Master of Divinity in Intercultural Studies
The Master of Divinity in Intercultural Studies is designed for those interested in missions either in local missions, missions of the local church or cross-cultural / intercultural mission setting.
First Year
| First Quarter | Units | Second Quarter | Units | Third Quarter | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hermeneutics | 3 | Basic Counseling | 3 | Creative Teaching Methods | 3 |
| Old Testament I | 3 | Homiletics | 3 | Old Testament III | 3 |
| Research Methods | 3 | Old Testament II | 3 | Preaching Practicum I | 3 |
| Theology of Mission | 3 | Cultural Anthropology | 3 | Inter-cultural Communications | 3 |
| Field Education | 1 | Field Education | 1 | Field Education | 1 |
| Summer Practicum | 3 | ||||
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Hermeneutics – 3 Units
A study of the principles and methods of biblical interpretation. Particular emphasis is given to the development of skills in interpreting the various types of literary genres found in the Bible and applying the Scriptures in daily life and in the Christian ministries of preaching and teaching.
Old Testament I: Torah – 3 Units (Pre-requisite: Hermeneutics)
A study of Torah the Hebrew Bible (Genesis trough Deuteronomy), with attention to introductory and critical issues, historical and geographical context, literary structure, and key theological themes
Research Methods – 3 Units
A study of key concepts and procedures of basic research with special attention to the preparation and writing of a research paper applicable to biblical, theological, education, counseling, and intercultural studies.
Theology of Mission – 3 Units
This course explores the biblical theology of mission found in the Old Testament and the New Testament with emphases on the theological basis of mission, the missionary mandate, method and motive of mission.
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Basic Counseling – 3 Units
Homiletics – 3 Units
A study of the principles and process involved in the preparation of expositional and other varieties of sermons. This include proper extraction of the central idea from an exegetical study of the text and moving from the central idea to sermon outline.
Old Testament II: Former and Latter Prophets – 3 Units (Pre-requisite: Hermeneutics)
A study of the Former and Latter Prophets of the Hebrew Bible (Joshua, Judges, 1-2 Samuel, 1-2 Kings; Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Hosea), with attention to introductory and critical issues, historical and geographical context, literary structure, and key theological themes. The office and work of the prophet is also briefly examined.
Cultural Anthropology – 3 Units
This course if offered to Christian workers seeking to minister inter-cultural settings which calls for a proper understanding of the social religious and cultural contexts in which people live and their relevance and application to mission ministries such as evangelism and church planting among people groups, tribes or other social groups. This course introduces a general anthropological and sociological understanding of culture, cultural change and how they relate to the inter-cultural missionary.
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Creative Teaching Methods – 3 Units
A Study of various creative methods in Christian educational ministries in non-formal and formal settings.
Old Testament III: Poetic Books – 3 Units (Pre-requisite: Hermeneutics)
A study of the Writings of the Hebrew Bible (Psalms, Job, Proverbs, Ruth, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes, Lamentations, Esther, Daniel, Ezra – Nehemiah, 1 – 2 Chronicles), with attention to introductory and critical issues, historical context, literary structure, and key theological themes.
Preaching Practicum I – 3 Units
Application of homiletical principles and actual preaching of selected texts from the Old Testament.
Inter-cultural Communications – 3 Units
This course focuses on the principles of communication between cultures. It also probes on problems peculiar to cross-cultural communications, including varying world views, behavioral patterns, social structures, and the attitude values, traits and skills that enable Christian workers to do effective ministries in intercultural settings.
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Second Year
| First Quarter | Units | Second Quarter | Units | Third Quarter | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Testament I | 3 | New Testament II | 3 | New Testament III | 3 |
| Pastoral Ministry I | 3 | Pastoral Ministry II | 3 | Pastoral Ministry Elective | 3 |
| Preaching Practicum II | 3 | Global Mission | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| Asian Religions | 3 | Chinese Folk Religions | 3 | Contemporary Issues in Asian Mission | 3 |
| Field Education | 1 | Field Education | 1 | Field Education | 1 |
| Summer Practicum | 3 | ||||
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New Testament I: Gospels – 3 Units (Pre-requisite: Hermeneutics)
A study of Gospels with attention to introductory and critical issues, historical and geographical context, and key theological themes.
Pastoral Ministry I/Pastor’s Spiritual Formation – 3 Units
A study of the spiritual formation of the pastor with special attention to the minister’s call, the cultivation of spiritual discipline, the pastor’s family, pastoral ethics, and spiritual leadership.
Preaching Practicum II – 3 Units
Application of homiletical principles and actual preaching of selected texts from the New Testament.
Asian Religions – 3 Units
This course is an overview of the major Asians religions – Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Shintoism, Chinese religions and folk religion. It includes an analysis of the histories, worldview, distinctive beliefs and practices of these religions and the relevance of the gospel evangelism.
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New Testament II: Acts and Early Epistles – 3 Units (Pre-requisite: Hermeneutics)
A study of Acts and the early epistles with attention to introductory and critical issues, historical and geographical context, and key theological themes.
Pastoral Ministry II/Pastoral Ministries – 3 Units
A study of the nature of pastoral ministry with emphasis to the role of the pastor. Attention is given to the minister’s spiritual leadership among the congregation and the minister’s various pastoral ministries such as preparation for preaching and worship, administration, home-visitation, teaching and other ministries.
Global Missions – 3 Units
A study of the history and strategy of world missions with special attention tot he “un-reached peoples” group and the challenge and task of world evangelization.
Chinese Folk Religions – 3 Units
A study of the nature of folk religions with emphasis on the different characteristics of Philippines-Chinese and Filipino folk religions in the Philippines.
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New Testament III: Later Epistles and Revelation – 3 Units (Pre-requisite: Hermeneutics)
A study of later epistles and Revelation with attention to introductory and critical issues, historical and geographical context, and key theological themes.
Pastoral Ministry III/Pastoral Counseling – 3 Units
A study of the principles and practice of various aspects of pastoral counseling and care. Special attention is given to the skills necessary for a pastoral counseling ministry and the general issues Chinese-Filipino and Filipino parishioners face today.
Contemporary Issues in Asian Mission – 3 Units
This course proposes to study the different current issues and trends in mission studies both in the Western and non-Western world from a Third-World perspective with special attention to the issues and challenges that Third-World mission faces.
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Third Year
| First Quarter | Units | Second Quarter | Units | Third Quarter | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global Christianity I | 3 | Global Christianity II | 3 | Global Christianity III | 3 |
| Systematic Theology I | 3 | Systematic Theology II | 3 | Systematic Theology III | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | General Elective | 3 | Urban Mission | 3 |
| Contextualization in Asian Contexts | 3 | Global Mission | 3 | Special Studies in Mission | 3 |
| Field Education | 1 | Field Education | 1 | Field Education | 1 |
| Summer Practicum | 3 | ||||
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Global Christian History I: Apostolic and Medieval Church History – 3 Units
A study of the history of the church from the apostolic to the medieval periods dealing with its establishment, development, theological movements, and liturgy.
Systematic Theology I: Foundation of Theology: Introduction, The Bible and God – 3 Units
This course studies the methodology and philosophy of theology, the doctrine of the Bible and God. Prolegomena is an examination of reality, truth, language, meaning, value, and source of Christian theology. Bibliology is the study of the revelation, inspiration, inerrancy, canonicity, and authority of the Bible. Theology Proper deals with the existence, nature, attributes and works of God and His relationships to His creation and creatures.
Contextualization in Asian Contexts – 3 Units
This course focuses on the biblical texts and models that provide insights as to how the gospel may be transmitted in Asian cultures.
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Global Christian History II: Reformation and Modern Church History – 3 Units
A study of the history of the church covering the Reformation, Counter-reformation, modern and contemporary periods dealing with biographical, theological, and liturgical developments. Special topics include revivalism, denominationalism, missions, ecumenism, evangelism, and Pentecostal/charismatic/third wave movements.
Systematic Theology II: Anthropology, Hamartiology, Pneumatology, Angelology: Humans, Sin, The Holy Spirit and The Spirit World – 3 Units
A study of the biblical doctrines of man, sin, the Holy Spirit and the spiritual world. Anthropology deals with the origin and nature of human beings. Hamartiology deals with the origin, nature, extent, and effects of sin in creation, in human relationships to God. Pneumatology deals with person and work of the Holy Spirit with attention given to the current Pentecostal-charismatic movements. Angelology deals with the doctrines of evil, angels and demons with attention to their origin, personality, works, and views of the Filipino and Chinese spirit world.
Global Missions – 3 Units
A study of the history and strategy of world missions with special attention tot he “un-reached peoples” group and the challenge and task of world evangelization.
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Global Christian History III: Historical Theological of Asian Churches – 3 Units
A study of the history and theological trends of the Asian churches, with particular focus on the Chinese and Filipino settings. The historical survey covers the early up to the modern periods. Emphasis will be given to missiological, Christological, and other contemporary issues in theology.
Systematic Theology III: Christology, Soteriology, Ecclesiology, Eschatology: Christ, Salvation, The Church and The End Times – 3 Units
A study of the biblical doctrines of Christ, salvation, the church, and end times. Christology deals with the person and work of Jesus Christ. Soteriology examines the themes of propitiation, redemption, adoption, reconciliation, atonement, election, justification, sanctification, perseverance, and glorification of the believer. Ecclesiology examines the nature, government ordinances officers, and mission of the church. Eschatology deals with the Second Coming, the resurrection, judgement, and the eternal state.
Urban Missions – 3 Units
A Study of the nature and methods of missions in the urban context with special attention to the problems, opportunities and challenges of urban evangelism and the development and implementation of a mission strategy for urban outreach. Field trips to selected places are include.
Special Studies in Mission – 3 Units
This focuses on a special topic(s), theme(s), or current issue(s)/trend(s) of mission in Asia or worldwide for in depth coverage and research by both professor and students and presented regularly in seminar-type mode by all participants.
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Elective: Introduction to Mission – 3 Units
An overview of world evangelization to increase students’ awareness of the world, the current status of world evangelization and of world mission with a view to developing a lifestyle that reflects commitment to Christ’s Great Commission.
Elective: The Biblical Theology and Christian Practice of Poverty – 3 Units
This course focuses on the cultural, sociological, and theological understanding of poverty and the role, responsibility and mission practice of the Christian Church to respond to this reality of poverty in Asia.
Elective Global Mission – 3 Units
A study of the history and strategy of world missions with special attention to the “unreached peoples” group and challenge the task of world evangelization.
Elective: Urban Mission – 3 Units
A study of the nature and methods of missions in the urban context with special attention to the problems, opportunities and challenges of urban evangelism and development and implementation of a mission strategy for urban outreach. Field trips to selected places are included.
Elective: Guided Research – 3 Units
This course focuses on a research project focusing on a key issue in mission or a key scholar’s missiological contribution to the discipline of missiology agreed both by the professor and student and requires a publishable research paper as part of the requirement of this course.
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Field Education – 1 Unit
Actual field work is an integral part of the training of students. During weekends each quarter, students are assigned to local churches in Metro Manila where they learn to minister to various age groups and develop the right outlook toward ministry. Students are supervised by resident pastors or church leaders in these local churches.
During the quarter recess or summer vacations, evangelistic and mission teams are formed and sent out to areas for exposure. Students also undergo one-month internship at different provincial churches where on-the-job training in church planting and pastoral works are provided. Other ministries include counseling in organized camps, conferences, conducting Daily Vacation Bible Schools, church planting, and teaching in training seminars.
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