Master of Arts (Intercultural Studies)

Online

• 40 credits of your choice may be completed through online coursework, and the remaining 20 through on campus intensive courses

• Spiritual formation 6

  • SFS 501 Learning to Love God and Others 2 The theological and practical dynamics of evangelical spirituality will be examined to provide a solid foundation for rich fellowship with the Triune God and for living out of the Great Commandment. The nature of spiritual maturity will be examined (including a biblically-balanced model of priorities) and practical experiences for nurturing that maturity will be provided. 2 credits.
  • SFS 502 Practicing Prayer and Other Key Disciplines 2 Growing more Christ-like in our attitudes and actions can be nurtured through the spiritual disciplines taught by Scripture and practiced by believers throughout the ages. You will learn, from an evangelical perspective, the contribution each activity can make to your spiritual growth and how to enhance your actual practice of these holy habits. Extended attention will be given to developing a biblical understanding and practice of prayer. 2 credits.
  • SFS 504 Growing into Ethical Maturity 2 The ability to discern right from wrongand to act appropriately in light of that assessmentis essential if church leaders are to maintain and model ethical integrity. Your moral sensitivity will be enhanced as you become acquainted with some of the fundamental issues involved in developing a biblically-informed personal, professional and social ethic. 2 credits.

• Biblical studies 14

  • DBS 516 Survey of Learning to Interpret Scripture 2 (M.A. in Counseling students only) In this course you will study the foundational principles and interpretive procedures of the grammatico-historical method of biblical interpretation. You will also apply these principles and procedures in actual Bible study, using the English Bible. Required for M.A. in Counseling students and M.A. in Intercultural Studies students only; other degree students enroll in DBS 506. 2 credits.
  • BLS 501 Interpreting Genesis to Song of Solomon 4 This initial course in biblical literature lays a foundation for the 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. Recommended pre- or co-requisite: DBS 506. 4 credits.
  • BLS 502 Interpreting the Prophets and Gospels 4 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. You will study Jesus' teachings, miracles, and parables with consideration given to present day application. Recommended pre- or co-requisite: DBS 506. 4 credits.
  • BLS 503 Interpreting Acts to Revelation 4 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. Recommended pre- or co-requisite: DBS 506. 4 credits.

• Theological studies 10

  • THS 501 Knowing the Triune God: Theology I 4 You will begin to cultivate your ability to think theologically by exploring how theology is done in various approaches in order to develop a practical theological method. Then you will probe God's progressive revelation focusing on the nature and authority of Scripture before pondering God's triune nature and work culminating in the incarnation of the Son. Your passion for carrying out God's mission in His world will expand as you begin to understand how the Father's revelation has impacted the world He created. Recommended pre- or co-requisite: DBS 506. 4 credits.
  • THS 502 Glorifying the God of Our Salvation: Theology II 4 Continuing the process of learning to think theologically you will now apply yourself to biblical revelation regarding the Son as the source of life. You will investigate humanity, its dignity as image of God and its depravity as sinful beings, the reality and impact of spiritual beings as backdrop for the atoning work of the Son and its application in the aspects of our salvation. Contemplating the majesty of the Son's work in light of the depth of sin will invigorate our worship and impel our work for His kingdom. Prerequisite: THS 501. Recommended pre- or co-requisite: DBS 506. 4 credits.
  • THS 503 Living as the Community of the Spirit: Theology III 2 You will culminate the process of learning to think theologically by exploring the Spirit's life-giving work. Then you will investigate the church as God's covenant community and instrument of His present working, ending with the consummation of His kingdom program in end time events. Throughout the course the Spirit will transform us as we see our part in His grand work. Prerequisite: THS 501. Recommended pre- or co-requisite: DBS 506. 2 credits.

• Intercultural foundation studies 10

  • DIS 501 Communicating Christ in Culture 2 Ministry is communication. The content must be known and experienced so the proclamation will have substance and credibility. After learning what we are to communicate, we must learn how to communicate. The course imparts fundamental concepts that will equip the student to communicate across personal and cultural barriers. 2 credits.
  • DIS 505 Biblical Theology of Mission 2 This is a study of the theological foundations of mission. It examines both the Old and New Testaments, including Israel's responsibility to the nations, the mandates of Jesus Christ, and Pauline missiology. The course also considers the contemporary issues of ecumenism, syncretism and universalism, as well as the emerging theologies of indigenous churches in diverse cultures. 2 credits.
  • DIS 506 Applied Cultural Analysis 2 Through an incarnational approach to ministry, this course seeks to inculcate a respect for, and understanding of, cultural diversity. Recognizing that cultural units are the social reality through which revelation was given and ministry is conducted, the student will develop basic skills for learning culture, including its patterns and networks. The course seeks to equip the student for a lifelong process of cultural learning, enabling effective ministry in multi-cultural settings. Prerequisite: DIS 508. 2 credits.
  • DIS 508 Applied Anthropology 2 Concepts of culture and cultural effects on the communication of God's Word in different societies. Cultural assumptions and resulting patterns of attitudes and behaviors, as well as the need to use anthropological tools for field study, are identified. 2 credits.
  • DIS 516 Applied Linguistics 2 Outlines a practical method for learning another language in the living setting of its own culture. The course draws on introductory phonetics, general linguistics, and psycholinguistic theory. 2 credits.

• Intercultural specialization studies 8

  Restricted electives selected from the courses below or related DIS prefix electives with advisor approval 8

  • DIS 502 Perspectives on World Ministry 3 This course provides practical direction to students in discharging the mandate of the Church to go into all the world and to make disciples. Emphasis is balanced between the imperatives of evangelism and edification. The course gives insights into missiology, and its applications to the ministry of the local church. 3 credits.
  • DIS 520/620 History of Missions 2 The dynamic factors God has used in the expansion and spread of His church. Successes and failures in mission endeavors, from era to era, by both Eastern and Western churches and events are analyzed. Strategies used by missionaries throughout the ages are studied as a guide to forming a personal strategy of mission and an understanding of practical aspects and principles of world missions. 2 credits.
  • DIS 522 Starting and Reproducing Churches 2 Basic principles for starting and reproducing churchs. Concentration is on biblical and missiological factors in quantitative and qualitative church growth through daughter cells and congregations. Current church multiplication theories are critiqued as part of preparation for field practice. 2 credits.
  • DIS 524 Foundations: Children and Youth at Risk 2 Many children are facing life crisis situations. Their spiritual need is equally as distressing as their physical needs. This course presents an overview of some of the major sources of physical and emotional suffering and danger. It also looks at past and present children at risk ministry strategies using the lens of guiding ministry principles with an emphasis on those ministries that have targeted evangelism and discipleship along with social outreach. 2 credits.
  • DIS 526/626 Religions of the World 2 A survey of each major world belief system is presented in order to learn the common themes expressed in different religions. Strategies are examined for establishing an effective witness to the uniqueness of Christ to each of the major religions. Includes field trips to local places of worship. 2 credits.
  • DIS 553 Women in Mission 2 The history of missions is a study of the dynamic factors God used in the expansion and worldwide spread of His Church. In this dynamic expansion throughout the last 2,000 years, God has been using faithful men and women. Because they are often overlooked in traditional courses, we will look at the unique and particular contributions of women in the process of expansion from Jerusalem to the uttermost parts of the earth. 2 credits.
  • DIS 562H Introduction to Islam 2 This course is designed to help the student have knowledge of standard Islam. There will be a brief overview of the life of Muhammad, the Qur'an, the basic doctrines of Islam, Islamic fundamentalism, folk Islam, the main sects of Islam and the main approaches of reaching out to Muslims. 2 credits.

• Mentored ministry experience 4

  • DIS 500 Discovering and Developing Your Ministry Potential 2 This personal assessment course uses a wide variety of tools that will enable you to gain greater insight into how your gifting, personality, passion, and background might best be matched with potential ministry opportunities. Substantial attention will also be given on how to gain maximum profit from formal and informal ministry training. An additional materials fee will be charged. This course should be taken during your first term of studies. 2 credits.
  • DIS 539 Mentored Ministry Experience 1+1 The Mentored Ministry Experience explores the process of mentoring by the learner through a field-based experience which is designed to integrate intercultural fieldwork with corresponding theoretical content. This will be done in partnership with a local church or mission organization (2 successive semesters, 1 credit each semester).

• Concentration internship 8

  • DIS 534 Adapting Cross-Culturally 2 Cross-cultural adaptation is necessary both for those serving in a distant country as well as in the reality of the shifting multi-cultural landscape of North America. This course prepares students personally and professionally to understand how to effectively integrate into a different culture so they may know how to act, reach, and touch people of other traditions as a fruitful ministry is developed. 2 credits.
  • DIS 570 Developing Internship Proposal 2 A plan for the intercultural ministry internship is developed, involving a study of the geography, history, sociology, religions and church/missions activities in an intended area of service. In addition, students will complete the Intercultural Studies Internship Proposal. Note: The internship proposal must be approved before registering for DIS 531 Intercultural Ministry Internship. 2 credits.
  • DIS 531 Intercultural Ministry Internship 4 Students live and minister in an ethnic community different from their own. This cultural immersion includes language learning, competent mentoring, rigorous accountability, continued theoretical input, and practical application. Timing and location are flexible, but normally a minimum of six months in length is required. Prerequisites: DIS 500, DIS 534. 4 credits.

Total Credits 60