Fostering academic excellence and biblical virtue to equip students for lives as local and global Christian servants.

Theology Matters

Course Catalog ID:
261
Subject Categories:
Bible and Worldview, New and Improved
Description

“Teen angst” (a feeling of anxiety about the state of the world) is more than a cliché. The pandemic and recent cultural changes have significantly impacted teens. Mental health is affected by insecurity, stress, and trauma. Individual identity and mutual respect are caught in cultural cross-fire. Trust in traditional institutions is eroded. Confidence in the future is diminished. How does theology matter for the real needs of teens? Theology is more than just doctrine or apologetics — it is literally “knowledge of God”. Theology’s most essential historical purpose is to help thinking believers coherently understand and successfully interact with God, one another, and their culture. When Job was suffering, his friends brought him bad theology which he countered with his own theological misconceptions — and Job was not settled (or healed) until he listened to God to gain real understanding. This course considers the theological needs and interests of today’s teen. Topics include Creation and God’s Image (individual worth), suffering and trauma (waiting on God), relationships (friendship and romance), theological considerations for law and politics, interrelationships of major Christian denominations, relationships between Christianity and other religions, and more. In all discussions, the Bible is held as true and authoritative in its original form, and emphasis is on understanding the biblical author’s intended meaning as it would have been understood in original context. Students will consider in historical and contemporary context what the Bible has to say about our interactions with God, one another, and our world, with the hope that the Word of God will be their security, identity, redemption, and healing.

Notes and Requirements
Grade Levels*:
10, 11, 12
(* Determined by Date of Birth and declared Grad Year. Enrollment outside these grade levels requires written concurrence from TPS Support.)

Study and Discussion Format: For the purpose of keeping focus on the Word of God, there is no textbook for the course except the Bible. Students will be provided a short set of Bible passages and broad discussion questions to prepare for each class. The passages will require independent study and external research of the passages (i.e., not just reading) and the discussion questions will be open-ended requiring original thought (i.e., not just lookup answers). Participation in each class will be mandatory on microphone (cameras optional) for every student. Students seeking a foundational Bible Survey or Apologetics course are encouraged to take the excellent TPS courses that cover those subjects before or instead of this course.
Creeds, Confessions, and Mutual Respect: The course content adheres to traditional Christian creedal beliefs (Apostle’s Creed, Nicene Creed) and does not favor any specific confessional (denominational) view. When it is instructive to consider distinctions, differing Trinitarian Christian denominational views will be considered with equal academic regard. In all matters, individuals present or absent who hold differing views will be treated with kindness and respect.

Reviews from Students and Parents

“I love this class! The teacher deftly takes difficult subjects and explains them with ease. I’ve learned so much that I will be able to reference in future years, and also share with others.”

Rachel M
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Student

“I thoroughly enjoyed this class because of the thought-provoking concepts it discussed. I would recommend this class to everyone because everyone needs to think about and take seriously what they believe, and this class helps you to do just that.”

Joshua M
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Student

“I highly recommend this course to students who seek to think deeply about their faith and want to learn more about the ‘whys’ behind what they believe. It is a safe environment where any questions and comments are welcomed and answered graciously.”

Eunice T
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Student

“Very thorough and in-depth scripture-based discussions. I would advise that a student taking have some previous exposure to theology because otherwise it might be hard to follow or fully grasp all the implication of what is being taught. Very interesting and thought provoking class, with many applicable lessons.”

Caleb M
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Student

“I would recommend this course to anyone who has a desire to expand his or her understanding of theology and is ready to think more deeply. This class teaches about many relevant issues with applications specifically geared toward young adults.”

Emma K
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Student

“This course takes familiar topics and reexplains the content in deeper biblical ways beyond what most church-going kids might be used to. The theology discussed all has practical applications. I know for myself, I have been personally encouraged in my own spiritual life and drawn closer to God through this class.”

Victoria M
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Student

“…some years later I am still thinking through content and referencing notes from your Theology Matters class. I was thinking to myself how it is easily the most impactful class content (and more) I have been through…”

Ryan K
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Alumnus

“Thank you for all you have done and continue to do with TPS. I grew up in a relatively isolated setting. While for some students TPS may be just a strong academic education, for others like me it was much more. Many years later and I can still look back and remember the courses and teachers and the lessons they taught me, even outside of the academic content itself. For example, the theology class helped me to process my faith as something personal and necessary, and not just receive information from someone else and take it at face value. Beyond the courses, I know that I would not be where I am in my life and career had I never developed community and relationship in TPS through the classes, trips, events and more. Thank you for the quality education, but especially for investing in more than just an education for so many people.”

Jordan S
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Alumnus