Biblical Theology of Holiness
BITH 612
Summary
Explore the Biblical Theology of Holiness course and what you can expect to learn through the semester.
Course Overview
Using biblical-theological methods, students in this course will study Old and New Testament teachings on holiness, God’s ethical expectations, humanity’s problem, and God’s solution.
Attention is given to evaluating systematic-theological articulations of the doctrine of holiness from a biblical-theological standpoint.
Textbooks
- See the current booklist.
Note
This course is the capstone for both MA degrees. As such, enrollment is limited to second-year graduate students (or equivalent).
Professor: Dr. Philip Brown
Assignment Overview
Weekly readings are assigned.
Each week the professor meets with the class via live synchronous Google Hangout to discuss the material assigned for that week.
Students will read and critique presentations of the doctrine of entire sanctification; of sanctification as a whole; of sin; and of inherited depravity.
There are several major projects, including a survey of every instance of each word in the semantic domain of holiness and several research papers.
Intended Outcomes
Knowledge of
- the contexts, senses, and significance of the Old and New Testament vocabulary for holiness.
- the key texts and contexts addressing the fallen human condition.
- the relationship of holiness vocabulary to biblical ethical expectations.
- the relationships between New Testament texts on being filled with the Holy Spirit, consecration, and the fallen human condition.
- the methodological and practical relationships between the four domains of theology in studying the doctrine of holiness.
Unashamed
- Motivation to pursue holiness personally and to challenge others to pursue it as well.
Appreciation for
- the clarity provided by use of biblical-theological methods of analysis.
- the coherence of Scripture’s metaphors for sanctification.
- the contribution each theological domain brings to one’s understanding of doctrine.
Ability to
- write a graduate-level critical review of a published essay.
- apply biblical-theological methods to subjects outside the scope of this course.
- articulate the biblical doctrine of sanctification, including the relations of positional, personal, corporate, initial, progressive, and entire sanctification.
- teach others how believers pursue holiness both personally and corporately.