Division of Biblical Studies

Department of Bible

Courses:

BBL 1013 Old Testament Survey (Three hours)
A brief introduction to the history and message of the Old Testament. A general survey of the overall content of each book, and certain significant themes stressing relevance to Christian living.

Offered each semester

BBL 1023 New Testament Survey (Three hours)
An introduction to the history and message of the New Testament. The class provides an academic overview of each book, its context and significant themes, with challenges and applications to Christian faith and discipleship.

Offered each semester

BBL 1083H Honors: Old Testament Survey (Three hours)
A comprehensive introduction to the study of the Old Testament. The course introduces the student to the history and theology of the Old Testament, basic hermeneutical issues and book content, as well as relevant application to faith and life.
Prerequisite: admission to the Honors Program or permission of the Honors Committee

Offered fall semester

BBL 1093H Honors: New Testament Survey (Three hours)
A comprehensive introduction to the history and message of the New Testament. The class provides an academic overview of each book of the NT, its historical, religious and cultural contexts as well as major theological, apologetic, and missional issues. Introductory hermeneutical skills focus on the NT texts, stressing significant themes within the 1st century context and its particular challenges. Subsequent application to Christian faith and discipleship today reflect this biblical grounding.
Prerequisite: admission to the Honors Program or permission of the Honors Committee.

Offered spring semester

BBL 2003, 2253
See Adult and Continuing Education

BBL 2253
See Adult and Continuing Education

BBL 2513, 2523 Elementary New Testament Greek I, II (Each course, three hours)
A study of elementary Greek grammar and basic vocabulary, with practice in translation of sentences from Greek to English. BBL 2523 includes translation from the epistles of John from the Greek.
Prerequisite for 2523: BBL 2513

2513 offered fall semester (odd-numbered years)
2523 offered spring semester (even-numbered years)

BBL 3003 Essentials of Evangelical Theology (Three hours)
A study of the essential doctrines of the Christian faith, including those of the Scriptures, God, Humankind, Salvation (including Christian living) the Church, and the Future. The unity of Divine Revelation and the contemporary applicability of the Scriptures are emphasized. Students should be able to discern primary and secondary biblical issues, and apply biblical principles to the various wholeness dimensions of their personal lives and to the world in general.
Prerequisites: BBL 1013 and 1022 or equivalent

Offered each semester

BBL 3093H Honors: Essentials of Evangelical Theology (Three hours)
Initial overview of the major doctrines of the Christian faith, with consideration of various approaches to theology and various contemporary schools of theology. The student is guided in integrating the biblical revelation with personal application as well as critical interaction with the contemporary world. Seminar format emphasizing student research and interchange.
Prerequisites: BBL 1013 and 1022 (or Honors counterparts), and admission to the Honors Program or permission of the Honors Committee

Offered spring semester

BBL 3223 Communicating the Christian Message (Three hours)
A foundational course to provide tools for preaching, speaking, and presenting the Christian message in a variety of contexts using various media. Includes an introduction to theory for creating and delivering different forms of communication, as well as practical ideas and tips for using various media.
Prerequisite: BBL 34_3 or 36_3

Offered upon sufficient request

BBL 3303 Theology of Missions (Three hours)
A historical and theological investigation of the nature and practice of missionary activity. The role of the local church, personal qualifications, missionary agencies, and current perspectives of missions are considered.

Offered upon sufficient request

BBL 3353 Theology of Worship (Three hours)
A historical and theological investigation of the development of corporate worship emphasizing applicable Hebrew and Christian scripture. Liturgical history is examined, including the dynamics of music, sacred space, and symbols and icons from the early church to the contemporary emergent church.
Prerequisites: BBL 1013, 1023

Offered fall semester (odd-numbered years)

BBL 3363, 3373 History of the Christian Church (Each course, three hours)
A historical and theoretical examination of the development of the Church. The first course addresses the Early Church, Patristic, Byzantine, and Medieval periods; the sequence is completed by study of the Reformation, Enlightenment, and Modern periods.
Prerequisite for 3373: BBL 3363

3363 offered fall semester
3373 offered spring semester

BBL 34_3 New Testament Book Study (Each course, three hours)
Critical study of a major book or portion of the New Testament. Students learn the principles of biblical hermeneutics rooted in rigorous exegesis. Courses are offered on a rotating basis.
Prerequisite: BBL 1023
3413 The Gospel of John
Exploration of John’s Gospel in relationship to the synoptic Gospels and the emerging theology of the early Church in its firstcentury cultural context within the Roman Empire.
3423 The Synoptic Gospels
Exploration of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Using parallel format, the books are studied in relation to each other, to John’s Gospel, and to the rest of the NT and Hebrew canon where appropriate. Special attention is paid to the synoptic authors, initial audiences, theological foci, and the historical and cultural background of the synoptics as well as the dynamics of the emerging church, and the social, economic, political, and religious contexts of the first-century Roman Empire.
3433 The Gospel of Luke and The Acts of the Apostles
An analysis of Luke and Acts. Emphases include the literary techniques, the historical setting, and the message of the books. Students are exposed to critical issues related to the authorship, sources, dating, and audience of these books.
3443 The Pauline Epistles
A study of the life of Paul with concerted analysis of one or more of his epistles. In addition to the man himself, special attention is paid to his initial audiences, theological foci, and the historical and cultural background of the letters, as well as the dynamics of the emerging church, and the social, economic, political, and religious contexts of the first-century Roman Empire.
3453 The General Epistles
An incisive examination of one or more of the the General Epistles. The selected section is compared to the rest of the New Testament and to the Hebrew canon where appropriate. Special attention paid to the author, initial audiences, theological foci, and the historical and cultural background of the text, as well as the dynamics of the emerging church, and the social, economic, political, and religious contexts of the first-century Roman Empire.
3463 The Book of Revelation
An in-depth analysis of the book of Revelation. Special emphasis is placed on major hermeneutical approaches to the book, as well as thorough study of its contents.

Offered each semester on a rotating basis

BBL 3513, 3523 Syntax of New Testament Greek I, II (Each course, 3 hours)
A comprehensive study of Greek structure. Assignments in the first semester include paragraphs from the Greek New Testament that illustrate specific syntactical features. The focus of the second semester is to read chapters of the Greek New Testament and recognize the syntactical features.
Prerequisite for 3513: BBL 2523 or equivalent
Prerequisite for 3523: BBL 3513 or equivalent

3513 offered fall semester (even-numbered years)
3523 offered spring semester (odd-numbered years)

BBL 3583 Perspectives on the World Christian Movement (Three hours)
A comprehensive 15-week course taught by outstanding teachers, expert speakers, missionaries, and Bible scholars, designed to illumine God’s plan for reaching people throughout the world. As current and past methods are examined, students are given opportunity to consider their personal roles in His work. A supplementary fee is associated with this course.
Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of instructor

Offered spring semester

BBL 3713, 3723 Elementary Biblical Hebrew (Each course, three hours)
A study of elementary biblical Hebrew grammar and basic vocabulary with some limited conversational drill.

Offered upon sufficient request

BBL 3913
See Adult and Continuing Education

BBL 4002, 4003 Foundations and Practice of the Christian Life (2 or 3 hours)
A writing-intensive integrative course and capstone of the University Core Curriculum designed to encourage the student to think and live Christianly. The University Core Curriculum’s significant role in the student’s becoming a well-rounded Christian is considered. Written assignments based on inductive biblical research of key themes of the Christian life are emphasized. The two-hour and the three-hour courses meet together - the two-hour course requires fewer papers; the three-hour course is provided for students desiring more intense learning and is required of all majors in the Biblical Studies division.
Prerequisites: BBL 1013, BBL 1022, BBL 3003, EGL 1023, and junior standing or consent of instructor

Offered each semester

BBL 4043 Irish Perspectives on Christian Living (Three hours)
A writing-intensive integrative course designed to encourage the student to think and live Christianly. The University Core Curriculum’s significant role in the student’s becoming a well-rounded Christian is considered. Written assignments based on inductive biblical research of key themes of the Christian life are emphasized. Works of St. Patrick and C.S. Lewis are presented as a basis for student reflection and as guides to Christian living. Students visit historical sites significant to each of these men and develop an understanding of their writings and contributions to the Christian faith. Visits to local churches give students opportunity to observe the present-day church in Ireland and to enjoy fellowship with Irish believers of various denominations. May substitute for BBL 4002/4003 in the Core Curriculum.
Prerequisites: BBL 1013, BBL 1022, BBL 3003, and EGL 1023.

Offered summer, Irish Studies Program

BBL 4093H Honors: Foundations and Practice of the Christian Life (Three hours)
A writing intensive course which investigates major themes of living Christianly in a world of Unchristian ideas. Understanding competing ethical systems which fall short of the biblical vision are considered in light of biblical revelation. Individual and collaborative assignments are included. Replaces BBL 4002/4003 in the Core Curriculum.
Prerequisites: BBL 1013, BBL 1022, BBL 3003, EGL 1023 (or Honors counterparts), and admission to the Honors Program or permission of the Honors Committee

Offered fall semester

BBL 4473 Seminar in Biblical Studies (Three hours)
An advanced study of a particular issue related to Scriptural truth. Potential topics include critical issues in a book of the Old or New Testament, or a current trend in Biblical studies or hermeneutics. Course may be repeated when content differs.
Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of instructor

Offered spring semester (odd-numbered years)

BBL 4481, 4482, 4483 Selected Topics (One to three hours)
Topics are chosen from some areas of Biblical Studies (Old Testament, New
Testament, Biblical History or Doctrines). The course affords an opportunity for the student to do independent study and research under the supervision of the instructor.
Prerequisite: consent of instructor

Offered upon sufficient request

BBL 4493 Seminar in Theological Studies (Three hours)
A course designed to develop the student’s ability to analyze and explain theological texts through research, discussion, and presentation of papers. A particular theologian, movement, or topic from the history of Christian theology typically serves as the focus of evaluation. Course may be repeated when content differs.
Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of instructor

Offered spring semester (even-numbered years)

BBL 4512 Greek Readings and Exegesis (Two hours)
Readings from books of the Greek New Testament and/or selected readings from the early Christian writers applying principles of Greek grammar and exegesis. Course may be repeated for credit in another book.
Prerequisite: BBL 3523 or equivalent

Offered upon sufficient request

BBL 4581, 4582, 4583 Selected Topics in New Testament Greek (One to three hours)
Topics chosen from some area of New Testament Greek. The student may also do independent study and research under the direction of the instructor. Prerequisite: BBL 3523 or consent of instructor

Offered upon sufficient request

BBL 4713, 4723 Syntax of Biblical Hebrew (Each course, three hours)
An intermediate level study of Hebrew grammar and syntax. Expanded vocabulary, Hebrew to English and English to Hebrew translating are also emphasized.

Offered upon sufficient request