2009 - 2010 Academic Catalog - Westminster Theological Seminary

{Course Descriptions}
Practical Theology – D.Min. Modules
2009–2010
Module PM 52 Preaching the Great
Truths of the Faith
Purpose:
• To provide students with a fresh look at doctrinal
preaching under the tutelage of some of the
finest preachers in the world today
Number of students may be limited.
(Not given in 2009-2010.)
Module PM 54 Biblical Conflict Resolution
Purpose:
• To equip students with the knowledge and skills of a
biblical systematic theology of conflict resolution that
can be immediately employed in a practical manner
in the local church or para-church organization
Biblical conflict resolution is a sub-discipline of biblical counseling,
and, therefore, students are expected to work with counseling
issues and participate in role-play cases in class.
(Not given in 2009-2010.)
Module PM 56 Pastoral Ministry in
World Literature
Purpose:
• To nurture the soul of the pastor by studying classic works of
literature in which a minister of the gospel is the protagonist
and in which pastoral ministry is a central theme
The study of literature is an ideal context for exploring the life
of the pastor, including his calling, temptations, and frustrations.
The study of world literature in particular would provide a broad
conception of pastoral ministry and the form it takes in different
cultures. Many of the primary texts deal with the pastor in community,
addressing popular perceptions of the pastorate and their
implications for local ministry. The course would be equally valuable
for ministers and their wives, and it would stimulate the imagination
of the pastor, providing a rich body of material for further teaching
and discipleship.
Winter Term. Mr. Ryken.
Counseling Track
Module PC 1 Biblical Models of
People and Change
This module is divided into the following segments:
Dynamics of Biblical Change
Purpose:
• To equip students to teach a biblical model
of counseling in their church
• To build a firsthand understanding of the
progressive sanctification process
• To enable students to connect biblical truth to the
case study realities and details of lives lived
Topics covered include the nature of idolatry and faith; the relationship
between motive and action; the way Christ’s past, present,
and future grace intersects with and affects how people live their
daily lives; and the interplay of situational factors with a person’s
actions and reactions.
Human Personality
Purpose:
• To deepen students’ understanding of biblical
doctrine as it applies to the person
• To examine what doctrines are especially
important to apply in this generation
• To understand how to apply biblical
doctrine in personal ministry
• To be able to uncover the implicit theology in other models of
personal ministry and dialogue effectively about these issues
Topics covered include a review of systematic theological categories
with a commitment to developing multiple applications, an
examination of both Christian and non-Christian counseling case
studies with an eye to enrich them with our theological work, and
the practical application of a biblical-theological approach to the
study of people.
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