HOME > Academics > Master of Arts in Theology
icon School of Mission
icon School of Business
icon School of Oriental Medicine
 
Master of Arts in Theological Studies (MATS)

A. Purpose:
 

The degree of Master of Arts in Theological studies is designed to explore faith and to understand human lives and a variety of ministry career choices from a theological perspective. Also, the courses help students to equip themselves with the academic preparation and skills necessary to a deeper and more informed service and ministry to the Church and to the world. Such persons may plan to have or already have ministries as teachers, artists, lawyers, home-makers, social workers, and etc. The program is intended to provide an informed theological understanding for such ministries.

The degree does not prepare people for ordained ministry, and the curriculum is not intended to be used as a means toward shortening the normal course of study preparatory to ordination.

B. Objectives:
  The students of the MATS program will be prepared to:

- Utilize the deep knowledge about the Bible and its historical and cultural background in their ministries and their personal lives.
- Interpret the various theological discourses and hermeneutics to the given contextual sites through teaching, preaching, and writing.
- Critically reflect their lives in the light of theological knowledge and the biblical understanding.

C. Components and Requirements:
  Course Requirement
    The program requires a total of 20 courses (60 credits)+ chapel requirement, a grand total of 64 credits. Students participating in this degree program must complete not only 20 courses, but also must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or more and be present at graduation exercises.
  Concentration
    The program comprises of the following five fields in which specialization may be elected: Old Testament, New Testament, Theology, Church History, and Spirituality & Practical Theology. Students need to complete 12 credits in concentration areas to graduates. Ordinarily students earn credits only in the above-mentioned fields selected during beginning of the program, but a limited number of courses for credit may be elected in Practical Theology. The program provides breadth of knowledge with additional courses such as the classical disciplines as well as specialization in one field.
  Final Project/Thesis
    For Project/Thesis, a student will write a thesis or a major essay, working out the implications and possibilities of theological study for future ministry or for life-enrichment. The Project/Thesis Seminar is a weekly meeting of all candidates in the second year with a faculty member to consider problems of common concern in bringing the program to a focus in a “future program” (thesis or project).
The Thesis tutorial is a writing of the thesis in an informal arrangement with a faculty member, meeting together as needed for guidance and criticism. The spring term Thesis Tutorial is pro forma, allowing the candidate to complete the final form of the thesis for presentation to the Faculty.
  Chapel Requirement
    GCU requires all students to attend chapel with 1 credit per semester. Students will receive a Pass/Fail grade on Chapels.
D. Curriculum:
  Core Courses & Final Project(43 semester hours):
   

OT705 Old Testament Exegesis 3
NT705 New Testament Exegesis 3
OT601 Pentateuch 3
NT601 Synoptic Gospel 3
TH604 Reformed Theology 3
TH606 Apologetics 3
TH605 Contemporary Theology 3
TH501 Systematic Theology I 3
CH501 Historical Theology I 3
CH605 Spirituality 3
PT500 Theology & Practice of the Sacraments 3
MA700 Final Project/Thesis 6
WS501 Chapel 1*4
  Electives & Concentration Courses
    (Choose a concentration, then choose 3 elective courses from non-concentration areas)

Old Testament
OT501 Old Testament I 3
OT502 Old Testament II 3
OT503 Historical Books (OT) 3
OT504 The Major Prophets 3

New Testament
NT501 New Testament I 3
NT502 New Testament II 3
NT602 Johannine Gospel 3
NT603 Pauline Literature 3

Theology
TH500 Introduction to Theology & Philosophy 3
TH502 Systematic Theology II 3
TH505 Doctrine of God 3
TH506 Christology 3

Church History
CH502 Historical Theology II 3
ME603 Christian Mission in History 3
ME601 An Introduction to the Christian Evangelism 3
CH500 Asian American Church 3

Spirituality & Practical Theology
CH605 Spirituality 3
WS500 Christian Worship 3
HC501 Practical Theology 3
CE500 Christian Ethics and Society 3
E. Course Description:

   
Dept OT Number 501 Title Old Testament I
Credits 3
Description This course surveys the history and literature of Israel to the end of the United Kingdom. In dealing with Israelite economic, social, political, cultural, and religious life, the Old Testament is illuminated by studies in archaeology, geography, and ancient Near Eastern texts.
Prerequisite NONE

Dept OT Number 502 Title Old Testament II
Credits 3
Description This course traces the history and examines the literature of the Israelite people from the division of the kingdom through the development of Judaism. Topics treated include canon, criticism, content, interpretation, and unity of the Old Testament.
Prerequisite NONE

Dept OT Number 601 Title Pentateuch
Credits 3
Description An exegetical study of selected portions from the Pentateuch in its cultural and historical setting, with attention to its critical problems, theological content, literary features, modern exposition.
Prerequisite OT 500

Dept OT Number 705 Title Old Testament Exegesis
Credits 3
Description The method will include the study of words, poetics, textual criticism, syntax, biblical theology, and practical exegetical exposition in the different genres of the Hebrew Bible.
Prerequisite NONE

Dept NT Number 501 Title New Testament I
Credits 3
Description The course explores the background, literary art, theological teaching, and contemporary message of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and Acts.
Prerequisite NONE

Dept NT Number 502 Title New Testament II
Credits 3
Description The course explores the background literary art, theological teaching, and contemporary message from Romans to Revelation.
Prerequisite NONE

Dept NT Number 601 Title Synoptic Gospels
Credits 3
Description This course introduces synoptic problem, exegetical methods (source criticism, form criticism, and redaction criticism, and others), and distinctive theologies of each gospel.
Prerequisite NT 500

Dept NT Number 705 Title New Testament Exegesis
Credits 3
Description The course introduces the history of biblical interpretation from the Old Testament to the current times, particularly, cultural interpretation is highlighted. Also, each student will do praxis of applying the methods of their choice to the Biblical texts.
Prerequisite NONE

Dept TH Number 500 Title Introduction to Theology and Philosophy
Credits 3
Description This is a survey course to the figure and issues in Christian theology with special attention to the nature and content of philosophy and theology.
Prerequisite NONE

Dept TH Number 501 Title Systematic Theology I
Credits 3
Description This course provides a systematic presentation of the Christian faith. Using biblical constructs, historical developments, and confessional statements, students explore the Doctrine of the Word, Doctrine of God, the Doctrine of Humanity, and the Doctrine of Christ.
Prerequisite NONE

Dept TH Number 502 Title Systematic Theology II
Credits 3
Description This course provides a systematic presentation of the Christian faith. Using biblical constructs, historical developments, and confessional statements, students explore the Doctrine of the Holy Spirit, the Doctrine of Salvation, the Doctrine of the Church, and the Doctrine of Last Things.
Prerequisite NONE

Dept TH Number 604 Title Reformed Theology
Credits 3
Description This course studies Calvin's Institutes, classical confessional documents of the Reformed tradition and theologies of contemporary Reformed theologians, and compares them with other theological traditions.
Prerequisite TH 500

Dept TH Number 605 Title Contemporary Theology
Credits 3
Description A Survey course deals with developments from Schleiermacher through the contemporary theologians, while giving emphasis to Barth, Bonhoeffer, and Moltmann.
Prerequisite TH 500

Dept TH Number 606 Title Apologetics
Credits 3
Description This course examines the efforts of classical and contemporary theologians to defend the Christian faith. In a seminar format, students probe the way Christians answer modern challenges such as materialism, scientism, religious pluralism, cultic religions, and secularism in the modern church. This course also surveys the problems of post-modernism.
Prerequisite NONE

Dept CE Number 500 Title Christian Ethics and Society
Credits 3
Description The course studies the structure and content of Christian ethics as well as the goal, nature, and norm of Christian living, and attempt to construct a biblically-rooted paradigm to apply to major contemporary social issues such as human rights, politics, economics, poverty, racism, sexism, homosexuality and biomedical concerns.
Prerequisite NONE

Dept CH Number 501 Title Historical Theology I E
Credits 3
Description This course provides historical analysis in the view of theology. Christianity is essentially a historical religion. God reveals himself to people in action in the unfolding of a story of relationship. With this theological sight this course will approach each era in of history from the early church to the medieval church.
Prerequisite NONE

Dept CH Number 502 Title Historical Theology II E
Credits 3
Description This course provides historical analysis in the view of theology. Christianity is essentially a historical religion. God reveals himself to people in action in the unfolding of a story of relationship. With this theological sight this course will approach each era in of history from reformation to the modern era.
Prerequisite NONE

Dept CH Number 605 Title Spirituality
Credits 3
Description A course of reading and discussion of patterns of spiritual development reflected in the wealth of Christian devotional literature, allowing the student to engage the writings of Bunyan, Augustine, Bernard, Francis and other Christian great figures first hand.
Prerequisite NONE

Dept PT Number 500 Title Theology & Practice of the Sacraments
Credits 3
Description This course reviews significant developments in the theology of the sacraments in the Reformed tradition both classic and contemporary. Attention is given to ways of enhancing congregational participation in and appreciation of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. The course provides opportunity for students to practice presiding at both sacraments.
Prerequisite NONE

Dept HC Number 501 Title Practical Theology E
Credits 3
Description The field of practical theology has its life in relation to the missions of religious institutions, communities of faith, and lived religious experience, that is, how faithful people live out their faith in social, political, and cultural settings. Because it requires analysis of the history and theology that are effective or normative for such institutions, communities, and situations, practical theology requires a substantial understanding of history and theology. Thus, the field of practical theology is eminently interdisciplinary and involves contextual research both inside and outside of Christian congregations.
Prerequisite NONE

Dept WS Number 500 Title Christian Worship
Credits 3
Description This is an introductory course covering the history, theology, and practice of Christian worship including the Sunday gathering, sacraments, weddings, funerals, and daily prayers.
Prerequisite NONE

Dept ME Number 603 Title Christian Mission in History
Credits 3
Description This is a historical survey course giving attention to patterns, methods and approaches of the Christian mission in history. Topics include monasticism, Catholic missionary orders, Pietism, colonialism, and the rise of ecumenism.
Prerequisite NONE

Dept NT Number 602 Title Johannine Gospel
Credits 3
Description An exegetical study of the fourth Gospel and First John, emphasizing Johannine narrative techniques, theology, historicity, and the relation between the Gospel of John and First John.
Prerequisite NONE

Dept NT Number 603 Title Pauline Literature
Credits 3
Description An exegetical study of selected portions of Pauline letters with attention to selected theological issues and their application to contemporary church life.
Prerequisite NONE

Dept NT Number 603 Title Pauline Literature
Credits 3
Description An exegetical study of selected portions of Pauline letters with attention to selected theological issues and their application to contemporary church life.
Prerequisite NONE

Dept TH Number 505 Title Doctrine of God
Credits 3
Description The problem of God has become increasingly perplexing in contemporary theology, and the challenges arising have provoked thoughtful and creative responses. This course uses both traditional and contemporary wide-ranging sources to address issues surrounding the nature and existence of God.
Prerequisite NONE

Dept TH Number 506 Title Christology
Credits 3
Description This course is an introduction to the contents, methods, and resources of Christian theology. Attention will be given to the understanding of traditional and contemporary formulations of doctrine of Christ.
Prerequisite NONE

Dept ME Number 601 Title An Introduction to the Christian Evangelism
Credits 3
Description A study of the methods of personal and groups evangelism, equipping laypersons and church leaders to evangelize, use of church and para-church structures in evangelism, care of new converts and discipleship, use of apologetics, as well as current issues in mission.
Prerequisite NONE

Dept CH Number 500 Title Asian American Church
Credits 3
Description This course will encourage students to focus on the cross-cultural theology based on sociology, cultural study, and psychological studies.
Prerequisite NONE

Dept OT Number 504 Title The Major Prophets
Credits 3
Description This course is an interpretive, literary, and theological study of selected portions from the Major Prophets. The course include an introduction to Old Testament prophetic literature addressing issues of hermeneutics, theology, and application.
Prerequisite NONE

Dept CH Number 605 Title Spirituality
Credits 3
Description A course of reading and discussion of patterns of spiritual development reflected in the wealth of Christian devotional literature, allowing the student to engage the writings of Bunyan, Augustine, Bernard, Francis and other Christian great figures first hand.
Prerequisite NONE

Dept OT Number 503 Title Historical Books
Credits 3
Description The course will include an interpretive, literary, and theological study of selected portions from Joshua; Judges: First and Second Samuel: and First and Second Kings.
Prerequisite NONE

Dept WS Number 501 Title Chapel
Credits 1
Description This course is required for all students of GCU for expressing and learning the importance of worship and praise. GCU students will have chance to share their faith with other students and faculty members and always will be reminded of God’s love.
Prerequisite NONE

Dept MA Number 700 Title Final Project/Thesis
Credits 6
Description A student will write a thesis or a major essay, working out the implications and possibilities of pastoral study for future ministry or for life-enrichment.
Prerequisite NONE
F. Recommended Course Schedule:

   
First Year (1~2nd Semester)
Second Year(3~4th Semester)
OT705 Old Testament Exegesis 3
NT601 Synoptic Gospel 3
TH606 Apologetics 3
TH605 Spirituality 3
WS501 Chapel 1


 OT601 Pentateuch 3
TH605 Contemporary Theology 3
PT500 Theology & Practice of the Sacraments 3
WS501 Chapel 1
NT705 New Testament Exegesis 3
CH502 Historical Theology I 3
TH502 Systematical Theology I 3
WS501 Chapel 1


 TH604 Reformed Theology 3
MA700 Final Project/Thesis 6
WS501 Chapel 1