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Last updated:10/18/2023


Certificate of Pastoral Ministry


96 Semester Hours

A Certificate of Pastoral Ministry provides students an education comparable to the Master of Divinity offered in traditional Seminary settings.  This program is specifically designed to equip lay pastors, church elders, evangelists, missionaries, and Bible study teachers with the necessary tools for effective ministry.


Credits    Courses

16              ST Systematic Theology
16              BS Biblical Studies  
8                MP Ministry/Practical Theology 
10              CH Church History
8                AP Apologetics

8                HE Hermeneutic/Exegesis
12              BL Biblical Languages
10              EL Electives--any category 
4                TS Thesis 
96              Total Semester Hours

 

 Certificate of Pastoral Ministry


Systematic Theology


ST 501 Introduction to Systematic Theology (4) Core Course
An introduction and overview of several major biblical doctrines: Bibliology, Theology Proper, Christology, Pneumatology, Angelology, Anthropology and Harmartology, Soteriology, Ecclesiology, and Eschatology.
  Study all of the following:

Text 1) Major Bible Themes, Lewis Sperry Chafer

Text 2) Lectures in Systematic Theology, Henry C. Thiessen

 

BS 501, OT & NT Surveys (4) Core Course
Study each of the following:

Text 1) Through The Bible, Guidelines for the Understanding of the Scriptures, J Vernon McGee 

Text 2) Introduction to the New Testament, Louis Berkhof


BS 502, Inroduction to the Bible (4) Core Course

Text) A General Introduction to the Bible, Norman Geisler & Nix

 

MPT 605, The Christian Ministry (4) Core Course

Study each of the following:

Text 1) Biblical Eldership - An Urgent Call to Restore Biblical Church Leadership, Alexander Strauch

Text 2) The Invisible War - Donald Grey Barnhouse

Text 3) Walking With God, JC Ryle

 

CH 501, Christianity through the Centuries (4) Core Course

Text 1) Christianity Through the Centuries a History of the Christian Church, Earle E Cairns

 

AP 501, Apologetics (4) Core Course
Study all of the following:

Text 1) Apologetics Study - Evidences for the Christian Faith, Richard Helsby

Text 2) Mere Christianity, CS Lewis

Text 3) The Unity of the Bible, Frank E Gaebelein

Text 4) An Apology and Unification Theory for the Reconciliation of Physical Matter and Metaphysical Cognizance, Desmond Allen

 

HE 501, Basic Hermeneutics & Exegesis (4) Core Course
A study of the science of biblical interpretation based upon the historical-grammatical-contextual-lateral hermeneutic.  Study each of the following:

Text 1) To Determine the Author’s Intent - The Theologian’s Approach, Desmond Allen

Text 2) How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth, Fee & Stuart

 

BL 501, Introduction to NT Greek Grammar (4) Core Course

Choose one of the following Basic Greek Grammars. Each is equally sufficient.

Text Option 1) Bible Greek Basic Grammar of the Greek NT, Pappas

This text is based upon online video lesson by the author, making this a great interactive learning process: Video Lessons

Text Option 2) Basics of Biblical Greek, WD Mounce

A mix of the deductive and well as the inductive method: The deductive uses charts and memorization while the inductive method immerses the student in the text.

Text Option 3) NT Greek Grammar for Beginners, Machen

A basic deductive Greek grammar for beginners.

Text Option 4) The Elements of New Testament Greek, Duff

A basic Greek grammar designed to teach the student to read Greek.

Text Option 5) A Concise Exegetical Grammar of NT Greek, Greenlee

A basic deductive Greek grammar for beginners.

Text Option 6) A Manual Grammar of the Greek NT, H E Dana

A basic deductive Greek grammar for beginners.


EL 501, Electives (8) Courses
Chose any combination of elective courses to total at least 8 semester hours.

 

ST 601, ST 602, ST 701, ST 702 Systematic Theology (12) Core Course
An in-depth systematic study of Theism, Theology Proper, the Trinity, God’s Attributes, God’s Works, Anthropology,  Hamartiology,
Pneumatology, Angelology, Christology, Soteriology, Ecclesiology, and Eschatology.

 

Study one or more of the following works (sets) of Systematic Theology.

Reformed Premillennial Dispensationalist 

- Charles F. Baker

- WH Griffith Thomas

 

Baptist

- James Petigru Boyce
- Augustus Hopkins Strong

- John Gill

 

Charismatic Calvinist

- Wayne Grudem

 

Reformed

- Martyn Lloyd Jones

- Charles Hodge Index

   Charles Hodge Vol 1

   Charles Hodge Vol 2

   Charles Hodge Vol 3

- Archibald Hodge

- William Shedd Vol 1

   William Shedd Vol 2

   William Shedd Vol 3

- Robert Reymond

- Robert L Dabney

 

Covenant

- Louis Berkhof

 

 

Lutheran

- John Theodore Mueller

 

 

Methodist/Arminian

- William Pope

- Thomas Summers Vol 1

  Thomas Summers Vol 2

 

Here are a few optional works in Systematic Theology; however, OBI does not have access to these for distribution, so students would have to provide their own copies. Lewis Sperry Chaffer, Millard J. Erickson, Norman Geisler, J Oliver Buswell, Jeffrey Khoo & Timothy Tow, Herman Bavinck, Gordon Lewis and Bruce Demarest, Morton H. Smith, Herman Hoeksema. 

 

BL 703, Introduction to OT Hebrew (4) Core Course
An introduction to the grammar and syn­tax of biblical Hebrew. The course provides the foundation for exegetical study of the OT Hebrew.  Choose one of the following grammars.

Text 1) Basic Grammar of OT Hebrew, John Pappas

Text 2) Simplified Hebrew Grammar and Workbook, Justin T Alfred

Text 3) A Practical Grammar for Classical Hebrew, Weingreen

Text 4) An Introductory Hebrew Grammar, A B Davidson

Text 5) A Grammar for Biblical Hebrew, William B Barrick

 

TS 701, (4) Core Course
Independent study: requires a 12,000 word thesis on an approved topic of your choice with a minimum of six research references beyond biblical references.  For example: a theological issue (biblical or practical); an application of a particular passage; an issue of practical ministry, etc. 

 

Electives in Theology Courses

 

SH 609, Biblical Doctrines, BB Warfield, (4) Core Course

Text) Biblical Doctrines, BB Warfield

 

SH 610, Select Works of LS Chafer (2)

Text 1) Seven Biblical Signs of the Times, Lewis Sperry Chafer

Text 2) Kingdom, Lewis Sperry Chafer

Text 3) Spirituality, Lewis Sperry Chafer

Text 4) Grace, Lewis Sperry Chafer

SH 611, Calvinism (4)

Text 1) Institutes of Christian Religion, John Calvin

 

SH 612, Lutheran Theology (3)

Text 1) Handbook of Christian Dogmatics, Theodore Mueller

 

SH 613, Methodist Theology of William Pope (4)
Text 1)
A Compendium of Christian Theology, William Pope

 

SH 614, Dispensational Theology (4)
Text 1)
Dispensational Theology.
Baker, Charles F

 

SH 616, Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology (4)

Text 1) Systematic Theology Index, Vols 1, 2, 3, Charles Hodge

 

SH 617, SH 617 Select Works of John Owns & Jonathan Edwards (1)

Text 1) Freedom of the Will, Jonathan Edwards

Text 2) Vindication Doctrine of Trinity, John Owen

 

SH 622, Grace, Baptism, and Eternal Security (2)
Text 1)
The Eternal Security of the Believer, HA Ironside

Text 2) Baptism, What Saith the Scripture, Ironside

 

SH 623, Theology of John Gill (4)
Text 1)
A Body of Doctrinal Divinity, John Gill

 

SH 631, Theology of Martin Luther (1)
Text 1)

 

SH 632, Review of Christian Creeds (1)
Text 1) The Creeds of Christendom Vols 1, 2, 3, Philip Schaff

 

 

Electives in Apologetics

 

AP 601, Christian Apologetics (2) Elective
Text 1)
The New Evidence That Demands a Verdict - Josh McDowell

 

AP 603, Select Works in Apologetics (2) Elective
Text 1)
What's the Answer, 362 Answers to Bible Questions, HA Ironside

Text 2) Faith With Reason (Apologetics) Joseph R Farinaccio

 

AP 504, AP 604, Select Works in Apologetics (2) Elective
Text 1)
Mere Christianity, CS Lewis

Text 2) The Unity of the Bible, Frank E Gaebelein

Text 3) An Apology and Unification Theory for the Reconciliation of Physical Matter and Metaphysical Cognizance

 

AP 517, AP 617, Veracity of Scripture (2) Elective
Text 1)
How Do We Know The Bible Is True Vol 1 Ken Ham & Bodie Hodge

 

AP 518, AP 618, Anti Pelagian (2) Elective
Text 1)
Augustine Anti Pelagian Writings

 

AP 522, AP 622, Christian Cults (2) Elective
Text 1)
The Kingdom of the Cults by Walter Martin

 

AP 523, AP 623, A study of Religions and Denominations (2) Elective
Text 1)
The Book of Religions, John Hayward

 

AP 530, AP 630, Science and Theology (2 Elective
Text 1-3)
Select four article from the site ARJ (Answers Research Journal)

 

AP 531, AP 631, Science and The Genesis Flood (2 Elective
Text 1)
The Biblical Basis for Modern Science, Henry M Morris

Text 2) Genesis Chapter 1 Notes, Henry Morris

Text 3) The History and Impact of the Book, The Genesis Flood, John C Whitcomb

 

 

Electives in Biblical Languages

 

BL 710 Introduction to NT Greek Grammar (4) Electives

Read the preface and introduction of each; then choose the text that best suits your learning method.  Each is equally sufficient.

Choose one of the following Basic Greek Grammars. Each is equally sufficient.

Text Option 1) Bible Greek Basic Grammar of the Greek NT, Pappas

This text is based upon online video lesson by the author, making this a great interactive learning process: Video Lessons

Text Option 2) Basics of Biblical Greek, WD Mounce

A mix of the deductive and well as the inductive method: The deductive uses charts and memorization while the inductive method immerses the student in the text.

Text Option 3) NT Greek Grammar for Beginners, Machen

A basic deductive Greek grammar for beginners.

Text Option 4) The Elements of New Testament Greek, Duff

A basic Greek grammar designed to teach the student to read Greek.

Text Option 5) A Concise Exegetical Grammar of NT Greek, Greenlee

A basic deductive Greek grammar for beginners.

Text Option 6) A Manual Grammar of the Greek NT, H E Dana

A basic deductive Greek grammar for beginners.

 

BL 711 Intermediate NT Greek Grammar (4) Elective

Text) List of Greek Words Occurring Frequently in the Greek NT, John Pappas

A mix of the deductive and well as the inductive method: The deductive uses charts and memorization while the inductive method immerses the student in the text.

Text 2) Intermediate Grammar for NT, John Pappas

A continuation of Pappas’ Bible Greek Basic Grammar of the Greek: this is designed for the second year student to become confident handling the Greek NT.  This is also designed to work with the online video lessons.  Video Lessons

 

BL 712, Introduction to OT Hebrew (4) Electives
An introduction to the grammar and syn­tax of biblical Hebrew. The course provides the foundation for exegetical study of the OT Hebrew.  Choose one of the following grammars.

Text 1) Basic Grammar of OT Hebrew, John Pappas

Text 2) Simplified Hebrew Grammar and Workbook, Justin T Alfred

Text 3) A Practical Grammar for Classical Hebrew, Weingreen

Text 4) An Introductory Hebrew Grammar, A B Davidson

Text 5) A Grammar for Biblical Hebrew, William B Barrick

 

Electives in Bible Study

 

BS 603 History of the New Testament (2)

Text 1) The History of New Testament Study, FF Bruce

Text 2) History and the Gospel, FF Bruce

Text 3) Brief Bible History – Machen

Text 4) Origin of the New Testament, Harnack

Text 5) The Divine Inspiration of the Bible, A W Pink

 

BS 611 - BS 641 History of the New Testament (2)

Choose a commentary on any book of the Bible found in the Student's Libray

 

 

Electives in Church History

 

CH 601 Early Centuries Church & Ministry (2)

Text 1) Church & Ministry Early Centuries, Thomas Martin Lindsay

 

CH 602, 702 Apostolic Age in Church History (2)

Text 1) Apostolic Christianity AD 1-100 Vol 1, Philip Schaff

 

CH 603, 703 Ante-Nicene Age in Church History (2)

Text 1) Ante-Nicene Christianity AD 100-325 Vol 2, Philip Schaff

 

CH 604, 704 Nicene and Post Nicene Age in Church History (2)

Text 1) Nicene and Post Nicene Christianity AD 311-600 Vol 3, Philip Schaff

 

CH 605, 705 Early Centuries Church & Ministry (2)

Text 1) Miller's Church History, Andrew Miller

 

CH 606, 706 A History of Martyrdom (2)

Text 1) Fox's Book of Martyrs, John Fox

Text 2) The History of the Waldenses, J.A Wylie

 

CH 702 Great Biographies, George Whitefield (2)

Text 1) George Whitefield, Joseph Belcher

 

CH 702 Great Biographies (2)

Text 2) George Muller and Andrew Reed, ER Pitman

Text 5) Life of Martin Luther, Diana Kleyn and Joel Beeke

 

CH 610, 710 Martin Luther, the Original Reformation (2)

Text 1) Martin Luther and the Invention of the Reformation, Peter Marshall

 

CH 611, CH 711 More Reformers (2)

Text 1) John Calvin and His Passion for the Majesty of God, John Piper

Text 3) Life of Martin Luther, Diana Kleyn and Joel

 

CH 611, CH 711 The Great Reformers (2)

Text 1) Gods Generals the Roaring Reformers, Robert Lairdon

 

CH 613, CH 713 The Great Awakening (2)

Text 1) John Wycliffe, A Shinning Light in a Dark Place, Gary J Hall

Text 2) God's Passion His Glory, Living the Vision of Jonathan Edwards, John Piper

Text 3) George Whitefield Issue 38 Christian History

Text 4) John Wesley Biography, Bonnie Dobree

 

Electives in Hermeneutic – Exegesis

 

HE 602 Exegetical Methods (2) Elective Course
After reading the following texts, chose a passage and provide an exhaustive exegesis of at least 1,000 words.

Text 1) Issues in Hermeneutical Foundations, Poythress

Text 2) Biblical Exegesis - Discovering the Meaning of Scriptural Texts, John Piper

Text 3) Exegetical Fallacies - Common Mistakes Every Student of the Bible Must Avoid, Barrick

Text 4) 2 Thessalonians 1 3-10 A Study in Sentence Structure, Duane A Dunham

 

HE 601 Advanced Hermeneutics & Exegesis (4) Core Course
A study of the science of biblical interpretation based upon the historical-grammatical-contextual-lateral hermeneutic.  This course will rely heavily on the original languages.

Text) Interpreting the Bible - An Overview of Hermeneutics, Ernst R Wendland

 

HE 602  Homolitics & Expository Preaching (2) Core Course
A study of the science of biblical exposition and preaching

Text) Biblical Preaching the Development and Delivery of Expository Messages, Haddon Robinson

 

 

Electives in Ministry-Practical Theology

 

MPT 501, The Christian Life (2)

Text 1) The Normal Christian Life, Watchman Nee

Text 2) The Release Of The Spirit, Watchman Nee

Text 3) The Christian Secret of Happy Life, Hannah Whitall Smith

Text 4) The God of All Comfort, Hanna Whitall Smith

 

MPT 502, The Spiritual Life (2)
Text 1)
The Spiritual Man, Watchman Nee

 

MPT 503, Walking with God (2)

Text 1) Walking With God, JC Ryle

Text 2) The Saint and His Savior, CH Spurgeon

Text 3) The Autobiography of George Muller, George Mueller

 

MPT 504, Works of CS Lewis (2)
Text 1)
The Problem of Pain, CS Lewis

Text 2) The Four Loves, CS Lewis

Text 3) Mere Christianity, CS Lewis

Text 4) A Grief Observed by C S Lewis

Text 5) The Abolition of Man, CS Lewis

 

MPT 505, Prayer and the Spiritual Life (2)
Text 1)
Purpose of Prayer, E M Bounds

Text 2) Prayer and Praying Men, E M Bounds

Text 3) Power Through Prayer, E M Bounds

Text 4) Praying in the Holy Spirit, HA Ironside

Text 5) Necessity of Prayer, E M Bounds

Text 6) The Reality of Prayer, E M Bounds

Text 7) A Call to Prayer, JC Ryle

Text 8) Origen on Prayer, Origen

Text 9) Prayers, CH Spurgeon

 

MPT 506, Holiness (2)
Text 1)
Holiness, JC Ryle

Text 2) Knowledge of the Holy, AW Tozer

Test 3) The Dwelling Place of God, AW Tozer

 

MPT 507, Evangelism (2)
Text 1)
How To Develop An Evangelistic Lifestyle, R Larry Moyer

Text 2) An Alarm to the Unconverted by Joseph Alleine

Text 3) Mere Christianity, CS Lewis

 

MPT 508, God’s Comfort (2)
Text 1)
Help for the Needy Soul, HA Ironside

Text 2) The God of All Comfort, Hanna Whitall Smith

Text 3) The Problem of Pain, CS Lewis

Text 4) Suffering and Consolation, CH Spurgeon

 

MPT 509, Victorious Living (2)
Text 1)
The Invisible War - Donald Grey Barnhouse

Text 2) Walking With God, JC Ryle



MPT 510, Modern Christendom (2) 

Text 1) What Paul Might Say Today - Critiques in the Practical Theology of 21st Century Western Christendom, Desmond Allen

Text 2) Biblical Eldership-An Urgent Call to Restore Biblical Church Leadership, Alexander Strauch

 

MPT 520, Victory in Suffering (2)

Text 1) Broken Things we Suffer by MR DeHann

Text 2) Cure for Heart Ache, CH Spurgeon

Text 3) The Problem of Pain, CS Lewis

Text 4) Why Forgive, Johann Christoph Arnold

 

MPT 521, Biblical Counseling, Pulaski (2)

Text 1) Biblical Counseling Manual, Adam Pulaski

 

MPT 522, Biblical Counseling, Newheiser (2)

Text 1) Introduction to Biblical Counseling, Jim Newheiser