Biblical Studies Major
What is Biblical Studies?
For those interested in learning God's Word for teaching and preaching,
Bethel College has a program to match: the
Biblical Studies Major. The Biblical Studies Major offers the student
an intensive and rigorous program to foster a love of the Scriptures
and a competence for interpretation and application in the life of
the church. God's Word has been given to us through multiple authors,
languages, literary forms, cultures and across diverse historical
circumstances and geographical settings. Furthermore, there are many
methods and approaches by which the Scriptures may be interpreted.
Therefore, the Biblical Studies Major has been carefully designed
to 
develop
a fundamental competency in biblical history, literature, interpretive
methods and theology. Contemporary critical methodology is taught,
engaged and evaluated. A number of Biblical Hebrew and Greek courses
have been designed to facilitate the careful exegesis of Scripture.
Opportunities abound for grasping biblical history, geography, and
archeology through annual trips to the Oriental Institute at the University
of Chicago and possible trips to and study in Israel. Furthermore,
the inspiration, authority and unity of God's Revelation is affirmed
with the aim of articulating a vital biblical theology. Finally, the
Biblical Studies Major offers tremendous cross-curricular flexibility
with many elective hours and thus welcomes students who want to pursue
the benefits of a double major with Philosophy, Literature, or any
other compatible field of study. The professors in the Biblical Studies
Division at Bethel College are committed to the integration of intensive
study of the Bible and personal devotional study in the context of
ministry within Christ's church body.
