Religion & Ministry   

In this course, developed by an expert in New Testament Studies and Theology, we will consider, use, and interpret the Bible for sports contexts thoughtfully and faithfully. We will first examine several unhelpful uses of the Bible applied to sports before looking at how we might understand the Scriptures on its own terms. We end the course by returning to the world of sports and the Bible and discovering how they might be brought together in a way that is faithful to the text, useful for the believer, and transformational for our involvement in sports.

Course outcomes include:

• Explore how Christian athletes can meaningfully connect their activities in sports to the Bible
• Thoughtfully and faithfully apply the Bible to their daily lives
• Understand and articulate the diverse cultural contexts of the Bible and the role it plays in interpretation
• Understand how to read sporting contexts through the Bible (and not vice versa)
• Appropriately understand and apply the athletic metaphors in the Bible
• Explore creative ways the Bible speaks into sports apart from athletic imagery

The course is eight weeks long and delivered online through Canvas Catalog. As a non-credit course, there are no academic prerequisites to enroll. Each week will include specially designed and selected readings and learning engagement activities. You will receive constructive and meaningful feedback from the instructor and opportunities to interact with your peers.

Developed by a historian in consultation with experts in theology, ethics, and sports ministry, this class examines the intersection of race, sports, and Christianity in the United States from a historical and contemporary lens.

Course outcomes include:

• Develop a theological and biblical framework for approaching questions about racial identity and racial justice in sports
• Enhance cultural literacy and understanding of sports by exploring how the past has shaped the present
• Consider and examine the ways that racism has been both promoted and resisted in American sports history
• Learn from the historical examples of Christian athletes and coaches who were involved in debates about racial inclusion and racial justice.
• Evaluate current issues related to racism in sports from a Christian perspective.
• Apply course concepts to an action plan specific to the context of your sport.

The course is eight weeks long and delivered online through Canvas Catalog. As a non-credit course, there are no academic prerequisites to enroll. Each week will include specially designed and selected readings and learning engagement activities. You will receive constructive and meaningful feedback from the instructor and opportunities to interact with your peers.

The required second course in the Truett Seminary Certificate Program teaches students how to read better, interpret, and apply Scripture, emphasizing observing Scripture and interpreting it within its appropriate contexts.

Prerequisites: TCP001 - Orientation and Formation - required

Required Textbook: Duvall, J. Scott, and J. Daniel Hays. Grasping God’s Word: A Hands-On Approach to Reading, Interpreting, and Applying the Bible. Zondervan, 2012.

This course is suitable for laypeople and ministers of all types who want to become better equipped to share the Gospel in an ever-changing world. Additionally, the goal is to help believers with their relationship with the world and with God through the continued study of the Gospel. This course is required to achieve a Certificate of Christian Studies, and all other students are encouraged to take it as an elective.

Please read: 
Chester, Tim and Steve Timmis. Everyday Church: Gospel Communities on Mission (Wheaton, Ill: Crossway, 2012).
Hunter III, George G.. The Celtic Way of Evangelism, Tenth Anniversary Edition: How Christianity Can Reach the West . . .Again, 10th Revised edition. (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2010)
Frost, Michael. Surprise the World: The Five Habits of Highly Missional People (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2015).

Prerequisites
TCP002 - Biblical Interpretation - required
TCP004 - Introduction to Theology - recommended