Theology

The study of God and the expanding of Christology; the relationship between God and man. Also examined is the cultivation of the theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity.

Degree Information

Guarded Heart’s four year degree program is designed for Christian adults of any age and background who desire to serve in the local church at any level. All graduates of each degree program will:

• Know the Bible thoroughly.
• Interpret the Bible with sound exegesis.
• Understand the major doctrines of the Bible.
• Evangelize and disciple others at home and around the world.
• Counsel themselves and others from the Bible alone.
• Teach and preach for life-change.
• Think critically, according to a Biblical world view.
• Read, write, speak, and research with basic, college-level competencies.
• Recognize God’s unfolding plan of redemption in Church and world history.

Days & Times Of Classes

Classes for this program are offered during the Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer terms for both Undergraduate and Graduate students.

Classes typically meet weekly through each term on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm and 8:10 pm to 9:40 pm. 

Please refer to the Academic Calendar for exceptions related to the observance of holidays.

Academic Requirements

All degrees are earned through students meeting the expected course requirements.  The trimester hours required to earn our degrees may be earned through a combination of studies offered at GHBC and the credit we allow for our religious training and religious life work experience.

Academic Calendar

Fall 2024-2025

  • Enrollment/Registration: July 15th-August 9th
  • Late Registration: August 12th-August 16th
  • Term: August 20th-November 21st
  • Classes Begin: August 20th & August 22nd
  • Last Day to Add/Drop a Class: September 6th
  • Last Day to Withdraw with “VWD”: September 13th
  • School Office Closings (Holiday Observation): September 2nd & November 28-29

  • Enrollment/Registration: October 28th-November 22nd
  • Late Registration: November 25th-November 29th
  • Term: December 3rd-March 20th, 2025
  • Classes Begin: December 3rd & December 5th
  • Last Day to Add/Drop a Class: December 20th
  • Last Day to Withdraw with “VWD”: December 27th
  • School Office Closings (Holiday Observation): December 23, 2024-January 3, 2025

Spring 2024-2025

  • Enrollment/Registration: February 3rd-February 28th
  • Late Registration: March 24th-March 28th
  • Term: April 1st-July 3rd
  • Classes Begin: April 1st & April 3rd
  • Last Day to Add/Drop a Class: April 18th
  • Last Day to Withdraw with “VWD”: April 25th
  • School Office Closings (Holiday Observation): May 26th & July 4th

  • Enrollment/Registration: June 2nd-June 27th
  • Term: July 17-August 7th
  • Classes Begin: July 17th
  • School Office Closings (Holiday Observation): July 4th

Associate of Theology (A.T.S.) – 60 Credit Hours Required

Courses include:

  • Old Testament Survey 1 OT
  • New Testament Survey 1  NT
  • Maturing in Christ  MIN
  • Creative Bible Study Methods  BS
  • Basic Christianity  TH
  • Introduction to Christian Theology  TH
  • Types, Shadows and Symbols  BS
  • Character of God  TH
  • Bibliology  BS
  • Basic Bible Interpretation  BS
  • Kingdom Living  MIN
  • History of the Israelite Kingdom  OT
  • Introduction to Biblical Counseling  CC
  • Paul’s New Testament Letters  NT
  • Letters to The Church  NT
  • Church History 1  CH
  • World Religion  CPH
  • Foundations of Teaching in Ministry CE
  • Basic Writing and Reading  GE
  • Soteriology (Elective)
  • Ecclesiology (Elective)

Bachelor of Theology (Th.B.) – 120 Credit Hours Required

Courses include:

  • Grasping God’s Word  BS
  • Evangelism and Discipleship MIN
  • Bible Doctrine 1  TH
  • Old Testament Survey 2  OT
  • New Testament Survey 2  NT
  • Bible Doctrine 2  TH
  • Interpreting Isaiah  OT
  • Romans (by Kevin Conner)  NT
  • Church History 2 CH
  • Introduction to Apologetics  CPH
  • Introducing Christian Education  CE
  • Knowing God  TH
  • Holy Spirit in Counseling  CC
  • Public Speaking  GE
  • Biblical Management Principles  MIN
  • Discovering The Blood Covenant (Book: The Miracle of the Scarlet Thread)  BS
  • The Tabernacle of Moses (by Kevin Conner) BS
  • Soteriology  TH
  • Eschatology  TH (Elective)
  • Ecclesiology  TH (Elective)

Master of Theology (Th.M.) – 45 Credit Hours Required

Courses include:

Apologetics

  • Introduction to Christian Apologetics
  • Logic
  • Ethics
  • Christian Apologetic Systems
  • Resurrection of Jesus
  • Apologetics (Elective)

Philosophy

  • Classical Philosophy
  • Philosophy of Religion

Biblical Studies

  • Old Testament Survey 2
  • Old Testament Survey 3
  • New Testament Survey 1
  • New Testament Survey 2

Christian Education

  • Educational Program of the Church
  • Discipleship

Historical Theology

  • Historical Theology: A Survey
  • Church History 1
  • Church History 2

Missions and Evangelism

  • History of Missions & World Christianity
  • Biblical Theology & Principles of Missions
  • Culture & Worldview

Pastoral Theology

  • Homiletics
  • Pastoral Care
  • Biblical Counseling
  • Expository Preaching

Systematic Theology

  • Bibliology
  • Theology Proper and Creation
  • Hamartiology and Soteriology
  • Pneumatology, Ecclesiology and Eschatology
  • Hermeneutics
  • Advanced Hermeneutics
  • Thesis Research or Ministry project

Doctor of Theology (Th.D.) – 105 Credit Hours Required

Courses include:

  • Prolegomena, Bibliology, Theology Proper, and Christology
  • Angelology, Anthropology, and Hematology
  • Soteriology
  • Ecclesiology, Eschatology
  • Christology
  • Pneumatology
  • Thesis (20,000 words)
  • Expositional Methods
  • Biblical Exposition (Gen – Deut)
  • Biblical Exposition (Matt – Mk)
  • Advanced Apologetics I
  • Advanced Apologetics II

The required total amount of credits stated for the doctorate degrees is inclusive of credits from the Master’s degree.

A maximum of 16 credit hours can be transferred into the doctorate program from outside schools.