Explore the relationship between Protestantism, evangelicalism, and mysticism through the lens of Martin Luther’s life and faith. Wrestle with the overlap between Protestant faith and medieval mystical writings by looking at Luther’s own well-documented interaction with Christianity’s mystical tradition. Discover how contemporary Protestants might similarly turn to the mystical tradition for wisdom and inspiration. Evaluate …
View course details “Martin Luther: The First Protestant Mystic?”

This course aims to present an overview of the background and contents of the books that make up the Old Testament, and to offer some reflection on the question of how they are best read together as part of the Christian canon of Scripture, and how they should shape both the Christian life and the …
View course details “Old Testament Foundations”

Discover the immeasurable depths of four of Paul’s shortest letters: Colossians, Philippians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians. Though brief, these letters have much to offer Christians in our age. See how the Apostle Paul deals with issues that sound almost contemporary and discuss their relevance to today’s headlines. To deepen our understanding of these texts, we’ll …
View course details “Four Short Letters from Paul”

The ministry of the Holy Spirit is foundational to the life and mission of the church and the experience of each Christian believer. Deepen your understanding of this while navigating questions and complexities about the Spirit’s work in a manner that reflects biblical witness and the church’s creedal heritage. Walk away with heightened appreciation for …
View course details “Come Holy Spirit: The Paraclete in Creation, Church, and Believer”

Wrestle with the ancient message of Jeremiah to discover its significance today. Bring your questions about trauma and pain to a prophet who ministered amidst threat, war, fear, and impending exile. Together we’ll explore the text—which is raw and at times shocking, reflecting the anguish of its time—to understand the prophet’s life, a nation’s obstinance, …
View course details “Jeremiah: Pain and Hope for Troubled Times”

Explore the Connection Between Faith and Service, No Matter Where You Are The online Master of Theological Studies – Franciscan Theology (MTS) is a two-year academic program offered by the Franciscan School of Theology in partnership with the University of San Diego. Designed for working professionals and recent undergraduates alike, this unique online program is …
View course details “Online Master of Theological Studies Degree at Franciscan School of Theology”

This course studies the black gospel tradition, focusing on the genre’s distinctive combination of sound and belief. Music, movement, and conviction, the three expressions gospel holds together, will be explored through three interpretive lenses: exemplary performers, pivotal periods, and formal processes. This week’s work will bring material and approaches from the fields of musicology, music …
View course details “Black Gospel Music–Not for credit”

In this course, we will bring theological and scriptural understandings into conversation with the current digital technological shifts.  In response to the new technologies, we will practice ethical discernment for our everyday digital lives and examine approaches grounded in forgiveness, integrity, diversity, and social and ecological justice.  We will center the question: what does God …
View course details “Hacking Christian Ethics: Spiritual Resources for Living in a Digital World–Not for credit”

Can reading poetry be one way of thinking theologically, or even of ‘doing theology’? In this course we will study poetry as a source of theological reflection and insight through close readings of individual poems and poetic sequences by some of the best poets of the English language in modern times. As we proceed, we …
View course details “Reading Poetry Theologically–Not for credit”

In the midst of what Aetna Insurance calls a “loneliness epidemic,” which has only been exacerbated by a global pandemic, with political polarization of historic magnitude wearing away connections, we could all use a primer on how to build robust community. Blessedly, that’s what the apostle Paul did for a living. His First Letter to …
View course details “The Lost Art of Community-Building: A Study of Paul’s 1 Thessalonians–Not for credit”