Unit I. Identity and Gender (6 credits)

• Definition of identity

• Definition of gender

• Emergence and history of conflicts related to identity and gender

• Main organizations and progressive movements

• Homicides due to racial, gender, and cultural discrimination

• Femicide and androcide

• Equal rights for men and women. Wage gap and labor inequality

• UN Declaration on the topic

• Biblical perspective. Key biblical teachings

• Chaplaincy and counseling

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Unit II. Sexuality. (6 credits)

• Descriptive introduction

• Human sexuality. Sex and sexuality

• Sexuality through history

• Sexuality in human development and growth

• Sexuality and family

• Sexuality and society. Sexual discrimination

• Sexuality, ethics, and morality. Main issues in sexuality

• Sexual orientation

• Common paraphilias

• The Bible and sexuality

• Theological principles for counseling on sexuality

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Unit III. Child Abuse (6 credits)

• Definition of child abuse

• Types of child abuse: sexual, labor, recreational, emotional, among others

• International human rights for children

• What is child sexual abuse

• Characteristics of child sexual abuse

• Personal, family, and social consequences of child sexual abuse in the short and long term

• Measures for preventing child sexual abuse

• Legal aspects of child sexual abuse

• The chaplain as a spiritual and motivational counselor in child sexual abuse cases

 

Unit IV. Suicide (6 credits)

• Definitions of the term

• Suicide and suicide attempt

• Most common causes leading to suicide

• Characterization of suicide by age groups, gender, social class, ethnic groups, countries, and more

• Behavioral characteristics of people at risk for suicide

• How to prevent suicide. Evaluation and plan

• How to act in a potential suicide situation

• What to do after a potential suicide attempt. Counseling and follow-up

• Organizations and professionals specializing in the topic

• Biblical foundations for preventing and treating suicidal tendencies. Key Bible teachings related to suicide

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Unit V. The Homeless (6 credits)

• Definition of terms: homelessness, poverty, begging, needy, street people

• Classification and types of homelessness

• General causes of homelessness: drugs, family problems, mental health issues, persecution, diseases, and others

• Characteristics and behavior of the homeless

• Homelessness as a social problem and burden

• Counseling, therapy, and rehabilitation

• Organizations and institutions that help address homelessness

• Biblical foundations for counseling and helping the homeless

 

Unit VI. Dating and Marriage (6 credits)

• What is dating? Definitions

• What is marriage? Concepts

• Differences between marriage and dating. Love and infatuation

• Biblical foundations for marriage

• Cultural and social foundations

• Polygamy and polyamory. Types of polyamory

• Modern couples and marriages

• The American Psychological Association (APA) and its study of marriage and relationships

• Marriage and separation

• Divorce. Main causes of divorce worldwide

• The chaplain and biblical counseling for couples. Key theological foundations

 

Unit VII. Chaplaincy in Health Institutions (6 credits)

• Types of health institutions. Institutional norms and regulations

• The need for chaplaincy in clinics and hospitals. Biblical foundations

• Purposes of chaplaincy in health institutions

• General characteristics of health institutions: staff, environments, equipment, and rooms

• Chaplain behavior in medical institutions

• Steps to take during a hospital visit

• Things to avoid during a hospital visit

• General recommendations

• Follow-up and continuity of work in these institutions

 

 

Unit VIII. Chaplaincy in Correctional Institutions (6 credits)

• Differentiation of correctional institutions

• Biblical Foundations Supporting Prison Chaplaincy

• Characteristics of the incarcerated

• Rules and regulations of correctional institutions

• Confidentiality law, HIPAA

• Correctional volunteer work

• Preventive measures in prison visits. Things to avoid

• Spiritual and motivational counseling for the incarcerated

• Biblical preaching and counseling

 

 

Unit IX. Hagiology or Holiness (6 credits)

• Introduction and definitions

• What is holiness? Biblical concept

• Biblical foundations for the doctrine of sanctification

• Immediate sanctification and progressive sanctification

• Theory of the tripartite and dualistic conception of man, spirit, soul, and body

• Temptation: Biblical and Psychological Foundations

• Temptation and the most important human needs

• Steps to Overcome Sinful Temptation

• How to live in holiness. Key biblical points

• Benefits of holiness. Conduct and holiness

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Unit X. Principles of Biblical Interpretation I (6 credits)

• Introduction to principles of biblical interpretation. Textus Receptus and Alexandrian Text

• Biblical hermeneutics

• Fundamental laws of hermeneutics

• Exegesis and eisegesis

• Main schools of biblical interpretation

• Theological interpretation

• Linguistic-grammatical interpretation

• Historical-cultural interpretation

• Psychological interpretation

• General techniques for biblical hermeneutics

 

 

Unit XI. The Bible and Philosophy (6 credits)

• Philosophical thought currents: ancient, Greek, Greco-Roman, medieval, modern

• Epicureans, Stoics, and Skeptics, biblical perspective

• The existence of God and rationalism

• God and materialism

• Positivism vs. the Bible

• Existentialism and biblical thought

• Biblical thought. Conclusion

 

 

Unit XII. Christianity in Crisis (6 credits)

• Christianity. Origin and evolution

• Christianity according to the Bible

• Critical stages of Christianity

• Problems facing modern Christianity

• New trends and organizations

• Messages to the churches in the Book of Revelation

• How to biblically face modern crises