Biblical Literature 501 (Genesis - Song of Solomon)
This course in Biblical Literature lays a foundation for further study of the Bible by
introducing the biblical covenants and God's kingdom program. Our examination
of the Pentateuch will focus on the great attributes of God. The historical books will
show how God works among His people. We will conclude with a consideration of
the practical lessons found in the Wisdom Books and Psalms. Four semester
hours credit.
Biblical Literature 502 (Prophets - Gospels)
In this course you will learn the historical background of each of the prophets and
become acquainted with their distinctive contribution and modern relevance. After
examining the prophecies concerning the Messiah, you will see how they are
fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Our focus in the Gospels will be on Matthew and John. Our
study of Jesus' teachings, miracles, and parables will be with a view to present day
application. Four semester hours credit.
Biblical Literature 503 (Acts - Revelation)
This course is designed to facilitate your study of Acts, Paul's Epistles, the General
Epistles and Revelation. Our focus in the early part of the course will be on the
beginnings of the church. As we trace Paul's life, we will study his letters in the
order in which they were written, giving attention to the historical and cultural
settings. Special focus will be given to Paul's great teachings on salvation,
justification, and sanctification. Our attention will then turn to the subject of
eschatology as we examine the General Epistles and Revelation. Four hours credit.
Biblical Culture and Customs (BLS 550)
An understanding of cultural background is essential to accurate exegesis. In this
course, selected elements in the cultural backgrounds of both Testaments are
considered with emphasis upon the culture, customs and institutions that bear most
directly upon the interpretation of the Scriptures. The objective of the course is to
help the student reconstruct the cultural settings of biblical events and thereby more
accurately interpret Scripture.
Understanding Judaism (BLS 561)
Because Christianity is deeply rooted in the Hebrew Scriptures, it is important for
Christians to understand and appreciate the theology, history and customs of
Judaism. This is not an easy task since Judaism has been in transition since its
beginnings. The Judaism of the first century is not equivalent to the beliefs and
practices of the ancient Hebrews living under the First Covenant in the time of
Jesus. And the Judaism of the first century is not the same Judaism of the 20th
century. The concept of "dual Torah" provides the basis for a growing and
developing Judaism. This course will provide a foundation for an understanding
and appreciation of Judaism and Jewish people.
Historical Geography of the Holy Land (BLS 551)
Bible geography is an essential key to understanding biblical history. A knowledge
of Bible geography not only helps one to better understand and interpret the
Scriptures, but it gives the Bible and its history vivid reality, and is a great help to
the memory of the students. This course will introduce the student to the subject of
historical geography by surveying the topography, climate, sites and historical
events associated with the biblical lands of Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Israel.
Apostolic History (BLS 548)
The course is designed to lead the student in a study of the history of the Apostolic
Age. The relationship of the New Testament epistles to each other and to the book
of Acts is studied. Attention is given to the occasion of each epistle, the chronology
of the period, and the interpretation of the difficult passages in Acts.
Revelation (BLS 546)
In this course we will study the text and theology of the Book of Revelation. Great
interest in issues of eschatology is frequently not matched with careful study of
the texts where biblical prophecy is revealed. This course will include an evaluation
of the various interpretive approaches the Revelation and its relationships to other
parts of the Bible. Carefully examining the Old Testament texts which serve as a
basis for the visions and symbolism in Revelation, a careful exposition of
Revelation will be presented. While a pre-tribulational and pre-millennial
eschatology will be embraced and taught in the lectures, attention will be given as
well to other viewpoints. Ultimately the focus of our study will be the person and
work of Christ in prophecy.
Life of Christ (BLS 535)
The life of Jesus Christ is the very foundation of biblical Christianity. This course
is devoted to the study of the life and teachings of Jesus as recorded in the four
Gospels. We will focus on the major events and turning points in His ministry and
provide an interpretation of His parables and discourses. The historical, cultural
and geographical setting will provide a context for our interpretation and
understanding of Jesus' ministry. Two hours credit.
Corinthian Epistles (BLS 540)
In this course we will study the text and theology of the Corinthian Epistles. We
will study each letter in the light of its cultural background so as to clearly
understand the nature of the problems addressed and the solutions offered. In our
study we will give special attention to the major doctrinal themes and ethical
issues which have practical application to the local church and its ministry.
John in the Wilderness (BLS 561K)
This course will engage students in a concentrated study of the Fourth Gospel in a
hiking and camping setting. We will study the Gospel of John over a five day
period as we hike through the Ollalie Lake Scenic Area near Mt. Jefferson. This is
a low tech, high interaction experience as we discuss John's Gospel and see how
the theme of "belief" and "unbelief" is developed in each major section.
Psalms in the Wilderness (BLS 527)
This course will engage students in a concentrated study of the Psalms in a hiking
and camping setting. Our literary focus will be the structure and categories of the
Psalms which we will study over a five day period as we hike through the Ollalie
Lake Scenic Area near Mt. Jefferson. Here is a link to a video of the 2006 class:
Psalms in the Wilderness Video.
Israel Study Program
In association with the Jerusalem University College, Western Seminary offers a
three-week course of study in Israel, "Geographical and Historical Settings of the
Bible." The course provides an introduction to the geography, history, and
archaeology of Israel. Students earn 4 semester hours of transferable elective
credit. The cost of approximately $4000 includes airfare, tuition, room and board,
and field trips. The class is offered every other year. Our next class is scheduled
for May 17 - June 6, 2010. Here is a link to a video of the Israel Study Program
This course in Biblical Literature lays a foundation for further study of the Bible by
introducing the biblical covenants and God's kingdom program. Our examination
of the Pentateuch will focus on the great attributes of God. The historical books will
show how God works among His people. We will conclude with a consideration of
the practical lessons found in the Wisdom Books and Psalms. Four semester
hours credit.
Biblical Literature 502 (Prophets - Gospels)
In this course you will learn the historical background of each of the prophets and
become acquainted with their distinctive contribution and modern relevance. After
examining the prophecies concerning the Messiah, you will see how they are
fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Our focus in the Gospels will be on Matthew and John. Our
study of Jesus' teachings, miracles, and parables will be with a view to present day
application. Four semester hours credit.
Biblical Literature 503 (Acts - Revelation)
This course is designed to facilitate your study of Acts, Paul's Epistles, the General
Epistles and Revelation. Our focus in the early part of the course will be on the
beginnings of the church. As we trace Paul's life, we will study his letters in the
order in which they were written, giving attention to the historical and cultural
settings. Special focus will be given to Paul's great teachings on salvation,
justification, and sanctification. Our attention will then turn to the subject of
eschatology as we examine the General Epistles and Revelation. Four hours credit.
Biblical Culture and Customs (BLS 550)
An understanding of cultural background is essential to accurate exegesis. In this
course, selected elements in the cultural backgrounds of both Testaments are
considered with emphasis upon the culture, customs and institutions that bear most
directly upon the interpretation of the Scriptures. The objective of the course is to
help the student reconstruct the cultural settings of biblical events and thereby more
accurately interpret Scripture.
Understanding Judaism (BLS 561)
Because Christianity is deeply rooted in the Hebrew Scriptures, it is important for
Christians to understand and appreciate the theology, history and customs of
Judaism. This is not an easy task since Judaism has been in transition since its
beginnings. The Judaism of the first century is not equivalent to the beliefs and
practices of the ancient Hebrews living under the First Covenant in the time of
Jesus. And the Judaism of the first century is not the same Judaism of the 20th
century. The concept of "dual Torah" provides the basis for a growing and
developing Judaism. This course will provide a foundation for an understanding
and appreciation of Judaism and Jewish people.
Historical Geography of the Holy Land (BLS 551)
Bible geography is an essential key to understanding biblical history. A knowledge
of Bible geography not only helps one to better understand and interpret the
Scriptures, but it gives the Bible and its history vivid reality, and is a great help to
the memory of the students. This course will introduce the student to the subject of
historical geography by surveying the topography, climate, sites and historical
events associated with the biblical lands of Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Israel.
Apostolic History (BLS 548)
The course is designed to lead the student in a study of the history of the Apostolic
Age. The relationship of the New Testament epistles to each other and to the book
of Acts is studied. Attention is given to the occasion of each epistle, the chronology
of the period, and the interpretation of the difficult passages in Acts.
Revelation (BLS 546)
In this course we will study the text and theology of the Book of Revelation. Great
interest in issues of eschatology is frequently not matched with careful study of
the texts where biblical prophecy is revealed. This course will include an evaluation
of the various interpretive approaches the Revelation and its relationships to other
parts of the Bible. Carefully examining the Old Testament texts which serve as a
basis for the visions and symbolism in Revelation, a careful exposition of
Revelation will be presented. While a pre-tribulational and pre-millennial
eschatology will be embraced and taught in the lectures, attention will be given as
well to other viewpoints. Ultimately the focus of our study will be the person and
work of Christ in prophecy.
Life of Christ (BLS 535)
The life of Jesus Christ is the very foundation of biblical Christianity. This course
is devoted to the study of the life and teachings of Jesus as recorded in the four
Gospels. We will focus on the major events and turning points in His ministry and
provide an interpretation of His parables and discourses. The historical, cultural
and geographical setting will provide a context for our interpretation and
understanding of Jesus' ministry. Two hours credit.
Corinthian Epistles (BLS 540)
In this course we will study the text and theology of the Corinthian Epistles. We
will study each letter in the light of its cultural background so as to clearly
understand the nature of the problems addressed and the solutions offered. In our
study we will give special attention to the major doctrinal themes and ethical
issues which have practical application to the local church and its ministry.
John in the Wilderness (BLS 561K)
This course will engage students in a concentrated study of the Fourth Gospel in a
hiking and camping setting. We will study the Gospel of John over a five day
period as we hike through the Ollalie Lake Scenic Area near Mt. Jefferson. This is
a low tech, high interaction experience as we discuss John's Gospel and see how
the theme of "belief" and "unbelief" is developed in each major section.
Psalms in the Wilderness (BLS 527)
This course will engage students in a concentrated study of the Psalms in a hiking
and camping setting. Our literary focus will be the structure and categories of the
Psalms which we will study over a five day period as we hike through the Ollalie
Lake Scenic Area near Mt. Jefferson. Here is a link to a video of the 2006 class:
Psalms in the Wilderness Video.
Israel Study Program
In association with the Jerusalem University College, Western Seminary offers a
three-week course of study in Israel, "Geographical and Historical Settings of the
Bible." The course provides an introduction to the geography, history, and
archaeology of Israel. Students earn 4 semester hours of transferable elective
credit. The cost of approximately $4000 includes airfare, tuition, room and board,
and field trips. The class is offered every other year. Our next class is scheduled
for May 17 - June 6, 2010. Here is a link to a video of the Israel Study Program
| Classes I Teach at Western Seminary |
| I am happy to provide a current course syllabus for any of the courses I teach. Just send me an email at jclaney@westernseminary.edu. |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |