BA in Biblical Studies
42 units
The biblical studies major combines a broad background in philosophy, Christian theology, and ministry with a solid foundation in the Bible. Graduates are furnished with a biblical basis for Christian ministry and evangelism and are prepared for graduate study in the Bible and Christian theology.
Career Opportunities
This major provides students with tools for continued education at a seminary or university. Graduates have also assumed positions in churches and Christian organizations where knowledge and understanding of the Scriptures are essential.
Requirements
Core requirements for the biblical studies major may double-count with course requirements for the biblical hermeneutics and/or biblical archaeology concentration. A minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA is required in all courses for the major.
THEO/UBBL Double Major Guidelines
Should a student choose to double major in theology and biblical studies, he/she must take 3 additional upper-division courses in a single discipline of either THEO or UBBL (THEO 4XX or UBBL 3XX/4XX) to meet the guidelines for double majors.
NOTE: Major courses cannot be double-counted for the major and the minor. Also, only one correspondence course may be counted toward the major or minor and only with permission from the department.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| UBBL 230 | Luke/Acts 1 | 3 |
| UBBL 476 | Writing 3: Women in the Biblical Tradition 2 | 3 |
| UBBL 496 | Senior Seminar: Biblical Theology and Ethics 3 | 3 |
| or THEO 496 | Senior Seminar: Theology and Social Issues | |
| or MIN 496 | Senior Seminar: Church and Society | |
| or PHIL 496 | Senior Seminar | |
| MINY 226 | Studying and Teaching the Bible | 3 |
| UBBL 493 | Biblical Studies Capstone Course: Old Testament Theology | 3 |
| or UBBL 494 | Biblical Studies Capstone Course: New Testament Theology | |
| UBBL 4xx | Any 400-level UBBL Course | 3 |
| THEO 363 | Contemporary Christian Theology (or Any THEO 4XX Course) | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| World Religions 4 | ||
| Biblical Lands and Cultures 5 | ||
| Global Biblical Interpretation 4 | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Church History: Apostolic Era to the Eve of the Reformation 6 | ||
| Church History from the Eve of the Reformation to the Present 6 | ||
| Core Texts in Christianity 6 | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Reasons for Faith: Exploring the Rationality of the Existence of God and Christianity | ||
| History of Ancient Philosophy | ||
| Medieval Philosophy | ||
| History of Early Modern Philosophy | ||
| History of 19th and 20th Century Philosophy | ||
| Core Texts in Philosophy 7 | ||
| Select 12 units of upper-division ancient languages or biblical studies courses from the following: | 12 | |
| Ancient Languages | ||
| Intermediate Greek I | ||
| Intermediate Greek II | ||
| Greek Readings | ||
| Intermediate Hebrew I | ||
| Intermediate Hebrew II | ||
| Hebrew Readings | ||
| The Rise of the King: I and II Samuel 8 | ||
| Old Testament Prophets 8 | ||
| Ruth and Esther 8 | ||
| Psalms and Wisdom 8 | ||
| Life and Teachings of Jesus 8 | ||
| The Gospel and Letters of John 8 | ||
| Romans and Galatians 8 | ||
| Thessalonian and Corinthian Epistles 8 | ||
| Biblical Lands and Cultures 5 | ||
| Near Eastern Archaeology | ||
| Archaeological Field Excavation | ||
| Prison and Pastoral Epistles | ||
| Old Testament World | ||
| New Testament World | ||
| Biblical Apocalyptic | ||
| History of Biblical Interpretation | ||
| Global Biblical Interpretation 4 | ||
| Postcolonial Biblical Interpretation | ||
| Biblical Studies Capstone Course: Old Testament Theology (If not taken above) | ||
| Biblical Studies Capstone Course: New Testament Theology (If not taken above) | ||
| Readings | ||
| Directed Research | ||
| Students may substitute one of the ancient languages or biblical studies electives above with one of the following religious studies courses | ||
| Judaism: A Story of Hope 4 | ||
| Islam: The Way of Submission 4 | ||
| Hinduism: Karma, Dharma, and Yoga 4 | ||
| East Asian Religions and Mindfulness 4 | ||
| Special Topics in the History of Religion | ||
| Special Topics Seminar-Contemporary Christianity and Religious Studies | ||
| Religious Studies Capstone Course | ||
| Total Units | 42 | |
- 1
Meets the General Education Luke/Acts requirement.
- 2
Meets the General Education Writing 3 requirement.
- 3
Meets the General Education Integrative and Applied Learning requirement.
- 4
Meets the General Education Intercultural Competence requirement.
- 5
Meets the General Education Intercultural Competence or Upper Division Bible requirement.
- 6
Meets the General Education Theology requirement.
- 7
Meets the General Education Philosophy requirement.
- 8
Meets the General Education Upper Division Bible requirement.
Optional Concentrations
Biblical Hermeneutics
This concentration equips students to understand and engage in the perspectival nature of all biblical interpretation, helping them better prepare for ministry and/or graduate schools that recognize the importance of diversity.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Core 1 Requirements | 9 | |
| Global Biblical Interpretation 1 | ||
| History of Biblical Interpretation | ||
| Postcolonial Biblical Interpretation | ||
| Core 2 Requirements (Choose One) | 3 | |
| Writing 3: Women in the Biblical Tradition 2 | ||
| Global Christianity 3 | ||
| Theology from the Margins 1 | ||
| Suffering: Theological and Practical Perspectives on Disabilities | ||
| Total Units | 12 | |
- 1
Meets the General Education Intercultural Competence requirement.
- 2
Meets the General Education Writing 3 requirement.
- 3
Meets the General Education Writing 3 or Intercultural Competence requirement.
Biblical Archaeology
The biblical archaeology concentration develops analytical, reflective, and expressive skills in the study of the Bible in its historical, geographical, and cultural contexts. Participants are trained in the use of interdisciplinary methods to perform a thoughtful examination of the history of the Bible in light of Scripture, reason, and tradition. Students who complete the biblical archaeology concentration are well equipped for graduate study in Bible, biblical archaeology, ancient Near Eastern history, history of Israelite religion, and biblical history.
Students must take four courses to fulfill the requirements of the concentration, though it should be emphasized that these courses are not limited to students in the concentration. Two courses (6 units) are offered on the Azusa campus, while the latter two (6 units) are completed in Israel. The Israel component allows students to complete 6 of the required 12 units in one summer.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | 9 | |
| Biblical Lands and Cultures 1, 2 | ||
| Near Eastern Archaeology 3 | ||
| Archaeological Field Excavation 1, 3 | ||
| Elective Course (Choose One) | 3 | |
| Old Testament World | ||
| New Testament World | ||
| Total Units | 12 | |
- 1
Completed in Israel (4 weeks).
- 2
Meets the General Education Upper-Division Bible or Intercultural Competence requirement.
- 3
Does not meet the General Education Upper-Division Bible requirement.
Program Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this program shall be able to:- Explain current methodological approaches used to study the Christian Scriptures.
- Explain how history and culture influence the interpretation of the Christian Scriptures.
- Write an acceptable Biblical Studies research paper or prepare an equivalent project.
- Articulate how scripture, tradition, experience, and reason shape our Christian worldview.
- Articulate biblically responsible perspectives on gender, race, and ethnic and cultural diversity.