Featured Faculty

William Lane Craig

Overview

The main purpose of this concentration is to help the student develop the skills to do philosophy from a Christian worldview. The attitudes and character traits of a Christian philosopher will be fostered by departmental activities, professional modeling, and teaching techniques. Skills necessary for the craft of philosophy will be developed by equipping the student to think critically, conduct high-level philosophical research, and interact with the broader philosophical community. The program is aimed at developing the ability to do philosophy in various ministry programs, such as parachurch and local church apologetics as well as preparing the student for further graduate work in fields such as philosophy, ethics, religious studies, law, political science, and theology.

The M.A. emphasis in Philosophy of Religion and Ethics develops skilled thinkers who clearly articulate to a modern culture the reasons for belief in the Christian faith. The curriculum trains students to use philosophy and ethics in evangelism and discipleship ministries, as well as grounding those who seek this degree as a preparation for further studies in philosophy, ethics, religious studies, law, political science and theology.

Tracks

Current Tracks

Curriculum

Outcomes

• Qualify for admission to competitive Ph.D. programs in philosophy, ethics or religious studies.

• Read and utilize specialized professional philosophical journals and relate the material to various challenges to a Christian worldview.

• Relate sophisticated philosophical material acquired during our program for use in the local church and popular culture.

• Demonstrate lasting commitment to evangelism, local church ministry and personal spiritual growth.

• Sustain a vibrant intellectual life as part of an ongoing commitment to following Christ.

• Provide substantial leadership in one’s sphere of influence and successfully articulate a Christian worldview in one’s respective cultural context.

• Penetrate the secular university and venues of popular culture (art, media, music) by providing visionary leadership at Christian colleges, seminaries and parachurch ministries in articulating a Christian worldview.

• Minister effectively in academic, local church and parachurch settings with a spirit of graciousness and humility, standing for truth and fostering community with those to whom the student ministers.

MA Program Structure

The academic programs leading to the degree Master of Arts with concentrations in Bible Exposition, Old Testament, New Testament, Theology, Philosophy of Religion & Ethics, Spiritual Formation and Biblical & Theological Studies / Diversified are comprised of 64-66 units structured in common to include:

• Biblical and theological foundations.
• Spiritual Formation Focus (SFF).
• Academic specialization in one of four disciplines requiring biblical language studies, or general studies in which biblical languages are not required.
• Additional elective courses determined by the student in consultation with the advisor.

Learning Outcomes

Biblical Knowledge

Graduates will know the basic contents of all books of the Old and New Testaments and the broad historical and cultural background information relevant to study of the Old and New Testaments.

Biblical Interpretation

Graduates will be able to exegete and apply a biblical text properly through application of historical-grammatical hermeneutics.

Biblical Doctrine

Graduates will know the broad history of the Church and the major elements of orthodox Christian theology, including biblical foundations, and students will be able to integrate their interpretation of a biblical text within a larger biblical and systematic theology.

Spiritual Formation

Graduates will more deeply understand and participate in life in Christ, cooperating with the transforming work of the Holy Spirit, for the purpose of transformation into the image of Christ through union with Him.

History of Discipline

Graduates will be able to explain and evaluate the major trends in the history and current state of their respective emphasized disciplines, including important persons, works and issues.

Research and Writing

Graduates will be able to perform and report research in their respective disciplines at a first-year doctoral level.

Admissions Requirements

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

• Applicants must possess a Bachelor of Arts degree or its academic equivalent 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 degree might relate to those objectives.

Graduation Requirements

• Satisfactorily complete 64-66 semester units as outlined in the curriculum charts below.

• Submit an acceptable thesis, chosen in consultation with the major advisor, or at the option of the major advisor and in lieu of the thesis, complete two additional units of electives. Students who write a thesis will have a total requirement of 64 units and those who take two additional units in lieu of a thesis will have a total requirement of 66 units.

• At least 24 of the total units required for the degree program must be completed in residency at Biola. Advanced Standing, Reduction and transfer credit are not considered residency units.

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

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

Philosophy Newsletters

The M.A. Philosophy program produces a newsletter—"With All Your Mind"—on a semesterly basis.

• Spring 2010 (PDF)
• Fall 2009 (PDF)
• Spring 2009 (PDF)
• Fall 2008 (PDF)
• Spring 2008 (PDF)
• Spring 2006 (PDF)
• Spring 2005 (PDF)
• Fall 2004 (PDF)
• Spring 2004 (PDF)
• Spring 2003 (PDF)