Courses
The College @ WBS has established a rigorous and robust curriculum that prepares students to engage the world around them with the truth of the gospel. These courses have been carefully selected to prepare you for the call that God has on your life.
Foundations
The Foundations courses will prepare you to understand the big ideas that have shaped the world. Through a rigorous study of literature, history, philosophy, and society, you will be prepared to engage the world for Christ.
The courses in this section are listed below.
Communication + Literature
This course prepares students to engage their surrounding culture by building foundational writing skills. Grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure are considered as tools for effective written communication. The course addresses the writing process itself, emphasizing the importance of analysis and revision of one’s own work. Particular attention is given to forming and defending a thesis statement through careful word choice, paragraph structure, and the logical flow of an argument. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to express and defend their opinions through writing, and their writing will be characterized by clarity and precision.
Public speaking is a course in the fundamentals of speaking with emphasis on the effective presentation of ideas and major types of speeches
Building on the skills developed in English Composition I, this course challenges students to a deeper level of communication and scholarly engagement. Attention is given to both writing and reading at an academic level. This course teaches basic research skills, giving students practice in finding, evaluating, synthesizing, and citing various sources on a given topic. The writing assignments in this course are designed to prepare students for well documented academic writing as well as for writing in various ministry contexts. Additionally, this course equips students to read quickly and effectively to respond critically to what they are reading. Pre-requisite: COM 101.
Christian Literary Classics introduces students to some of the most important Christian writings —creative literature, philosophical treatises, and theologically important biographies and autobiographies — outside of the Bible itself. The course survey of writings will vary from year to year but will include always writings spanning the early Christian Era of the 4th and 5th centuries, the medieval writings of Christians, the literature of the English and American revival movements, and major Christian figures of the 20th century.
Western Literature is a course that introduces students to a broad survey of texts, literary and philosophical, which trace the development of the modern world from the seventeenth to the early twentieth century. The focus of the course is to help students think critically about the values reflected by the creative and philosophical writings of various historical eras. As well, students will be challenged to appreciate and understand ways that ideas develop and change over time and how imagination, moral clarity, and worldview shape writing.
Engaging the World
Introduction to Philosophical Thought presents the study of critical questions about what is true and how we can know truth, what makes the world exist, what human nature is and capable of, whether or not God’s existence and attributes can be demonstrated by reason, and how to practice critical thinking skills and avoid logical fallacies. The method for studying these areas will involve a historical survey of major and foundational philosophers from the Ancient Greek world up until the 20th century. While this will be a survey course, the studies will focus each year on about 15 major thinkers and 6 major issues to give focus to the course. Prerequisite: HFA 203
This course surveys the basic concepts physical science, environmental science, chemistry, biology, and genetics. In this course a focus is also given to evaluating sources of scientific information pertaining to Christian doctrine and belief for credibility, including the portrayal of science in the media
Math for Organizational Leadership focuses on the mathematical skills and procedures necessary for leading a ministry; These skills include doing payroll; managing a retirement plan; and securing insurance. Proper methods for keeping financial reports, fund-raising, collecting funds, and filing taxes.
Psychology presents students with a broad introduction to the field of psychology. Critical and central historical figures in the development of this discipline, along with the diverse theoretical perspectives they represent will be foundational to the course. As well, students will be introduced to important research findings that have shaped some of the major areas of contemporary psychology. As a course that examines the research methods and theories utilized by psychologists across these areas to study the origins and variations in human behavior, it will always be focused on evaluation of the theoretical insights and actual practices of psychology from a Christian worldview perspective.
Leadership is a key component in ministry fulfillment. All levels of ministry, from discipleship to pastoring are leadership positions. This course will examine the personal and professional requirements for leading in the Church.
Emphasizes the healthy nuclear family and how to make good choices to maximize the family’s influence for the Kingdom of God. Special attention is given to parental leadership in the challenging contemporary culture.
Western Civilization surveys the historical development of the different regimes, societies, and cultures (including religious and philosophical ideas) and the west’s relationships with other societies and cultures from the ancient world to the Scientific Revolution. The topics of study will involve Ancient Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, the development of Christianity, the development of the Islamic World, the Byzantine Empire, Medieval Europe, the Mongolian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, the Renaissance, the Reformation, the English revolutions of the 1600s, the Scientific Revolution, and the development of the nationstates in Europe, continuing until the late 20th century. Alway
Foundations of Christianity
Christian Worldview explores and outlines the major components that comprise the view of reality — human existence, the nature of God, the nature of the world in relation to God, the source and nature of evil, the foundation of moral truth, the essence of the human moral failings, and God’s way of dealing with the world. Students will be introduced to major theological figures of the Christian tradition in the ancient and medieval worlds to help them grasp how our faith has developed historically in its understanding of the major components that are studied. A focus will be maintained on the importance of the Christian worldview to be a way of life we live rather than a set of doctrines to be believed. Pre-requisites: FOC 101; FOC 102; FOC 221
Church History is a general survey of the Christian church from the days of Christ and the apostles to the present day, showing the great saints, movements, and doctrines of the church.
This course introduces the student to the books of the Old Testament (OT) and presents the historical background and both the content and arrangement of the individual books and the testament as a whole, including the Pentateuch, the Historical Books, the Writings, and the Prophets. The course combines direct examination of the biblical text, lecture materials, and secondary literature (including textbooks and relevant articles) to expose the student to the individual books of the OT and the OT as a whole. This course provides a foundation upon which to further build knowledge and understanding of the books of the OT.
This course introduces the student to the books of the New Testament (NT) and presents the historical background and both the content and arrangement of the individual books and the testament as a whole, including the Gospels and Acts, the Epistles, and Revelation. The course combines direct examination of the biblical text, lecture materials, and secondary literature (including textbooks and relevant articles) to expose the student to the individual books of the NT and the NT as a whole. This course provides a foundation upon which to further build knowledge and understanding of the books of the NT.
Stresses various practices to strengthen personal discipleship growth and how to extend “the life of God in the soul of the disciple” and in others the discipleship leader shepherds.
Considers the method, place, and importance of biblical theology. Special attention is given to the way in which each part of the Old and New Testaments fits together to complete God’s Biblical self-revelation. Attention is also given to how we should preach and teach from each part today. Pre-requisites: FOC 101; FOC 102
Christian Ethics provides both an introduction to the moral values inherent in the Christian faith but also an overview of various ways that Christian thinkers have conceived of the ethical obligations of human beings across various historical eras. A major focus will be upon discovering goals, duties, and virtues have been primary orientation points for philosophical and theological ethics. Central to the course will be how a Christian ethicist’s stance contrasts or complements other moral viewpoints. Throughout, students will be encouraged to engage critically with the full range of Christian approaches from their respective faith traditions considering the life of Jesus Christ—his conception, birth, suffering, death, and burial. The goal of the course is for students to have a clear foundation and growing understanding of how to help others understand the moral life of a Christian. Prerequisites: HFA 212; FOC 221
Bible and Theology
The Bible and Theology courses build on the courses you will take in the Foundations section.
Bible
This course surveys the corpora of the Pentateuch and the Historical Books. Attention is given to the theological coherence of each book, the socio-historical factors that affected the history of ancient Israel, the culture of ancient Israel, the development of ancient Israel’s historiographic literature, and the dynamics of applying these texts as Scripture. Pre-requisites: FOC 101; FOC 221
This course surveys the entire prophetic corpus (Major and Minor Prophets). Attention is given to the social and historical contexts that affected the prophetic experience, the theological coherence of each book, the development of the prophetic tradition, and the dynamics of applying the prophetic literature as Scripture. Prerequisites: FOC 101; FOC 221
With the aim of helping students to understand, interpret, and apply the content of the OT wisdom literature/poetic books, this course offers an overview of the (1) historical setting, (2) canonical context, (3) literary shape, and (4) theological themes of the poetic books/wisdom literature of the Old Testament. Particular attention is lent to the role of the poetic books in Christian ministry and Christian life and living in a postChristian cultural milieu. This overview will be accomplished through course lectures, readings, class discussion, and practice in exegesis. Pre-requisites: FOC 101; FOC 221
This course provides the student with an opportunity to become familiar with each of the Gospels and the book of Acts. Emphasis will be placed on both the text itself as well as the historical background issues, including firstcentury context for each Gospel and Acts. The course will study each Gospel, both independently and in relation to the other Gospels, as well as the book of Acts (especially in relation to the Gospel of Luke), including the relevant historical context out of which each of the books was likely written. Direct study of the text will be combined with lecture materials, as well as secondary literature about relevant aspects of the Gospels and Acts. Pre-requisites: FOC 102; FOC 221
This course focuses on the books of the New Testament (NT) from Romans through Revelation. The course will provide the student with an opportunity to become familiar with each of the letters of the NT, as well as the book of Revelation, and will also consider each of the letters of Paul in relation to the Pauline Corpus as a whole. Emphasis will be placed on both the text of each of the books and the historical background issues for each book. Direct study of the text will be combined with secondary literature about relevant aspects of each book, and the lecture materials. Pre-requisites: FOC 102; FOC 221
This course introduces the student to an accurate method of studying Scripture appropriate for use in life and ministry. One of the Gospels will serve as text for comprehensive instruction in the basic principles of Inductive Bible Study. Students will survey each section of the chosen Gospel and will analyze the structure and important terms of elected passages. Careful attention is given to application. Emphasis is also put on understanding the role of each passage within the entire Gospel. Pre-requisites: FOC 101; FOC 102; FOC 221
Theology
Systematic Theology is the detailed study of the sources, systems, and methods of Christian theology with specific study in the doctrines of inspiration, canonicity, the Father, the Son, salvation, the Holy Spirit, the Church, and eschatology. Pre-requisites: HFA 212; HFA 232
This course surveys the historical development of Christian doctrine. Special attention is given to the Church Fathers, to the controversies that resulted in the ecumenical creeds, the theological development of Medieval Christendom, the concerns of the Reformation and counter-Reformation, the thinking of the Revivalists, and the issues that have resulted from the Fundamentalist/Modernist conflict of the twentieth century. Emphasis will be placed on the doctrinal development of many of the major themes in Christian theology. Pre-requisites: HFA 203; HFA 212
Integrates the biblical and historical basis of the doctrine of Christian holiness with its experiential reality. Prerequisites: FOC 101; FOC 102; FOC 221
Provides the resources for a fuller understanding of the Wesleyan theological heritage through the study of its spiritual and ideological construction found at the inception of Methodism. Placed in its cultural, theological, and philosophical contexts, both the essential doctrines of early Methodism and the “sane” opinions of John Wesley are to be compared with the affirmations of orthodox Christianity. Pre-requisites: TH 322
Comparative Religions engages in a study of the various world religions and a select group of cults in the western world in order to understand the history and founding figures of the different religious traditions, what different religious traditions actually believe and practice, why they believe these things, and how the Christian religion contrasts to these ways of seeing human existence, understanding the nature of the divine, envision the ultimate destiny of human beings, and provide ethical guidance for persons lives. The course, while it is focused upon a critical evaluation of each of the religious belief systems from a Christian point of view, will help students to learn to engage persons who hold other religious beliefs with respect, generosity, as well as clarity of presentation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Pre-requisites: FOC 222; HFA 212; HFA 232; TH 321
Introduces the basic foundationalist and presuppositionalist approaches to defending and recommending the Christian faith. These approaches are evaluated in terms of their effectiveness in reaching modern and postmodern people with the Gospel. Consideration is also given to the way Christianity addresses the competing ideologies and religions of the contemporary world. This course also surveys different approaches to the task of apologetics. Pre-requisites: FOC 222; HFA 212; HFA 232; TH 321
Ministry
The Ministry courses will prepare you to be an effective Christian leader in the church or other area of Christian ministry.
Communication
Pastoral Practice and Procedure is a study of the various pastoral functions and procedures. Included in the study are weddings, funerals, baptism, dedications, communion, and worship services. Students will have opportunity to practice the ministry procedures taught in this course.
Emphasizes the small discipleship group and how leaders and implement successful use of these groups and effectively evaluate their use. Included in this course is the establishment of a biblical and historical basis for small groups and how these are necessary for the discipleship mandate of the church.
Examines administrative principles for the local church with special attention given vision, mission, goalattainment, finances, evangelism and shepherding the community. Pre-requisite: SBS 201
Examines various strategies to facilitate effective relationships in both lay and staff situations. Common causes of conflict will be explored and how to deal with these inevitable dynamics to strengthen the successful trajectory of the church. Pre-requisite: SBS 102
This course is designed to provide students with an in-depth exposure to the art of preaching. Close attention is given to the theological foundations that undergird the act of preaching, the ecclesiological contexts of preaching, the disciplines that sermon construction employs, and the importance of spiritual formation in the life of the preacher. During this course students will develop the skills necessary for creating various styles of sermons that faithfully and clearly present in creative ways the message of scriptural passages discovered through careful inductive interpretation and proper hermeneutical methods. The learning elements of the class will include lecture presentations, group discussion, analyzing sermons by recognized “master preachers,” exams and essays, along with preaching in the classroom setting.
Provides students the opportunity to practice the art of preaching and to explore the task of planning worship services and leading them. The preaching focus will allow students to sharpen their skills in multiple sermon “styles” and strategies, while the worship aspect of the practicum will give careful attention to the creation and structuring worship events around the “Liturgical calendar” and for a variety of settings and occasions such as weddings, funerals, healing services, revivals, and others. Pre-requisite PM 400
Uses a biblical and psychological understanding of human nature to discover counseling methods appropriate to pastoral ministry. Attention is given to pre-marital, marriage and family counseling, grief, critical age periods, special problems, and the ministry of healing. Pre-requisite: SBS 102
This course allows the student practical supervised ministry opportunities. A semester of a contracted ministry setting, arranged with the course instructor, supervised, and assessed by a supervisor agreed upon by the student and instructor. Pre-requisites: PM 301; PM 311; PM 400
Accreditation
The Association for Biblical Higher Education
Wesley Biblical Seminary is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Association for Biblical Higher Education Commission on Accreditation. The ABHE is the primary accreditor for Bible colleges in the US and Canada.
