Biblical Courses

BIB 111 Old Testament Survey (3 credits)

This ministry training course examines the historical writings of the Old Testament, focusing on the stories of God’s dealings with Israel in preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ. The class also shows some applications for contemporary Christian living and preaching. (The Old Testament’s detailed laws, Psalms, wisdom writings, and prophets are featured in other classes.)

Outcomes:

1. Know major events, identify significant characters, and recognize key themes in Old Testament history.
2. Trace the progressive unfolding of God’s revelation in the history of salvation leading up to Jesus.
3. Understand and explain the relevance of Old Testament history for knowing God and following Jesus today.
4. See helpful examples of how sermons based on Old Testament history can glorify God, focus on Christ, and apply to people today.

BIB 112 New Testament Survey (3 credits)

This class explores God’s Word in the New Testament, paying particular attention to literary, historical, and theological dimensions.

Outcomes:

1. Encounter God’s entire New Covenant revelation in Christ by reading every New Testament book.
2. Know major theological themes in the New Testament as a whole.
3. Know the setting and major emphases of each New Testament book.
4. Trace the expansion of Christianity in the first century and the doctrinal understanding of the earliest Christians.
5. Understand and embrace how Jesus saves, how the Holy Spirit transforms people, and how Christians live in a way that pleases God.

BIB 311 Biblical Interpretation I (4 credits)

This course explores Scripture in its original historical, cultural, and geographical context, focusing mainly on Old Testament people, places, and events. Professor Ray Vander Laan takes us to locations where biblical history unfolded and shows the relevance for contemporary cultures and people. You must complete Old Testament Survey before taking this course.

  Outcomes:

1. Know the history, culture, and geography that form the original setting of many Old Testament Scriptures.
2. Appreciate how archaeology and cultural studies can enhance biblical understanding.
3. Know more about Old Testament people, places, and events.
4. Grow in ability to use original background to understand Old Testament texts and apply them to contemporary life.
5. Understand key theological themes revealed in the Old Testament.

BIB 312 Biblical Interpretation II (4 credits)

This course looks at some major Biblical events, key persons, important Biblical archeological sites and themes in the history of the Biblical revelation. This class tends to highlight the New Testament, but also will jump back to Old Testament characters and themes. The Articles will mainly feature New Testament topics. Our noted professor Rev. Ray Vander Laan takes us to onsite locations where Biblical history unfolded. Such study helps us to see God’s faithfulness in the past and better to understand the church’s present challenges and opportunities. You must complete New Testament Survey before taking this course.

  Outcomes:

1. Know the history, culture, and geography that form the original setting of many New Testament Scriptures.
2. Appreciate how archaeology and cultural studies can enhance biblical understanding.
3. Know more about New Testament people, places, and events.
4. Grow in ability to use original background to understand New Testament texts and apply them to contemporary life.
5. Understand key theological themes revealed in the New Testament.

BIB 330 Old Testament Literature, History, and Theology (3 credits)

This class examines the literature of the Old Testament with careful attention to the historical, cultural, geographical, religious, and literary elements of ancient Near Eastern societies. This course will also show the influence of Old Testament literature on the New Testament and on Western culture. 

  Outcomes:

1. Recall the basic historical context of the Old Testament (OT). 
2. Comprehend the origin and transmission of the OT text.
3. Understand and praise God’s character and actions in history.
4. Comprehend OT cultural issues and their relevance to postmodern culture.
5. Analyze, interpret and apply the meaning of OT texts from multiple perspectives.
6. Critically evaluate and integrate your thinking with current OT research and historical and archaeological discoveries.
7. Distill, formulate and integrate your view of God, his working with individuals/nations throughout history in the development of his kingdom in heaven and on earth.
8. Appreciate God’s use of and interaction with human culture and the value of the various disciplines of the liberal arts as supported by the OT.
9. Comprehend, reflect on, understand and apply OT community and moral/ethical constructs. Embrace a worldview that includes commitment to caring for the creation/environment and upholding basic human rights.

BIB 340 Biblical Wisdom (4 credits)

This ministry training course examines the wisdom writings of Old Testament sages and poets: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, and Lamentations. The class shows the relevance of Old Testament wisdom for knowing God’s wisdom in Christ and following Jesus today.

Outcomes:

1. Read and become familiar with Old Testament wisdom books and selected Psalms.
2. Understand theological framework and main message of each wisdom book.
3. Know various types of Psalms: lament, curse, praise, instruction, royal, thanks, and confidence.
4. Recognize some literary techniques of Hebrew poetry.
5. Understand that Jesus is the source and focus of all wisdom.
6. Discern how Old Testament wisdom informs and guides Jesus’ followers today.

BIB 420 Hermeneutics and Exegesis (3 credits)

This ministry training course deals with key issues in how to interpret the Bible. Students learn basic elements for studying a passage and practice using methods to become more skilled in understanding biblical passages and preparing sermons.

  Outcomes:

1. View the Bible as God’s message communicated by human authors in human language in a particular historical and cultural setting.
2. Depend on the Holy Spirit while using sound methods of interpretation.
3. Interpret Scripture with careful attention to grammatical, literary, historical, and theological elements.
4. Use online research tools to aid accurate biblical interpretation.
5. Depend on sound exegesis of Scripture as the basis for one’s theological positions and preaching.

BIB 455 The Book of Acts (3 Credits)

This course explores Acts, the Bible book that describes the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the launching of the early church, and the international spread of the gospel. Students will engage with historical background, archeological findings, literary analysis, and major theological themes. Such in-depth study enables better understanding and involvement with the Spirit’s work in our own time and place.

Course Outcomes:

1. Study the historical and literary features of the Book of Acts
2. Develop an in-depth understanding of the story of the Book of Acts
3. Become familiar with some major characters in the Book of Acts
4. Learn about some findings of archeology connected with the Book of Acts
5. See how the work of the Holy Spirit in Acts continues in our time

BIB 456 Romans  (3 Credits)

This class offers in-depth study of the book of Romans, exploring Paul’s meaning in the original context and the relevance of Romans for today.

Course Outcomes:

1. Understand Paul’s main ideas and detailed explanations in Romans.
2. Interpret Romans in the context of its author, recipients, and cultural setting.
3. Integrate major themes of Romans with other strands of Scripture.
4. Defend key Christian doctrines rooted in Romans. 
5. Evaluate various theological perspectives in light of Romans.
6. Apply Romans to faith, life, and witness in contemporary settings.