Courses | B.S. in Bible, Theology, and Apologetics
Below are some of the courses you'll have an opportunity to take as a student in this program. Take a look at the list below to get an idea of the types of available courses. Also, be sure to review core curriculum requirements and the official program requirements in the Biola University catalog.
Program Core Requirements
BBST 316 | Gospel of John |
Authorship, occasion of writing, themes, theological issues, literary structure and content of the Gospel of John. | |
BBST 330 | Jesus' Life and Ministry |
Chronological study of the gospels, similarities and differences between the writers, as well as the historical, cultural and theological factors aiding in interpreting events and teachings. Grade Mode: A. | |
BBST 409 | Topics in Old Testament Ethics |
An upper-division biblical studies course in which the student will be introduced to Old Testament ethics more broadly, only to focus specifically on the ethical categories of violence, sexuality, and racism in the Old Testament. This class will also study ethics in the Old Testament and their connection to the Christian today. | |
BBST 440 | Advanced Study: Old Testament (Geography of Israel) |
Independent student research and writing in addition to a seminar style classroom atmosphere for the study of selected texts and/or topics. Core Curriculum: Approved for Core - Biblical and Theological Studies. Note(s): May be taken multiple times for credit with different content. |
Program Core Requirements (Advanced Theology and Apologetics Requirement)
BBST 450 | Advanced Study: Systematic Theology (Apologetics) |
Independent student research and writing in addition to a seminar style classroom atmosphere for the study of selected texts and/or topics from either or both testaments, thematically arranged to emphasize biblical, historical and/or systematic theology. Core Curriculum: Approved for Core - Biblical and Theological Studies. Note(s): May be taken multiple times for credit with different content. | |
BBST 456 | God, Evil, and Suffering |
This class will examine the historical, theological, and philosophical issues related to understanding why God allows evil and suffering in our world. We will consider key thinkers such as Job, Leibniz, Voltaire, Hume, Dostoyevsky, Hick, Plantinga and more. This course will address difficult questions such as the fairness of Hell and the fate of the unevangelized. This class will provide both convincing arguments and illustrations of these arguments in order to impact minds and hearts. Note(s): Required of students in the Bible, Theology, and Apologetics, B.S. program. | |
BBST 457 | Evidence for the Resurrection |
This class includes an investigation of a wide range of issues that have been used through history to call into question the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ such as the possibility of miracles, the nature of history, the historical reliability of the New Testament, contradictions in the resurrection accounts, and so on. Historical methodologies are employed to determine to what degree the resurrection can be considered a demonstrable historical event. Note(s): Required of Bible, Theology, and Apologetics, B.S. students. |
Program Core Requirements (Ministry Application Requirement)
BBST 320 | Methods of Bible Study |
Essentials of inductive Bible study will be applied to Old and New Testament genres of literature in order to equip the student with skills for observation, interpretation, application, and edification. Grade Mode: A. | |
CEED 150 | Foundations of Ministry |
An overview of the discipline of Christian Education Ministries. Topics of study include the historical and theological nature of the church, principles of evangelism and edification, spiritual gifts, training and equipping lay leadership, and an examination of contemporary career opportunities and parachurch ministries. Grade Mode: A. | |
CEED 330 | Biblical Interpretation and Teaching |
Instruction in the use of computer-based biblical research tools with an emphasis on the use of these tools for the development of instructional lesson plan preparation, execution, and evaluation. Special emphasis is placed on training students in teaching competencies. Grade Mode: A. |
Program-Specific Core Curriculum Courses (Bible Requirement)
The Core Curriculum requirement for Kinesiology and Health Science has been waived for this major. Please be sure to review the complete list of core curriculum requirements for online bachelor's students.
BBST 103 | Biblical Interpretation and Spiritual Formation |
Equipping to interpret and apply the Bible in accurate and dynamic ways for spiritual transformation and character formation. Notes: Must be completed during the first year. Grade Mode: A. | |
BBST 165 | Foundations of Christian Thought |
Introduction to theology with special emphasis on learning to do theology, understand the doctrine of Scripture, introduce the integration of various fields of knowledge with the Bible, and see the importance and development of a Christian worldview. Grade Mode: A. | |
BBST 209 | Old Testament History and Literature |
An overview of the Old Testament with emphasis on the purpose of the writers; history and culture; literary genre, structure, and themes; persons and events, and practical application for Christian living. Grade Mode: A, C. | |
BBST 210 | New Testament History and Literature |
An overview of the New Testament with emphasis on the purpose of the writers; history and culture; literary genre, structure, and themes; persons and events; and practical application for Christian living. Grade Mode: A, C. | |
BBST 251 | Theology I |
The Biblical doctrines of God, Christ, man, and sin, with reference to the history and development of Christian theology. Grade Mode: A. | |
BBST 306 | Early Christian History - Acts |
Study of the Book of Acts from a missions perspective, dealing with the activity of the early church and its current expression in evangelism and missions. Grade Mode: A. | |
BBST 311 | Biblical Backgrounds |
Contributions of archeology, geography, culture, and history to biblical interpretation. Notes: May include abroad-study in lands of the biblical world. Grade Mode: A. | |
BBST 354 | Theology II |
The Biblical doctrines of salvation, the Holy Spirit, the church, and last things, with reference to the history and development of Christian theology. Notes: Formerly BBST 254. Grade Mode: A. | |
BBST 365 | Bible Theology and Integration (Gospel Kingdom Culture) |
An intermediate integration class in which the student will study a particular area of biblical studies and/or theology. The class will include an integration component to explore how the area is integrated with an area of culture (i.e., history, literature, psychology, sociology, etc.) outside of biblical studies and theology. Core Curriculum: Approved for Core - Biblical and Theological Studies. Note(s): BBTM majors may take different versions of this course up to 4 times for credit. | |
BBST 465 | Integration Seminar |
Senior level capstone seminar in which the student will search the Bible and the literature dealing with the topic(s) under discussion in the course leading to the discovery of means whereby the subject area may be 'integrated' with Biblical truth. The results of the research will be incorporated in a paper or project which will be critiqued by the seminar members and by the professor. Core Curriculum: Approved for Core - Biblical and Theological Studies. |