selected Western mystics, St. Anselm, St. Thomas Aquinas, Luther, Calvin and Wesley will be studied in this course. Prerequisite: (CTHL 101 or CTHL 200) and junior standing, or consent of instructor.

THL 465   Christians and Ethics   3 Units

Through an exploration of morality and ethics in light of what Scripture teaches, this course will orient students to the main approaches, both traditional and contemporary, of non-biblical philosophical ethics as they learn how the Christian faith interacts with these approaches. The significance of the Lutheran confessional distinction between God's left and right hand rule will also be explored. Student research and presentations on contemporary ethical issues are usually included. Prerequisite: (CTHL 101 or CTHL 200) and junior standing, or consent of instructor.

THL 481   The Mission of Christ’s Church   3 Units

This course will provide an overview of the theology and practice of Christian missions including the historical development, missionary methods, evangelism programs, and paradigm shifts, to develop the skills needed to share the Gospel with others.