The Trinity Core

What does it mean to follow Jesus Christ in today’s world?

The Trinity Core Curriculum can be summarized by: head (informed faith), heart (passionate faith), and hands (active faith).

The Core is intentionally designed for students to have an opportunity to: 1) understand holistic discipleship and 2) be transformed through courses with solid and lively biblical study, small groups for vocational discernment and exploring faith practices, and rich opportunities for experiential service learning. While these aspects are integrated throughout the curriculum, there are three ways the Core is intentional about strengthening each area for faithful discipleship:

1. Head: Informed Faith
   Four courses focus on key biblical books to biblically ground one’s faith and dig deep into critical themes. Each course is 4 credits.
   

   RELI 101 Faith and Discipleship: Gospel according to Mark, Methods, and Mission
   Encountering the Jesus of Scripture challenges readers to ask “Who is Jesus?” The disciple Peter answered that Jesus was “the Christ.” A similar response calls one to a life of faith seeking understanding through inductive biblical study and witness to and service on behalf of God’s mission in this multicultural and pluralistic world.
   
   RELI 103 Altar and Street: Psalms, Amos, 1 John, James
   The two most important things in life are loving God and loving others. This is summarized by Jesus’ words on the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:34-38). The Core symbolizes these as altar (the vertical relationship with God) and street (the horizontal relationship with others). Four books of the Bible are selected to challenge students to wrestle with discovering a deeper purpose for life which integrates head, heart, and hands.
   
   RELI 201 Creation and New Creation: Genesis, Exodus, Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians
   The story of God’s work in the world is laid out from beginning to end with key books telling the story. The talk about God — theology — then helps students to apply these books to issues such as daily Christian living, global environmental issues, and discovering God’s call. Students are challenged to view and experience God’s creation in fresh ways and to recognize humans in Jesus Christ as God’s “new creation.”
   
   RELI 202 Light of the World: Isaiah, Gospel according to John
   Isaiah and the Gospel according to John demonstrate a full circle of God’s mission—the light for all people—revealed through Scripture and ultimately Jesus Christ, the Light of the World. The followers of God are to walk in the light, living faithfully while challenging unfaithfulness and injustice.

2. Heart: Passionate Faith
   In the first year, two courses focus on vocational discernment and spiritual formation. Class exploration and discussion centers around biblical texts and related life-themes. Each course is 2 credits and held in a small group format, facilitated by a faculty member.
   

   RELI 102/104 Vocation and Formation I/II give opportunities for growing in Christ (spiritual formation) and discerning clues about God’s personal invitation (vocational calling) according to the life-talents, personality, spiritual gifts, values, and passions of each student. Personal inventories and spiritual exercises/practices are examples of how these courses engage students in personal discovery and spiritual exploration.

3. Hands: Active Faith
   Four semesters of experiential learning give opportunities to turn classroom theory and biblical scholarship into life-transforming service experiences. Each course is 1 credit; four total credits are earned.
   

   RELI 106/206 Service Learning Practicum engages the greater Puget Sound community by addressing issues and topics identified by community partners, providing an opportunity for faithful Christian witness and service in word and/or deed. Students serve 3 to 5 hours per week and spend additional time reflecting on the service experience with other students and a faculty advisor. Placement options include teaching in a preschool, tutoring inner-city youth, visiting nursing home residents, serving meals in an emergency shelter, leading youth Bible studies, and more. 

Learning Methods
Courses employ an exciting combination of learning methods. Expect to read and study books and articles, participate in lectures and classroom discussions, engage in case studies and role plays, have community immersion experiences, write papers and reflection journals, and be involved in small groups for practicing spiritual formation and discernment. Professors use relevant cultural media (music, movies, art, etc.) and technology to make topics come alive and connect with daily life.

Free Exchange of Ideas
Our college is an environment that values free exchange of ideas. We invite all students, regardless of background or perspective, to explore, challenge, and deepen their faith as they participate in the conversation.

The Core cultivates growth in:
- Biblical and Theological Scholarship
- Vocation and Spiritual Formation
- Cross-cultural/Global Awareness and Mission
- Servant Leadership

Credits
The Trinity Core totals 20 semester credits of Bible and spiritual formation courses. With an additional 12 credits, students can earn a Minor in Biblical Studies that can be added to their transcripts and resumes.