Theological Department

The Theological Department offers graduate-level instruction within four curriculum divisions that include the following courses:

1. Biblical Theology
   1. Old Testament Introduction
   2. Genesis
   3. Romans
   4. New Testament Introduction
   5. Synoptic Gospels
   6. Selected Psalms
   7. The Revelation to St. John
   8. Isaiah
   9. John and 1 John
   10. Issues in Biblical Interpretation and Christian Theology
   11. 1 and 2 Corinthians
   12. 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus
2. Dogmatic Theology
   1. Ecumenical Creeds, Augsburg Confession, and Apology
   2. Revelation, Authority, and Theological Method
   3. God and Creation
   4. Small and Large Catechisms, Smalcald Articles, and Treatise
   5. Person and Work of Christ
   6. Salvation and the Means of Grace
   7. Formula of Concord and Confessional Subscription
   8. Church and Christian Hope
   9. Christian Apologetics
3. Historical Theology
   1. History of Christianity to the Reformation
   2. History of Christianity from Reformation to the present
   3. History and Character of Lutheranism
   4. History of Ukrainian Christianity
   5. Non-Christian Cults and Religions
   6. Christian Denominations and Confessions
4. Pastoral Theology
   1. Worship, Liturgy, and Christian Proclamation
   2. Evangelism and Missions
   3. Christian Ethics
   4. Pastoral Counseling
   5. Shepherding the Flock
      1. The Pastoral Epistles
      2. Qualifications, call, stewardship, marriage, administration, leadership, etc.
   6. Pastoral Practice Workshop A
      1. Preaching Old Testament
      2. Evangelism
      3. Teaching adults
   7. Pastoral Practice Workshop B
      1. Preaching Epistles
      2. Evangelism
      3. Visitations
   8. Pastoral Practice Workshop C
      1. Preaching Gospels
      2. Evangelism
      3. Teaching teenagers and children

Besides there are weekly Hebrew, Greek, English, Ukrainian and Chanting classes.

The curriculum of the Theological Department has a cyclical character. The cycle is repeated every three years. Every year in the cycle is marked with the letters A, B, C. Now we are having Year B.

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, the number of hours of which varies depending on the course, in-class and field work.)

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 Theological Departments are taught by the faculty of the seminary and by visiting professors who serve at the invitation of the Rector. All courses in the Theological Department are taught by qualified theologically-trained professors from within the ecclesiastical fellowship of the Ukrainian Lutheran Church. 

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.

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.