Mar 29, 2024  
Undergraduate Academic Catalog 2018-2019 
    
Undergraduate Academic Catalog 2018-2019 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Biblical Studies (B.A.)


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The biblical studies major is designed to prepare some students for admission to seminary and various ministries of teaching the Word. For others it provides the basic foundation in biblical education needed for various church vocations and ministries both at home and around the world. Still others are encouraged to make the Bible their major emphasis in a broad liberal arts education, which will enable them to live effectively and productively for Christ in various places and vocations.

Requirements


Students majoring in biblical studies are required to choose a concentration from:

In addition to the three core requirements (BCM 101 , BCM 103  and BCM 308 ) the following courses are also required.

Concentrations


In addition, majors choose from one of the following concentrations:

General Biblical Studies Concentration


Greek or Hebrew is recommended for the core foreign language requirement.

Old Testament (4 credits) one of:


The Gospels (4 credits) one of:


Pauline Studies (4 credits) one of:


Departmental Electives (8 credits):


Eight additional credits of departmental courses.

Old Testament Concentration


Hebrew is recommended for the core foreign language requirement.

Required courses:

The Gospel or Pauline Studies (4 credits) one of:


Departmental Electives (4 credits)


Four additional credits of departmental courses.

Old Testament (4 credits) one of:


Departmental Electives (4 credits)


Four additional credits of departmental courses.

Jewish Studies Concentration


Students who wish to enrich their major in biblical studies through an understanding of Judaism will benefit from this concentration. Emphasizing a wide variety of learning experiences, the program features on-campus coursework supplemented by many off-campus opportunities for personal interaction with the Jewish communities of the Greater Boston area. In addition, as part of the concentration, students are strongly urged to participate in one of several optional study programs in Israel.

Required courses:


The Gospel or Pauline Studies (4 credits) one of:


A minimum of 4 credits from one or a combination of the following three alternatives:


  • Study in Israel
  • A 2-credit internship within the Jewish community and a 2-credit independent study at Gordon
  • An approved course in Jewish studies taken at another institution

Biblical Languages Concentration


Students who wish to establish a concentration in biblical languages will take four courses in Greek, two courses in Hebrew and will write at least two exegesis papers. Students normally must be in the final term of a language sequence (BCM 304 - Seminar in Greek Exegesis: Gospel of Mark , or BCM 312 - Hebrew II ) before beginning an exegesis paper. One of the exegesis papers is to be in the Hebrew language area and the other in the Greek language area. It is anticipated that exegesis papers will normally be written in connection with biblical language courses. But in unusual situations, if a student has already completed the prerequisite biblical language courses and still needs an exegesis paper to complete the concentration in biblical languages requirement, the paper may be completed as follows: An exegesis paper may be written in a biblical studies course or in an independent study with the written permission of the instructor and the appropriate biblical language professor. While not a formal part of the requirement, coursework in linguistics is also strongly recommended for students opting for the concentration in biblical languages. Students completing the biblical languages concentration are exempt from completing  BCM 492 - Senior Seminar in Biblical Studies.

Old Testament (4 credits) one of:


The Gospels (4 credits) one of:


Pauline Studies (4 credits) one of:


Foreign Language Requirement


All majors must complete the foreign language requirement of the core. Because both Greek and Hebrew fulfill that requirement, they are strongly recommended. They are not required for the major.

Biblical Studies and Christian Ministries Double Major


Biblical studies majors are encouraged to integrate their knowledge of scripture into the field of ministry by choosing a second major in Christian ministries.

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