The purpose of Biblical and Theological Studies is to familiarize students with the content of the Bible, methodologies for the interpretation and the application of biblical teaching, and the research tools and resources necessary to pursue independent study of biblical texts and topics. It also enables students to evaluate critically their own theology, be aware and respectful of diverse theological positions and traditions, apply a variety of ethical approaches to the question of the church's role in society, and articulate their convictions thoughtfully and charitably.

In both required and elective courses, students develop skills that enable them to take into account the original linguistic, literary, historical, and cultural contexts of the Bible; study major events of Christian history, including the formation of creedal and confessional statements that have shaped church history; reflect on Christian doctrine in light of this tradition in conversation with their reading of Scripture; and consider diverse and global expressions of evangelicalism.

The Biblical and Theological Studies major meets the undergraduate requirements for seminary study suggested by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS). Students contemplating graduate studies should consult with the institution in which they are interested to be informed of any particular undergraduate courses needed. Students interested in an accelerated curriculum leading to the bachelor's and master's degrees should consult with their advisors regarding the prerequisites for the Wheaton graduate program.

Requirements for a major in Biblical and Theological Studies are 32 hours beyond the general education requirement in Biblical and Theological Studies. The general education requirement (12 hours) includes: 

General Education Requirements12
Systematic Theology
Select one of the following:
Old Testament Archaeology
Old Testament Literature and Interpretation
Old Testament Literature in Three Traditions
Old Testament in the Holy Lands
Select one of the following:
New Testament Archaeology
New Testament Literature and Interpretation
The New Testament in the Holy Lands
Major Core16
Biblical Interpretation and Hermeneutics
Historical Theology
Advanced Biblical Interpretation
Senior Seminar
Electives16
Biblical Studies (Minimum 4 credits):
Literature of the Bible
Biblical Foundations of Worship
Reading Scripture with the Church Fathers
Ruth & Esther
Historical Geography
Old Testament Topics
Genesis 1-11
Exodus
The Old Testament in its Cultural Environment
The Psalms: Songs of Israel and the Church
Life of David
Old Testament Topics
Jesus Of Nazareth
Paul Of Tarsus
New Testament Topics
Women in the World of the NT
I Corinthians
Acts of the Apostles
New Testament Topics
James
Peter And Jude
Prison Epistles
New Testament Topics in Historical Perspectives
The Book of Revelation
New Testament and Context in the Holy Lands
Issues in Modern Old Testament Studies
Jeremiah
Minor Prophets
Wisdom Literature
Hebrew Exegesis
Hebrew Exegesis
Old Testament Topics
Old Testament Topics
Greek Exegesis
Issues in Modern New Testament Studies
Mark
John
Acts of the Apostles
Greek Exegesis
Pastoral Epistles
New Testament Topics
New Testament Topics
Historical Geography
Statecraft and International Relations in the Ancient Near East
Jerusalem, the Holy City
Religions of Israel and the Near East
Jewish Backgrounds of the New Testament
Journeys across Cultures: A Narrative & Cross-Cultural Study of the Journeys of Paul
Physical Settings of the Bible
Archaeology of Jerusalem I
Intertestamental Literature
History of Ancient Israel
Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls
Biblical Archaeology I
Cultural Backgrounds of the Bible
Biblical Archaeology II
History of the Second Temple Period
Hermeneutics of Old Testament Texts in Jewish and Christian Tradition
Parable of Jesus and Rabbinic Meshalim
Archaeology of Jerusalem II
Readings in Biblical Hebrew: Historical and Geographical Texts
Readings in Biblical Hebrew Narrative Texts
Theological Studies (Minimum 4 credits):
Theology and the Arts
Topics in Perennial Theological Questions
Majority World Theology
Ancient Faith for the Modern World
Theology of the Promised Land
Marriage, Sex and Family in the Christian Tradition
Christian Ethics
Topics in Christian Thought
Church
Gender and Theology
Political Theology
Triune God
Person and Work of Christ
Holy Spirit and Last Things
Scripture
Topics in Christian Thought
Roman Catholic Theology
Eastern Orthodox Theology
Christian Theology in Context in the Holy Lands
Advanced Topics in Christian Thought
Augustine
Thomas Aquinas
Martin Luther
John Calvin
Karl Barth
Advanced Topics in Christian Thought
AIS: Mary, Mother of God 1
AIS: Women Writing Theology 1
AIS: Theology and Film 1
History of the Christian Church in the East
Religion (Minimum 4 credits):
World Religions:Asia
World Religions: Middle East
Major World Religions
Theological Approaches to Religious Diversity
The Jewish Tradition
Islam: Foundations to Modernity
The Muslim Tradition
Hindu, Buddhist, and Sikh Traditions
Total Credits44

Students pursuing a major in Biblical and Theological Studies are encouraged to fulfill the General Education language requirement by taking Greek, Hebrew, or German.

1

College policy states that students shall not be allowed to take more than one AIS course.