-- Вступ до Старого Заповіту. (3 заліки)

-- Буття. (3 заліки)

-- Римлян. (3 заліки)

Догматичне богослов’я:

-- Вселенські Символи віри, Аугзбурзьке віросповідання та Апологія. (3 заліки)

-- Об’явлення, влада та богословський метод. (ОДБ §§ 1-18) (3 заліки)

-- Бог і творіння. (ОДБ §§ 19-25) (3 заліки)

Історичне богослов’я:

-- Історія Християнства до 1054 року. (3 заліки)

-- Історія Християнства після 1054 року. (3 заліки)

Пастирське богослов’я:

-- Поклоніння, літургія та Християнське проголошення. (3 заліки)

-- Євангелізація та місії. (3 заліки)

-- Практична майстерня пастиря А. (4 заліки)

Інтегративний дослідницький проект А. (3 заліки)

РІК B (2005-2006):

Біблійне богослов’я:

-- Вступ до Нового Заповіту. (3 заліки)

-- Євангелія від Матвія, Марка та Луки. (3 заліки)

-- Вибрані псалми. (3 заліки)

-- Об’явлення Св. Івана. (3 заліки)

Догматичне богослов’я:

-- Малий і Великий катехізиси, Шмалькальдські статті та Трактат. (3 заліки)

-- Особа і робота Христові. (ОДБ §§ 96-129) (3 заліки)

-- Спасіння і засоби благодаті. (ОДБ §§ 130-156) (3 заліки)

Історичне богослов’я:

-- Історія і характер лютеранства. (3 заліки)

-- Історія Українського Християнства. (3 заліки)

Пастирське богослов’я:

-- Християнська етика. (3 заліки)

-- Практична майстерня пастиря В. (4 заліки)

Інтегративний дослідницький проект B. (3 заліки)

РІК C (2006-2007):

Біблійне богослов’я:

-- Ісаї. (3 заліки)

-- Євангелія від Івана і 1 Івана. (3 заліки)

-- Питання біблійного тлумачення і Християнського богослов’я. (3 заліки)

-- 1 і 2 Коринтян. (3 заліки)

Догматичне богослов’я:

-- Формула Злагоди та віросповідний підпис. (3 заліки)

-- Церква та Християнська надія. (ОДБ §§ 157-185) (3 заліки)

-- Християнська апологетика. (3 заліки)

Історичне богослов’я:

-- Нехристиянські культи і релігії. (3 заліки)

-- Християнські деномінації та конфесії. (3 заліки)

Пастирське богослов’я:

-- Пастирське радництво. (3 заліки)

-- Практична майстерня пастиря С. (4 заліки)

(Практичні майстерні пастиря протягом трирічного періоду покривають різноманітні практичні аспекти пастирського служіння, включаючи підготовку і проголошення проповідей, проведення біблійних і катехізаційних занять, проведення Божественної Літургії і нерегулярних богослужінь, проведення євангелізації та здійснення покликання пастиря та нагляд за адміністративною роботою у парафії.)

The origins of Saint Sophia Ukrainian Lutheran Theological Seminary go back to 1994, when the Rev. Roger Kovaciny, a Lutheran missionary in Ternopil’, Ukraine, began teaching Greek and other theological subjects to several men who hoped someday to serve as Lutheran pastors. The seminary was formally organized in 1995, and was officially registered with the government of Ukraine in 1997. It is the Ukrainian Lutheran Church’s theological institution of higher education for the training of men to be pastors and other office-holders in the church. The seminary also has a close cooperative relationship with the “Thoughts of Faith” mission society in the United States, a church-related organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod.

The seminary submits to the canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the verbally inspired and inerrant Word of God, and as the only infallible rule and norm of Christian doctrine and practice. The seminary also submits to the Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, as contained in the Book of Concord of 1580, as a true and faithful statement and exposition of the Word of God. The seminary submits to these Symbolical Books because, not insofar as, they agree with the Holy Scriptures. All teaching in the curriculum of the seminary will be carried out in strict conformity to the Holy Scriptures and the Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.

The seminary is comprised of two departments: the Preparatory Department, which follows a one-year program, and the Theological Department, which follows a three-year program. The Preparatory Department offers undergraduate-level instruction in a curriculum comprised of twelve courses: Greek I, Greek II, Greek III, Greek IV, Greek V, Hebrew I, Hebrew II, Hebrew III, Christian Doctrine I, Christian Doctrine II, Bible History, and Congregational Life. These courses are designed to prepare students for study in the Theological Department. The Theological Department offers graduate-level instruction within four curriculum divisions: Biblical Theology (eleven courses), Dogmatic Theology (nine courses), Historical Theology (six courses), and Pastoral Theology (seven courses). Most courses include 30 hours of classroom instruction when a translator is not used, or 45 hours of classroom instruction when a translator is used. (The exception is the Pastoral Practice Workshop in the Theological Department, which includes 40 hours of classroom instruction when a translator is not used, or 60 hours of classroom instruction when a translator is used.) Students are also required to do any reading or research outside of the classroom that the professor may assign. In addition, every Theological Department student is required to complete an Integrative Research Project during each academic year, involving research in at least two of the Theological Department’s four curriculum divisions, and involving the preparation of a research paper of between thirty and fifty double-spaced pages.

Courses in the Preparatory and Theological Departments are taught by the faculty of the seminary and by visiting professors who serve at the invitation of the Rector. Courses in the Preparatory Department that involve theological instruction, and all courses in the Theological Department, are taught by qualified theologically-trained professors from within the ecclesiastical fellowship of the Ukrainian Lutheran Church.

Ordinarily, students are admitted to the Preparatory Department on the basis of the following criteria: communicant membership in a Lutheran congregation, usually a congregation of the Ukrainian Lutheran Church or of a church body in fellowship with the Ukrainian Lutheran Church; personal and spiritual fitness, as indicated especially by a pastoral letter of recommendation; academic fitness, as indicated especially by a Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from a recognized institute, college, or university; physical and emotional fitness, as indicated especially by a standard health certificate; and a willingness to serve eventually as a pastor in the Ukrainian Lutheran Church or in a church body in fellowship with the Ukrainian Lutheran Church. Exceptions to some aspects of these criteria can be made according to individual circumstances. Admissions are determined by an Admissions Committee consisting of the Rector of the seminary (or his representative), the Bishop of the Ukrainian Lutheran Church (or his representative), and the Chairman of the ULC Education Committee (or his representative). Application forms can be obtained from the Prorector.

Ordinarily, students are admitted to the Theological Department on the basis of having successfully completed the curriculum of the Preparatory Department, which would include the acquisition of a working knowledge of Greek, a conceptual knowledge of Hebrew, and a basic knowledge of Lutheran theology. The various criteria that were used as the basis for admission to the Preparatory Department are also reviewed at this time. Admissions are again determined by the Admissions Committee as described above.

The standards for admission to the seminary are also the standards for continuation in the seminary. A student may be dismissed from either department if he fails to maintain one or more of these standards, namely, communicant membership in a Lutheran congregation, personal and spiritual fitness, academic fitness, physical and emotional fitness, and a willingness to serve eventually as a Lutheran pastor. Dismissals are also determined by the Admissions Committee.

Courses in the Theological Department are ordinarily taught according to an “intensive” format, in ten days. Professors who do not speak Ukrainian teach through a classroom translator. The normal daily schedule for a course that is taught with the use of a translator is as follows:

Classes are usually not held on Saturdays, and never on Sundays. Except in cases of dire necessity, students are required to attend all classes. (Because of the intensive format used at St. Sophia, missing one day of class would be the equivalent of missing several days of class in a traditional semester format.) Courses are scheduled according to the convenience of the professors, and the annual course schedule can therefore be somewhat irregular. However, all the required courses for each academic year are taught at some time within that year.

Professors are advised that any written materials that need to be translated into Ukrainian and distributed to students before a particular course begins should be submitted to the Rector well in advance, to allow for translation time. Professors are also encouraged to consult with the Rector regarding the availability of appropriate materials that have been published in Ukrainian or Russian, and that may be utilized as textbooks for certain courses.

With courses that are taught by a visiting professor, an examination for the course is usually prepared by the professor and left with the students, or with the Prorector, before the professor leaves Ukraine. When the examinations have been completed by the students they are translated (if necessary), mailed or e-mailed to the professor, and graded by him. The Theological Department operates according to a “pass-fail” grading system.

Pastors and professors who serve as visiting professors at St. Sophia arrange for the supply preachers or teachers of their choice. The seminary will pay the costs that are involved in such arrangements, including the substitute’s travel expenses and appropriate compensation.

Visiting professors are paid an appropriate honorarium for each course they teach at St. Sophia. They are also provided with a book allowance for each course, to be used for the purchase of books that are needed in course preparation. All travel expenses to and from Ukraine are paid or reimbursed by the seminary. Housing, prepared meals, laundry service, and local transportation during each professor’s stay in Ukraine are likewise provided.

A Theological Department student will receive a Diploma of Graduation upon certification of the Rector of the seminary that he has successfully completed the three-year Theological Department curriculum. Ordinarily each graduate will receive the degree of Master of Divinity. If the graduate had not previously received a Bachelor’s degree, he will receive the degree of Bachelor of Divinity.

A graduate of the seminary who wishes to serve as a pastor in the Ukrainian Lutheran Church must, in addition to his academic qualifications, be certified as fit for this office by the ULC Bishop and Synodical Council. This episcopal certification process will include an evaluation of the graduate’s theological views and confessional position. When the certified graduate receives and accepts a call he will be ordained by the Bishop or by a pastor authorized by the Bishop.

Ordinarily, students who are entering their second year of study in the Theological Department are consecrated as deacons, for limited, supervised ministry in the church. The St. Sophia diaconal program is supervised by the Bishop of the Ukrainian Lutheran Church, in consultation with the Rector of the seminary and the other pastors of the ULC. The deacons’ responsibilities include conducting worship services, delivering approved sermons, and teaching Bible and catechism classes. Under normal circumstances deacons will not administer Baptism or the Lord’s Supper. The students’ diaconal activities are carried out according to a schedule that does not conflict with seminary class attendance requirements.

The seminary also operates a Permanent Diaconate Program. This program is designed for Lutheran men who do not intend to study for the pastoral ministry, but who would like to receive the training that is necessary for carrying out the duties of a deacon. It is also designed for Lutheran women who would like to receive the training that is necessary for carrying out the duties of a deaconess, according to the guidelines that are given in Scripture for the service of women in the church. An applicant to this program must have a pastoral letter of recommendation, with the agreement of the council of the congregation to which the applicant belongs. Application forms can be obtained from the Prorector. [Application forms can also be downloaded from this web page.]

The curriculum of the Permanent Diaconate Program includes four courses that are also included in the curriculum of the Preparatory Department of the seminary (Christian Doctrine I [B]; Christian Doctrine II [B]; Bible History [C]; and Congregational Life [C]), and seven courses that are unique to the Permanent Diaconate Program (Diaconal Service Workshop [A]; History of Christianity in Ukraine and the World [B]; the Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Confessions [A]; Religions, Cults, and Churches [C]; Selected Studies in the Old Testament [A]; Selected Studies in the Gospels [B]; and Selected Studies in the Epistles [C]). In most cases these courses are taught through a combination of lectures and supervised home study. To the extent that it is possible, each course is scheduled for a time and place that suits the needs and circumstances of the students who are enrolled in the course. The amount of learning and depth of study in each course is approximately the same as the amount of learning and depth of study in a typical Preparatory Department course. Someone who successfully fulfills the requirements of this program will receive an appropriate certificate from the seminary.

On occasion, the seminary invites special guest speakers to deliver lectures outside the regular curriculum of the seminary on various subjects related to Christian faith and life. Under the auspices of the Preparatory Department, guest speakers are invited from time to time to deliver lectures on various liberal arts subjects that contribute toward a more thorough pre-theological education. Singing lessons, and Ukrainian language lessons, are also offered at the seminary for the benefit of the students.

Biblical Theology:

-- Old Testament Introduction. (3 credits)

-- Genesis. (3 credits)

-- Romans. (3 credits)

Dogmatic Theology:

-- Ecumenical Creeds, Augsburg Confession, and Apology. (3 credits)

-- Revelation, Authority, and Theological Method. (O.D.T. §§ 1-18) (3 credits)

-- God and Creation. (O.D.T. §§ 19-25) (3 credits)

Historical Theology:

-- History of Christianity to 1054. (3 credits)

-- History of Christianity since 1054. (3 credits)

Pastoral Theology:

-- Worship, Liturgy, and Christian Proclamation. (3 credits)

-- Evangelism and Missions. (3 credits)

-- Pastoral Practice Workshop A. (4 credits)

Integrative Research Project A. (3 credits)

YEAR B (2005-2006):

Biblical Theology:

-- New Testament Introduction. (3 credits)

-- Matthew, Mark, and Luke. (3 credits)

-- Selected Psalms. (3 credits)

-- The Revelation to St. John. (3 credits)

Dogmatic Theology:

-- Small and Large Catechisms, Smalcald Articles, and Treatise. (3 credits)

-- Person and Work of Christ. (O.D.T. §§ 96-129) (3 credits)

-- Salvation and the Means of Grace. (O.D.T. §§ 130-156) (3 credits)

Historical Theology:

-- History and Character of Lutheranism. (3 credits)

-- History of Ukrainian Christianity. (3 credits)

Pastoral Theology:

-- Christian Ethics. (3 credits)

-- Pastoral Practice Workshop B. (4 credits)

Integrative Research Project B. (3 credits)

YEAR C (2006-2007):

Biblical Theology:

-- Isaiah. (3 credits)

-- John and 1 John. (3 credits)

-- Issues in Biblical Interpretation and Christian Theology. (3 credits)

-- 1 and 2 Corinthians. (3 credits)

Dogmatic Theology:

-- Formula of Concord and Confessional Subscription. (3 credits)

-- Church and Christian Hope. (O.D.T. §§ 157-185) (3 credits)

-- Christian Apologetics. (3 credits)

Historical Theology:

-- Non-Christian Cults and Religions. (3 credits)

-- Christian Denominations and Confessions. (3 credits)

Pastoral Theology:

-- Pastoral Counseling. (3 credits)

-- Pastoral Practice Workshop C. (4 credits)

(The Pastoral Practice Workshops, over a three-year period, cover the various practical aspects of a pastor’s ministry, including preparing and delivering sermons, teaching catechism and Bible classes, conducting the Divine Liturgy and occasional services, making evangelism and pastoral calls, and overseeing the administration of the parish.)