Biola University 2015–16 Catalog
Talbot’s Spiritual Formation Focus Mission
Baccalaureate Celebration Upon completion of a student’s Talbot degree program, there will be a celebration, commissioning and thanksgiving service. This evening service, attended by spouses, family members, mentors, and faculty, will focus on accomplishment, spiritual growth, thanksgiving, hooding, commissioning into ministry and acknowledgment of the people who encouraged and supported the student throughout the Talbot journey. Women at Talbot School of Theology Talbot School of Theology affirms the equality of women and men and affirms the giftedness and roles of women within the guidelines of Scripture concerning order and complementarity. It is the desire of Talbot School of Theology to encourage and support women in preparation for ministry. We value the complement that each gender’s uniqueness brings to ministry. Talbot seeks to promote this complementarity by all members of the seminary community: administration, faculty, staff and students. Talbot School of Theology is an educational institution, and as such does not have authority for ordination of anyone seeking Christian ministry, recognizing this as the appropriate function of church bodies. However, Talbot is committed to full inclusion of women in student recruitment, admissions, degree programs, chapels, convocations, faculty and administration, within the principles of the biblical roles of men and women. Chapel The purpose of chapel is to provide opportunities for worship, instruction and exposure to current issues, ministries, missions and gifted individuals. Chapel is an important part of a student’s educational experience, contributing significantly to individual spiritual formation and the unity of the seminary community. Chapel services are conducted each Tuesday in the Calvary Chapel auditorium. Additional special chapels are held as announced. Joint University-wide chapel services are held several times a year. Students are required to attend Tuesday chapel services if they have classes either immediately before or after the chapel hour. This requirement also applies to the Thursday of the Lyman Stewart Lectures (Fall) and the Robert Saucy Lectures (Spring). Participation in the chapel services of the university community are also highly encouraged. Lecture Series Special lectures to supplement and enhance the seminary experience are held twice a year during the Tuesday/Thursday chapel hours. Lecture series are:
The mission of the Spiritual Formation Focus at Talbot School of Theology and the Institute for Spiritual Formation centers on students more deeply understanding and participating in life in Christ and cooperating with the transforming work of the Holy Spirit, whose purpose is to form persons into the image of Christ through union with the Triune God. A major objective is opening the heart in truth to the New Covenant work of Christ and the ministry of the Spirit in sanctification. The resulting change of character or fruit of the Spirit is accomplished through cooperation with the Indwelling Spirit and not by means of human efforts alone. Purpose The purpose of Talbot’s Spiritual Formation focus is to (a) train students in a basic knowledge of Spiritual Theology (the integrative study of Scripture and the ministry of the indwelling Holy Spirit regarding the nature, process and directives of spiritual transformation in Christ), (b) encourage students to exhibit and integrate the Double Knowledge of God and one’s self through application in their own process of spiritual transformation, and (c) practice relational and caring skills focused on developing communities of growth in the body of Christ. Program Learning Outcomes Upon completion of Talbot’s Spiritual Formation Focus, graduates will be able to: 1. Explain the basic elements of Spiritual Theology, namely, the nature, process, and practices of spiritual growth (ULO 1). 2. Demonstrate how knowledge of self integrates with knowledge of God in one’s own life (ULO 2). 3. Demonstrate relational skills that develop community (ULO 3). 4. Articulate how the biblical teaching on vocation shapes one’s own understanding of vocation and gainful employment (ULO 1, 2, 3). Courses Students are required to take three main courses in the Spiritual Formation Focus at Talbot (TTSF 501, 503 and 504). These courses will be completed sequentially during three semesters, beginning with the first semester at Talbot. Two semesters of individual Spiritual Direction/mentoring (TTSF 505, 506) are also required. The three main courses required in Talbot’s Spiritual Formation Focus (TTSF 501, 503 and 504) are taken in sequence to provide continuity in understanding the process of sanctification and for the development of community in cohort groups. Cohort groups of approximately twelve students will be formed in TTSF 501 and will remain together throughout the completion of the three courses in the Spiritual Formation Focus. Spiritual Retreats Students are required to take three retreats of varying length and content for the purpose of spiritual growth. The first retreat is completed in the first semester in TTSF 501, which focuses upon opening the heart in truth in one’s relationship with Christ and developing Christ-centered community. The second retreat is completed in the second semester in TTSF 503 for the purpose of exploring our human relationships in the body of Christ. The third retreat is taken in the third semester in TTSF 504, which focuses upon one’s vocation in relation to the various calls of God in one’s life, particularly one’s personal call to ministry. Comprehensive Exam All students within TTSF 504 will complete a comprehensive exam. This capstone exam will assess students’ knowledge and growth learned throughout the program, providing the opportunity to celebrate progress, discuss struggles, and if necessary, focus on appropriate changes.
• Lyman Stewart Lectures (Fall) • Robert L. Saucy Lectures (Spring) Student Christian Service
The seminary recognizes the necessity of active service in Christian work while students are pursuing their courses of study. From the time of enrollment students are asked to engage in some type of approved weekly ministry. The high population density of Southern California creates extensive service opportunities of many types. Field Education Field education is that part of the student’s academic program in which there is active participation in a supervised experience within a church setting. A full-time M.Div. student must register for field education each semester. A part-time M.Div. student must register for field education once within every 16 credits completed. For specific course numbers see the Christian Ministry and Leadership section under course descriptions. After completing 48 credits of class work in the M.Div. program, students become eligible to register for field internship. This intensive, supervised practice of the ministry is composed of three clusters of learning:
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