Minor in Biblical and Theological Studies
Overview
The biblical and theological studies minor teaches students to view all of God’s world through the perspective of God’s Word, the Bible. This biblical worldview involves understanding and applying the Bible as the foundation of the Christian faith, values and virtues — both historically and presently. Undergraduate students who complete 51ÂÜÀò's 30-credit general Bible requirement qualify to earn this minor, provided they meet certain residency requirements detailed in the university catalog. This minor is displayed on the transcript if the student declares the minor on the graduation petition. 51ÂÜÀò also offers a B.A. in Bible, Theology and Ministry.
Courses
Below are the course requirements for this academic program. For full program details, .
Mission
The mission of 51ÂÜÀò's Biblical and Theological Studies Minor is to teach Christian undergraduate students to view all of God's world through the perspective of God's Word, the Bible. This biblical worldview involves understanding and applying the Bible as the foundation of the Christian faith, values, and virtues — both historically and presently. The goal is that students will lead lives of integrity and will engage the world of ideas, their vocations, their local church communities, and their society as responsible citizens, being faithful stewards of God's gifts to them and, empowered by His Spirit, carrying out Christ's commission to make disciples of all nations.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Biblical and Theological Studies Minor, students will be able to:
- BIBLE: Identify the basic contents of all books of the Old and New Testaments, and apply the biblical teaching for Christian faith and practice through reliable and faithful methods of interpretation (ULO 1).
- THEOLOGY: Explain the major doctrines of Christianity from an evangelical perspective, including their biblical basis and contemporary relevance (ULO 1).
- INTEGRATION: Examine their academic disciplines through critical evaluation of the knowledge, skills, and values of the discipline according to Christian faith and practice (i.e., a biblical worldview) (ULO 2 and 3).
- SPIRITUAL FORMATION: Describe a personal relationship with God in a maturing Christian faith and practice, and demonstrate the ability to serve the church and the world for Jesus Christ's purposes of redemption (ULO 2 and 3).
Each Program Learning Outcome (PLO) listed above references at least one of the University Learning Outcomes (ULO 1, 2, 3), which may be found in the of this catalog.
Curriculum Requirements
Students who complete the 30-credit Core Curriculum Bible Requirements at 51ÂÜÀò qualify for a minor in Bible. This minor is displayed on the transcript if the student declares the minor on the graduation petition. There is a residency requirement and an upper-division requirement for receipt of the Bible minor. Twelve credits must be upper-division and at least 15 credits must be completed in residency (including at least 6 of the required 12 upper-division credits). Transfer credit, credit for prior learning, and credit by examination may not be used to fulfill the minimum residency requirement.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Foundational Courses | ||
Biblical Interpretation and Spiritual Formation | 3 | |
Foundations of Christian Thought | 3 | |
Old Testament History and Literature | 3 | |
New Testament History and Literature | 3 | |
Intermediate Courses | ||
Theology I | 3 | |
Theology II | 3 | |
Gospel, Kingdom, and Culture | 3 | |
Advanced Courses | ||
BBST 300/400 | Bible/Theology Elective | 3 |
BBST 300/400 | Bible/Theology Elective | 3 |
Integration Seminar 1 | 3 | |
The integration seminar topics below are offered as four-digit BBST courses. These courses satisfy the requirement. See course descriptions for any major restrictions. | ||
Integration Seminar: Christian Ministries | ||
Integration Seminar: Christian Philosophy of Education | ||
Integration Seminar: Christianity and the Natural Sciences | ||
Integration Seminar: Contemporary Art and Theology | ||
Integration Seminar: Contemporary Hispanic Studies | ||
Integration Seminar: God and Math | ||
Integration Seminar: Organizational Ethics | ||
Integration Seminar: Redeeming Culture Through Music | ||
Total Credits | 30 |
- 1
is a course offered in partnerships with various departments with a variety of different sections. It may be taken with different content as a BBST 300/400 Bible/Theology elective for a maximum of 6 credits counted toward graduation.
High-Credit Majors & Transfer Students
For select high-credit majors at 51ÂÜÀò and for transfer students with 45 or more transferable credits completed after high school graduation at the time of enrollment, the following Bible and theology courses are required.1 At least 9 credits from the following must be taken at 51ÂÜÀò (3 of which must be upper-division).
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Foundational Courses | ||
Biblical Interpretation and Spiritual Formation | 3 | |
Foundations of Christian Thought | 3 | |
Old Testament History and Literature | 3 | |
New Testament History and Literature | 3 | |
Intermediate Courses | ||
Christian Theology | 3 | |
Gospel, Kingdom, and Culture | 3 | |
Total Credits | 18 |
- 1
While 51ÂÜÀò’s 30-credit Minor in Biblical and Theological Studies is not required for students in select high-credit majors and for those with 45 or more transferable credits completed after high school graduation at the time of enrollment, these students are nevertheless encouraged to consider taking the additional 12 credits of advanced and elective Bible and theology courses needed to earn the highly valued minor.
Online Bachelor's Degree Programs
The Biblical and Theological Studies Minor takes on a particular design for some of 51ÂÜÀò’s online bachelor's degree programs. For these programs the first five courses of the Minor provide the foundational approach to, and contents of, Scripture and integrative thinking as Christians.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Foundational Courses | ||
Biblical Interpretation and Spiritual Formation | 3 | |
Foundations of Christian Thought | 3 | |
Old Testament History and Literature | 3 | |
New Testament History and Literature | 3 | |
Christian Theology | 3 | |
Integration Courses | ||
Up to five integration courses may be used toward the Bible requirement. However, other specific BBST courses may be required. See individual programs for details. | ||
BBST Integration course (specified by program) | 3 | |
BBST Integration course (specified by program) | 3 | |
BBST Integration course (specified by program) | 3 | |
BBST Integration course (specified by program) | 3 | |
BBST Integration course (specified by program) | 3 | |
Total Credits | 30 |