The History and Theology major is a 54-hour thesis program designed to equip students with an advanced academic foundation in theological and historical research and integration. It is designed to provide a historical framework for understanding events, people, philosophies, and theologies within the history of Christianity. The student may select an emphasis in one of two areas: theology or history. Each area shares common prerequisites and an 18-hour core. Students who have extensive preparation at the undergraduate level may apply the following upper division courses (maximum 18 hours) toward the 54-hour degree: 12 hours of upper-division Bible text and 6 hours of Greek.

Core courses (36 hours)

BIBD 672 Introduction to Graduate Studies

BGRK 611 Elementary New Testament Greek I

BGRK 612 Elementary New Testament Greek II

BIBL 610 Advanced Introduction to the Old Testament

BIBL 620 Advanced Introduction to the New Testament

BIBD 660 Introduction to Systematic Theology

BIBD 661 Theological Explorations

BIBH 651 History of Christianity I

BIBH 652 History of Christianity II

BIBL 611 Old Testament Theology or

BIBL 621 New Testament Theology

6 hours Biblical Text

Specialization (12 hours)

a. Theology track

BIBD 642 Contemporary Religious Thought

BIBD 680 Introduction to Philosophy of Religion

BIBD 686 Christian Ethics

Selection, 3 hours:

BIBD 647 Research Problems in Theology

BIBL 611 Old Testament Theology or

BIBL 621 New Testament Theology (not taken in core)

b. History track

BIBH 655 History of Christianity in America

BIBH 664 Advanced Restoration History

BIBH 667 Research Problems in Church History

Selection, 3 hours:

HIST 574 Recent Europe

HIST 582 The American South

Thesis (6 hours)

 

English Bible Exam

All students are required to take an exam over the English Bible prior to entering the second calendar year of the program. This exam will involve knowing a basic outline of each book of the Bible as well as basic themes, key interpretive issues, and selected texts of each book.

Oral Exam

During the last semester of course work, each student must take 6 hours of oral exams relating their academic work to ministry. Orals are generally scheduled in April and November of each year.