Courses
Introduction
In six semesters, over three years, the curriculum provides a thorough coverage of the Bible. There is little repetitive treatment of a given section of Scripture. Consequently each book is covered in considerable detail, and students should make every effort to avoid unnecessary absences.
Students take one course at a time. Some courses are offered only to second year students, and others only to third, with designated prerequisites. With the exception of some of the 400 courses, the material outlined below is not elective, but is assigned in accordance with the three-year program of Bible study.
While the emphasis at Fairwood is primarily spiritual, not academic, a grading system is used and grades are recorded. Transcripts are provided for those who request them. Upon satisfactory completion of each year’s program, students receive certificates of achievement. Graduates of the full three-year course receive special recognition and a diploma.
Description of Courses
Basic and advanced Bible studies which cover a single Bible book are approached by reading and commenting on the text of that book in class. Classroom work emphasizes chiefly the Word as written and how it applies to us in daily life. Each teacher will approach the material differently, but in general this description applies to the single-book courses.
The study of the historical books often includes a discussion of their historical setting and of contemporaneous cultures. Considerable emphasis is placed on Biblical chronology and how it relates to secular history.
List of Courses Offered
Only a third of the following list of courses will be offered in any given year of study. Credit value for each course depends on its duration. Credit is based on the standard college time for semester credit hours.
201 The Gospels
102 The Harmony of Acts and the Pauline Epistles
202 The Pauline Epistles
103 The General Epistles
203 The General Epistles
104 The Book of Revelation
204 The Book of Revelation
111 The Book of Genesis
211 The Book of Genesis
112 The Law
113 The Book of Joshua
213 Joshua & The Art of War for the Christian Soldier
114 The Judges
115 The Monarchy I
215 The Life of David
116 The Monarchy II
117 The Book of Job
120 The Minor Prophets
121 The Book of Isaiah
122 The Book of Jeremiah
123 The Book of Ezekiel
124 The Book of Daniel
224 The Book of Daniel
125 The Post-Captivity Period
126 The Book of Psalms
127 The Writings of Solomon
Bible Subjects
100 Introduction to the Bible
231 Christian Eschatology
232 The History of the Bible
233 The Holy Spirit
234 The Gospel and Personal Evangelism
Ancillary Studies
301 The Christian Heritage of the United States
302 The Complete Sunday School Teacher
303 Introduction to Scientific Creationism
304 Music Evaluation
305 Christian Doctrine and Apologetics
311 A Survey of Church History
313 Beulahology: Holy Land Studies
314 Four Ancient Empires
350 All Israel Restored
351 The History of The Kingdom
352 Introduction to the Writings of F.W. Sandford
355 Principles of Family Living
Alternative Special Classes
402 Public Speaking
403 Practical Skills
407 Basic Logic
409 Introduction to Biblical Languages
500 Independent Study
600 Field Training
101 The Harmony of the Gospels | Using the Harmony by J.B. Harriman derived from that of Prof. C.A.L. Totten, all four Gospels are woven together chronologically to present a clear picture of the life and ministry of Christ. 3 credits
201 The Gospels | Without so much emphasis on the interweaving of the material, the same books are studied in detail, emphasizing the teachings of Christ. 3 credits
102 The Harmony of Acts | In a similar fashion, J.B. Harriman has brought the Book of Acts and the Pauline epistles into a chronological whole from which the main events and themes of the Early Church’s history emerge consecutively. The Book of Hebrews is included here. 3 credits
202 The Pauline Epistles | In this course, the Book of Acts is omitted and greater emphasis is placed on the Epistles themselves. The instructor may single out one or two of the letters for intensive study. 3.75 credits
103 The General Epistles | This course includes the letters of James, John, Peter, and Jude. 1.5 credit
203 The General Epistles | When offered as advanced material, the course may also dwell on one or two of these books in greater depth. 1.5 credits
104 The Book of Revelation | The importance of this look into the future, together with its sound counsel for daily living, can hardly be overstated. Forecasting and “timetables” are avoided in favor of a close examination of one’s personal preparation for Christ’s return. The same treatment followed in 204. .75 credits
105 Theology and Application of Scripture | Each student attends chapel services, worship services, prayer meetings, group Bible studies, convention services, workshops and fellowship meetings. They cover a wide range of subjects with a variety of teachers. They all contribute to an understanding of God, His Word and His ways. 30 credits per year
111 The Book of Genesis | The 211 offering will take the same amount of time, but it may be alternated with 303. 2.25 credits
112 The Law | Included here are Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Two or more faculty members may participate in this study. 3.75 credits
113 The Book of Joshua | .75 credits
213 The Book of Joshua and The Art of War for the Christian Soldier | This study includes the book by F.W. Sandford in which he covers the story of Joshua’s conquest in detail. 1.5 credits
114 The Judges | This includes the Book of Ruth. .75 credits
115 The Monarchy I | The Books of Samuel comprise this unit. 1.5 credits
215 The Life of David | The “man after God’s own heart” and the founder of the Eternal Kingdom offers a rich study in this second look at the Books of Samuel. 1.5 credits
116 The Monarchy II | Using the Books of Kings as a framework, the Books of Chronicles are introduced as well where they add significantly to the account of the subsequent Kings of Israel and Judah. 2.25 credits
117 The Book of Job | 1.5 credits
120 The Minor Prophets | The Books of Hosea through Zephaniah are all that are included here; the remainder are being treated under 125. 1.5 credits
121 The Book of Isaiah | 1.5 credits
122 The Book of Jeremiah | 1.5 credits
123 The Book of Ezekiel | 1.5 credits
124 The Book of Daniel | This material is of similar interest to that covered in the book of Revelation, including ancient history as well. .75 credits
125 The Post-Captivity Period | Three of the Minor Prophets, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi are included with three contemporaneous historical books, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther, to present a rounded out picture of the returned exiles. 1.5 credits
126 The Book of Psalms | 1.5 credits
127 The Writings of Solomon | Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon comprise this unit. .75 credits
231 Christian Eschatology | The study of the Last Days, this course introduces basic Bible teaching about the Second Coming, the Resurrection, the Judgment, the Battle of Armageddon, and the Millennium. 1.5 credits
232 The History of the Bible | The formation of the Canon, the three sources of the text, the history of the Greek New Testament text, the various English versions, and some treatment of modern English versions comprise this course. Special emphasis is given to the KJV and the ASV among the English versions. 1.5 credits
233 The Holy Spirit | Bible teaching on the personhood, the role in the Church, the function in the believer, the personal reception, the gifts, and the individual’s personal relationship with the Holy Spirit comprise the core of this subject. .75 credits
234 The Gospel and Personal Evangelism | Drawing from the words of Christ, Paul the Apostle, and the rest of the New Testament, the meaning, the scope, and the power of the Gospel are explored, together with tried and proven techniques of sharing it with others. 3 credits
301 The Christian Heritage of the United States | The modern world has largely lost sight of the fact that this nation was founded on Scriptural principles. The course explores the evidence for these foundations and their effects on current events. 2.25 credits
302 The Complete Sunday School Teacher | Many young people find themselves asked by their pastors to teach Sunday School. In this series of lessons, techniques, child behavior, and the proper spiritual preparation in this important branch of outreach are presented in a format which includes first-hand experience with the children in Fairwood Sunday Schools. 1.5 credits
303 Introduction to Scientific Creationism | The tremendous evidence for special creation as opposed to the theory of evolution is the backbone of this study. Reference is made to current work in the field as written up by scientists of the Institute for Creation Research and others. .75 credits
304 Music Evaluation | Not an appreciation course, this study looks at ways to evaluate music and determine what should comprise good listening for the Christian. .75 credits
305 Christian Doctrine and Apologetics | Such matters as Salvation, the Trinity, the Ordinances of the Church, and such distinctive teachings as the Virgin Birth, the Resurrection, and the Authority of Scripture form the nucleus of this subject. How to present these issues clearly and defend them to unbelievers adds to its usefulness. 1.5 credits
311 A Survey of Church History | Covering chiefly the period from the Early Church through the Reformation, and with emphasis on subsequent revivals and evangelists, this survey may be reduced to smaller segments at the instructor’s discretion. 1.5 credits
313 Holy Land Studies | The land that God loves is the center of this study. It is not simply geography, but thorough familiarization with God’s land in its natural history, terrain, and present condition as the restored Land of Beulah, and its future in prophecy. 1.5 credits
314 Four Ancient Empires | The Old Testament largely took place against the secular backdrop of the empires of Egypt, Assyria, Babylonia, and Persia. This unit explores these cultures and how they influenced Israel during Bible times. At the instructor’s discretion, he may omit one or more of these in favor of New Testament background under the Roman Empire. 2.25 credits
350 All Israel Restored | Beginning with the promises to Abraham and including the prophecies in both minor and major prophets, the question of what happened to the “lost” ten tribes of Israel is examined. Indications and evidences of their identity with modern English-speaking nations and those of northwestern Europe bring the study up to modern times. Not offered to first year students. 1.5 credits
351 The History of the Kingdom | Using The Sublimity of Faith as a primary source, this unit covers the life of F.W. Sandford and the renewing of the Kingdom with the subsequent developments in that movement from 1893 to 1948. The course includes a field trip to relevant sites in the New England area. Not offered to first year students. 3.75 credits
352 Introduction to the Writings of F.W. Sandford | His early sermons and selected articles from his later writings form the daily lessons which are conducted as oral reading by students and teacher. Prerequisite: 351, The History of the Kingdom. 2.25 credits
355 Principles of Family Living | Students learn the Bible’s teaching about godly family life, with emphasis on the scriptural roles of family members. Biblical principles governing related matters such as choosing a mate, dating and courtship, and raising a family are covered as well. This course also includes a discussion of other issues affecting young singles about to take a new place in the structure of the church. 1.5 credits
402 Public Speaking | Learning how to prepare and deliver a speech is useful in all sorts of situations through life. It finds immediate application in the conducting of morning prayer meetings and delivering Bible homilies at Fairwood.
403 Practical Skills | This course includes a series of seminars on various subjects conducted by several staff members. Such fields as frame construction, electrical house wiring, personal finance, introduction to computers, painting, plumbing, woodworking, first aid skills, auto mechanics, graphic arts, welding and gardening may be covered. Aspects of home economics such as cooking, sewing, decorating, crafts are also presented, both in this course and by on-the-job training through the working day. These are only basic overviews of these skills and do not certify students to work in these fields without further training or experience. The Special Achievement Honors program is another way to document areas covered. Open to all students.
407 Basic Logic | Clear thinking is examined in the light of Scripture and our need to love the truth. Basic methods of inductive and deductive reasoning and common logical fallacies are presented.
409 Introduction to Biblical Languages | Hebrew and Koine Greek are presented in their basic elements with the object of enabling students to build basic vocabularies and read the original texts with the aid of a lexicon. 1.5 credits
500 Independent Study | Open only to upperclassmen, time permitting, students may choose their own field of research or may leave its assignment to their faculty supervisor. This course offers an opportunity for concentrated study for an extended or brief period. The culmination of the study usually involves a research paper and may include an oral presentation to the rest of the school.
600 Field Training | Open only to advanced students, this program offers an opportunity to travel to other parts of the country and cooperate with a local pastor in the ministry of his church. Youth work, Sunday School teaching, Bible studies, evangelism, music and visitation may all enter into the activity. This may be working with a Gospel team or as individual apprenticeship to the pastor.