NTS West is currently offering 3 courses for the Winterim in 2018:
The Whole Bible: Introduction to the New Testament
In this two quarter course, even though we begin with the Old Testament, we will continually keep in mind the whole Bible. In highlighting the themes emphasized by the authors of each book, we will examine questions of authorship, historical context, literary style, and the distinctive contribution of each writing in the salvation history leading to Jesus Christ.
The focus will be the historical background of the New Testament, the nature of the Gospels, and the contribution of each book to our Biblical and Theological understanding of the faith which we proclaim and practice as the church today, the Body of Christ.
Professor: Dr. Peter Hintzoglou
Location: La Canada Presbyterian Church
Duration: Monday Evenings January 22 – March 30, 2018 6:45 –9:15 pm
The Mystical Roots of Protestantism
In this class, we will consider the forms of devotion—the “prayer techniques”—that have helped Christians over the years to develop that sense of the presence of God. Our analysis will hinge on two categories of prayer: cataphatic and apophatic prayer. We will examine the “cataphatic” approach by learning of methods of prayer expressed in Scripture, poetry and other types of “word” prayer. We will also consider the apophatic approach, which has included wordless prayer, silence and solitude to find and unite with God.
“I have abandoned all particular forms of devotion, all prayer techniques. My only prayer practice is attention. I carry on a habitual, silent, and secret conversation with God that fills me with overwhelming joy.” –Brother Lawrence
This class will examine both approaches by reading works written by or about both ancient and modern Christian prayer exemplars, including: Gregory of Nyssa, Julian of Norwich, Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, Brother Lawrence, Jonathan Edwards, Simone Weil, and Howard Thurman. We will also read some of the more obscure experts on prayer, including the Eastern Orthodox monks who originated the Jesus Prayer and the practice of hesychasm, as well as the Western monk who composed the Meditationes Vita Christi and the Puritan authors of the Valley of Vision.
Professor: Janna Gosselin, Ph.D.
Duration: January 22-March 30, 2018
An Online Course (using the NTSW Moodle platform)
Worship: The Work of the People
This course will consider the history, theology, and practice of Christian worship. An ecumenical approach will allow students of various traditions to see how they fit into the grand celebration that is the worship of our Triune God. Along with history and theology, we will plan and lead worship within our class sessions. The course will try to cover the basics of pastoral leadership and lay participation in the sacraments of baptism and eucharist and in other rites of the church such as marriage, burial, confirmation, and ordination. The role of music in worship will be part of each session.
Worship: The Work of the People
Professor: Dr. Rebecca Prichard
Location: First Presbyterian Church, Santa Ana
Duration: Jan. 27, Feb. 3, 17, 24, March 10 and 24, 9:30am-2:00pm