Featured Faculty

Robert L. Saucy

Overview

The mission of the Master of Arts program is to produce biblically, theologically, and spiritually discerning Christian thinkers who can serve the body of Christ in lay, parachurch or academic ministries. The Master of Arts program provides both a general biblical, theological, and spiritual foundation for reflection and a specialized focus on a discipline crucial to fulfilling Talbot’s mission and from which students can serve or go on for advanced study.

The degree has been developed for those whose calling to Christian service is to positions of leadership for which the Master of Divinity or other professional degrees are not normally required.

Curriculum

Outcomes

• Be able to research the New Testament using the exegetical tools associated with the Greek language; or be able to research either the Old Testament or the New Testament using exegetical commentaries and certain tools designed for those with limited knowledge of Greek and Hebrew. (Students may choose a Greek or non-Greek program option).

• Be able to dialog with cult members confidently and effectively, applying the knowledge of biblical doctrine to refute cultic errors and to utilize practical techniques of dialog with the intent to reach the cultist for Christ.

• Be able to analyze and respond to various contemporary trends from Scripture and theology. Partly informing this analysis and response would be also an understanding of the history of modern theological trends.

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.

• 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.