The Applied Theology Department builds on the work done in other departments, introducing students to the practical aspects of the work of the ministry and the life of the local church. The emphasis falls upon the principles and the practice of preaching, pastoral work, and administration.

​

​

AT11 – Reformed Spirituality (2 Credit Hours)

No Prerequisites
Lecturer: Dr Ryan McGraw (GPTS)
Description: A prelude to Prolegomena, which, in classic Reformed theology, treats the character of the true theologian as integral to the study of true theology. This course aims to develop godly character and personal piety in theological students. It progresses from foundational principles of biblical godliness, to personal spiritual qualities and disciplines, to family piety, to cultivating the character needed to study theology proper.

​

​

AT12 – Introduction to Biblical Counselling (2 Credit Hours)

No Prerequisites
Lecturer: Dr Ian Hamilton
Description: A foundational framework for the practice of pastoral counselling in the local church, defining the process of discipleship, its key participants, and its key elements. This framework is then applied to issues that arise in the lives of individuals and families in congregations. The Ten Commandments are shown to be God’s diagnostic tool to define human suffering in contrast to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) approach. The practice of this biblical pastoral counseling is set in the context of secular approaches and other attempts by Christians to deal with pastoral concerns.

​

​

AT20 – Introduction to Homiletics (3 Credit Hours)

Prerequisite: AT21
Lecturer: Rev Dan Peters
Description: An introduction to the biblical, Reformed view of preaching. The course focuses on the primacy of preaching, sermon preparation and delivery, the art of exposition and application, and some necessary emphases (and the avoidance of common pitfalls) in preaching.

​

​

AT21 – Hermeneutics (3 Credit Hours)

Prerequisites: AP11, AP14, ST11
Lecturer: Dr Peter Sanlon
Description: A study of the nature of Scripture, the principles of exegesis, and the proper interpretation of the Bible for preaching.

​

​

AT23 – Marriage and Family Counselling (2 Credit hours)

Prerequisite: AP11, AP14, AT11, AT13, ST11
Lecturer: Dr Kevin Backus (GPTS)
Description: Building upon the foundation laid by Introduction to Biblical Counseling (AT12), this course addresses common concerns in marriage and family counseling: pre-marital counseling, marriage counseling, death/bereavement counseling, divorce prevention and counseling, infidelity, conflict resolution, and parenting.

​

​

AT30 – Reformed Worship (2 Credit hours)

Prerequisite: AT20
Lecturer: Dr Joseph Pipa Jr. (GPTS)
Description: Equips students to articulate what is biblical in Reformed worship, to develop its principles from Scripture, to critique modern attacks on the Regulative Principle of Worship, to trace its development in history, and to apply the principles of worship to the preparation and leading of worship.

​

​

AT31 – Homiletics Practicum I (2 Credit Hours)

Prerequisite: AT20
Lecturer: Rev Dan Peters
Description: The homiletics practica are modelled after the Puritan “prophesyings.” Though sermons are critiqued, it is understood that students are preaching for the edification of their hearers. Each student is required to preach three sermons in chapel or in church services, one on each major genre of the Old Testament books (history, wisdom literature, and prophets). An evaluation of the sermon follows, in which the emphasis is on constructive critique. Three contact hours; pass/fail.

​

​

AT32 – Homiletics Practicum II (2 Credit Hours)

Prerequisite: AT31
Lecturer: Rev Dan Peters
Description: Practicum students continue to refine their preaching ability as they study to prepare and preach consecutive expository sermons from the Gospel of Mark. The students preach at least three times for critique. Three contact hours; pass/fail.

​

​

AT40 – Reformed Pastor (3 Credit Hours)

Prerequisite: AT30
Lecturer: Dr Ian Hamilton
Description: A study of the day-to-day ministerial responsibilities of a local pastor, covering his role as shepherd, teacher, counsellor, overseer, administrator, scholar, and friend.

​

 

AT41 – Evangelism & Missions (4 Credit Hours)

Prerequisite: ST11
Lecturer: TBA
Description: A survey of the biblical basis for evangelism; examination of unbiblical forms of personal evangelism; readings and lectures with a view to helping each student develop his gifts for personal evangelism. Includes a survey of the history and biblical basis for missions.

​

​

AT42 – Christian Education (2 Credit Hours)

Prerequisite: ST11
Lecturer: Mr Jonathan Winch
Description: A study of the philosophy and practice of Christian education based on a biblical and theological foundation, with careful attention to the importance of Christian nurture in the home, pedagogics, catechetics, curriculum theory, age group characteristics, methods, organisation, and the recruiting and training of church members. May include practical experience of teaching in school situations with feedback and reflection.

​

​

AT50 – Preparation for Licensure Examination (2 Credit Hours)

No Prerequisites
Lecturers: Faculty
Description: Through this summer elective, faculty members prepare Divinity students to be licensed before they begin their last year of seminary instruction. When licensed by his presbytery, the student receives a passing grade, meeting the course requirements.