Biola University Students: Bible Minors And Major Decisions

Biola University offers a minor in Biblical and Theological Studies for students who want to understand and apply the Bible as the foundation of Christian faith, values, and virtues. The program teaches students to view the world through a biblical lens, encouraging them to lead lives of integrity and engage with their communities as responsible citizens. To obtain this minor, students must complete Biola's 30-credit general Bible requirement and meet certain residency and upper-division requirements. The curriculum covers foundational and intermediate courses, including Biblical Interpretation and Spiritual Formation, Old Testament History and Literature, and Gospel, Kingdom, and Culture. The minor is a valuable addition to any student's academic portfolio, reflecting Biola University's commitment to the power and authority of God's Word.

Biola University students can obtain a minor in Biblical and Theological Studies

Biola University is a Christian university with a commitment to the power and authority of the Bible. The university integrates a Christian perspective into the entire academic experience, and every degree includes a robust Bible and theology curriculum requirement. As such, Biola University students can obtain a minor in Biblical and Theological Studies.

The Biblical and Theological Studies Minor teaches students to view all of God's world through the perspective of God's Word, the Bible. This biblical worldview involves understanding and applying the Bible as the foundation of the Christian faith, values, and virtues, both historically and in the present day. The goal is that students will lead lives of integrity and engage with the world, their vocations, their local church communities, and society as responsible citizens.

To obtain the minor, students must complete the 30-credit Core Curriculum Bible Requirements. Twelve credits must be upper-division courses, and at least 15 credits must be completed in residency, including at least 6 of the 12 upper-division credits. The curriculum includes foundational courses such as Biblical Interpretation and Spiritual Formation, Foundations of Christian Thought, Old Testament History and Literature, and New Testament History and Literature. There are also intermediate courses like Gospel, Kingdom, and Culture, as well as Bible and Theology electives.

Upon completion of the minor, students will be able to identify the basic contents of all books of the Old and New Testaments and apply the biblical teachings to Christian faith and practice through reliable interpretation methods. They will also be able to explain the major doctrines of Christianity from an evangelical perspective and examine their academic disciplines through the lens of Christian faith and practice. Additionally, students will be able to describe a personal relationship with God and demonstrate their ability to serve the church and the world for Jesus Christ's purposes of redemption.

The minor requires 30 credits of Bible/Theology

Biola University's biblical and theological studies minor teaches students to view the world through the lens of the Bible and God's word. The minor is designed to help students understand and apply the Bible as the foundation of Christian faith, values, and virtues, both historically and in the present. It is worth noting that most undergraduate students at Biola University complete 30 credits of biblical and theological studies as part of their degree program. This qualifies them to receive a minor in biblical and theological studies, provided they meet certain residency requirements.

The minor consists of foundational and intermediate courses that cover a range of topics, including biblical interpretation, spiritual formation, Christian thought, Old and New Testament history, and theology. The program aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to interpret and apply the Bible accurately and dynamically, while also cultivating their spiritual formation and understanding of Christian doctrine.

The foundational courses include "Biblical Interpretation and Spiritual Formation," "Foundations of Christian Thought," "Old Testament History and Literature," and "New Testament History and Literature." These courses provide students with a strong base of knowledge and skills in interpreting the Bible, understanding Christian thought, and exploring the historical and literary context of the Old and New Testaments.

The intermediate courses include "Theology II," "Gospel, Kingdom, and Culture," two "Bible/Theology Electives," and an "Integration Seminar." These courses build upon the foundational knowledge and allow students to delve deeper into specific areas of theology, gospel, and cultural studies. The elective courses offer flexibility and allow students to explore areas of particular interest within Bible and theology.

The minor in biblical and theological studies at Biola University is a comprehensive and engaging program that equips students with a strong understanding of the Bible and its application to their lives and the world around them. It encourages students to lead lives of integrity and engage with their society as responsible citizens, guided by their faith.

There is a residency requirement and an upper-division requirement for the minor

Biola University's Biblical and Theological Studies Minor is designed to teach Christian undergraduate students to view the world through the lens of the Bible. The program aims to instil a biblical worldview, helping students understand and apply the Bible as the foundation of Christian faith, values, and virtues, both historically and in the present. This minor is a great option for students seeking to deepen their understanding of the Bible and its role in their lives and society.

To obtain the Biblical and Theological Studies Minor, students must complete the 30-credit Core Curriculum Bible Requirements, which include foundational and intermediate courses. These courses provide a comprehensive understanding of the Bible, covering topics such as biblical interpretation, spiritual formation, Christian thought, Old and New Testament history, and literature. Additionally, students are required to take integration seminars that explore various topics, such as Christian ministries, philosophy of education, natural sciences, and contemporary art, through a Christian lens.

Now, let's delve into the residency and upper-division requirements for the minor:

Residency Requirement:

The residency requirement mandates that students complete a minimum of 15 credits in residency, including at least 6 credits of the required 12 upper-division credits. This means that at least half of the required upper-level courses must be taken while enrolled at Biola University. This requirement ensures that students receive a significant portion of their education and training in biblical and theological studies directly from the university, allowing for a consistent and quality educational experience.

Upper-Division Requirement:

The upper-division requirement specifies that 12 out of the total 30 credits needed for the minor must be from upper-level courses (300/400 level). These courses are more advanced and in-depth than lower-level offerings. By including this requirement, the minor ensures that students gain a deeper understanding of biblical and theological concepts. Upper-level courses provide opportunities for more complex discussions, critical analysis, and exploration of topics that build upon the foundational knowledge gained in lower-level courses.

It is important to note that transfer credits, credit for prior learning, and credit by examination cannot be used to fulfil the minimum residency requirement. Students who have transferred some Bible credits from other institutions must verify that they still meet the residency and upper-division requirements. If they do, they can declare the Biblical and Theological Studies Minor on their graduation petition, and it will be noted on their transcript.

In conclusion, the residency and upper-division requirements for the Biblical and Theological Studies Minor at Biola University ensure that students receive a well-rounded and rigorous education in biblical studies. By completing these requirements, students gain a strong foundation in the Bible and its interpretation, preparing them to apply these teachings to their lives and engage with the world from a Christian perspective.

Students must declare the minor on their graduation petition for it to appear on their transcript

Students at Biola University who are interested in pursuing a minor in Biblical and Theological Studies must complete the university's 30-credit Core Curriculum Bible Requirements. This minor is designed to teach Christian undergraduate students to view the world through the lens of the Bible, adopting a biblical worldview that informs their understanding of Christian faith, values, and virtues, both historically and in the present.

To obtain this minor, students must meet certain residency requirements detailed in the university catalog. Specifically, 12 credits must be upper-division, and at least 15 credits must be completed in residency, including at least 6 of the required 12 upper-division credits. Transfer credits, credit for prior learning, and credit by examination cannot be used to fulfill the minimum residency requirement.

To ensure that their minor is officially recognized and appears on their transcript, students must declare the minor on their graduation petition. A graduation petition is a formal request made by students to their university, indicating their intention to graduate and confirming that they have met all the necessary requirements for their degree. The process typically involves submitting relevant documentation and, in some cases, paying a fee.

At Biola University, students are required to submit their graduation petition approximately one year before their intended graduation date. This allows the university to review the student's coursework and confirm that they are on track to meet all the necessary requirements for their degree, including any minors they wish to declare.

By declaring the Biblical and Theological Studies Minor on their graduation petition, students ensure that their minor is officially recognized and will appear on their academic transcript. This serves as a formal record of their academic achievements and provides evidence of their qualification to prospective employers or graduate programs.

It is important for students to be mindful of the graduation petition process and associated deadlines to avoid any delays in their graduation or omissions on their transcript.

The minor is designed to teach students to view the world through the perspective of the Bible

The Biblical and Theological Studies Minor at Biola University is designed to teach students to view the world through the perspective of the Bible. This involves understanding and applying the Bible as the foundation of Christian faith, values, and virtues, both historically and in the present day. The minor is intended to give students a biblical worldview, encouraging them to lead lives of integrity and engage with the world as responsible citizens.

The program consists of 30 credits of Bible/Theology Core Curriculum. Students who complete these requirements qualify for the minor, provided they also meet certain residency requirements. Twelve credits must be upper-division level courses, and at least 15 credits must be completed in residency, including at least 6 of the 12 upper-division credits. Transfer credits and credits by examination cannot be used to fulfill the minimum residency requirement.

The foundational courses for the minor include Biblical Interpretation and Spiritual Formation, Foundations of Christian Thought, Old Testament History and Literature, and New Testament History and Literature. The intermediate courses include Gospel, Kingdom, and Culture, as well as two Bible/Theology electives. Students can choose from a range of integration seminar topics, such as Christian Ministries, Christian Philosophy of Education, and Contemporary Art and Theology.

The goal of the Biblical and Theological Studies Minor is to provide students with a strong foundation in biblical knowledge and interpretation, enabling them to apply it to their lives and engage with the world from a Christian perspective. By completing the program, students will be able to identify the basic contents of the Old and New Testaments and explain the major doctrines of Christianity from an evangelical perspective. They will also develop critical thinking and evaluation skills, examining their academic disciplines through the lens of Christian faith and practice.

Overall, the minor in Biblical and Theological Studies at Biola University offers a comprehensive and rigorous academic program that equips students with the knowledge and skills to understand and apply the Bible in their lives and engage with the world through a biblical worldview.

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