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Undergraduate Majors in Bible and Theological Studies

• Biblical and Theological Studies
  
  
• Biblical Archaeology
  
  

• Information on Graduate Programs

Biblical and Theological Studies

The purpose of Biblical Studies is to familiarize students with the content and concepts of the Bible, the appropriate methodologies for the interpretation and the application of biblical teaching, and the research tools and resources necessary to pursue independent study of biblical texts and topics. For career purposes, the major may be used as a terminal degree, preparing students for employment in church and parachurch agencies by achieving a level of biblical literacy that will enable them to be active in lay church leadership and teaching ministries. As an initial degree, it prepares students for seminary training or for graduate work in theology and related disciplines.

In both required and elective courses, students are trained in basic biblical and theological knowledge. They are encouraged to develop skills that enable them to take into account the original linguistic, literary, historical, and cultural contexts of the Bible. Students are thereby enabled to consider critically religious traditions, beliefs, and practice in order to bring them into conformity with biblical revelation and to evaluate all of life and thought from the perspective of biblical principles.

The ultimate goal of Theological Studies is to ensure that the church's proclamation and the individual's life are faithful to God's revelation of Himself in Scripture. Students with good theological training will know how to evaluate critically their own personal theological leaning, be aware and respectful of other theological positions, and be able to distinguish those values that are distinctly Christian from those that the secular world espouses. Because of the diverse denominational and theological traditions that enrich our faculty and make up our student body, we bring a variety of approaches to the question of the church's role in society.

These objectives are attained through the academic processes that enable students to formulate a constructive, personal stance of Christian faith, to become aware of how culture affected biblical revelation which in turn dynamically affected culture, and to act upon a personal Christian worldview in daily life.

The Biblical and Theological Studies major meets the undergraduate requirements for seminary study suggested by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS). Students contemplating graduate studies should consult with the institution in which they are interested to be informed of any particular undergraduate courses needed. Students interested in an accelerated curriculum leading to the bachelor's and master's degrees should consult with their advisors regarding the prerequisites for the Wheaton graduate program.

Requirements for a major in Biblical and Theological Studies are 32 hours beyond the general education requirement in Biblical and Theological Studies. The general education requirement (14 hours) includes Theology of Culture, BITH 111; Old Testament Literature, BITH 211 or ARCH 211 or BITH 212 plus two additional Old Testament hours from BITH 331-349 or 432-449, or OT Competency Examination plus two additional OT hours from BITH 331-349 or 432-449; New Testament Literature BITH 213 or ARCH 213 or BITH 214 plus two additional NT hours from 351-368, 454-469; or NT Competency Examination plus two additional NT hours from 351-368, 454-469; and Systematic Theology, BITH 374. Major core requirements (12 hours) include BITH 325 or 564 (8 hours of Greek prerequisite), 372, 375, and 494. The additional 20 hours of the major are to be taken in one of the following three concentrations:

1. Biblical Studies – 2 to 4 hours in Contextual Studies (BITH 317/318, 333/334, 343, 353, 367x or 369x); 2 to 4 hours in Study of the Discipline (BITH 431 and/or BITH 452); 10 to 12 hours in Textual Studies with Hebrew competency: Hebrew Exegesis, (BITH 443); Old Testament courses (BITH 338-342, 344-345, 432-438, 443, 449). With Greek competency: Greek Exegesis, (BITH 451 or GREK 451); New Testament courses, (BITH 351, 352, 354-365, 368, 451, 454-469). 4 hours of additional Theological Studies from Figures (BITH 483-488); Doctrines (BITH 382, 385, 387-389, 391-393; Topics (BITH 383, 384, 386, 394, 396). This concentration requires that the general education language requirement be met by taking Greek or Hebrew. (GREK 101, 102, and 201) or (HEBR 301, 302, and 401).

2. Theological Studies – 6 hours of Figures: Choose at least two from BITH 483-488; 6 hours of Doctrines: Choose at least two from BITH 382, 385, 387-389, 391-393; 2 hours of Topics: Choose at least one from BITH 383, 384, 386, 394, 396; Choose 2 elective hours from BITH or RELI; Choose 4 hours of Biblical Studies from BITH or ARCH. Students pursuing the Theological Studies concentration are urged to fulfill the General Education language requirement by taking Greek or Hebrew (GREK 101, 102, and 201 or HEBR 301, 302, and 401).

3. Integrated Bible/Theology Concentration – 2 to 4 hours in Contextual Studies (BITH 317/318, 333/334, 343, 353, 367 or 369); 2 to 4 hours in Study of the Discipline (BITH 431 and/or BITH 452); 6 to 8 hours in Textual Studies: Old Testament courses (BITH 331-345, 349, 432-438, 443-449); New Testament courses (BITH 351-365, 368, 451-469); Biblical Studies courses (BITH 326, 425); 8 hours in Theological Studies: choose at least three courses from: Figures (BITH 483-488), Doctrines (BITH 382, 385, 387-389, 391-393), Topics (BITH 383, 384, 386, 394, 396); 0 to 2 hours in BITH or ARCH or RELI elective. Students pursuing the integrative Bible/Theology concentration are urged to fulfill the General Education language requirement by taking Greek or Hebrew (GREK 101, 102, and 201 or HEBR 301, 302, and 401).

A departmental honors program for majors requires four hours of honors course work within the 32-hour major, plus an additional four hours of honors thesis.

Requirements for a minor in Biblical and Theological Studies: 28 hours which includes the following: 12 hours of general education in Biblical and Theological Studies (BITH 211, 213, 315 or equivalent) and 16 hours from upper division study (eight hours of Biblical Studies at 300- or 400-level, and eight hours of Theological Studies at 300- or 400-level). General education requirements met through competency testing cannot count toward the minor. (Thus, if a student passes the competency exam for BITH 211 or 213, 2 hours of general education is waived but now must be added to upper division study, making 10 required hours.)

Requirements for a minor in Hebrew Bible are 20 hours including HEBR 301, 302, 401x, and BITH 443, 635U, a total of 16 hours, plus four hours of electives from BITH 495, 532U, ARCH 417x, 418x, or LING 321. The Hebrew Bible minor promotes serious study of the original language of the Old Testament. Grammar and exegesis stand at the center of the minor, supplemented by readings in the Hebrew Bible, and four elective hours in cognate languages and disciplines. The minor is ideal for students anticipating advanced biblical studies in seminary or graduate school, as well as in Near Eastern studies and archaeology.

Biblical Archaeology

Biblical Archaeology is an integrative discipline that lies at the intersection of biblical studies, ancient languages, and the social sciences. Students in this major are trained to study the Bible within its long-term geographic, historical, cultural, and social dynamic. In addition to core courses in archaeology, history, and ancient languages (including biblical languages), the major requires participation in an approved archaeological excavation and an interdisciplinary emphasis.

The combination of these disciplines provides a strong liberal arts foundation for a variety of vocations as students will be equipped to think historically, linguistically, and archaeologically. Of particular importance for the Christian is the way in which biblical archaeology provides a foundation for biblical study. Today as never before the cultural setting of the biblical text is accessible through archaeological and linguistic discoveries in the Near East. By mooring Scripture in ancient lifeways it is possible to clarify and enliven its message while exploring its contemporary relevance.

Requirements for a major in Biblical Archaeology are 36 hours beyond the 12 hours from general education requirements (BITH 211 or 213 and Greek or Hebrew language competency), 20 hours of core requirements, including ARCH 325, 345, 365, 366, six hours of biblical studies in New Testament (BITH 451 and 452) OR Old Testament (BITH 431 and 443 or 635); six hours of electives (either ARCH 317 with 333x, or ARCH 334x with 367 or 369), four hours of capstone to include ARCH 412 (Prerequisite: ARCH 211 or 213, and ARCH 365, 366) and ARCH 494 (Prerequisite: ARCH 412), and six hours in a single interdisciplinary emphasis (300-level courses from either Anthropology/Sociology, Geology, Ancient Languages, or Theological Studies).

Requirements for a minor in Biblical Archaeology are 20 hours, including four hours from general education requirements (BITH 211 or 213), ten hours of core requirements (ARCH 365, 366, 412), and six hours of electives (selected from ARCH 317, 325, 345, 367, 369).

Biblical Archaeology is an integrative discipline that lies at the intersection of biblical studies, ancient languages, and the social sciences. Students in this major are trained to study the Bible within its long-term geographic, historical, cultural, and social dynamic. In addition to core courses in archaeology, history, and ancient languages, the major requires participation in an approved archaeological excavation and an interdisciplinary emphasis. The combination of these disciplines provides a strong liberal arts foundation for a variety of vocations as students will be equipped to think historically, linguistically, and archaeologically. Of particular importance for the Christian is the way in which biblical archaeology provides a foundation for biblical study.Today as never before the cultural setting of the biblical text is accessible through archaeological and linguistic discoveries in the Near East. By mooring Scripture in ancient lifeways it is possible to clarify and enliven its message while exploring its contemporary relevance.

Information on Graduate Studies in Archaeology