Biblical Studies
Keith Brewer, PhD
Department Chair
The Old Testament admonishes us to love the Lord, our God, with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Jesus in the New Testament reminds us to love our neighbor as our selves. Both of these scriptural truths are foundational to the mission of the Biblical Studies Department which is dedicated to building a strong foundation on biblical truth and a solid Christian worldview gaining an understanding of who God is and our unique relation and role in His divine, redemptive plan are central not only to effective ministry, but also to godly living.
The Biblical Studies Department seeks to acquaint students with the tools for Bible study, to foster lifelong habits of study for personal devotion and holiness; to impart biblical study skills and truth for Christian ministry and other vocations; and to prepare students for seminary or graduate school.
The emphasis is on an integrated view of God’s Word and the Bible’s role in God’s revealed truth. The more we know of God through His divine and holy Word, the more we are able to love Him and others as we are told to do. A thorough understanding of Scripture and God’s redemptive work is essential for those called to ministry in the Church and for those called to work among the general public in various areas of expertise, from counseling to business leadership to fields in the arts and sciences. The Department is committed to an integrated and comprehensive approach to biblical study so as to provide a solid platform on which to build Kingdom work.
The program of study offers courses in Old Testament, New Testament and theology that challenge and engage the student, leading to personal and social transformation. The approach emphasizes careful reading of the texts while learning the broader contexts of culture and language, both in biblical times and today. The overarching concern is to recognize the correlation between individual passages to the whole of biblical revelation throughout history, applying biblical understanding and a Christian worldview to today’s needs, personally and corporately. The emphasis is placed on developing the student’s own abilities to observe specifically, accurately, and thoroughly both the content and the structure of scriptural units (critical reading), to reason inferentially and validly from evidence gathered (critical thinking), and to connect this individual study of Scripture with the larger conversation that encompasses both primary and secondary sources, acknowledging that Scripture is alive and active today and is not simply of historical interest. We testify to God's transformative power as expressed through His Word and evidenced in our lives.
Biblical Studies Department Goals:
- Use contextual critical reading skills to define the meaning of a passage;
- Understand the linguistic framework for clarifying the meaning of the text;
- Understand the scriptural passage as part of God's story as He speaks into history and culture;
- Identify and appropriate biblical and theological material that disclose God's character attributes and His purpose and divine will for His people;
- Apply the task of biblical interpretation to the life of the Christian and the Church in the world;
- Incorporate insights from every aspect of the biblical study into the contexts of students’ lives, flowing from a holy devotion to the reading, study, application and celebration of Scripture.
- Learn the various genres of biblical writing and where they apply (historical narrative, poetry, prophetic writing, parables, apocalyptic literature, etc.)
Certificate Program in Biblical Studies
The Certificate in Biblical Studies is a one-year, 30 credit-hour course of study. It is awarded upon successful completion of the requirements. The Certificate is a foundational program providing an introduction to the Bible, Christian doctrine, church history, and practical Christian ministry. The Certificate program is appropriate for individuals who already hold an undergraduate degree but wish to enhance their Christian witness in their present vocations as well as enrich their spiritual lives. Full time students enrolled in the certificate program will meet the following requirements completing the following courses:
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Certificate in Biblical Studies |
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Course ID |
Course Name |
Credits |
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BIBL 101 |
Old Testament Survey |
3 |
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BIBL 102 |
New Testament Survey |
3 |
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THEO 101 |
Introduction to Christian Doctrine |
3 |
|
THEO 201 |
Introduction to Biblical Theology |
3 |
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BIBL 201 |
Principles of Biblical Interpretation |
3 |
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BIBL 230 |
Life and Teachings of Christ |
3 |
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CHHS 201 |
Church History Course |
3 |
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PMIN 150 |
Dynamics of the Christian Life |
3 |
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BSPM 101 |
Creative Ministry |
3 |
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ELECTIVE |
Elective Course, any Dept. |
3 |
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Total Credits for Certificate |
30 |
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