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Using Firefox to work within NTS West's Learning Management System

by Janna Gosselin -

Hello everyone.  I am sending this message to suggest that if you are not currently doing so, please consider downloading, installing and using the Firefox browser to continue experiencing NTS West's LMS services.  As professor's begin to use the resources available on the system, we have found that the Firefox browser is the most useful and least problematic of the browsers.

To download, please click here.

The Gathering - Saturday March 3, 2018

by Janna Gosselin -

New Theological Seminary of the West invites all students, faculty, potential students, trustees and friends of the seminary to attend The Gathering. The Gathering is designed to enable the NTSWest seminary community to come together for fellowship; information sharing; lunch and worship.

There is no charge for persons attending. For further information please call the seminary office at 626-765-9500 or email us at info@ntswest.org.


Date/Time: Saturday, March 3, 2018, 11am-2pm (10:30am registration)

Location:

La Canada Presbyterian Church
626 Foothill Blvd
La Cañada, CA 91011

What will be discussed:

  • “State of the Seminary”
  • Worship led by the Worship and Sacraments Class

Click here to register.

3 Courses being offered in Winterim 2018!

by Janna Gosselin -

NTS West is currently offering 3 courses for the Winterim in 2018:

The Whole Bible: Introduction to the New Testament

In this two quarter course, even though we begin with the Old Testament, we will continually keep in mind the whole Bible. In highlighting the themes emphasized by the authors of each book, we will examine questions of authorship, historical context, literary style, and the distinctive contribution of each writing in the salvation history leading to Jesus Christ.

The focus will be the historical background of the New Testament, the nature of the Gospels, and the contribution of each book to our Biblical and Theological understanding of the faith which we proclaim and practice as the church today, the Body of Christ.

Professor: Dr. Peter Hintzoglou
Location: La Canada Presbyterian Church
Duration: Monday Evenings January 22 – March 30, 2018 6:45 –9:15 pm


The Mystical Roots of Protestantism

In this class, we will consider the forms of devotion—the “prayer techniques”—that have helped Christians over the years to develop that sense of the presence of God. Our analysis will hinge on two categories of prayer: cataphatic and apophatic prayer. We will examine the “cataphatic” approach by learning of methods of prayer expressed in Scripture, poetry and other types of “word” prayer. We will also consider the apophatic approach, which has included wordless prayer, silence and solitude to find and unite with God.

“I have abandoned all particular forms of devotion, all prayer techniques. My only prayer practice is attention. I carry on a habitual, silent, and secret conversation with God that fills me with overwhelming joy.” –Brother Lawrence

This class will examine both approaches by reading works written by or about both ancient and modern Christian prayer exemplars, including: Gregory of Nyssa, Julian of Norwich, Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, Brother Lawrence, Jonathan Edwards, Simone Weil, and Howard Thurman. We will also read some of the more obscure experts on prayer, including the Eastern Orthodox monks who originated the Jesus Prayer and the practice of hesychasm, as well as the Western monk who composed the Meditationes Vita Christi and the Puritan authors of the Valley of Vision.

Professor: Janna Gosselin, Ph.D.
Duration: January 22-March 30, 2018
An Online Course (using the NTSW Moodle platform)


Worship: The Work of the People

This course will consider the history, theology, and practice of Christian worship. An ecumenical approach will allow students of various traditions to see how they fit into the grand celebration that is the worship of our Triune God. Along with history and theology, we will plan and lead worship within our class sessions. The course will try to cover the basics of pastoral leadership and lay participation in the sacraments of baptism and eucharist and in other rites of the church such as marriage, burial, confirmation, and ordination. The role of music in worship will be part of each session.

Worship: The Work of the People
Professor: Dr. Rebecca Prichard
Location: First Presbyterian Church, Santa Ana
Duration: Jan. 27, Feb. 3, 17, 24, March 10 and 24, 9:30am-2:00pm


If you are interested in any of the courses above, please register by clicking here.

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