Atlanta School of Missions (ASOM)

As one wise person said, "Those who ignore the lessons of history are bound to repeat them.” If we don’t know where we have come from, how can we know where we are going? There’s so much to learn from two millennia of church history! Includes sections on the early church, Middle Ages, Reformation, Restoration Movement, Crossroads/Boston/ ICOC, and much more. A valuable course indeed!

AIM OLD TESTAMENT INTERPRETATION

AIM / ASOM, June-September 2017

Instructors: Joseph Harris & Douglas Jacoby

June 4 - September 30, 2017

AIM OLD TESTAMENT INTERPRETATION (OTI) beginning online on June 4, 2017.  The live lectures for OTS will take place in Atlanta on September 16 – 18, 2017.  The classes will be streamed live to remote and distance students as well.

“These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”

1 Corinthians 10:11-12 NIV

Old Testament Interpretation introduces students to the methodologies and background information necessary to gain a deeper understanding of the messages and application of  the books of the Old Testament.  Students will learn how to properly interpret the various genres of the Old Testament including narrative, poetry, law, apocalyptic, proverbs, songs, and prophecy.  Students will also learn about the usage of Old Testament texts, concepts, and ideas in the New Testament and how Jesus is present throughout the Old Testament.

REQUIRED & RECOMMENDED READING

Required

1.  Re-read Fee & Stuart, How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth, chs. 5, 9-12.       

2.  Gordon Fee & Douglas Stuart, How to Read the Bible Book by Book (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002), SKIM pp. 1-268 (the half dealing with the Old Testament only) 

Extra credit

1.  D. A. Carson, Exegetical Fallacies (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1996), only if not read for NTI—3 points     

2.  J. Daniel Hays, The Message of the Prophets: A Survey of the Prophetic and Apocalyptic Books of the Old Testament - 3 points 

3.  Philip Yancey, The Bible Jesus Read (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1999)—3 points

4. Robert Alter, The Art of Biblical Narrative - 3 points

5. Robert Alter, The Art of Biblical Poetry - 3 points

OLD TESTAMENT SURVEY

Instructors: Joseph Harris & Douglas Jacoby

“These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”

1 Corinthians 10:11-12 NIV

Fewer than 10% of Christians have read the entire Old Testament. This is due largely to 

unfamiliarity with the O.T. world and lack of training. This survey course introduces the world of the Old Testament, from the historical and geographical background to the formation of the Old Testament itself. Learn the Law, Prophets, Wisdom Literature, Psalms, Historical Books, Chronology, Apocrypha, and more. Learn the story of the Dead Sea Scrolls. In addition to the required reading, the student will have read the entire O.T. by the time he or she graduates from AIM—as well as the location of 100 useful passages. Field trip: synagogue visit / lecture by a Rabbi.

AIM/ASOM CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES

"...in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander." 1 Peter 3:15-16, NIV

Is the Christian faith a matter of personal opinion and subjective experience, or is it based on solid, verifiable evidence? Is truth like beauty—“in the eyes of the beholder”—or does the Bible’s description of reality apply to everyone? Regardless of your initial response to questions like these, you need accurate information in order to find intelligent and helpful answers.

In a non-Christian world, where faith is challenged and disinformation is rampant, apologetics is essential. If we are to reach the majority of the world’s population, who do not share our Christian presuppositions, we must adapt our thinking to their needs. Apologetics has always served a vital role in building faith. Other beneficiaries of apologetics are the younger generation, even those who have grown up in the church. Thus getting a handle on Christian evidences enables us to connect not only with outsiders, but also insiders.

This course introduces the student to Christian evidences, from the Creation/Evolution debate to Archaeology to Theodicy (the problem of suffering)—and much more! You will learn how to put together convincing presentations for unbelievers, and make apologetics a part of your own personal ministry. (Also valuable in campus ministry, teen ministry.)

GOAL OF THE COURSE
Exposure to the major areas of Christian apologetics, with mastery of basic evidences arguments, to equip the student to defend his faith and make a strong case for Christianity.

OVERVIEW OF SOME OF THE SUBJECTS IN THIS COURSE
Course Introduction
Evangelism and Pre-Evangelism
Existence of God
How to Build an Argument
The Reliability of the Biblical Texts
Biblical Archaeology
The Case for Jesus
Science and Faith
Atheists and Atheism
The Problem of Suffering
Outreach
Exploding Common Myths

"Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers." 1 Timothy 4:16, NIV

Paul instructs his protégé Timothy to watch and persevere in his life and doctrine (i.e., teaching, what we believe ourselves and teach to others) and in so doing to save himself and those he instructs.  Historically, believers have often struggled with this dynamic tension of orthodoxy (i.e., right belief, or right teaching) and orthopraxy (i.e., right practice or behavior).  Biblically, we are to have both.  While the AIM Spiritual Life course focuses more on orthopraxy, AIM Healthy Doctrine highlights orthodoxy, or sound biblical doctrines and beliefs by giving an overview of major doctrinal belief systems and worldview within Christianity and showing where they are biblical and where they might be unbiblical or erroneous.  

A major component of this course is pneumatology, the study of doctrines related to the Holy Spirit.  [Note: this course may be taken as an equivalent to the AIM Holy Spirit course].  In addition overviews of the basic beliefs and worldview of pentecostalism, Calvinism and Arminianism, Mormonism, Catholicism and Protestantism, Sabbatarianism, Messianic and Judaic Christianity, New Age Movements, postmodernism, liberal theology, fundamentalism, prosperity theology, the megachurch movement, and several influential doctrinal systems developed in America will all be covered in this course.

New Testament Survey

This is an online course for students in the Atlanta School of Ministry (ASOM). It is only open to students currently registered in the Atlanta School of Ministry.

NEW TESTAMENT SURVEY
Bible study— with an emphasis on careful teaching (2 Timothy 2:15)— constitutes nearly 40% of the course. This survey course introduces the student to the world of the New Testament, from the historical and geographical background to the culture of the first century to the formation of the New Testament itself.

Units: Synoptic Gospels, John, Acts, the Letters of Paul, the General Epistles, Revelation, and N.T. chronology.

We will learn about the ancient Greek manuscripts in a special workshop, learning about the complex world of manuscript copying. A powerpoint presentation colorfully illustrates the amazing history of the transmission of the N.T. through the ages. In addition to studying a conservative N.T. textbook, the student will read the entire N.T. We will also learn how to deploy 100 useful N.T. passages.

DESCRIPTION 

What many of us were never taught… Exegesis and hermeneutics—interpreting what a N.T. passage meant to those to whom it was written, and making a proper application to our situation today—are vital areas of theological training.  There are units on exegesis of the Synoptic Gospels, Parables, Acts, Epistles, Revelation, and more.  20 useful passages and several books will be studied, including Gordon Fee’s How to Read the Bible For All Its Worth.  

GOAL OF THE COURSE 

To overhaul how the scriptures are explored (respecting context) and learning how to read the NT genre by genre.

OVERVIEW OF THE SUBJECTS IN THIS COURSE 

The Need for Interpretation, The Nature of Interpretation, Parables, Letters, Acts, Synoptic Gospels, Gospel of John, Revelation

The Bible places far more emphasis on who we are inside than on how we behave or appear to others. We have all seen too many comrades-in-arms fall, not rebounding but remaining fallen, due to a weak walk with the Lord--while others continue to go forward to do great things despite formidable obstacles. The course covers character, sexual issues, financial responsibility, and so much more. The secret of God's preacher: the inner spiritual life.