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Course Catalog
Below we list each course in our Correspondence
Study Program. Following the course title is a
brief description. A detailed description may
be found further down the page. The courses are
independently designed, so that you may take them
individually. The lower numbers designate the
lower level (in an academic sense) courses (which
also take less time).
Each course is ten lessons and a final examination.
You may register and start a course at any time
-- and you may proceed at your own pace. We grade
each lesson as we receive it, making comments
and attempting to answer any questions the student
may have, as well. Thus, students are actually
entering into a tutorial relationship.
Courses in the program may be taken individually
by anyone who wishes to do so. Upon approval by
the faculty, a program consisting of selected
courses will be devised individually for those
who indicate their intent to pursue the DIPLOMA
PROGRAM. That individual program will consist
of ten courses, including two Individual Studies
(IS400) planned for that particular student.
CHST
100
2 Hours Credit
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History of the Church in the First Century
A chronological study, progressing
from the Ascension and Pentecost through the end
of the first century. In addition to following
the activities of the Apostles, course material
provides data on the context within which the
Church was established and grew. Natural events
as well as political events are covered, and their
consequences are examined. Along with the Scriptures,
the writings of the early Church fathers and historians
are used to provide a picture of the development
of the Church in the first century.
Text Book: Church History — Eusebius
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CHST
201
2 Hours Credit
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The Apostolic Fathers, Part I: Clement and
the Letters of Ignatius
An historical and theological
introduction, stressing the continuity of these
writings with the New Testament, and their inherent
orthodoxy. Attention is given to the historical
significance of the authors and various other
people whose names come up in the course of study.
Each letter is examined from beginning to end,
and the sections most pertinent theologically,
ecclesiologically, and liturgically are given
particular attention. In addition to dealing with
the historical contexts underlying specific issues,
contemporary applications are made wherever appropriate.
Text Book: Apostolic Fathers — Fr.
Jack Sparks
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CHST
202
2 Hours Credit
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The Apostolic Fathers, Part I: Clement and
the Letters of Ignatius
A continuation of studies in
Church History 201, centering on the letter and
martyrdom of St. Polycarp and on the second century
document, The Shepherd, written by Hermas of Rome.
The relationship of each to the doctrine and practice
of the Church is given special attention.
Text Book: Apostolic Fathers — Fr.
Jack Sparks
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CHST
311
4 Hours Credit
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Christological Issues of the Fourth through the Eighth Centuries
A study of those issues concerning
the Son of God and His Incarnation which the Church
dealt with in its famous Seven Ecumenical Councils
of the Fourth through the Eighth centuries. The
theological issues, historical circumstances,
personalities, and other pertinent background
materials provide the setting for a study which
concentrates on how these matters relate to Christian
belief, our salvation, life and worship.
Text Book: The Seven Ecumenical Councils — Percival
Additional Materials: Supplementary Text — Fr. Jack Sparks
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CTHS
102
2 Hours Credit
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The Incarnation: Basic Considerations
A detailed study of those aspects
of the Incarnation of the Son of God dealt with
by St. Athanasius of Alexandria in his famous
work commonly called On the Incarnation. The significance
of St. Athanasius historically and theologically
receives first attention, and this is followed
by a study of his book from beginning to end.
Topics range from the Fall and the resulting dilemma,
through implications of the Incarnation, death
and resurrection of Christ, to refutations of
both Jewish and Gentile unbelief. The course closes
with a discussion of the great and holy things
we gain in Christ.
Text Book: On the Incarnation — St.
Athanasius
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CTHS
103
2 Hours Credit
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Salvation and Spiritual Growth
A step-by-step development
and presentation of the Orthodox Christian answer
to our dilemma as human beings descended from
Adam, of God's plan for salvation and our response.
Includes an examination of the nature of spiritual
combat, the unseen warfare -- who our real enemy
is, Who God is and Who Christ is, what it means
that God forgives our sins, how we are joined
to Christ, and where we go from there. Provides
assistance with prayer and other vital aspects
of the life of a Christian, relating the personal
to the corporate.
Text Book: Divine Energy — Fr.
Jon Braun
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CTHS
301
2 Hours Credit
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A Study of the Spiritual Direction of St.
John Climacus
A study of the teachings of
St. John Climacus (John of the Ladder) contained
in the work which earned his nickname, The Ladder
of Divine Ascent. In that classic presentation,
said to be, next to the Holy Scriptures, the most
widely read in the whole Eastern Church, John
sets forth thirty steps one may take in growth
in Christ. The course examines those thirty steps
in detail and leads the student along a path designed
to encourage spiritual growth.
Text Book: The Ladder of Divine Ascent — St.
John Climacus
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CTHS
302
3 Hours Credit
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Foundations of Orthodox Christian Ethics
Introduces some basic issues
involved in ethics from an Orthodox perspective,
establishing the theological foundations and relating
them to philosophical and practical issues. Evil
and sin are discussed in terms of experience and
therapy. Human moral capacity, natural moral law
and related issues are covered in connection with
the Scriptures and the Fathers. Deals with ethical
decision-making, the evangelical ethic and conformation
to the image and likeness of God. Upper level
course. Some background in theology and philosophy
helpful.
Text Book: Toward Transfigured Life — Stanley
Harakas
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CTHS
303
3 Hours Credit
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The Use of the Holy Scriptures in the Orthodox
Church
A study of the history of use
of the Scriptures in the Church from ancient days
to the present, including an analysis of the relationship
between the Scriptures and Tradition. Subjects
include: What is the Bible? How did we get the
Bible? Doctrine -- what shall we teach and how
do we know? How do we interpret the Scriptures?
The relationship between history and Tradition.
The nature and task of the Church. History of
Orthodox Tradition and how to discern between
the true Tradition and "old error."
Text Book: The Bible & the Orthodox Church — Fr.
Jack Sparks
Additional Materials: Supplementary Texts — Fr.
Jack Sparks
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CTHS
305
4 Hours Credit
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FOUNDATIONS OF ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY
We will use St. John of Damascus’
On the Orthodox Faith as our major textbook.
St. John of Damascus (ca. 675-749) is generally
regarded as the last great figure of Greek patrology.
Outstandingly important for his support of images
in the Iconoclastic Controversy, this priest-monk
of St. Sabbas near Jerusalem is known also for
his treatment of Christian morality and asceticism
(the Sacred Parallels), for a small but precious
group of powerful sermons, and even for verse
contributions to the Greek liturgy. "On the
Orthodox Faith" is a comprehensive presentation
of the teaching of the Greek Fathers on the main
doctrines of Christianity, especially the Trinity,
Creation, and the Incarnation. But what emerges
is not a compilation but rather a synthesis, marked
by originality in the mode of treatment and by
a remarkable clarity of expression. We will also
use Vladimir Lossky, Orthodox Theology: An
Introduction, John Meyendorf, Christ in
Eastern Christian Thought, and Thomas Oden's
3 volume Systematic Theology.
Text Book: On the Orthodox Faith — St.
John of Damascus
Text Book: Orthodox Theology: An Introduction — Vladimir
Lossky
Text Book: Christ in Eastern Christian Thought — Fr.
John Meyendorf
Text Books (3 Volumes): Systematic Theology — Thomas
Oden
Additional Materials: Supplementary Texts — Fr.
Jack Sparks
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CLTS
100
2 Hours Credit
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Introduction to the Divine Liturgy
A topical study of the Divine
Liturgy (the Sunday and Feast Day Worship Liturgy
of the Orthodox Church). Concentrates on the Liturgy
as a vehicle for worship, describing its intrinsic
connection with the Scriptures, basic rites and
activities, including processions, the Sign of
the Cross, censing, etc. Also takes note of the
significance and meaning of Church architecture,
fixtures, art, vestments, and the general shape
of the liturgy, including its function as a procession
to the heavenly realm.
Text Book: Liturgy and Life — Fr.
Alexander Schmemman
Text Book: For the Life of the World — Fr.
Alexander Schmemman
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CLTS
101
2 Hours Credit
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The Orthodox Church Year
A scriptural and liturgical
commentary on the calendar of the Church, including
a topical approach to the annual cycle of movable
and fixed feasts. Content revolves generally around
the Gospel lesson read on a given Sunday or feast
day. The annual cycle of movable feasts centers
on Easter, while the annual cycle of fixed feasts
highlights the major and minor feasts not included
in the movable cycle. Themes of feasts and times
of the year are expounded and explained.
Text Book: The Year of Grace of the Lord — annonymous
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CLTS
300
2 Hours Credit
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Introduction to the History of Christian Liturgy
An historical introduction,
demonstrating the continuity and early development
of Christian worship. Starting with the Old Testament,
the course of study moves on through worship in
the New Testament to the earliest descriptions
of Christian liturgy in Church writings. Finally,
study is made of the shape taken by the Sunday
Liturgy throughout the ancient Church, up to the
fourth century A.D. Upper Level Course.
Text Book: The Shape of the Liturgy — Dix
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CBST
303
3 Hours Credit
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Comprehensive Study of the Prologue (1:1-18)
of the Gospel of John
In the Easter Morning Service
of the Orthodox Church, the first eighteen verses
of the Gospel of John is the Gospel reading. In
this course we offer a comprehensive study of
this Gospel portion, with emphasis on interpretation
and application. Content and lessons center on
the teachings of the Church Fathers on the Prologue.
Text Book: Special Textbook — Fr.
Jack Sparks
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CCMS
300
3 Hours Credit
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Writers Workshop I
A practical study for the aspiring
or practicing writer. Covers: probing a topic
by setting forth questions to ask yourself about
it; keeping and organizing notes and ideas; grammatical
devices to make your point clear; finding evidence
and proof (as well as putting it in a useable
form); preparing interesting, attention-grabbing
introductions to essay articles; making writing
concrete; formulating concrete descriptions of
people; sorting out the elements of your topic;
visualizing your audience. It is expected that
students will have previously mastered elementary
grammar, spelling and composition.
Text Book: Thirty Days to More Powerful Writing
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IS
400
3 Hours Credit
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Selected Tutorial Topics
Candidates for the Diploma
in Orthodox Christian Studies will complete individual
studies with our faculty in two of the following
areas:
Text Books: Decided by individual instructors
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