October 2026 Course Descriptions

Doctrines of the Second Person:   Dr. Daniel Stramara    (P, Year Two & Three)

Anglican History
In recent years exciting new texts have appeared, allowing us to more accurately depict the history of Anglican thought around the globe. After considering the origins of the Church of England in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, we will see how it was thoroughly transformed by four reform movements: Evangelical, Anglo-Catholic, Christian Socialist, and Post-Colonial.
 Required Texts
  • Moorman, J. R. H. A History of the Church in England, 3rd ed. 1980.
  • Kwok Pui Lan, The Anglican Tradition from a Postcolonial Perspective. Seabury, 2023.
Your Instructor
  • The Very Rev. Dr. Don H. Compier (Ph.D. in theology, Emory University) is retired as Dean of the Bishop Kemper School for Ministry. Previously, Compier taught Master’s and Ph.D. courses in theology, philosophy, and modern church history at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific and the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA. He has also offered classes at Saint Paul School of Theology and Eden Theological Seminary. He led the graduate program in religion at Graceland University from 2002 until 2014, developing an innovative online curriculum and travelling all over the world. He is currently conducting research on the history of the Daily Office. He studied and practiced at the Ignatian Spirituality Center of Kansas City, MO, for eight years. He is a mentor in the Annand Spirituality Program of Yale Divinity School.



Doctrines of the Second Person


New Testament
In this course, we will enter the world and literature of the New Testament Writings (the Gospels, the Epistles, and the other writings of the New Testament). We will give consideration to their canonical, theological, literary and historical dimensions. After taking this course, students will have gained a general understanding of the major stories and theological ideas of the New Testament, a basic familiarity with the variety of methods scholars use to interpret the New Testament, a basic sense of the origins and historical development of the New Testament. Attention will also be given to the ongoing role that the New Testament scriptures play in our life of faith, mission, and ministry.
Required Texts
  • Newbigin,  Leslie. A Walk through the Bible. Regent College Publishing, 2011. (Actually, any publication date is okay).
  • Powell, Mark Allen. Introducing the New Testament: A Historical, Literary, and Theological Survey, Second Edition. Grand Rapids, Mich.: BakerAcademic, 2018.
  •  Either New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) or New Revised Standard Version: Updated Edition (NRSVue)
Your Instructor
  • The Rev. Dr. J. Ted Blakley serves as the rector of Grace Episcopal Church in Hutchinson, Kansas. Before coming to Grace in 2015, Ted served as the Curate of St. John's in Wichita, he taught as a long-term substitute in the Wichita Public Schools, and he was the Scholar in Residence and Executive Director of St. Mark's Press. He is the author of the three-volume series, A Lector's Guide and Commentary to the Revised Common Lectionary. which is available through St. Mark's Press (stmarkspress.net). He received his Ph.D. in New Testament from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland (2008). He and his wife, Rebekah, have four children ranging in ages from 14-25. 

Old Testament I
Old Testament I will focus on methods for biblical study, major topics like covenant, law, and prophecy, and will provide students with a clear sense of historical and cultural context for these materials. While this is a survey, it will emphasize those “must know” concepts, personages, events, and literary genres essential to a basic knowledge of the Old Testament.
Required Texts
  • Matthews, V. & Moyer, J. The Old Testament: Text and Context, 4th edition. Baker, 2026.
  • Matthews, V. & Benjamin, D. Old Testament Parallels,  5th edition. Paulist, 2023.
Your Instructor
  • Dr. Victor Matthews is an Emeritus Professor of Religious Studies and retired Dean of the College of Humanities and Public Affairs at Missouri State University. He holds a Ph.D. in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies, specializing in the social world of ancient Israel. He currently serves as the Chair of the Board of Examining Chaplains for the Diocese of West Missouri.

Tasks of Theology
Most Christians are not content to simply experience their faith.  They seek to understand it. One classic definition of theology is “faith seeking understanding.” This course will provide a foundation for thinking about one’s faith. As such, the course will explore basic questions such as: What is theology? What is its relationship to other disciplines (philosophy, Scripture studies, history, preaching, etc.)?; What approaches to theological thinking are available?; and others. At the end of this course, students should be prepared to think theologically about the Christian faith.  
Required Texts
  • McGrath, Alister.  Christian Theology: An Introduction, 7th edition. Wiley Blackwell, 2024.
  • Selected readings provided by your instructor.
Your Instructor
  • Dr. Jonathan Platter is Associate Professor of Theology with primary specialism in contemporary systematic theology, especially trinitarian theology. In 2020, he completed a PhD in Christian Theology at the University of Cambridge. He has taught at the London School of Theology, the University of Cambridge, and MidAmerica Nazarene University. He’s the author of several journal articles, co-editor (with Jacob Lett) of the book Sanctifying Theology, and author of the books Divine Simplicity and the Triune Identity (de Gruyter, 2021) and The Simplicity of God: A Theological Invitation  (Cascade, 2025). His current research is focused on the “beatific vision”—the claim that the ultimate hope for human redemption consists in seeing God face to face.
BKSM welcomes you to take courses with us for personal enrichment or continuing education. Classes are richer with occasional students around the table.  We encourage you to experience this remarkable, uplifting community of learning, worship and fellowship for yourself!

October Overview
  • Classes begin on Monday, September 14.  You will receive an email and syllabus directly from your instructor. If you have  not received anything from your instructor by Tuesday, please contact us.
  • The in-person Focus Weekend meets  October 10-11, on Saturday from 7:30 am-9:00 pm and on Sunday from 7:30am-12:15pm.
  • The detailed weekend schedule is here.
  • Classes end on Friday, November 13.
  • Grades due November 30.
Tuition & Scholarships
  • Tuition is $100 to audit a class in person or online, $282 to take a class for credit in person, which includes  overnight accommodations at Upton Hall &  meals, $165 to take a class for credit on Zoom.
  • Apply for the $100 Jim Upton lay scholarship. Scholarships also available for students on an ordination track.
  • Many hotels are available throughout Topeka. Most are 15 minutes away or less.
Register for October Courses