The 6 Christian Classes That Will Change Your Life

Have you ever wondered about the underpinnings of your faith? Are you curious to know more about where the Christian Church comes from? Or perhaps you’d simply like to be able to explain your beliefs a little better when challenged?

Your local Christian university may just hold the key to all of this.

Some feel that the study of theology is a waste of time—the Bible gives us everything we need, right? It does, but the fact is that we’re not always as equipped as we should be as we read the Word of God. Proverbs 16:16 declares wisdom to be better than gold, and understanding better than silver.

The fear of the Lord is, indeed, the beginning of wisdom, but we must make all efforts to engage with the Bible as deeply as possible so that we can truly be changed by the wisdom it contains.

To help you do this, let’s take a look at 6 essential Christian classes that will change your life.

Introduction to Biblical Languages

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This is it. This is the class that, most often, completely changes how believers look at the Bible.

This class goes over the basic features of Greek and Hebrew, as well as the use of study aids such as lexicons, exegetical tools, and concordances, enabling those with little knowledge of the Biblical languages to engage in word studies and interpretational exercises.

The realization that the Bible has been translated and re-translated, and that the original languages can sometimes be vague and difficult to interpret, is huge. Most of us comfortably recline with our English version of scripture and don’t think about the long journey those words have taken to reach us.

But when we learn how to study the original Hebrew and Greek, we can gain a deeper understanding of what each individual word means—as well as alternate interpretations of what they could mean. In this way, and combined with prayer, we can make informed decisions about our beliefs.

If you study nothing else, let it be this. You can find this course at any Christian university, Bible college, or seminary, so don’t wait on this opportunity to deepen your faith.

Biblical Hermeneutics

Hermeneutics is simply the methodology of interpretation—in this case, the interpretation of Biblical texts.

To learn how to truly live by God’s Word—and to teach others how to do so—start with this foundation. Every single verse in the Bible features a setting, a narrator, an intended audience, and a context within the Biblical story as a whole.

A class in Biblical Hermeneutics will show you how to look for all of those things, as well as how to use them to figure out how that verse applies to your life.

Studying the art of interpreting the Bible prevents us from misusing scripture and misinforming others—it helps us get to the heart of what those words mean, and how we can live by them.

If this sounds like something you want, take a look at the many Christian Universities that offer this course—nearly all of them will.

World Religions

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Think learning about the history, values, and traditions of the major world religions has no use for you as a Christian?

You might be in for a surprise.

Christians only make up a bit more than a quarter of all religious individuals—that’s a lot of other people who don’t see the world the same way you do. A Christian course in World Religions will have you closely examining the primary texts of each of these religions, and learning what they, and their followers, are all about.

If you hope to engage those of other religions in dialogue—whether your aim is interfaith bridge-building, proselytization, or just simple understanding—you’ll need to know something of their culture in order to do so. Christians are not called to exist in a vacuum, after all.

Learning about other cultures and faiths is how you can affect the entire world as a Christian, so don’t pass up the opportunity—enroll today.

Christian Ethics

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The Bible gives us the blueprints on how to be good, ethical people. The only problem with this is that many people don’t know how to read a blueprint!

Biblical and theological foundations that determine the formation of our ethics directly shape our lifestyles, so it’s important to have a good understanding of what Christian ethics actually look like. This course will have you examining ethically difficult contemporary moral issues, and will teach you how to look for solutions based on Biblical teachings.

This includes everything from how you do business with others, to how you treat your family, to the big political issues of the day. You’ll learn how to take all this on, and more, making ethical decisions that are firmly within the will of God.

Don’t pass this class up because you feel that you already know what is ethical and moral—the Bible can surprise you. Get educated on the facts of faith, and your lifestyle will please God all the more.

Christian Theology

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Have you ever had trouble expressing what a Christian actually believes?

This course gives you the foundational knowledge of the key tenants and central doctrines of the Christian faith, often with an emphasis on history, controversies, and Biblical foundations.

This is your faith. You’ve chosen Christianity as your belief system and worldview—it’s the lens through which you view the world. Why not seek to understand it as completely as you can?

This course will see you studying the New and Old Testaments, as well as the work of important theologians. You’ll be exposed to different ideas from different denominations. You’ll be challenged. You’ll be sharpened.

You’ll learn how to defend the Christian Church against criticism, and you’ll be able to give a rational, orderly account of your beliefs. You’ll better understand the aspects of God, and the parts of Christianity that are still an utter mystery.

As you can see, this is a challenging course, but well-worth the effort—you’ll understand the tradition of faith that you come from better than ever before. And more importantly, you’ll be able to talk about it to others in a way they can understand.

Church History

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Have you ever wondered where you come from? Have you tried to trace the roots of your family, of your ancestors, to see where it all began? Why did you do that?

If you’re like most, it’s because you’re trying to figure out who you are, and where you belong.

Studying the history of the Christian Church is like that. It may not be as essential to your faith and Godliness as some of the other courses on this list, but knowing the trials, triumphs, and changes that the Church has undergone throughout the centuries can help you feel a greater connection to your Christian roots.

In this class, you’ll be taken from the apostolic period, all the way to modern expressions of Christianity. You’ll learn about major movements, leading personalities, theological developments, and religious trends, and you’ll examine them all to better understand the whole story of Christianity.

If you want to learn how Christianity has shaped history and influenced the very path of mankind, enroll in a Church History course. It just might change the way you see the world.

How to Choose the Best Online Christian Degree Program For You

If you’re beginning your journey, there are five key areas to consider as you narrow down your options. Read next feature >

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