Bachelors in Theology and Christian Studies
This is a full time four-year degree program. The first two year of the program is focused on general education matters that will fundamentally equip the student to excel in the remaining two years of the program. The second year is an emphasis in Christian culture, Church History, American Law, American Government, American History, and Historical Theology. The third year is focused on theological studies that are fundamental to the study of Christianity, Culture, and Religion. The fourth year will have a focus in church service and church-related ministries as a vocational call to service with a series of internships and practicums supervised by both the school and Christian community leaders in the sector of church- related vocations other than traditional pastoral ministry.
“In the Church of Jesus Christ there can and should be no non-theologians,” said the most influential theologian of the 20th century, Karl Barth. Theology is not meant to be practiced by just a few. On the contrary, every person that has ever pondered a thought about God has ventured into theological work. More importantly, every member of the body of Christ has been called to study and meditate on God’s nature, actions, purposes, and revelation. A study that will strengthen how the believer relates to God and his society.
Theology, therefore, is not just for religious authorities or thought leaders. Theology is for everyone, especially those who belong to the body of Christ. We believe that every member of the body of Christ, regardless of their day-to-day occupation, be it medicine, law, education, construction, etc., is called to fulfill their specific activities with a theologically sound motivation.
At TUA, we believe that theologically trained professionals in all realms will effectively impact our general society and culture. More than ever, the Church needs the participation of all of its members to face the various challenges found in all areas of public life. This program of study has been developed precisely to equip and train the whole body of Christ to be better prepared to reflect on and live the teachings of God and His revelation in all aspects of ministry, work, culture, society, and philosophy inside and outside the church.
What is theology? How is theology properly done? What are the sources and starting points of theology? What’s the relationship between theology and Christian ministry? What’s the relationship between theology and daily life? What are the major schools of theology and thinkers throughout history? How to interpret the Bible as a source of theology?
Upon successful completion of the Bachelors in Theology and Christian Studies, the student will be able to:
- Express a general knowledge of the books of the Bible, including key individuals, major events, and
- historical settings within its theological context.
- Understand the different main doctrines as it is included in the Scripture: God, Christ, Holy Spirit, Humanity, etc and their connection among evangelicals groups and denominations.
- Express knowledge and the ability to articulate and reason theologically on passages of Scripture relating to issues of Christianity in the areas of culture, religion, and ministry.
- Articulate a synthesis of every major category of systematic theology and its relevancy in the life of the Church and Ministry.
- Become acquainted and familiar with literature relevant to Church theology in history and the current environment and expound ways and means to bring current theological perspectives into more biblical embodiment.
- Relate and lead effectively, from a conservative biblical worldview, as a servant-leader in matters of Church and in relation to theological settings/ institutions, the local church, and the non-profit sector.
First year
1st Semester - FALL
ENGL 1301 - English Grammar/Writing
HIST 1301 - Columbus to Civil War
COMM 1301 - Introduction to Computer Technology MATH 1301 - Basic Math
2nd Semester - SPRING
ENGL 1302 - English Grammar
HIST 1302 - Civil War to Present
SOCI 1301 - Introduction to Sociology
COMM 1301 – Speech
Second Year
1st Semester - FALL
ENGL 2301 - English Literature
PSYC 1301 - Introduction to Psychology
HIST 2301 - World History and Globalism
POLS 2301 - U.S. Government
2nd Semester - SPRING
ENGL 2302 - Writing and Composition
ANTR 1301 - Introduction to Anthropology
POLS 2302 - Texas Government
COMM 2302 - Research and Writing
Third Year
1st Semester - FALL
BIB 3301 – Old Testament Survey
EDUC 3301 - Principles of Teaching/Learning
THEO 3101 - Systematic Theology I
RELI 3101 – Apologetics I
2nd Semester – WINTER
RESEA 3101 - Reading Comprehension & Analysis
SEMR 3303 - Theological Research and Reading
CSCL 3301 – Principles of Biblical Counseling
3rd Semester - SPRING
POLS 3331 – New Testament Survey
LAWS 3302 – Introduction to Theological Method
RELI 3383 - Church History I
THEO 3302 – Systematic Theology II
4th Semester - SUMMER
PSYC 4301 – Multicultural Perspectives
RELI 3102 - Biblical View of Culture
POLS 3303 – Systematic Theology III
Fourth Year
1st Semester - FALL
PHIL 4303 – Ethics
RELI 3305 Hermeneutics (Principles of Biblical Interpretation)
POLS 3303 – Church Administration
CHST 4301 - Practicum and Internship I
2nd Semester - WINTER
PSYC 4316 - Human Growth and Development
MENT 4322 – Christian Leadership and Mentoring
EDUC 4302 – Small Group Design and Practice
CHST 4302 - Practicum and Internship II
3rd Semester - SPRING
RELI 4371 - Church History II (Latin American Church History)
BIBS 4331 – Character and Christian Formation
LAWS 4332 – Music and Worship for the 21st Century
TECH 4303 – The use of media in the Ministry
PROR 4333 – Online and virtual ministry
CHST 4303 - Practicum and Internship III
Bachelors in Biblical Studies & Public Service
This is a full time four-year degree program. The first year of the program is focused on general education matters that will fundamentally equip the student to excel in the remaining three years of the program. The second year is an emphasis in Christian culture, Church History, American Law, American Government, American History, and Historical Theology. The third year is focused on theological studies that are fundamental to the study of Christianity, Culture, Law, Research, and Policy. The fourth year will have a focus in public service and public policy as a vocational call to service with a series of internships and practicums supervised by both the school and Christian community leaders in the sector of public service and public administration.
More than ever there is growing need in our current generation to examine the relationship more closely between Church and State. “There is not a single instance in history in which civil liberty was lost, and religious liberty preserved entire,” reasoned Reverend John Witherspoon – one of America’s founding fathers and a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Throughout church history, the Church has actively been involved in a direct relationship with the civil magistrate and its affairs (Romans 13). The history of the Church and State relation has been a topic of much theological and philosophical discourse throughout the history of the Americas. Such discourse has permeated and influenced the fabric of our society. At T.U.A., we believe that said discourse should continue and will continue until the return of the Head of the Church, Jesus Christ.
The 21st century has brought about challenges to this discourse like never before, primarily by philosophies and worldviews that are antithetical to those taught in the Holy Bible, i.e., Marxism. At T.U.A., we believe that, more than ever, the Church’s influential role over our current culture and the role of the civil magistrate is seminal to the future of our countries and their citizenry. With the fast growing complexities of globalization and sociocultural and religious clashes, our religious liberties are at stake. It is our deepest conviction that the same are essential to both God and His Church and that it is the responsibility of the Church’s leaders to be the beacons of preservation and of defense of such liberties. This program of study has been developed precisely to train and equip said church leaders.
What is the biblical relationship between Church and State? What can history teach us about Church and State relations and their influence over each other? How far can the Church and State invade each other’s realms of jurisdictionwithout one dominating the other? Can a minister of the Gospel and of the church serve God in the role of public service? How can I become an advocate of religious freedom and be a servant in the religious-socio-political realm? These questions and many others will be answered in this programof study as we seek to train and equip church leaders in the Americas to become agents of the protection and preservation of our religious liberties.
Upon successful completion of the Bachelors in Biblical Studies & Public Service, the student will be able to:
- Express a general knowledge of the books of the Bible, including key individuals, major events, and historical settings within its socio-political context.
- Understand the meaning of religious liberties as it is understood in the biblical narrative as a God-given right to humanity. With this knowledge and ability, the student will be able to identify legislation and public policy that affects religious liberty as it is understood from a biblical worldview.
- Express knowledge and the ability to articulate and reason theologically on passages of Scripture relating to issues of Church and State in the areas of culture, advocacy, and public policy.
- Articulate a synthesis of every major category of systematic theology and its relevancy in the life of the Church and State.
- Become acquainted and familiar with literature relevant to Church-State relations in history and the current environment and expound ways and means to bring current Church-State relations into more biblical embodiment.
- Intelligently communicate, articulate, argue, and teach on historical and contemporary biblical-socio-political positions in relation to current legislations and public policies that tap into and relate to matters of religious liberties.
- Express a general knowledge of local, state, and federal government and its relation to the Church.
- Relate and lead effectively, from a conservative biblical worldview, as a servant-leader in matters of Church and in relation to government settings/ institutions, the local church, and the non-profit sector.
American History 1 – Columbus to Civil War
Introduction to Sociology
Introduction to Psychology
Introduction to Anthropology
English Grammar 1/Writing
Human Development
American History 2 – Civil War to Present
English Grammar 2/Writing
English Literature
Basic Math
Writing and Composition
Speech
U.S. Government
Introduction to Computer Technology
Research and Writing
Texas Government
Reading Comprehension & Analysis
World History and Globalism
Theological Research and Reading
Hermeneutics
Systematic Theology
Apologetics I
Church History I
Biblical Ethics
Biblical View of Culture
Apologetics II
Church History II
Christian Political Philosophy
Christianity and the State
Christianity and Culture
Introduction to American Law
Legal Reasoning
Legal Research and Writing
History and Introduction to Law
Constitutional Law
Legislative Law and Administrative Law
Church and State Law
Homiletics
Practicum and Internship 1
Fundamentals of Governmental Institutions
Process Recording 1
Study of Institutional Policies and Procedures 1
Practicum and Internship 2
Assessment and Research of Governmental Institutions
Study of Institutional Policies and Procedures 2
Process Recording 2
Practicum and Internship 3
Study of Institutional Policies and Procedures 3
Process Recording 3