Pruet School Departments

Faculty

J. Scott Duvall	Douglas Nykolaishen	J. Daniel Hays	Joey Dodson
Chair, Dept of Biblical Studies J. C. & Mae Fuller Professor of New Testament	Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies	Dean, Pruet School of Christian StudiesProfessor of Biblical Studies	Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies
duvall@obu.edu 870-245-5136	nykolaishend@obu.edu 870-245-5337	haysd@obu.edu 870-245-5599	dodsonj@obu.edu 870-245-5372

Courses

2023. Biblical Exegesis. This course is designed to develop the student’s skill in doing biblical exegesis (the study and interpretation of the Bible). Prerequisites: CORE 1113, 1123. [CAC-W] Fall, Spring.

3073. Biblical Studies Trip. This course consists of a study trip to one or more of the following areas: Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Greece or Italy. The focus will be on aspects of the archaeological and historical background of the Bible. Prerequisites: CORE 1113, 1123. Summer of even-numbered years.

3103. Pentateuch. An exegetical and theological study of the first five books of the Old Testament. Prerequisite: BIST 2023. Spring of even-numbered years.

3113. Old Testament Prophets. An exegetical and theological study of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the twelve minor prophets. The course includes an overview of Old Testament prophecy, a survey of each prophetic book, and a focused study of one selected prophetic book. Prerequisite: BIST 2023. Spring of odd-numbered years.

3203. Life of Christ. A study of the life, ministry and teachings of Jesus Christ as presented in the four Gospels. Prerequisite: BIST 2023. Spring of even-numbered years.

3223. Life and Letters of Paul. A study of the life, ministry, and letters of the Apostle Paul. Prerequisite: BIST 2023. Fall of odd-numbered years.

4103. Old Testament Writings. An exegetical and theological study of the Old Testament Writings (I Chronicles through Song of Solomon and/or Daniel). Prerequisite: BIST 2023. Fall of odd-numbered years.

4113. Old Testament Historical Books. An exegetical and theological study of Joshua, Judges, I-II Samuel, and I-II Kings. Special attention will be given to methodological issues related to reading and interpreting theological narrative. Prerequisite: BIST 2023. Fall of even-numbered years.

4203. General Epistles. An exegetical and theological study of Hebrews, James, I-II Peter, and Jude. Prerequisite: BIST 2023. Fall of even-numbered years.

4243. Revelation. An exegetical and theological study of the book of Revelation. Prerequisite: BIST 2023. Spring of odd-numbered years.

4801-4893. Special Studies in Biblical Studies. Prerequisite: Permission of the Chair of the Department and the Dean of the School. On Demand.

Faculty

C. Marvin Pate

• Chair, Dept. of Christian Theology
• Elma Cobb Professor of Christian Theology

patem@obu.edu
870-245-5289

Courses

1003. Spiritual Formation. A course focusing on the personal spiritual growth of students involved in Christian ministry. Fall, Spring.

3103. Theology of Worship. A biblical and theological study of Christian worship and prayer with special emphasis on their communal dimensions. Prerequisite: BIST 2023. Spring of odd-numbered years.

3323. History of Christianity. A study of the development of Christianity from the close of the New Testament period to the present with emphasis on evangelical forms of the faith and special attention to Baptists. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing. Fall, Spring.

3203. Christian Apologetics. A study of the Christian faith as a comprehensive world view. Special attention is paid to Christian responses to secular objections and competing world views. Spring of even-numbered years.

4433. History of American Christianity A study of varied expressions of faith, movements and controversies among Christians in the United States from the colonial age to present. Included will be summary introductions of other large religious groups such as Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing. Spring of odd-numbered years.

4133. Old Testament Theology. A study of the major theological concepts and themes of the Old Testament. Prerequisite: BIST 2023. Fall of odd-numbered years.

4233. New Testament Theology. A study of the theological themes of the New Testament. Prerequisite: BIST 2023. Spring.

4403. Christian Theology. A systematic study of the Christian faith, focusing on both method and content. Prerequisite: BIST 2023, Senior Standing. Fall, Spring.

4533. Spiritual Life in Romans This course is an advanced study of Christian spirituality as reflected in the theological framework of Paul’s letter to the Romans. Prerequisite: BIST 2023. Fall of even-numberd years.

4801-4893. Special Studies in Christian Theology. Prerequisite: Permission of the Department Chair and the Dean of the School. On Demand.

Faculty

Terry G. Carter	Scott Jackson	William C. Viser	Rex M. Horne
Chair, Dept of Christian Missions Vaught Professor of Christian History and Ministry	Assistant Professor of Christian Ministries	Associate Professor of Christian Ministries	President, OBU Professor of Christian Ministries
cartert@obu.edu 870-245-5147	jacksons@obu.edu 870-245-5364	viserw@obu.edu 870-245-5524	horner@obu.edu 870-245-5400

Courses

1023. Introduction to Christian Ministry.
An introduction to Christian ministry, including theological foundations and practical applications. Fall, Spring.

2223. Introduction to Student Ministry.
An introduction to the foundations, relationships, and programming of student ministry in the local church. Fall of odd-numbered years.

3103. Christian Counseling.
A study of principles and techniques of counseling with attention given to certain problem areas confronting Christian counselors. Spring.

3123. Communicating the Gospel.
An introduction into the process of moving from the biblical message to a presentation of the gospel. The course will include Bible studies, multi-media presentations, teaching events, and other means of communicating the gospel. Prerequisite: BIST 2023. [CAC-O] Fall, Spring.

3153. Discipleship Ministry in the Church.
A study of how church leaders can help Christians mature in their faith through the ministry of discipleship. The course includes theological background and a survey of traditional, contemporary and creative methods of discipleship. Prerequisite: THEO 1003. Fall of odd-numbered years.

3223. Advanced Student Ministry.
A study of selected life issues encountered by students and ministers to students. Prerequisite: CHMN 2223. Fall of even-numbered years.

3403. Evangelism and the Church.
An introduction to the theology and methods of evangelism and church growth. Spring of even-numbered years.

3423. Advanced Christian Ministry.
A serious study of the theology of ministry and the ministry tasks common to most full-time ministers, such as leadership issues, crisis ministry, relational ministry, and spiritual development. Prerequisite: CHMN 1023. Spring of odd-numbered years.

3433. CHMN Internship.
The internship consists of a supervised ministry experience and must be approved in advance by the Chair of the Department of Christian Ministries and the Dean of the School of Christian Studies. The course will be graded on a Satisfactory-Unsatisfactory basis where Satisfactory is defined as a grade of C or higher. On Demand.

3793. Worship and Witness.
A study of worship practices among Christians in relationship to the living witness of worshipers. Attention will be given to the persuasive influence of various elements and acts of worship in forming the distinctive identity of Christ’s followers as the Church, being “in the world, but not of the world.” Spring of even-numbered years.

4113. Issues in Christian Counseling.
A study of critical issues related to the ministry of Christian counseling including contemporary cultural, psychological, and sociological trends. Prerequisite: CHMN 3103. Spring of odd- numbered years.

4213. Homiletics.
A study of the nature, preparation, and delivery of biblical sermons and Bible studies. This course will investigate both traditional and contemporary methods of sermon writing and style. Prerequisite: BIST 2023. [CAC-O] Fall.

4406. Supervised Hospital Ministry.
A supervised practicum designed to help students increase proficiency in interpersonal skills and ministry in a hospital environment. Prerequisites: Junior standing and faculty approval. Also listed as SOCI 3006. Summer I (at Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock).

4801-4893. Special Studies in Christian Ministries.
Prerequisite: Permission of the Chair of the Department of Christian Ministries and the Dean of the School. On Demand.

Faculty

Terry G. Carter	Ray Franklin	Barbara B. Pemberton
Chair, Dept of Christian Missions Vaught Professor of Christian History and Ministry	Associate Professor of Christian Missions	Associate Professor of Christian Missions
cartert@obu.edu 870-245-5147	franklinr@obu.edu 870-245-5282	pembertonb@obu.edu 870-245-5541

Courses

Some of these are linked to sample syllabi or other information.

• Missions Study Trip
• Missions Methodology
• Missiology
• Cross-Cultural Communication
• “Hands-On“

Special Note: Students seeking to acquire a Christian Studies major with an emphasis in Christian Missions are expected to participate in at least one pre-approved international missions experience. More experience is desirable.

2303. Introduction to Christian Missions. A study of the biblical basis of missions and a survey of current missiological trends and practices. Fall, Spring.

3073. Christian Missions Study Trip. This course consists of a study trip providing international or national missions experience. The focus will be on the study of missions through classroom preparation and practical application on the mission field. Summer of odd-numbered years.

3103. ESL. A study of current methods and materials used for teaching reading, writing, listening and speaking in English as a Second Language, with a view to how such programs are utilized in mission work. Spring of odd-numbered years.

3203. Missiology. An in-depth inquiry into the biblical, historical, cultural, and strategic dimensions of current missiological thought and practice. Prerequisite: MSSN 2303 or permission of instructor. Fall of odd-numbered years.

3323. Contemporary Cults. An examination of important contemporary cult groups in relationship to the Christian faith. Spring of even-numbered years.

3343. History of Missions. A survey of the expansion of Christianity through missions from Pentecost to the present. Fall of even-numbered years.

3403. World Religions. A study of the major living religions other than Christianity. Fall, Spring.

3433. MSSN Internship. The internship consists of a supervised, cross-cultural missions experience and must be approved in advance by a designated Department of Missions faculty member and the Dean of the School of Christian Studies. The course will be graded on a Satisfactory-Unsatisfactory basis where Satisfactory is defined as a grade of C or higher. On Demand.

4303. Missions Methodology. A survey of methodologies used by missionaries in the past, an introduction to contemporary methodologies and a look at future trends in missiological practice, with a view to evaluating their biblical relevance and relationship to the expansion of Christianity. Prerequisite: MSSN 2303 or permission of instructor. Spring of even-numbered years.

4313. Cross Cultural Communication. A study of the principles of intercultural communication with a view to preparing students for life and ministry in another culture. Prerequisite: MSSN 2303 or permission of instructor. Spring of odd-numbered years.

4323. Islam. An examination of the beliefs, practices, and diverse communities of Islamic traditions. Topics include contemporary issues and Christian response. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing. Fall.

4801-4893. Special Studies in Christian Missions. Prerequisite: Permission of the Chair of the Department and the Dean of the School. On Demand.

Faculty

Byron Eubanks	Tully Borland
Chair, Department of Philosophy and Professor of Philosophy	Assistant Professor of Philosophy
eubanks@obu.edu 870-245-5521	borlandt@obu.edu 870-245-5523

Courses

1003. Introduction to Philosophy. A study of the basic concerns of philosophy which seeks to introduce the student to the spirit of reasoned inquiry and to encourage a reflective approach to life. Fall, Spring.

1023. Logic. An introduction to critical thinking and traditional logic including argument analysis, fallacies, and basic symbolic logic. Fall.

2163. Death and Dying. A study of the role of death in human experience, including historical and cultural views of death and afterlife, the nature of grief, and ethical issues related to death and dying. Spring of odd-numbered years.

3053. Western Political Thought I As a systematic intellectual enterprise, theories of political philosophy address perennial problems of political relations. This course is an intensive analysis of the principal political theorists in the Western tradition from Plato through Machiavelli. Primary emphasis on their texts is complemented by consideration of the historical contexts within which they wrote. Also listed as PSCI 3053. Fall.

3063. Western Political Thought II. As a systematic intellectual enterprise, theories of political philosophy address perennial problems of political relations. This course is an intensive analysis of the principal political theorists in the Western tradition extending from Hobbes onward. Primary emphasis on their texts is complemented by consideration of the historical contexts within which they wrote. Also listed as PSCI 3063. Spring.

3073. Metaphysics and Epistemology. A study of contemporary problems and issues in metaphysics and epistemology. Spring of even-numbered years.

3183. Issues in Science and Religion. A study of the processes and products of theological reflection and scientific inquiry and issues that arise in the interaction of the two enterprises. Also listed as NSCI 3183. Fall of even-numbered years.

3223. Ancient Philosophy. A study of the ideas and arguments of major philosophers of ancient Greece and Rome. Prerequisite: PHIL 1023 or permission of instructor. Spring of even-numbered years.

3293. Modern Philosophy. A study of major philosophers and philosophical movements from the Renaissance through the 18th Century. Prerequisite: PHIL 1023 or permission of instructor. Fall of even-numbered years.

4013. Christian Ethics. A study of ethical analysis and decision-making within the context of a Christian world view. Fall, Spring.

4053. Philosophy of Religion. A study of the philosophy of religion, its method and the philosophical issues related to religious commitment. [CAC-W and CAC-O] Fall of odd-numbered years.

4233. Contemporary Philosophy. A study of major philosophers and philosophical movements of the 19th and 20th Centuries. Prerequisite: PHIL 1023 or permission of instructor. Spring of odd-numbered years.

4243. Workplace Ethics. A study of ethical issues, dilemmas and desirable virtues pertinent to the workplace and common to many professions and careers. Spring of even-numbered years.

4783. On the Ouachita. An interdisciplinary and place-based approach to environmental ethics. The course incorporates perspectives from disciplines such as history, natural science, and leisure studies and requires field work and travel after the end of the regular semester. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Also listed as BIOL 4783, HIST 4783, and LST 4783. On Demand.

4801-4893. Special Studies in Philosophy. Independent study in philosophy. Prerequisite: Permission of the Chair of the Department and the Dean of the School. On Demand.

Director

Rob Hewell

• Director of the Worship Studies Program
• Associate Professor
• Chair, Department of Worship Arts

hewellr@obu.edu
870.245.5133

Majors

• Worship Ministry pdf
• Worship Arts  pdf (School of Fine Arts, Division of Music)
• Church Media/Production Arts pdf