Puritans on the Christian Life (Spring 2024)
The Puritans were unique as an historical phenomenon and as a rich source of doctrine, biblical exposition, pastoral application, and inspiration toward union with Christ and courageous, persevering faith for Christians in every generation. Join this class to deepen your love for Christ and Scripture, and learn from the Puritans on how all of doctrine applied to every area of life.
- Teacher: David Crater
Biblical Psalmody (Spring 2024)
This course will survey the use of Biblical Psalmody as practiced in both Jewish and Christian worship beginning from ancient history. It will begin with a study of the poetic structure and liturgical use of the book of the Psalms in Jewish liturgy to the destruction of the 2nd Temple. Attention will be given to the Psalms and their development as musical devices through various translations and historical settings. Research will also give attention to major shifts in the use of Psalms in congregational settings and those personalities who influenced their development and growth. Finally, we will analyze Psalm singing historically and its use in contemporary worship settings.
- Teacher: Philip Webb
Biblical Psalmody (Spring 2024)
This course will survey the use of Biblical Psalmody as practiced in both Jewish and Christian worship beginning from ancient history. It will begin with a study of the poetic structure and liturgical use of the book of the Psalms in Jewish liturgy to the destruction of the 2nd Temple. Attention will be given to the Psalms and their development as musical devices through various translations and historical settings. Research will also give attention to major shifts in the use of Psalms in congregational settings and those personalities who influenced their development and growth. Finally, we will analyze Psalm singing historically and its use in contemporary worship settings.
- Teacher: Philip Webb
Congregational Singing (Winter 2025)
This course will survey the practice of congregational singing as exhibited in both Jewish and Christian liturgy beginning with ancient history to the present day. First, there will be an examination of group singing in both Testaments, and what commands exist. This will lead to understanding the role of choirs, instruments and praise in scripture. Second, we will discuss basic musical forms and their use in worship practices. With this basis we will do an assessment of congregational singing in history, from the early church through to contemporary use. Thirdly, we will review current practices in local congregations and discuss the considerations for constructing a service with a focus on congregational singing. Fourth, we will discuss music and its relationship to emotions, and what our music says about our theology of worship. Finally, there will be a project to design service orders that demonstrate a thoughtful liturgy of congregational singing coupled with the other Biblical elements of worship.
- Teacher: Philip Webb