Overview
This course will explore seven of life's biggest questions:
- What is Christian wisdom?
- What does it mean to be human?
- How do we grow?
- How can we disagree and still get along?
- What does it mean to love our neighbors?
- How can we become humble?
- How can we find meaning in suffering?
Each question is directly related to one of the seven research themes explored by Biola University’s Center for Christian Thought from 2012-2018:
- Christian Scholarship in the 21st Century
- Neuroscience & the Soul
- Psychology & Spiritual Formation
- Intellectual Virtue & Civil Discourse
- The Meaning of Love
- Humility: Moral, Religious, Intellectual
- Suffering & the Good Life
Each lesson features a notable Biola University leader or professor—Barry Corey, J. P. Moreland, Steve L. Porter, Tim Muehlhoff, Thomas Crisp, Kent Dunnington, and Elizabeth Hall—all of whom are connected to the Center for Christian Thought either as research fellows or in a leadership capacity. That scholar will explain the big question and offer a practical approach to embodying wisdom for that question.
Through this course, you’ll develop a deeper understanding and love for some of life’s biggest questions, helping you to think more clearly about them and helping you to live more wisely in light of them.
Biola University's Center for Christian Thought is an academic research center established by Biola University in 2012 to advance Christian scholarship on the big questions of human life.
We have two priorities: First, to offer scholars and pastors yearly research grants. Second, to produce articles, videos, podcasts, and community events featuring deep and enriching Christian wisdom for thoughtful Christian leaders.
Our Mission: to reconnect Christian scholarship with the academy & the church by providing financial and scholarly resources for scholars & pastors.
Course FAQ
Each lesson is designed to take approximately 1-2 hours, depending on how deeply you engage the reflection and discussion questions. Since this is a self-paced course, the time it will take you to complete it will depend on the speed with which you want to progress through the course.
No. The course contains everything you need to successfully complete the course. There are resources recommended at the end of the course that you are free to purchase if you wish to pursue further study on the course topic.
Since this course is designed as a completely self-paced experience, you will not have any interaction with the professor during the course.
This course will explore seven of life's biggest questions:
- What is Christian wisdom?
- What does it mean to be human?
- How do we grow?
- How can we disagree and still get along?
- What does it mean to love our neighbors?
- How can we become humble?
- How can we find meaning in suffering?
Each question is directly related to one of the seven research themes explored by Biola University’s Center for Christian Thought from 2012-2018:
- Christian Scholarship in the 21st Century
- Neuroscience & the Soul
- Psychology & Spiritual Formation
- Intellectual Virtue & Civil Discourse
- The Meaning of Love
- Humility: Moral, Religious, Intellectual
- Suffering & the Good Life
Each lesson features a notable Biola University leader or professor—Barry Corey, J. P. Moreland, Steve L. Porter, Tim Muehlhoff, Thomas Crisp, Kent Dunnington, and Elizabeth Hall—all of whom are connected to the Center for Christian Thought either as research fellows or in a leadership capacity. That scholar will explain the big question and offer a practical approach to embodying wisdom for that question.
Through this course, you’ll develop a deeper understanding and love for some of life’s biggest questions, helping you to think more clearly about them and helping you to live more wisely in light of them.
Biola University's Center for Christian Thought is an academic research center established by Biola University in 2012 to advance Christian scholarship on the big questions of human life.
We have two priorities: First, to offer scholars and pastors yearly research grants. Second, to produce articles, videos, podcasts, and community events featuring deep and enriching Christian wisdom for thoughtful Christian leaders.
Our Mission: to reconnect Christian scholarship with the academy & the church by providing financial and scholarly resources for scholars & pastors.
Syllabus
| Course Introduction Video |
|---|
| Lesson Introduction:“Blessed are those who find... Overview |
| Why Does Christian Scholarship Matter? Video |
| Reflection: The Goal of Seeking Wisdom Reflection |
| What are Marks of Christian Scholarship and Seeking Wisdom? Video |
| Reflection: Seeking Wisdom in Your Vocation Reflection |
| How Can We Set Up Our Lives to Seek Christian Wisdom? Video |
| Reflection: Your Big Questions Reflection |
| Lesson Introduction:What does it mean to be... Overview |
|---|
| Why Does It Matter for Us to Know What We Are? Video |
| Reflection: What are You? Reflection |
| What are Some Ways to Think about What It Means to be Human? Video |
| Reflection: Body-Soul Connections Reflection |
| How Should We Live in Light of What We Are? Video |
| Reflection: Gratitude Reflection |
| Lesson Introduction:We all have a drive to... Overview |
|---|
| Why should we think about human development and growth? Video |
| Reflection: Character Reflection |
| What are the best ways to think about cultivating character? Video |
| Reflection: Learning from Revelation Reflection |
| How can we use practices that create positive change? Video |
| Reflection: Trusting Relationships Reflection |
| Lesson Introduction:As a church and as a... Overview |
|---|
| Why It Matters for Us to Communicate through Disagreements Video |
| Reflection: The Argument Culture Reflection |
| What is the Best Approach to Fostering Peace and Civility? Video |
| Reflection: Changing Your Mind Reflection |
| How Can We Converse Constructively with Others? Video |
| Reflection: Civil Conversation Reflection |
| Lesson Introduction:Love: we all need it, we... Overview |
|---|
| Why is love of neighbor central in moral and spiritual life? Video |
| Reflection: What is Love? Reflection |
| What Did Jesus Mean by, “Love your neighbor as yourself"? Video |
| Reflection: Radical Love Reflection |
| How Can We Better Follow the Command to Love our Neighbors? Video |
| Reflection: Growing in Love Reflection |
| Lesson Introduction:Humility was a vice in... Overview |
|---|
| Why Does Humility Matter? Video |
| Reflection: The Importance of Humility Reflection |
| What Are the Most Common Ways to Define Humility? Video |
| Reflection: Features of Humility Reflection |
| How Can We Become Humble Like Jesus? Video |
| Reflection: Practicing Humility Reflection |
| Lesson Introduction:We all suffer. Some of us... Overview |
|---|
| Why Try to Find Meaning in Suffering? Video |
| Reflection: Experiencing Suffering Reflection |
| What Approaches Can We Take to Find Meaning in Suffering? Video |
| Reflection: Vulnerability Reflection |
| How spiritual practices help us gain meaning in suffering Video |
| Reflection: Lament Reflection |
| Recommended Resources Resource |
| Course Evaluation Resource |
Course FAQ
Each lesson is designed to take approximately 1-2 hours, depending on how deeply you engage the reflection and discussion questions. Since this is a self-paced course, the time it will take you to complete it will depend on the speed with which you want to progress through the course.
No. The course contains everything you need to successfully complete the course. There are resources recommended at the end of the course that you are free to purchase if you wish to pursue further study on the course topic.
Since this course is designed as a completely self-paced experience, you will not have any interaction with the professor during the course.