Course Description:

Perhaps the greatest need in the Christian community today is Biblical leadership. However, there are different views on leadership issues, such as: What are the responsibilities of ministerial leaders? Who is qualified for pastoral leadership? Can women serve as pastors? This course identifies Biblical answers to crucial leadership questions from Paul's letters to Timothy and Titus. In his twenty lectures, Dr. John Stott walks learners through an exegetical analysis of these letters and shares insights from the historical background and the Greek New Testament. Throughout the course, learners are encouraged to and guided in applying the theology of the epistles to life and ministry.

Course Objectives:

Download Course Syllabus

Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Understand the special introductory problems of the Pastoral Epistles, particularly Pauline authorship.
2. Enter sympathetically into the life and work of the author and his readers.
3. Demonstrate interpretive skills by wrestling with difficulties in the text.
4. Develop a Biblical approach to identifying and ordaining church leaders.
5. Develop an informed approach to the controversial issue of women in the ministry.
6. Obtain realistic expectations of life as a minister regarding suffering and duty.
7. Understand the responsibility of and need for Christian churches and leaders to commit to "sound doctrine."
8. Develop an approach for handling false teachers, their doctrines, and their methods.

Course Texts:

Mounce, William D. The Pastoral Epistles (Word Biblical Commentary). Waco: Word, 2000.