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Religious Studies (BA)

Students enrolled for the Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies program will pursue one of the listed concentrations, either Bible and Theology or Christian Ministry. Students wishing to pursue practical ministry such as church ministry or para-ministry may be more likely to enroll in the Christian Ministry program. Students desiring to pursue a more academic approach moving toward earning a Master of Divinity degree, Doctor of Ministry or teaching may be more likely to pursue the Bible of Theology program. It is highly suggested that all applicants/students meet with a program advisor to determine which track is best suited for their desired outcome.

Bible / Theology

Objectives

Bible

The four-year baccalaureate program requires a minimum of 30 hours of direct Bible study. The student, after satisfactorily completing the requirements for the baccalaureate degree, should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of the personhood of Jesus Christ as a means of salvation throughout all biblical literature.
  2. Demonstrate a general knowledge of Bible content in required survey classes.
  3. Demonstrate an intensive knowledge of Scripture content in all required electives.
  4. Understand and articulate the various genres of literature within the Bible.
  5. Interpret and understand the development of the early church’s perspective on the life of Christ.

Theology

  1. Define and defend his or her faith from a conservative, evangelical viewpoint.
  2. Demonstrate an intensive knowledge of hermeneutical principles by using proper methodology in biblical interpretation.
  3. Recognize and evaluate in the light of biblical revelation, the major schools of thought in historical and contemporary theology.
  4. State and defend a worldview that is consistent with biblical revelation and stated in theological terms.
  5. Defend the position of biblical inerrancy.
  6. Articulate the major tenets of various theological systems.

Program Requirements

Bible/Theology
BI 105Pentateuch3
BI 111Life of Christ Bi 1113
BI 117Biblical Literature3
TH 203Systematic Theology I3
TH 213Systematic Theology II3
TH 307Hermeneutics3
TH 313Systematic Theology III3
BI 323New Testament Epistles3
TH 325Apologetics3
Subtotal27
General Studies
E 101English Grammar3
E 102English Composition II 13
SP 107Effective Oral Communication3
SS 112Interpersonal Cross-Cultural3
MATH 117Basic Concepts of Mathematics3
HIST 228Survey of American History3
HIST 253Survey of World History3
SC 260Basic Computers/Word Processing3
E 351Literature of the Western World3
SC 366Principles of Science3
HIST 414Church History Hist 4143
Subtotal33
Core Courses
LS 101Developing the Healthy Leader3
ATH 115Foundations for University Life and3
ATH 205Principles of Spiritual Growth3
ATH 248Urban Evangelism ATh 2483
ED 216Introduction to Christian Education3
SS 225Marriage and Family3
ATH 4273
MI 435Contextualization of the Gospel3
ATH 473Internship: Religious Studies3
Subtotal27
General Electives
Any five courses from any category15
Subtotal15
Track/Concentration
Select Track/Concentration from one of the following:27
Bible and Theology Track
Communication
Choose any 2 Biblical language course (Either Greek I & II or Hebrew I & II)
Bible/Theology Electives
Choose any seven courses with BI, TH, SS, PH prefix or Biblical Language
Christian Ministry Track
Communication
Choose any SP-Speech, L-Language, or E-Writing course
Christian Ministry Electives
Choose any seven courses with BI, TH, A TH, ED, MI, LS, SP or CO prefix
Subtotal27
Total Hours129
1

Prereq.: E 101 English Grammar

Course Cycle

129 Credit Hours Required

All courses listed are required and are three (3) credit hours unless otherwise indicated

Plan of Study Grid
Freshman Year
Fall Semester (August)Hours
BI 111 Life of Christ Bi 111 3
E 101 English Grammar 3
ATH 115 Foundations for University Life and 3
SS 112 Interpersonal Cross-Cultural 3
 Hours12
Spring Semester (January)
E 102 English Composition II 3
LS 101 Developing the Healthy Leader 3
BI 117 Biblical Literature 3
BI 105 Pentateuch 3
 Hours12
Summer Semester (May)
SP 107 Effective Oral Communication 3
BI/THBible Elective 3
ATH 248 Urban Evangelism ATh 248 3
 Hours9
Sophomore Year
Fall Semester (August)
HIST 228 Survey of American History 3
TH 203 Systematic Theology I 3
ATH 205 Principles of Spiritual Growth 3
SS 225 Marriage and Family 3
 Hours12
Spring Semester (January)
SC 260 Basic Computers/Word Processing 3
MATH 117 Basic Concepts of Mathematics 3
HIST 253 Survey of World History 3
TH 213 Systematic Theology II 3
Communication Elective 3
 Hours15
Summer Semester (May)
ED 216 Introduction to Christian Education 3
General Elective 3
 Hours6
Junior Year
Fall Semester (August)
TH 307 Hermeneutics 3
TH 313 Systematic Theology III 3
ATH 473 Internship: Religious Studies 3
BUS 310 Financial Stewardship 3
 Hours12
Spring Semester (January)
E 351 Literature of the Western World 3
BI Elective 3
General Elective 3
SC 366 Principles of Science 3
 Hours12
Summer Semester (May)
BI 323 New Testament Epistles 3
General Elective 3
BI Elective 3
 Hours9
Senior Year
Fall Semester (August)
BI Elective 3
MI 435 Contextualization of the Gospel 3
LS 427 Principles of Organizational 3
General Elective 3
 Hours12
Spring Semester (January)
TH 325 Apologetics 3
HIST 414 Church History Hist 414 3
General Elective 3
BI Elective 3
 Hours12
 Total Hours123