2 Years | 26 Credits
Theophilus is a cohort at Western Seminary that offers flexible, face-to-face ministry training in a condensed discussion-based format. The 26 credits of courses you complete (coming to class just once a month for two years) apply to the Master of Divinity, MA (Biblical and Theological Studies), MA in Ministry and Leadership, or MA in Global Leadership degrees.
The biblical character Theophilus is somewhat of a mystery. We don't know where he was from or what he did, and he is only mentioned twice in the New Testament (Luke 1:3; Acts 1:1). We do know that Luke wrote to Theophilus so that he might have certainty of the things he had been taught (Luke 1:4) and we know that his name means "lover or friend of God."
At Western Seminary, we believe in the goal of training God-lovers. The Theophilus Cohort accomplishes this in the following ways.
- Condensed| Meet just one Friday a month
- Present | Engage fully in on-site learning at our Portland campus
- Core | Complete 26 core credits toward a master's degree
- Dialogical | Discuss and participate in small, seminar-style courses
- Ecclesial | Courses are geared toward church leadership roles
Professors
|
Josh Mathews, PhD |
Todd Miles, PhD |
|
Daniel K. Eng, DMin, PhD |
Jan Verbruggen, PhD |
|
Richard Blaylock, PhD |
Schedule
Year One
| Semester | Subject |
|---|---|
| Fall | BT501 Hermeneutics |
| Fall | BT502 Biblical Theology |
| Spring | BL501 Genesis to Song of Solomon |
| Summer | BL502 Interpreting the Prophets and Gospels |
Note: MF501 - Introduction to Theological Study and Ministry Formation (Ron Marrs) is also required in a student's first year of the cohort.
Year Two
| Semester | Subject |
|---|---|
| Fall | BL503 Acts to Revelation |
| Spring | TH501 Theology I |
| Summer | TH502 Theology II |
Can I become a Theophilus student if I've already started my degree?
Yes, you can request to join the cohort even if you've already started your degree.
What degree do these classes apply to?
These classes apply to these master's degree programs at Western Seminary:
How would I complete my degree if I did the cohort?
You may complete the remainder of your chosen degree through hybrid courses, other residential classes, or online courses.
How is the Theophilus Cohort different from the other programs?
The cohort is not a degree program itself, but a scheduling and learning option that allows you to complete a core set of courses that are applicable to several master's degree programs. It involves a seminar format, meets only once a month, and builds community with a constant set of classmates.
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