Bible Exposition Courses

BIB 101 Bible Survey (3 credits) Spring/Fall
With a major emphasis in the Old Testament, this foundational course is designed to give the student a grasp of the Bible chronologically and synthetically. A survey of selected books is designed to give special attention to the central theme, purpose, and general content. This course is a prerequisite for all 300 and 400 level Bible classes.

BIB 111 Principles of Biblical Interpretation-Epistles (3 credits) Spring
A course that answers the question, “How does one study the Bible?” Instead of total dependence on what others say the Bible means, the student is taught the skill of inductive Bible Study. PMI I Epistles will introduce the student to the inductive Bible study method as it is applied to epistolary genres. This course is a prerequisite for all 300 and 400 level Bible classes.

BIB 201 The Gospels and Acts (3 credits) Fall
This course is a survey of the Gospels and Acts designed to give the student a broad view of the life and ministry of Christ and the ministry of His Apostles. Subjects such as the synoptic problem, birth narratives, miracles, parables, the Sermon on the Mount, and the Olivet and Upper Room Discourses are examined in the Gospels. The establishment of the early church, with emphasis on Paul’s missionary efforts, is explored in the Acts.

BIB 202 Pauline Epistles I (3 credits) Spring
A study of the background, argument, and critical passages of Galations, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, and 1 and 2 Corinthians. Specific applications from each epistle are made to the student's own spiritual life as well as to the use of these epistles in various ministry situations.

BIB 211 Principles of Biblical Interpretation-Poetry (3 credits) Spring
Prerequisite: BIB 111
A continuation of PBI-Survey, PBI-Poetry will provide students with an opportunity to cultivate their inductive Bible study skills in the field of poetic genre.

BIB 300 Middle East History Tour (3 credits) Summer
Prerequisite: BIB 101 and BIB 111
A tour of the Middle East with appropriate reading, lectures, and written work offers a unique educational opportunity to learn about the land of the Bible firsthand.

BIB 301 Pentateuch (3 credits) Fall
Prerequisite: BIB 101 and BIB 111
A study of the Old Testament legal books (Genesis through Deuteronomy). Special attention is given to interpreting Genesis 1-11 and to explaining the flow of the patriarchs and national history in Genesis 12 to Deuteronomy 34. Contemporary approaches to the Pentateuch are evaluated.

BIB 302 Historical Books (3 credits) Spring
Prerequisites: BIB 101 and BIB 111
A study of the Old Testament historical books (Joshua through Esther). Special attention is given to Israel’s national history from the Conquest to the Post-exilic Return. Issues in OT chronology and archaeology are explored.

BIB 303 Pauline Epistles II (3 credits) Fall
Prerequisites: BIB 101 and BIB 111
A study of the background, argument, and critical passages of Romans, the Prison Epistles, and the Pastoral Epistles. Specific applications from each epistle are made to the student’s own spiritual life as well as to the use of these epistles in various ministry situations.

BIB 304 Hebrews and General Epistles (3 credits) Spring
Prerequisites: BIB 101 and BIB 111
A study of the background, argument, and critical passages of the eight epistles from Hebrews through Jude. Emphasis is placed upon the student being able to work his way through the general content of each epistle as well as personal and ministerial applications.

BIB 312 Principles of Biblical Interpretation-Narrative (3 credits) Fall
Prerequisites: BIB 101 and BIB 111
A continuation of PBI-Survey, PBI-Narrative will provide students with an opportunity to cultivate their inductive Bible study skills in the field of narrative genre.

BIB 400 The Geography and Archeology of Palestine (3 credits) Summer
Prerequisites: BIB 101 and BIB 111
In a cooperative effort between the Associates for Biblical Research and the professor, this course will expose the student to the geography of the land of Israel, the text of the Bible as it relates to specific geographical sites, and the field of archaeology. The total course includes 9 days of archaeological excavation, 7 days of touring, and 3 free days.

BIB 401 Poetical Books (3 credits) Fall
Prerequisites: BIB 101 and BIB 111
A study of the Old Testament Poetical Books (Job through Song of Solomon and Lamentations). Special attention will be given to Israel’s national poetic literature and wisdom books. The nature and phenomena of Hebrew poetry are also discussed.

BIB 402 Prophetic Books (3 credits) Spring
Prerequisites: BIB 101 and BIB 111
A study of the Old Testament Prophetic Books (Isaiah through Malachi). Some consideratin is given to prophetic eschatology and to the use of OT prophecy in the New Testament.

BIB 412 Advanced Biblical Interpretation (3 credits)
Prerequisites: BIB 312
Building upon the theory and skills taught in the PBI series, this course develops the student’s ability to interpret the Scriptures by giving consideration to passages of controversial interpretation. Discussion also is given to current issues in biblical interpretation and genre analysis (offered alternate years—content of the course changes so may be taken more than once).

BIB 488 Senior Research Seminar (3 credits) Fall/Spring
Prerequisites: 36 hours of Bible and Theology and 6 hours of Greek.
A research course for the final semester of the Pre-Seminary and English Bible concentrations. Students are given the opportunity to integrate the various concepts from previous course work into a final research paper. The course is intended to provide a first step toward doing graduate-level research and writing. Opportunities are provided to interact with those who are principal representatives in their chosen course of study.