MHGS Year Two

I am a second year at Mars Hill Graduate School. In some ways, I never thought I would get here and, in others, I feel like I've waited forever. To see first year students walking around, going to the classes that I feel like I was just in, is a surreal experience. I want to be with them and walk with them in familiarity, encouragement, and comfort. But within my own experience, I have a new year, a part two. I'm in between being a first-year and being a last-year. One year out of the newness and one year away from my internship. The second year is known to be not only the most academically rigorous year, but Fall term of the second year is supposedly the most rigorous term out of the three year program at MHGS. I can totally see where they're coming from. I'm so looking forward to what these classes hold, but just praying I can actually survive them.

Constructing the Theological Mosaic: God, Humanity, Christ: This course is the first of a two-part exploration in tracing, 'constructing,' confessing and affirming anew the central doctrinal vision of the Christian faith. On the one hand, we refer to this as the theological mosaic, because in essence, this is not a monochrome belief system but a rich tapestry of different historical, cultural, and biblical insights that show us how to integrate text, soul, and culture. On the other hand, we are not constructing this on our own terms; it is a dialogue. It is a living, long, enduring and meaning-filled relationship and conversation that we have been invited into the the Triune God. Only here can we know God, know ourselves and know the story we all are in. In this way, we hope to appropriate the great traditions of the Christian church and articulate a faith that is equally meaningful and resourceful to Christian vocation, ministry and discipleship in our contemporary global contexts.

Human Growth and Development: This course covers human development theories from and interpersonal perspective, which includes biological, psychological, sociological, cognitive, and faith development across the life span. Particular emphasis is placed on the existential design such as suffering, loss, meaning, and finitude as it relates to development and is lived out in the human narrative.

Psychopathology I: This course provides a survey for theoretical foundation for understanding clinical psychopathology. This class addresses developmental and biological categories of mental disorders and theological underpinnings of development. The student will explore theoretical material regarding clinical disorders and disorders of the self. The class address diagnostic categories of psychopathology, understanding, and the use of the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.*

*The DSM is the psychological Bible. It's about twice the size of the Bible. It's full of names and numbers of psychological disorders. We have to read through the entire thing. I get a little lightheaded at the very thought.

Sexual Disorders: This class addresses the physical, relational, ethical and theological issues most often encountered in out-patient private practice and the local church that relate to clients struggling with their sexuality and addictive issues in general. The focus will be on understanding the symptoms in light of gender theory, addiction, and idolatry. The student will be better equipped to understand and treat a number of paraphilias, gender identity disorders, and normal sexual dysfunctions.

Let's jump in!