Certificate in Biblical Studies

Units by Discipline
Total Units Price per unit Bible Exposition Theology
32 $467 9 13

Overview

The Certificate in Biblical Studies is designed with two specific needs in mind. The first is for persons who seek a year of study in preparation for lay service with an overseas mission agency, or for more effective lay involvement in the life of their local congregation. It also serves as a "trial year in seminary" for persons who wish to test their gifts and skills with a view toward possible further preparation for full-time Christian ministry.

Certificate course work may later be applied toward a Master of Divinity or Master of Arts degree.

Tracks

Current Tracks

Track Faculty Mentor
Discipleship for the 21st Century Michael J. Wilkins
Effective Family Ministry Rex E Johnson
Engaging Mind & Culture Garrett J DeWeese, J.P. Moreland
Growing & Multiplying Churches Gary L McIntosh
Ministry Skills J. Kent Edwards
Preaching the Literary Forms of the Bible J. Kent Edwards

Possible Future Tracks

Your feedback is important to us. Please let us know if you are interested in any of these possible future tracks by filling out our Interest Form.

Track Faculty Mentor
Executive Pastor Leadership Michael J Anthony
Leading in Worship David A Horner
Messianic Ministry TBD
Spiritual Formation Betsy A Barber, John H Coe

Curriculum

CourseUnits
TTBE 517Hermeneutics & Bible Study Methods3
TTTH 511Theology I - Introduction: Revelation & Nature of God3
TTSS 510Theological Research Methodologies1
TTBE 520Survey of Matthew - Revelation3
TTTH 512Theology II - Works of God, Angels, Man & Sin3
TTTH 613Theology III - Christ, Salvation & the Spirit3
TTBE 519Survey of Genesis - Malachi3
TTTH 614Theology IV - The Church & Last Things3

Outcomes

Students will be able to:

  • Learn the skills required for graduate-level research and writing, including bibliographic and library skills, formatting and style, and interacting with primary and secondary sources.

  • Be able to articulate and defend the correct, biblical view on the following central doctrines: pneumatology, Christology, soteriology, prolegomena, bibliology, theology proper (including God's nature, attributes, triunity, works, and Fatherhood), angelology/demonology, anthropology, hamartiology, the relationship between Israel and the church, the nature of the church and its ministries, eschatology, and ecclesiology.

  • Understand the significance of the above-mentioned central doctrines for personal life and ministry.

  • Know the history of hermeneutics, the basic principles of grammatico-historical exegesis, and the basic principles of lexical semantics to determine the meaning of biblical words. The student will develop a commitment to more effectively meditate on God's Word in his or her own spiritual life.

  • Know the theme and major contributions of each Old Testament book, discover the importance of historical background to the interpretation of the Old Testament, and develop greater confidence in the Old Testament as a trustworthy guide to faith and life.

  • Be able to demonstrate a basic knowledge of the following: a historical outline of the NT; how each NT book fits into the outline; the broad historical and cultural backgrounds to the NT; and the basic theme and teaching of each NT book. The student will be able to evaluate critical views of the NT from an evangelical perspective.

Admissions Requirements

Are you an international student? Please view the international admissions requirements

  • Applicants must possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).

  • All applicants must submit a written statement outlining their vocational objectives and how the certificate relates to those objectives.

Graduation Requirements

  • Satisfactorily complete all courses for a total of 32 semester units as outlined in the curriculum below.

  • Obtain a 3.0 GPA with no grade below a “C-” in all courses to be credited toward graduation.

  • At least 24 units must be taken at this seminary.

  • Complete the entire program in no more than five years.