Biola University 2014–15 Catalog
Philosophy Learning Outcomes
Spiritual Formation Learning Outcomes
The main purpose of this concentration is to help the student develop the skills to do philosophy from a Christian worldview. The attitudes and character traits of a Christian philosopher will be fostered by departmental activities, professional modeling, and teaching techniques. Skills necessary for the craft of philosophy will be developed by equipping the student to think critically, conduct high-level philosophical research, and interact with the broader philosophical community. The program is aimed at developing the ability to do philosophy in various ministry programs, such as parachurch and local church apologetics as well as preparing the student for further graduate work in fields such as philosophy, ethics, religious studies, law, political science, and theology. As a result of this program, the student will: 1. Qualify for admission to competitive Ph.D. programs in philosophy, ethics or religious studies. 2. Read and utilize specialized professional philosophical journals and relate the material to various challenges to a Christian worldview. 3. Relate sophisticated philosophical material acquired during our program for use in the local church and popular culture. 4. Demonstrate lasting commitment to evangelism, local church ministry and personal spiritual growth. 5. Sustain a vibrant intellectual life as part of an ongoing commitment to following Christ. 6. Provide substantial leadership in one’s sphere of influence and successfully articulate a Christian worldview in one’s respective cultural context. 7. Penetrate the secular university and venues of popular culture (art, media, music) by providing visionary leadership at Christian colleges, seminaries and parachurch ministries in articulating a Christian worldview. 8. Minister effectively in academic, local church and parachurch settings with a spirit of graciousness and humility, standing for truth and fostering community with those to whom the student ministers. Reduction and Transfer Guidelines for Philosophy Concentration Students with satisfactory undergraduate parallel content in philosophy will be considered for course reduction. All requests for course reduction are subject to departmental approval on a case by case basis. Students seeking course reduction must have earned at least a “B” grade. Students may only transfer courses that are parallel in content and taken from accredited graduate schools and seminaries. Request for transfer of courses should be submitted to the Office of the Registrar with prior approval from the department. Students must complete in residence a minimum of 24 credits in the Philosophy concentration. Concentration-Specific Requirements (24 Credits) TTPH 523 Metaphysics I Credit(s): 3. TTPH 544 Epistemology I Credit(s): 3. TTPH 547 The Theology and Philosophy of Science Credit(s): 3. TTPH 566 History and Normative Systems of Ethics Credit(s): 3. TTPH 624 Ethical Issues I Credit(s): 3. TTPH 667
This concentration is designed as a personal growth and academic degree. It is an intensive, integrative program within the Institute for Spiritual Formation at Talbot School of Theology, designed to equip men and women for the ministry of discipleship and spiritual formation in general, in the local church, and for further academic training in spiritual formation. The program is designed entirely around promoting growth in the believer’s inner life of faith and prayer with God in the context of a shared community and developed knowledge-base in the Word. Because the program is experiential and theoretical in nature with respect to spiritual growth and the dynamic processes involved, the M.A. Concentration in Spiritual Formation draws upon an interdisciplinary faculty from both Talbot and Rosemead School of Psychology. It includes both in-depth theoretical and integrative coursework, employing the creation disciplines such as theology, philosophy, psychology and education as well as experiential-relational soul work in classes and co-curricular requirements to aid in understanding the spiritual life mentoring. Note also that this more academic M.A. with a concentration in Spiritual Formation is to be distinguished from the more professional M.A. in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care, the latter being fashioned more along the lines of an Apprentice Training Model which includes training, supervision and service components in spiritual direction and mentoring. As a result of this program, the student will: 1. Appreciate and deeply grow in the reality that true Christian spirituality is grounded in the Double Knowledge and encounter of God and Self. Students will understand through experience and theory that growth in Christ is based upon an encounter with God and oneself in the Truth. 2. Understand the Word of God and its role as a primary datum for true Christian spirituality. Students will come to have a sufficient grasp and commitment to the Word of God as a primary source of truth for their understanding of spiritual formation and spiritual direction (through courses in theology, biblical studies and spiritual formation). 3. Integrate truth from the data of extra-biblical sources of wisdom and true Christian spirituality. Students will also come to appreciate the relevant information from the history of the church, spiritual classics, personal experience, the humanities and the social sciences relevant to spiritual growth. 4. Discern what is of truth or falsehood in light of various contemporary competing spiritualities. Students will be able to discern truth and error, what is helpful and unhelpful in true Christian spiritual growth in light of various competing contemporary spiritualities. 5. Foster honest self-assessment and humility. Students will gain an honest understanding of themselves in the presence of God and truth through various experiential prayer projects, meditation on the Word, retreats, spiritual direction and a small exposure to therapy. 6. Develop deeper understanding of the sinful dynamics at work in one’s life and others. Students will become more aware of the sinful dynamics that govern their lives and those they will be ministering to as well as a deeper appreciation of the origin of those dynamics from interaction with the Scriptures, psychological theory, philosophy, prayer projects and personal experience in therapy, retreats and spiritual direction. 7. Cultivate deeper intimacy with Christ in prayer. Students will personally nurture intimacy in their relationship to Christ in their meditation on the Word, experiential prayer projects, retreats, and personal experience in spiritual direction. 8. Grow in personal commitment to obedience and character of Christ. Students will cultivate growth in character as well as behavior consistent with the faith in their interaction with
Philosophical Anthropology and Philosophy of the Mind Philosophy of Religion Philosophical Theology
Credit(s): 3. Credit(s): 3. Credit(s): 3.
TTPH 684 TTPH 685
Elective Requirements (11 Credits) Philosophy electives: 6 credits. General electives: 5 credits.
204
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker