Bachelor of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies

The Bachelor of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies is designed to equip undergraduate men and women with the skills necessary to interpret the Bible faithfully and to challenge them to live and teach effectively in the home, the church, and the world. This program is offered with two concentrations: the Exegesis Concentration and the Cross-Cultural Ministry Concentration

Exegesis Concentration

Building upon the historical and theological framework established in the Christian Worldview program, the exegesis concentration focuses more deeply on interpreting Scripture in its historical, literary, canonical, and redemptive-historical contexts. Students in this concentration will learn both Greek and Hebrew and will apply their study of the biblical languages to exegesis of select books in the Old and New Testaments.

In addition to careful exegesis, students will also grow in their ability to synthesize and articulate theological truths by participating in a series of upper-division historical, systematic, and biblical theological courses. All courses in this concentration will impress upon students the need to apply the truth learned to themselves, their church, and the surrounding culture. This concentration will culminate in the completion of a senior thesis in the final semester. Students in this concentration will develop a strong grasp of the storyline of the Bible, the remarkable Christ-centered unity between the Old and New Testaments, and the expansion of God’s global kingdom in history.

Exegesis Concentration Credit Breakdown

As the Biblical and Theological Studies major builds upon the Christian Worldview program studied by all students in their first two years at Bethlehem College, only the major courses are listed below:

Cross-Cultural Ministry Concentration

The Cross-Cultural Ministry Concentration builds upon the Christian Worldview curriculum by inviting students to a deeper examination of historical and contemporary issues affecting the cross-cultural missions endeavor. This concentration similarly engages the student in close examination of the Biblical text, equipping him with the skills needed to feed himself and others for a lifetime.

In addition, the cross-cultural ministry concentration gives students categories for assessing the methodologies proposed by the social sciences and the crucial biblical discernment necessary for implementing insights afforded by them for understanding various contexts for ministry. Students will learn to exegete both God’s world and his Word for the sake of clear Biblical exposition and faithful whole-life discipleship in an increasingly diverse and pluralistic world.

Cross-Cultural Ministry Concentration Course Breakdown

The Cross-Cultural Ministry Concentration course flow differs slightly from that of the Exegesis Concentration. Courses which are unique to the Cross-Cultural Ministry Concentration are highlighted in italics below: