A survey of the biblical books from Joshua to Esther—narratives that record the history of ancient Israel from the period of the conquest under Joshua down to the time of the nation’s return from exile.
Note: Available only through Continuing and Distance Education
A study of the mission and message of Jesus as viewed from the perspective of one or more of the four evangelists
with special emphasis on developing interpretive skills and an introduction to current issues in gospel studies.
Note: Also available through Continuing and Distance Education
This course provides an overview of the Old Testament, emphasizing its theological, historical, and literary
dimensions.
Note: Also available through Continuing and Distance Education
A study of the six books in the Old Testament designated wisdom (Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes) and poetry (Psalms, Song of Solomon, Lamentations). In addition to studying the content and message of each of these books, this course introduces students to the forms and rhetorical devices characteristic of poetry and wisdom in the Hebrew Bible and to the distinctive theology of Hebrew wisdom.
Note: Also available through Distance Education.
A study of the office or role of the writing prophets (Latter Prophets) followed by a survey of their writings. Attention is devoted to common prophetic motifs, but also to their unique contributions and development of earlier biblical themes.
Prerequisite(s): BLST 111 Old Testament Literature
A foundational course that includes both an introduction to basic hermeneutical theory and an emphasis on
developing interpretive skills.
Note: Also available through Continuing and Distance Education
A survey of Hebrews, James, I and II Peter, I, II, and III John, and Jude (the Catholic Epistles) that explores their
historical setting, literary form, and theology.
Note: Also available through Continuing and Distance Education.
A survey of each of the Pauline letters with careful attention devoted to central themes and selected passages in Paul’s writings.
Note: Also available through Continuing and Distance Education.
A study of the Acts of the Apostles with special attention devoted to its theology, its portrayal of the origin, development, and mission of the apostolic church, and its literary relationship with the Gospel of Luke.
Prerequisite(s): BLST 103 Gospels
A close reading of one or more books from the wisdom and poetry portion of the Hebrew Bible with careful attention given to theological themes and selected critical issues.
Prerequisite(s): BLST111 Old Testament Literature
A study of Paul’s letter to the Romans with particular attention given to its historical setting, theological argument, and continuing significance for the church.
Note: Also available through Continuing and Distance Education
Prerequisite(s): BLST 103 Gospels
A careful study of John’s story of Jesus and its significance. While the course has an exegetical focus, attention is also devoted to prominent elements in John’s theology and discussion of important critical issues.
Note: Also available through Continuing and Distance Education
Prerequisite(s): BLST 103 Gospels
A study of Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, with particular attention to its historical setting, its theological argument, and its continuing significance for the church.
Note: Available only through Continuing and Distance Education
Prerequisite(s): BLST 230 Pauline Epistles
A study of the flow of biblical thought that focuses on the relationship between the Old and New Testament and the use of the Old Testament in the New.
Prerequisite(s): Completion of 60 credit hours of study.
A study of the origin and transmission of the Scriptures, the formation of the biblical canon, and the methods of textual criticism.
Note: Also available through Continuing and Distance Education
This course examines what it means to confess that Scripture is the Word of God and is authoritative in all matters of faith and life. Through advanced study in the doctrine of Scripture and its theological interpretation, students are exposed to the most influential schools of thought in contemporary theology.
Cross-listed: THEO 331 Scripture and Contemporary Theology
Prerequisite(s): THEO 115 Introduction to Christian Theology
A close reading of one or more books from the Pentateuch with careful attention given to theological themes and selected critical issues.
Prerequisite(s): BLST 111 Old Testament Literature
A seminar on the history, literature, and thought of early Judaism (from 300 BCE to 200 CE). This course highlights the Jewish origins of Christianity, illuminates the thought world of Jesus and his Jewish contemporaries, and explores the reasons for the eventual parting of ways between Judaism and Christianity.
Cross-listed: HIS 371 Jewish Backgrounds to Early Christianity
This course provides a critical examination of women and vocation from the Ancient Near Eastern world to the present. Central to this investigation will be a consideration of how a shared repertoire of historical context, narrative framework, and communal discourse affect the negotiation of vocational identity.
Cross-listed: WMST 378 Women and Vocation
Note: Students with credit for BLST 393 Women and Vocation or WMST 377 Women and Vocation may not take this course for credit.
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit hours of BLST
A careful examination of the book of Hebrews that explores both its rhetorical structures and its rich theology.
Prerequisite(s): BLST 103 Gospels
A study of the messages and visions of John’s Apocalypse that is introduced by an examination of the nature of apocalyptic literature.
Prerequisite(s): BLST 103 Gospels
An advanced study of a selected New Testament book(s), texts, or themes as selected by the instructor.
Prerequisite(s): BLST 103 Gospels and the completion of 60 credit hours of study.
An examination of current issues in hermeneutics, including the problem of meaning, presuppositions behind pre]modern, modern, and postmodern methodologies, the form and function of literary devices, translation theory and its relationship to modern translation debates, the impact that genre has on the process of interpretation, the hermeneutics of cultural analysis, and the use of the Old Testament in the New Testament.
Prerequisite(s): BLST 213 Hermeneutics
An advanced study of selected books, texts, or themes as selected by the instructor. Typically, at least one such study is offered annually.
Prerequisite(s): BLST 111 Old Testament Literature and the completion of 60 credit hours of study.
A close reading of one or more of the prophetic books in the Hebrew Bible with careful attention given to theological themes and selected critical issues.
Note: Also available through Continuing and Distance Education
Prerequisite(s): BLST 111 Old Testament Literature
This internship provides a practical, supervised experience in the tasks, attitudes, and skills of research, interpretation, and communication of the Scriptures.
Prerequisite(s): Note: All internships need to be approved in advance by the appropriate program coordinator. The internship is offered to college students who have completed 60 credit hours or more and have been accepted into the degree program.
A close reading of one or more of the prophetic books in the Hebrew Bible with careful attention given to theological themes and selected critical issues.
Prerequisite(s): BLST 111 Old Testament Literature
In addition to consideration of the theology of the synoptic evangelists, this course serves as an introduction both to the critical study of the synoptic gospels (examining such approaches as source, form, redaction, genre, narrative, and reader response criticism) and to historical Jesus research.
Prerequisite(s): BLST 103 Gospels
This course integrates biblical research with one or more other academic discipline in order to address current cultural, social, or ethical issues.
Cross-listed: RLST 454 Religious Studies Seminar
Prerequisite(s): Completion of 60 credit hours of study.
This course is an advanced seminar-style course focusing on a major topic in biblical studies. Students must be in their fourth year of the B.A. Biblical Studies program or have permission from the instructor to take the course.