Intensive Virtual IBS Courses (1 week live)
Many IBS classes are now offered in a live virtual setting.
For these class you will be in a Zoom meeting with a professor and up to 25 other students. Class meets at a fixed time each day (typcially 2 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the afternoon). The live portion will be a mix of lecture and discussion. In order to particpate in these classes you need to have a headset with a microphone, a stable internet connection, and a private quiet location (no coffee shops).
Class Participation: Students are expected to actively engage, with their video on, in every class session. If something comes up and you need to miss a class session, please let the TA know before class. It may be possible to record the session so you can watch it later. Please note that if you miss more than 20% of the sessions, you cannot pass the class and you will still be charged.
You cannot receive graduate credit for these live virtual courses.
Schedule for Intensive Virtual Courses
Humanity/Christ/Salvation (Septeber 28 – October 2, 2020) live via Zoom with Miles
Description: What is the gospel? Few questions are more fundamental to our personal lives and organizational calling than this. Although we spend a lot of time and energy strategizing how to introduce men and women to the gospel, we often spend little time reflecting on the gospel itself. Furthermore, we often live as if the gospel is only for “lost” people and not also for those of us who have been “found.” In this class we will explore historic Christian teaching regarding the doctrine of humanity, the person and work of Christ, and the doctrine of salvation. Together these doctrines shape our understanding of the gospel. We will explore the basis of salvation in the Father’s sovereign plan; the accomplishment of salvation through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ; and the application of salvation to God’s children by the Holy Spirit. We will examine these doctrines as they are taught in Scripture and confessed by the church so that we may better live to the glory of the triune God
This will not be a traditional lecture based class. The substance of this class will take place on your own as you read the material and prepare for each discussion. This time spent reading will be the "lecture." Each day of the class each student will come prepared to discuss with the professor and other students the material. This daily engagement will faciliatate a deeper learning and understanding of the material.
Dates: Monday, September 28 – Friday, October 2, 2020
Time: (Monday) 1:00p–3:00p; (Tuesday – Friday) 8:00a – 10:00a and 11:30a – 2:00p, Pacific Daylight Time via Zoom
Location: This class will be taken live in a virtual classroom. You may participate from anywhere in the world. More details about the format will be posted in the future. If you take this class, please have a dedicated place where you can engage freely in the discussion wihtout distraction and with good internet speed (>5mbs). Please do not plan on going to a coffee shop for this class as it will inhibit your ability to discuss freely and others to engage with you.
Instructor: Dr. Todd Miles - Professor at Western Seminary
Tuition: $200 IBS Credit
**Note: There will not be any auditing of this course due to the limited size of the class. Also we cannot give any graduate credit for this class because it is virtual.
***Note: This class is limited to 20 participants in order to best facilitate learning in this environment.
Questions? Contact: IBS.info@cru.org
Note: It is your responsibility to secure the required course texts.
Humanity/Christ/Salvation (Oct 21-23 and Oct 26-27, 2020) live via Zoom
Description: What is the gospel? Few questions are more fundamental to our personal lives and organizational calling than this. Although we spend a lot of time and energy strategizing how to introduce men and women to the gospel, we often spend little time reflecting on the gospel itself. Furthermore, we often live as if the gospel is only for “lost” people and not also for those of us who have been “found.” In this class we will explore historic Christian teaching regarding the doctrine of humanity, the person and work of Christ, and the doctrine of salvation. Together these doctrines shape our understanding of the gospel. We will explore the basis of salvation in the Father’s sovereign plan; the accomplishment of salvation through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ; and the application of salvation to God’s children by the Holy Spirit. We will examine these doctrines as they are taught in Scripture and confessed by the church so that we may better live to the glory of the triune God.
Note: This class is a Live/Virtual class using Zoom. You will participate in this class from any location you choose as long as it is quite and allows you to be unmuted during the duration of the class. Please use the Zoom test feature before the first lecture.
Dates: October 21-23 and 26-27 (Wed-Fri, Mo-Tues)
Time: 9:30am – 11:30am and 1pm – 3pm EDT
Location: Zoom
Instructor: Dr. Keith Johnson
Tuition: (Due to the high demand for this class, the tuition is non-refundable)
$200 IBS Credit
Questions? Contact: IBS.Info@cru.og
Course Documents
- Welcome Video from Instructor (please watch - 3 minutes)
- Download Syllabus (this will tell you how to prepare for the class)
- Link for "Getting to Know You" Survey (complete by April 10)
- Grading Rubric for Theology Project
Amazon Links for Course Texts:
There are two required books for this class. Be sure to consult the course syllabus for specific readings. The Coleman book has limited availability and may only be available in Kindle format unless you get a used paper copy (which could take a while).
The Heart of the Gospel by Robert Coleman
Articles and Videos
- Download González, Mañana, chapter 1, pp. 21-30
- Read "Ten Things You Should Know about Systematic Theology" by Scott Swain
- Download Hoang/Johnson, Justice Calling, chapter 1
- Read "Biblical Righteousness Is a Four-Paned Window" by Carl Ellis
- Download Wills, Martin Luther King Jr. and the Image of God, ch. 5
- Watch "Image of Racism" by Jemar Tisby
- Read "A Letter by My Brothers" by Beth Moore
- Read “An Apology to Beth Moore and My Sisters” by Thabiti Anyabwile
- "Leading in a Complex Moral Environment" can be found on the StaffWeb
- Download Booth, Plain Theology, intro + ch. 2
- Download Micael Reeves, Delighting in the Trinity, ch. 3
- Download Adrian Pei, Ethnic Minority Experience, ch. 2
- Read "Talking about Faith in non-Western Contexts" by Jayson Georges
- Download Eric Mason, “How Big is the Gospel?” Work Church, ch. 2
- Download Keller, "Biblical Contextualization" from Center Church
Recommended Resources
- Penal Substitution as an Undivided Work of the Triune God
- The Work of the Holy Spirit in the Life and Ministry of Jesus: A Trinitarian Perspective
- Is Water Baptism Necessary for Salvation?
- Can minority Christians thrives in White Evangelical Spaces? (Inteview with Carl Ellis)
- Download "Is Baptism Necessary for Salvation?" by Keith Johnson
- Resources on Culture/Ethnicity and Diversity
- Link to "An Evangelical Declaration on the Care of Creation"
- Dowload free PDF of "The Difficult Doctrine of the Love of God" by D.A. Carson
Christian Worldview and Ethics (October 26–31, 2020) live via Zoom
Description: Following Jesus in our contemporary context is complex. We face decisions and questions that require thoughtful reflection, Scriptural study, and concrete action in our personal, ecclesial, and public lives. As people involved with Cru, we also care about presenting the good news of the gospel as some of these same questions press in on our culture. Does Christian faith have anything meaningful to offer cultural questions about race, sexuality, politics, environmental concerns, human trafficking, economic justice, etc.? This is a foundational course in Christian world view and ethics that is designed to help us follow Christ faithfully and develop as Christian ministers. In this course we will study different methods of ethical reasoning, authority of Scripture, moral formation, and moral norms; and we apply these principles to contemporary issues of economic, racial, and ecological justice; as well as sanctity of life, sexual faithfulness, and politics, with a special attention to global and pluralistic contexts of Christian ministry today.
This will not be a traditional lecture based class. The substance of this class will take place on your own as you read the material and prepare for each discussion. This time spent reading will be the "lecture." Each day of the class each student will come prepared to discuss with the professor and other students the material. This daily engagement will faciliatate a deeper learning and understanding of the material.
Dates: Monday, October 26 — Friday, October 31, 2020
Time: Time: (Monday) 1:00p–3:00p; (Tuesday – Friday) 8:00a – 10:00a and 11:30a – 2:00p, Pacific Daylight Time via Zoom
Location: This class will be taken live in a virtual classroom. You may participate from anywhere in the world. More details about the format will be posted in the future. If you take this class, please have a dedicated place where you can engage freely in the discussion wihtout distraction and with good internet speed (>5mbs). Please do not plan on going to a coffee shop for this class as it will inhibit your ability to discuss freely and others to engage with you.
Instructor: Dr. Todd Miles - Professor at Western Seminary
Tuition: $200 IBS Credit
**Note: There will not be any auditing of this course due to the limited size of the class. Also we cannot give any graduate credit for this class because it is virtual.
***Note: This class is limited to 15 participants in order to best facilitate learning in this environment.
Questions? Contact: ibs.info@cru.org
Note: It is your responsibility to secure the required course texts.
Biblical Interpretation and Biblical Communication (November 9–13, 2020 and December 14–18,2020 via Zoom)
Description of Biblical Interpretation: Poetry. Letters. Stories. Laws. Prophecy. Faithfully interpreting God’s Word requires understanding the various literary forms through which God speaks to us, applying sound hermeneutical principles, and connecting every passage to God’s redemptive message throughout the Scriptures that centers on Jesus Christ. Building on the foundation of Bible Study Methods, this course will introduce you to an interpretive process that will enable you to understand God’s Word and encounter the living God more profoundly. You will have the opportunity to learn this process working in small groups with the aid of a mentor who will guide you to handle the treasure of God’s Word faithfully and meaningfully.
Description of Biblical Communication: Communicating biblical truth requires a profound understanding of God’s Word and an ability to relate God’s Word to your audience so they may experience transformation. Building upon the Biblical Interpretation class, experienced communicators will help you become a worshipping communicator and develop audience-sensitive skills that insure your message finds relevant, true-to-life application. Through lecture and workshops this course will equip you to lead the emerging generations to conviction and repentance of their sin and to growing belief and adoration of Christ. Prerequisite: Biblical Interpretation (2 IBS credits - Bible)
We normally offer Biblical Interpretation and Biblical Communication over a four-week period during the summer. In order to make these courses more accessible outside the summer, we are offering them in a compressed two-week format. There are some important things to understand about these courses before you register:
- These courses builds on Bible Study Methods. BSM is a required prerequisite for taking BI and BC.
- These are not a traditional lecture-based courses. The learning will take place in a small group workshop format.
- These classes will be very intense. The daily schedule will not allow any outside work to be done during the two weeks these courses meet.
- There is a significant amount of work that must be completed prior to the beginning of the first class.
- BI and BC must be taken together so if you register for one you are registering for both classes.
- Because of the limited space and the cost in running the class, registration is non-refundable.
Dates: Monday, November 9 – Friday, November 13, 2020 for BI (virtually through Zoom)
Monday, December 14 – Friday, December 18, 2020 for BC (virtually through Zoom)
Dates (Continued): BI and BC are being offered in a virtual format. The classes will take place duing set hours when you need to be on your computer able to engage in a live dicussion.
Time: Each day you will have two sessions from 10am–12:30pm EST and 2pm–4:30pm EST.
Location: BI and BC- Live via Zoom
Tuition for each course:
- $250 IBS Credit
- $250 Audit**
**Note: Auditing an IBS course (i.e., attending the lecture but not doing any work) does NOT fulfill Cru requirements. Audited courses cannot be counted toward the organizational requirements for IBS.
Questions? Contact: IBS.info@cru.org
The syllabi for BI and BC are unavialble right now. They are being worked on. They will be posted here and emailed to all registered when they are complete.
Note: It is your responsibility to secure the required course texts.
Humanity/Christ/Salvation (November 9–13, 2020) live via Zoom
Description: What is the gospel? Few questions are more fundamental to our personal lives and organizational calling than this. Although we spend a lot of time and energy strategizing how to introduce men and women to the gospel, we often spend little time reflecting on the gospel itself. Furthermore, we often live as if the gospel is only for “lost” people and not also for those of us who have been “found.” In this class we will explore historic Christian teaching regarding the doctrine of humanity, the person and work of Christ, and the doctrine of salvation. Together these doctrines shape our understanding of the gospel. We will explore the basis of salvation in the Father’s sovereign plan; the accomplishment of salvation through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ; and the application of salvation to God’s children by the Holy Spirit. We will examine these doctrines as they are taught in Scripture and confessed by the church so that we may better live to the glory of the triune God
This will not be a traditional lecture based class. The substance of this class will take place on your own as you read the material and prepare for each discussion. This time spent reading will be the "lecture." Each day of the class each student will come prepared to discuss with the professor and other students the material. This daily engagement will faciliatate a deeper learning and understanding of the material.
Dates: Monday, November 9 – Friday, November 13, 2020
Time: Nov 9 (Monday): 1:00p-3:00p (PST) – Over Zoom; Nov 10-13 (Tuesday-Friday): 8:00a – 10:00a and 11:30a – 2:00p (PST)
Location: This class will be taken live in a virtual classroom. You may participate from anywhere in the world. More details about the format will be posted in the future. If you take this class, please have a dedicated place where you can engage freely in the discussion wihtout distraction and with good internet speed (>5mbs). Please do not plan on going to a coffee shop for this class as it will inhibit your ability to discuss freely and others to engage with you.
Instructor: Dr. Todd Miles - Professor at Western Seminary
Tuition: $200 IBS Credit
**Note: There will not be any auditing of this course due to the limited size of the class. Also we cannot give any graduate credit for this class because it is virtual.
***Note: This class is limited to 15 participants in order to best facilitate learning in this environment.
Questions? Contact: ibs.info@cru.org
Note: It is your responsibility to secure the required course texts.
Christian Worldview and Ethics (December 7–11, 2020) live via Zoom with Sanders
Description: Following Jesus in our contemporary context is complex. We face decisions and questions that require thoughtful reflection, Scriptural study, and concrete action in our personal, ecclesial, and public lives. As people involved with Cru, we also care about presenting the good news of the gospel as some of these same questions press in on our culture. Does Christian faith have anything meaningful to offer cultural questions about race, sexuality, politics, environmental concerns, human trafficking, economic justice, etc.? This is a foundational course in Christian world view and ethics that is designed to help us follow Christ faithfully and develop as Christian ministers. In this course we will study different methods of ethical reasoning, authority of Scripture, moral formation, and moral norms; and we apply these principles to contemporary issues of economic, racial, and ecological justice; as well as sanctity of life, sexual faithfulness, and politics, with a special attention to global and pluralistic contexts of Christian ministry today.
This will not be a traditional lecture based class. The substance of this class will take place on your own as you read the material and prepare for each discussion. This time spent reading will be the "lecture." Each day of the class each student will come prepared to discuss with the professor and other students the material. This daily engagement will faciliatate a deeper learning and understanding of the material.
Dates: Monday, December 7 — Friday, December 11, 2020
Time: 8:00a – 10:00a and 11:30a – 1:30p, Pacific Time via Zoom
Location: This class will be taken live in a virtual classroom. You may participate from anywhere in the world. More details about the format will be posted in the future. If you take this class, please have a dedicated place where you can engage freely in the discussion wihtout distraction and with good internet speed (>5mbs). Please do not plan on going to a coffee shop for this class as it will inhibit your ability to discuss freely and others to engage with you.
Instructor: Dr. Todd Miles - Professor at Western Seminary
Tuition: $200 IBS Credit
**Note: There will not be any auditing of this course due to the limited size of the class. Also we cannot give any graduate credit for this class because it is virtual.
***Note: This class is limited to 15 participants in order to best facilitate learning in this environment.
Questions? Contact: ibs.info@cru.org
Download Syllabus (Not yet available)
Required Texts: TBA
Note: It is your responsibility to secure the required course texts.