Biblical and Theological Studies Major

The Biblical and Theological Studies major is designed to prepare students for Christian ministry in church, para-church, and missions. The focus of this program is to help students see how God is at work in the world through the interdisciplinary study of the Bible, theology, spirituality and missions. Students take courses in Old and New Testament studies, theology, spiritual formation, history of Christianity, and missions and justice. The major culminates in an integrated field experience that gives students the opportunity to apply what they have learned as they discern a sense of call and vocation.

Program Learning Goals.   Upon completion of the program students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a foundational understanding of key biblical, theological, missional, and practical principles in light of the primary sources of Christianity. Graduates will exhibit an accurate knowledge of a) major biblical events, persons, and themes; b) major doctrines, historical figures, and important movements and themes in the history of Christian theology, mission, and practice.

2. Demonstrate critical-thinking skills within the core religious disciplines.  Graduates will be able clearly to explain the similarities and differences between major proposals for biblical, historical, missional, and practical theologies and be able to articulate their own viewpoints in light of diverse contexts, cultures, and perspectives.

3. Participate in scholarly research, writing, and speaking in light of the standards of both academic and faith communities. Graduates will be able to make effective written and oral presentations that exhibit careful research in both primary and secondary sources representing the range of classical and contemporary thought.  They will be able to identify, understand, and analyze the arguments and viewpoints within those sources.

4. Express a personal sense of their participation in God’s redeeming work in the world.  Graduates will articulate their study of the Christian faith tradition as an act of worship, discipleship, and service to God’s kingdom.  They will demonstrate a beginning effort to describe their sense of vocation and ways they might respond to that call with love, justice, proclamation, and mission.