Division of Christian Studies

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Division Chair

Dr. Marvin Jones

Faculty

Langford, Shepherd, Smith, Whatley

The Division of Christian Studies exists to prepare students for effective vocational Christian ministry and successful study in graduate institutions by offering a rigorous academic program concentrating on the study of the Christian Scriptures, theology, history, philosophy, ethics, and practical principles of Christian ministry.

The Division offers majors in Christian Studies, Biblical Studies, Christian Education, and Christian Philosophy. The majors in Christian Studies and Biblical Studies offer good general preparation for any area of ministry, but are especially recommended for students preparing for ministries that focus on Bible teaching such as pastoral ministry or missionary service. The Christian Education major is especially designed for students preparing for service as ministers of youth, children, education, or administration. The Christian Philosophy major is especially recommended for students preparing to pursue graduate studies in Philosophy.

Christian Studies Majors and Minors

• All majors in the Division of Christian Studies require 21 hours of core courses plus additional specialized courses for the specific major.

All students must complete the 56 hours required in the Central Curriculum. All students in the Christian Studies Division must take MA 230 /PI 230  as part of their Natural Science requirement. Biblical Studies, Christian Education, and Christian Philosophy majors must take GK 223  as the foreign language requirement. Christian Studies majors may take either GK 223  or HE 437  as the foreign language requirement. Christian Education majors must take PY 220  for 1 of their social sciences since it is a prerequisite for CE 320 /PY 320 .

Biblical Studies majors must pursue 400 level credit for the Old Testament and New Testament intensives (RL 435 ,RL 436 ,RL 437 ; RL 445 ,RL 446 ,RL 447 ). These advanced courses study Old and New Testament books in Hebrew and Greek. Students may take 400 level Old Testament courses only after completing 9 hours of Hebrew and may take 400 level New Testament courses only after completing 9 hours of Greek.

Biblical Studies majors must take either Elementary Greek 1 and 2 or Elementary Hebrew 1 and 2 in their first year in order to complete the program within 4 years.

Biblical Studies majors must take a third semester of the language (Hebrew or Greek) that they began studying in their first year in order to complete the program within 4 years.

Christian Education majors are required to take RL 365  and 3 hours of elective credit.

• Minors are offered in Biblical Studies, Biblical languages, Christian Studies, Christian Education, and Philosophy. The Biblical Studies minor requires 18 hours of biblical exegesis courses. The biblical languages minor requires 18 hours of biblical language courses. The Christian Studies minor requires 18 hours of Christian Studies courses. Other minors require 15 hours in the area.

Programs

• Biblical Studies, Bachelor of Arts
• Christian Education, Bachelor of Arts
• Christian Philosophy, Bachelor of Arts
• Christian Studies, Bachelor of Arts

• Biblical Languages Minor
• Biblical Studies Minor
• Christian Education Minor
• Christian Studies Minor
• Philosophy Minor

Courses

• BL 437A Introduction to Biblical Aramaic

• CE 199-499 Directed Study in Religious Education
• CE 211 Introduction to Church Ministry
• CE 212 Principles and Methods
• CE 301 In-Service Guidance
• CE 302 In-Service Guidance
• CE 303 Evangelism
• CE 307 Writing for the Church
• CE 311 Introduction to Youth Ministry
• CE 312 Introduction to Recreation, Leisure, and Sports Ministry
• CE 320 Psychology of Faith
• CE 339 Drama in the Church
• CE 342 Family Life Ministry
• CE 360 Ministerial Ethics
• CE 380 Servant Leadership
• CE 395 Cross-Cultural Experiences
• CE 396 Cross-Cultural Experiences Laboratory

• GK 223 Elementary Greek I
• GK 224 Elementary Greek II
• GK 331 Intermediate Greek
• GK 332 Advanced Greek

• HE 437 Elementary Hebrew I
• HE 438 Elementary Hebrew II
• HE 439 Intermediate Hebrew
• HE 440 Advanced Hebrew

• PI 220 Introduction to Philosophy
• PI 230 Introduction to Logic
• PI 260 Introduction to Ethics
• PI 300 Christian Faith & Values
• PI 310 Christian Apologetics
• PI 320 History of Philosophy
• PI 340 Philosophy of Religion
• PI 341 Comparative Religions
• PI 360 Ministerial Ethics
• PI 370 Business Ethics
• PI 380 Health Care Ethics
• PI 390 Christianity and Science
• PI 401 Metaphysics
• PI 402 Epistemology
• PI 420 Topics in Philosophy

The following courses, RL 335 /RL 435  – RL 347  -RL 447 , focus on the exegesis of various books or portions of books. Each course will seek to give students an understanding of the book’s original text, theology, grammar and syntax, literary analysis, word studies, and relationship to other biblical books. The course will also introduce students to important principles of biblical interpretation that apply especially to the book and guide interpreters in understanding the contemporary relevance of the text. Credit for each course will be three hours.

• RL 095 Introduction to the Christian Faith
• RL 096 Introduction to the Christian Faith - Supplemental Readings
• RL 101 Survey of the Old Testament
• RL 102 Survey of the New Testament
• RL 211 Introduction to Church Ministry
• RL 213 Spiritual Formation
• RL 300 Christian Faith and Values
• RL 301 In Service Guidance
• RL 302 In Service Guidance
• RL 335 The Pentateuch
• RL 336 The Prophets
• RL 337 The Writings
• RL 338 Archaeology, History and Religion in Ancient Israel
• RL 345 Gospels and Acts
• RL 346 Epistles of Paul
• RL 347 General Epistles and Revelation
• RL 361 History of Christianity
• RL 362 Missions
• RL 363 Practicum in Short-Term Missions
• RL 365 Christian Theology I
• RL 367 Christian Theology II
• RL 368 Baptist History
• RL 370 Interpersonal Relationship Skills
• RL 375 Doctrine of Salvation
• RL 377 Doctrine of the Church
• RL 399-499 Directed Study in Religion
• RL 427 Clinical Pastoral Ministry
• RL 435 The Pentateuch
• RL 436 The Prophets
• RL 437 The Writings
• RL 439 Methods and Principles in Biblical Study
• RL 441 Christianity in America
• RL 442 Introduction to Sermon Preparation
• RL 445 Gospels and Acts
• RL 446 Epistles of Paul
• RL 447 General Epistles and Revelation

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