Certificate in Theological Studies

Enrich Your Personal and Professional Development with Theological Education

Our Certificate in Theological Studies (C.T.S.) fosters development of theological understanding as part of educational, professional, and spiritual growth. This program provides an excellent overview of theological education and can be completed in one or two years. The certificate is available for credit through San Francisco Theological Seminary at our Graduate School of Theology, or for no credit personal and professional enrichment through our School of Continuing Studies. We believe an understanding of theological perspectives fosters compassion and connectivity—skills that are essential to improving relationships and communication in personal and professional life.

Flexibility online or on campus, for academic credit or personal enrichment

  • 100% online, on-campus, or both
  • 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time
  • Foundational courses in history, biblical studies, and systematic theology
  • Academic credits can be transferred to our master’s degrees
  • No-credit option for personal and professional enrichment

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For Academic Credit

Four 3-unit courses for 12 credits total. Credits can be transferred to our master's degrees (M.A.T.S. or M.Div.) if you would like to deepen your studies, broaden your electives, explore Chaplaincy, or become interested in other forms of ministry. The transfer of credit is dependent upon successful admissions into a degree program. Application required. Please peruse our Admission Requirements.

For Personal Enrichment

No application required!  Courses are for no credit. You may take one class at a time, or in a combination that works for your lifestyle. If you are interested in this continuing education option, you may register directly through our School of Continuing Studies.

Courses

Students choose four courses from church history, biblical studies, and systematic theology. To complete your certificate in one year, you may choose two courses in each semester. To complete your certificate in two years, you may choose one course in each semester.

 

Fall 2023 Courses and Descriptions

 

Introduction to Old Testament/Hebrew Bible

OT-1070 (on-campus) or OT-8107 (online)
Rev. Jon Berquist, Ph.D.

This course offers a critical introduction to the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible. Students will learn about the ancient Near Eastern context of the OT/HB and the history of ancient Israel. This semester, we will investigate the processes from original, oral transmission of prose and poetry to the formation of canonical books. We will also interrogate different streams of tradition (theologies) within the text.

History of Christianity I

HS-1080 (on-campus) or HS-8010 (online)
Christopher Ocker, Ph.D.

This course provides an introduction to the history of Christianity and historical theology from the second to the seventeenth centuries. We will introduce you to the continuities and varieties of Christian experience and belief in different times and places across the globe—and to the complexity of Christianity's social, cultural, and political entanglements in these contexts. You will be exposed to the politics, ideas, and actions that gave rise to Protestantism, and the intimate relationship of Protestant and Catholic reforms. This course will encourage you to apply the critical skills and aptitudes developed in your study of the past to situations of religious life, leadership, and service today.

 

Spring 2024 Courses and Descriptions

 

Systematic Theology I

ST-1084 (on-campus) or ST-8108 (online)
Rev. Gregory Love, Ph.D.

The first semester of a two-semester introduction to Christian theology. Beginning with the meaning of religious faith, we move into the method question of the relation between divine revelation and the authority of scripture, human reason and experience. From there, we investigate the meaning of God using ancient and contemporary Trinitarian theology; Reformed theologian John Calvin, feminist theologian Elizabeth Johnson, and Latin American theologian Gustavo Gutierrez. We conclude with differing understandings of creation, and God's relationship to human suffering. Three exams (with option of substituting papers for exams). [Auditors with faculty permission] 

 

History of Christianity II

HS-1081 (on-campus) or HS-8181 (online)
Christopher Ocker, Ph.D.

This course is an introduction to the history of Christianity from the Sixteenth century to the present. During this time, Christianity became the largest religion in the world. Along the way, it was transformed again and again as it adapted to vastly different, changing cultural, social, and political environments. Topics will include the roles of Christian churches in European colonialism, the impact of expanding cultural networks across the globe on religious knowledge, cultural hybridization; Christianity and the rise of nation-states; the conflict of religion and science; the role of Christianity in slavery and in anti-slavery, suffrage, fascist, and labor movements; the rise and fall of American denominations; and the competition of orthodox and pluralistic theologies. Lectures, readings in primary sources, discussions. Midterm and final examinations (term papers may be substituted).

 

Fall 2024 Courses and Descriptions

 

Introduction to New Testament: Pauline Epistles

NT-1001 (on-campus) or NT-8105 (online)
Rev. Eugene Park, Ph.D.

This course is an introduction to the life, work, and theology of Paul as they are reflected in his seven undisputed epistles in the New Testament and in other related documents within and outside the NT. The course will discuss Paul’s life/work and survey his letters in their chronological order. Special attention will be paid to the particular historical circumstances and theological concerns of each letter. The primary mode of inquiry in this course is historical-critical, but hermeneutical questions will also be raised with regard to the application of Pauline theology to current theological issues.

Systematic Theology II

ST-1084 (on-campus) or ST-8108 (online)
Rev. Dr. Greg Love

This course is one of two introductory courses to Christian theology. Its purpose is to help students gain a basic knowledge of the theology of the universal  church, especially as these topics are understood in the Reformed tradition and in conversation with feminist and other contemporary theologies. Beginning with the doctrine of humanity, it looks at original goodness and our fall into relational forms of sin as pride, despair and denial. It then looks at the person and work of Jesus Christ from a variety of perspectives. It also looks deeply at the meaning of our being "saved by grace through faith alone," and the roles of divine and human Spirit in bringing about healing. The course concludes with the nature of the Christian spiritual life, including sanctification and vocation, the church and its mission in the world and sacraments.

 

Spring 2025 Courses and Descriptions

 

Introduction to New Testament (Gospels)

NT-1014 (on-campus) or NT-8114 (online)
Rev. Eugene Park, Ph.D.

This course is a general introduction to the canonical and apocryphal Gospels and Acts in early Christian literature. Major methodological issues in current Gospel scholarship will be introduced first. Then, each text of the Gospels and Acts will be interpreted in terms of its literary characteristics, historical background and theological ideas. Throughout the course hermeneutical implications of the critical interpretation of the bible will be raised and discussed.

Questions?

For Academic Credit through San Francisco Theological Seminary:

Kay Thomas
Assistant Director of Enrollment
University of Redlands
909.748.6350 office
kay_thomas@redlands.edu

 

For Personal Enrichment through the School of Continuing Studies:

Please contact us at info-scs@redlands.edu.