Page 1 of 9 THEOLOGY DEPARTMENT OUTLINE Updated June 2008

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1 Page 1 of 9 Department Courses (with Scope and Sequence) The Theology Department of LHS has a study of the Old Testament for the freshmen and sophomores, a study of the New Testament for the freshmen and sophomores, a study of our doctrine for the juniors and seniors, and a study of church history, other religions, and the application of living our faith for the juniors and seniors. Classes are typically combined for freshmen and sophomores (Old Testament and New Testament) and juniors and seniors (Christian Doctrine and Living the Faith) and offered every two years. Old Testament Civil & ceremonial law Covenant Creation Exodus Fall into sin Flood New Testament Birth of Jesus Culture Dead Sea Scrolls Christian Doctrine Christian ethics Ecumenical creeds Grace Hedonism Humanism Justification Law & Gospel Living the Faith Christian denominations Church history Community Congregational life Cults Dating Historical books Judges Kings Northern & Southern Kingdom Patriarchs Jesus disciples Jesus exaltation Jesus Passion Life ethics Means of grace Naturalism Natures of Christ Prayer Relativism Religious ethics Eastern religions Family Government Interpersonal relationships Islam LCMS history Pentateuch Poetry & wisdom literature Prophets Sacrifice Ten Commandments Miracles Parables Teachings of Jesus Sacraments Salvation through faith Sanctification Situational ethics Sources of truth Worldview Marriage Prayer Western religions Worldviews

2 Page 2 of 9 Sequence of Courses Old Testament New Testament Christian Doctrine Living the Faith Note: Old Testament and New Testament are designed to be combined for freshmen and sophomores. These courses are offered every other year. Christian Doctrine and Living the Faith are designed to be combined for juniors and seniors. These courses are offered every other year. Department Mission Statement The Theology Department of Lutheran High School South is committed to equipping students to discern, affirm, and apply the Holy Scriptures as the absolute truth of salvation in Christ and the Lutheran Confessions as the correct exposition of God s Word so that the student will be prepared to meet the challenges of the university and life. Department Philosophy The Theology Department of LHS is dedicated to the spiritual growth of students in grades We believe that God desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) compels us to proclaim boldly both Law and Gospel, as we cultivate and nurture the whole person. Therefore we strive to gain an effective theological and ethical base, preparing students for future education and other fields of work, offering formal and informal opportunities to grow intellectually, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. Parents have the primary responsibility for spiritual growth as indicated in the Holy Scriptures. The Theology Departments of the Lutheran High School Association assist in accomplishing this by providing guidance, support, encouragement as well as instruction.

3 Page 3 of 9 Department Objectives A student should meet the following objectives after successfully completing the Theology requirements at Lutheran High School South. Knowledge and Understanding Objectives To know and understand that God had a plan to redeem us to Himself from the beginning of time as revealed through the Old Testament. To know and understand that the plan of salvation is fulfilled in Jesus Christ and is carried out until the end of time through the preaching of the Gospel. To know and understand that the apostles have passed down a saving doctrine which always has been, and always will be confessed by the church until the end of time. To know and understand that God commands and enables us to lead a sanctified life (living the faith) through the gift of the Holy Spirit as a response to the saving Gospel of Christ. Skills Objectives To interpret the Old and New Testament Scriptures Christologically and to apply these truths to life in the 21 st century. To interpret the Old and New Testament Scriptures properly distinguishing between Law and Gospel. To proclaim and defend Christ Jesus as the fulfillment of all the promises of God. To articulate clearly the teaching of the Bible and distinguish Biblical truth from secular error. To apply and defend the Holy Scriptures in a world hostile to God s truth. To engage actively in the struggle against sin while being saved by God s grace. Attitude Objectives Motivated by the sacrificial love of Christ, students will be encouraged to have an attitude like that of Christ Jesus as manifested by an intrinsic desire to: Read Holy Scriptures Give thanks in all circumstances Pray continually Actively engage in daily devotion Actively engage in regular Worship Live a sanctified life Bear the cross Proclaim and defend boldly Christ risen Minister to the needs of others Display an attitude of humility Become faithful stewards Cope with success and failure.

4 Page 4 of 9 Old Testament New Testament Lutheran Doctrine Living the Faith I/R I/R R/P R/P 1 I/R I/R R/P R/P 2 I/R I/R R/P R/P 3 I/R I/R R/P R/P 3.1 I/R I/R R/P R/P 3.2 I/R I/R R/P R/P 4 I/R I/R R/P R/P 5 I/R I/R R/P R/P 6 I/R I/R R/P R/P 7 I/R I/R R/P R/P 8 The students will recognize the plan of salvation through faith in Christ Jesus as the overarching theme of the Holy Scriptures. The students will clearly realize that salvation is attained by grace, through faith in Christ Jesus our Lord. The students will understand the person and work of Jesus Christ in the Trinity. The students will understand the two natures (Human and Divine) of Jesus Christ. The students will understand the State of Humiliation and Exaltation of Jesus Christ. The students will understand the person and work of God the Father and of the Holy Spirit in the Trinity. The students will demonstrate the ability to advance the Gospel to future generations. The students will understand the terms 'inspired', 'inerrant', authoritative', and how they apply to the creation and preservation of the Holy Scriptures. The students will understand key theological terms such as sin, grace, law, gospel, atonement, justification, sanctification, means of grace/sacraments, faith, Trinity, Christology, and eschatology. The students will recognize how the Scripture applies to living a sanctified life. I/R I/R R/P R/P 9 The students will demonstrate proper understanding of Lutheran principles of Scriptural interpretation. This means: I/R I/R R/P R/P 9.1 Scripture interprets Scripture. I/R I/R R/P R/P 9.2 A proper distinction of Law and Gospel is understood, maintained and conveyed. I/R I/R R/P R/P 9.3 Christ is the reason and meaning for all of Scripture.

5 Page 5 of 9 I/R I/R R/P R/P 9.4 Historical criticism is inappropriate and diminishes the authority of Scripture. I/R I/R R/P R/P 9.5 I/R I/R R/P R/P 10 I/R I/R R/P R/P 11 I/R I/R R/P R/P 12 I/R I/R R/P R/P 13 I/R I/R R/P R/P 14 I/R I/R R/P R/P 15 I/R I/R R/P R/P 16 I/R I/R R/P R/P 17 I/R I/R R/P R/P 18 I/R I/R R/P R/P 19 Scripture must be interpreted in its context including an understanding of the historical, geographical, social, economic, linguistic, religious, and secular aspects of the times. The student will examine, interpret, and convey an understanding of the Biblical account of God as creator. The student will become familiar with common argumentative points with the discussion of God's existence and creation. The students will know the Scriptural account of man's fall into sin, examine the effects of the fall into sin, recognize our inability to keep God's Law, and demonstrate an understanding of original sin and its consequence on our daily living. The students will examine and be able to recognize cycles of sin and grace in Scripture with emphasis on God's love and forgiveness. The students will examine, interpret, and convey an understanding of the covenant relationship that God established with the people of the Old Testament. The students will examine, interpret and gain an understanding of the ways the Old and New Testaments point to Christ. The students will understand and be able t distinguish the civil and ceremonial law in Scripture relating only to the nation of Israel. The students will understand the relationship and appropriately apply the moral law contained in Scripture for their daily living as a curb, mirror, and guide. The students will examine the historical, geographical, social, economic, linguistic, religious, and secular aspects of Scriptural times and utilize that knowledge to better understand Scripture. The students will understand how the saving Doctrine of Scripture was and is conveyed throughout the history of the Church, the formation and history of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, and their role in the Church for the next generation.

6 Page 6 of 9 I/R I/R R/P R/P 20 The students will understand the truths conveyed in the three Ecumenical Creeds, particularly the Apostles and Nicene Creed. I/R I/R R/P R/P 21 I/R I/R R/P R/P 22 The students will understand the distinguishing characteristics of the true Church and the use of the Sacraments and preaching of the Word of Scripture according to Christ. The students will know, understand, and use Scripture to live and defend their faith. Key Scriptural passages will be identified as a priority for their lives. These include but are not limited to: I/R I/R R/P R/P 22.1 Psalm 119:105 I/R I/R R/P R/P 22.2 Matthew 26:26-28 I/R I/R R/P R/P 22.3 Matthew 28:19-22 I/R I/R R/P R/P 22.4 Mark 16:16 I/R I/R R/P R/P 22.5 John 3:16 I/R I/R R/P R/P 22.6 John 8:31-32 I/R I/R R/P R/P 22.7 John 14:6 I/R I/R R/P R/P 22.8 Acts 2:42 I/R I/R R/P R/P 22.9 Romans 3:28 I/R I/R R/P R/P Romans 8:1 I/R I/R R/P R/P Ephesians 2:8-10 I/R I/R R/P R/P Hebrews 10:25 I/R I/R R/P R/P Peter 3:15 I/R I/R R/P R/P 23 The students will understand God s grace is found only in the Means of Grace and will: I/R I/R R/P R/P 23.1 Recognize the absolute necessity of the Gospel as a Means of Grace.

7 Page 7 of 9 I/R I/R R/P R/P 23.2 I/R I/R R/P R/P 23.3 I/R I/R R/P R/P 23.4 I/R I/R R/P R/P 24 I/R I/R R/P R/P 24.1 Recognize the importance of Baptism, which forgives the original sin and continuing sin of believers, grants and maintains faith through the Holy Spirit and the Word of Scripture, and brings us into a saving relationship with their heavenly Father. Recognize the importance of the real presence of Christ in the Lord s Supper, which gives the assurance of forgiveness already given in your Baptism. Recognize the importance of daily remembering your Baptism, daily studying Scripture, and frequently receiving the Lord s Supper. The students will understand what prayer is, why it is important, and what it means to their daily relationship with their Lord. Students will learn and understand the Lord s Prayer and use it often. I/R I/R R/P R/P 24.2 Students will learn the value of extemporaneous and formal prayers. I/R I/R R/P R/P 24.3 Students will understand the content of prayer. I/R I/R R/P R/P 24.4 Students will understand that God answers prayers according to His Will of what is best for us. I/R I/R R/P R/P 25 I/R I/R R/P R/P 26 The students will examine the effects of sin in contemporary society and understand that they are to be in the world but not of the world. The students will become familiar with and be able to respond to arguments, worldviews, and religions opposed to Christianity. These include but are not limited to: I/R I/R R/P R/P 26.1 Abortion I/R I/R R/P R/P 26.2 Anti-Trinitarianism I/R I/R R/P R/P 26.3 Cults I/R I/R R/P R/P 26.4 Dangers of Media/Technology I/R I/R R/P R/P 26.5 Euthanasia I/R I/R R/P R/P 26.6 Evolution

8 Page 8 of 9 I/R I/R R/P R/P 26.7 Humanism I/R I/R R/P R/P 26.8 Immoral Sexuality I/R I/R R/P R/P 26.9 Islam I/R I/R R/P R/P Moral Relativism I/R I/R R/P R/P New Age I/R I/R R/P R/P Pantheism I/R I/R R/P R/P Post Modernism I/R I/R R/P R/P Scientology I/R I/R R/P R/P Situational Ethics I/R I/R R/P R/P Substance Abuse I/R I/R R/P R/P Unionism I/R I/R R/P R/P Unitarianism I/R I/R R/P R/P 27 I/R I/R R/P R/P 27.1 Community I/R I/R R/P R/P 27.2 Congregation I/R I/R R/P R/P 27.3 Dating I/R I/R R/P R/P 27.4 Family I/R I/R R/P R/P 27.5 Government I/R I/R R/P R/P 27.6 Intrapersonal I/R I/R R/P R/P 27.7 Marriage I/R I/R R/P R/P 27.8 School I/R I/R R/P R/P 27.9 Work I/R I/R R/P R/P 28 The students will understand God s plan for all human relationships (Love your neighbor as you love yourself). These include but are not limited to: The students will examine how sin impacts moral and ethical decision-making, particularly their own decisions.

9 Page 9 of 9 I/R I/R R/P R/P 29 The students will examine and understand eschatology so that they will come to recognize the errors of so many popular non-scriptural interpretations of the end times. Standards Spreadsheet Key T.D. = Theology Department I = Introduced R = Reinforced P = Proficiency Possible Learning Opportunities/Experiences Mission Trip Professional Church Worker Job Shadowing Graduation requirements 1 credit for every year of attendance