ERSU Program & Individual Study Track

Introduction

ERSU is a Seminary and as such its main goal is the training of future pastors and church leaders. The MDiv Pastoral track covers all those subjects considered essential for an all-rounded preparation for ministry of the Word. However, we realise that not everyone preparing for Christian ministry is called to pastoral ministry and so we also offer an MDiv General track with a greater number of elective courses. This allows students to pick several courses related to their own particular areas of ministry or interest.

 

1. Bachelor of Divinity (BDiv) and Master of Divinity (MDiv) Programs in ERSU

a. The designation ‘BDiv’ or ‘MDiv’ are related to the output of the program:

– 60 credits BDiv diploma, which is especially for those not preparing for full time ministry in the church

– 90 credits MDiv diploma, which is especially for those preparing for full-time ministry – as a pastor or otherwise.

b. All Courses in ERSU will be taught on a MDiv-level, this regards also BDiv-program (which is merely shorter in length and does not require the study of the biblical languages).

c. Both the BDiv and the MDiv will be open for men and women, but women may not pursue the MDiv Pastoral track nor actively participate in the Homiletics Courses. (For any course assignments directly related to the typical duties of a pastor (such as the preparation of a series of sermon outlines), female students will receive alternative tasks.)

 

1.1. BDiv Program (also core of MDiv program)

All ERSU students do the same core program of 60 credits. Those who successfully complete these courses may conclude their studies at that point and receive the BDiv diploma.

 

Biblical Studies
BI210 Biblical Interpretation 3
BI211 Old Testament Introduction 3
BI212 New Testament Introduction 2
OT310 Pentateuch 3
OT311 Joshua-Esther 2
OT312 Poetry and Wisdom 2
OT313 Prophets 3
NT410 Gospels 3
NT411 Acts and Pauline Epistles 3
NT412 General Epistles and Revelation 3

27 Credits

 

Church History
CH510 Early Church – 1100 3
CH511 1100-1700 Eastern and Western 3
CH512 1700-Present Eastern and Western 3

9 Credits

 

Systematic Theology
ST610 Revelation, Scripture, Introduction to Reformed Theology 3
ST611 God, Man, Sin 3
ST612 Person and Work of Christ 3
ST613 Person and Work of HS, Eschatology 3
ST614 Church, Sacraments 2
ST615 Ethics: Introduction and Cases 3

17 Credits

 

Practical Theology
PT724 Spiritual Growth: Theology and Practice 2
PT711 Leadership, Care and Mentoring 3
PT712 Apologetics 2
7 Credits
Total 60 Credits

 

1.2 MDiv Programs (additional 30 credits)

Those students who want to have specific training for the Pastoral ministry are recommended to enter the Pastoral Ministry Track. Students with a calling to the ordained ministry, but considering choosing the General Track, should check whether this will meet the requirements of the denomination where they wish to pursue ordination.

The following subjects are required for both MDiv tracks:

– Hebrew 0

– Hebrew I

– Greek 0

– Greek I

– Homiletics I

 

1.2.1 MDiv – Pastoral Ministry Track

LT100 Hebrew 0 2
LT110 Hebrew I 3
LT111 Greek 0 2
LT112 Greek I 3
PT710 Local Church: Ministry, Practice, Administration and Education 3
PT713 Homiletics I 3
PT716 Mission and Church Planting 3
PT717 Counseling and Pastoral Care 3
PT718 Evangelism 2
PT723 Homiletics II 2
Elective 4
Total  30 Credits

 

1.2.2 MDiv – General Track

LT100 Hebrew 0 2
LT110 Hebrew I 3
LT111 Greek 0 2
LT112 Greek I 3
PT713 Homiletics I 3
Electives 17
Total 30 Credits

 

1.2.3 Elective courses (not all are guaranteed to be offered within your time of study):

PT710 Local Church: Ministry, Practice, Administration and Education 3
PT716 Mission and Church Planting 3
PT717 Counseling and Pastoral Care 3
PT718 Evangelism 2
PT723 Homiletics II 2
PT715 Faith, Culture & Society 2

_________

(MDiv General Track students must choose at least 3 of their elective courses from the above list.)

PT726 Internship/Practical Ministry Project 1
PT714 Worship and Music 2
PT720 History of Missions 2
ST620 World religions and Cults 2
LT113 Advanced Greek Language & Exegesis 3
LT121 Advanced Hebrew Language & Exegesis 3
LT115 Theological English 2

(Normally, no more than one of the following subjects should be chosen for advanced study.) Subjects SS800-802 will include a classroom teaching element, when possible. Otherwise these and other Advanced Studies courses will involve reading and research directed by a faculty member. All these courses except SS804 require a basic reading knowledge of English, shown either by a comprehension test or the successful completion of LT115. SS800 requires prior successful completion of PT712. SS801 requires prior successful completion of LT100, LT110 and LT121. SS802 requires prior successful completion of LT111-113. SS803 requires prior successful completion of CH512 and ST610-613. SS804 and SS805 require prior successful completion of CH510-512. SS806 requires prior successful completion of any four Practical Theology classes. SS807 requires prior successful completion of ST610-613.)

SS800 Advanced studies in Apologetics 3
SS801 Advanced studies in Old Testament 3
SS802 Advanced studies in New Testament 3
SS803 Advanced studies in Contemporary Theology (Distance Education Course) 3
SS804 Advanced studies in the history of Slavic Christianity 2
SS805 Specialized studies on a certain person or movement in Church History 2
SS806 Advanced studies in Practical Theology 2
SS807 Advanced studies in a certain locus of Systematic Theology 3