School of Bible and Ministry

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O. Herbert Hirt, Ph.D., Dean

Professor Emeritus

Julius C. Bosco, Th.M. 
G. Robert Kilgore, D.Miss. 
John R. Master, Th.D.

Professor

Donald A. Cheyney, Ed.D., Chair, Graduate Programs
Richard D. Emmons, Ph.D.
David C. Hard, Ph.D.
William L. Krewson, Ph.D., Chair, Undergraduate Programs
Matthew M. McAlack, Ph.D.
Frederic C. Putnam, Ph.D.
Gary E. Schnittjer, Ph.D.
Brian G. Toews, Ph.D.
Timothy S. Yoder, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

G. Thompson Allen, Th.M.
Eddy D. Field, III, Th.M.
Edgar B. Hardesty, Th.M.
Victor Jacobs, Ph.D.
Jonathan L. Master, Th.M.
Keith W. Plummer, Ph.D.

Adjunct Faculty

Jared R. Bryant, Th.M.
William R. Doolittle, M.Div.
Benjamin D. Giffone, M.S. in Bible
John C. O’Brien, Th.M.
Daniel R. Young, D.Min.
 

The School

The School of Bible and Ministry seeks to educate students in the Bible and theology in order to foster growth in spiritual maturity so that students can effectively minister to God’s people and the world. The School encompasses the Bible core curriculum taken by all PBU undergraduates as well as the Biblical Studies, Pastoral, Pre-Seminary, Youth Ministries, Missions, and Bible and Israel Programs.

The School follows a pattern modeled by the teacher Ezra who “set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach His statutes and rules in Israel” (Ezra 7:10). This prescription for spiritual maturity has three elements. First, Ezra’s heart desired to study God’s Word. This desire to know God through His Word is Spirit-motivated and is the basis of a relationship with Jesus Christ. Second, Ezra studied. His mind was engaged with the content and theology of Scripture so that he might understand God and His will for humanity. Third, Ezra purposed to practice what God commanded since obedience to God is the goal of spiritual maturity.

The School of Bible and Ministry’s curriculum is designed to prepare students to serve Christ in multiple contexts through these three experiences. Student hearts are motivated by God’s Spirit to study His Word in order to grow to spiritual maturity. Student minds are applied to diligent study to understand God’s Word and its relevance in relating to God and impacting the world around them. Student wills are challenged to practice God’s Word personally and in the context of the Church and community. The goal is to produce graduates who can serve Christ in the church, society, and the world as biblically minded, well-educated, and professionally competent men and women of character.

God has revealed Himself to the world through His creation and His Word. PBU seeks to educate students in both of these areas of God’s revelation, with the School of Bible and Ministry concentrating on the latter—educating students in God’s revelation of Himself in the Bible. All baccalaureate students are Bible majors and graduate with a B.S. in Bible degree. This is because God’s revelation of Himself in the Bible is the means to know Jesus Christ, who is the basis for a true understanding of God, ourselves, and the world.

The goal of the core Bible curriculum is to educate students in the Bible and theology in a manner which intentionally integrates it into the total educational experience at PBU, thus producing “biblically minded, well-educated, and professionally competent men and women of character.” This is accomplished through a core curriculum of 36 credits. Twenty-one of these credits are in biblical studies and fifteen in theologically related subjects. The biblical studies courses consist of a general introduction to the Bible; overviews of the Old and New Testaments, with concentrations on the Pentateuch and Gospels; a capstone course on the book of Romans; and a practical study of wisdom literature and its importance to living a life of Christian character. Courses in theology consist of a general introduction; a study of the nature and work of God; God’s salvation for the world; the history of the church in the world; and a second capstone course in apologetics, a defense of the Gospel to the world. This core curriculum not only provides students with a foundational understanding of God’s revelation of Himself in His Word, but also shows students how to use God’s Word in their lives and ministries.

By God’s grace, Philadelphia Biblical University has been providing excellent biblical education for almost a century. The present School of Bible and Ministry endeavors to continue this tradition of excellence and commitment to the Scriptures so that future generations may continue to seek to know God and His Word.

Objectives

The School has three broad objectives. The student will:

1. Gain competency in their understanding of the content of the whole Bible, biblical theology, systematic theology, church history, and the University’s place within the current evangelical and theological world.
2. Learn to integrate the truths of God’s Word into their life resulting in spiritual growth and maturity.
3. Develop ministry skills to communicate God’s Word in a multiplicity of avenues and contexts.

Core Curriculum

The School of Bible and Ministry requires students to take a core of 36 credits of Bible, theology, and church history courses. The core curriculum includes the following:

Bible - 7 courses, 21 credits

• BIB 100 Introduction to the Bible - Credits: 3
• BIB 101 The Pentateuch - Credits: 3
• BIB 201 The Old Testament - Credits: 3
• BIB 211 The Gospels - Credits: 3
• BIB 311 The New Testament - Credits: 3
• BIB 401 Wisdom Literature - Credits: 3
• BIB 411 Romans - Credits: 3

Theology - 5 courses, 15 credits

• THE 100 Introduction to Christian Theology - Credits: 3
• THE 301 Church History - Credits: 3
• THE 311 The Triune God - Credits: 3
• THE 312 The Narrative of Redemption - Credits: 3
• THE 401 Apologetics - Credits: 3
   

The Programs

Biblical Studies

The Biblical Studies program is designed for those students who want additional study in Bible, theology, and biblical languages beyond the core Bible curriculum that all PBU students take. These are students who are generally preparing for professional ministry and/or graduate study. In addition to the 36 Bible and theology credits that make up the core Bible curriculum, the program consists of 30 credits of Bible and theology plus at least 6 (and up to 12) credits in a biblical language (Greek and/or Hebrew). Nine credits of the program are three required courses: Biblical Hermeneutics, Apocalyptic Literature, and Senior Seminar. Nine more credits are from choosing three Bible and/or theology courses from a prescribed list of six courses. The twelve remaining credits are Bible and theology electives.

Bible Ministries

The Bible Ministries program is designed for those students who have completed at least two years (64 credits) of college work at another institution and desire to earn a B.S. in Bible degree from PBU. Of the 63 in residence credits, 42 will be taken in Bible and theology (36 core Bible curriculum credits and 6 Bible and theology elective credits). In addition, three credits in Arts and Sciences, nine professional credits, and nine elective credits complete the 127 credit program. Students in this program are generally planning to go into professional ministry and/or graduate education.

Pastoral Ministries

The Pastoral Ministries and Pastoral Ministries: Pre-Seminary programs are designed to prepare a student for the pastorate, pastoral staff positions, and/or graduate study. Both programs explore the biblical model and principles of ministry, as well as practical and business challenges confronting the local pastor. Core courses include Nature and Purpose of the Local Church, Ministry Leadership and Management, Spiritual Formation and Disciple-Making Ministries, Pastoral Care, Church Adminstration Issues, Counseling, Homiletics, and a Pastoral Internship.

Youth Ministries

The Youth Ministries program is designed for students pursuing ministry with teenagers either in a local church or para-church context. The program enables a student to develop a philosophy of youth ministry that is biblically based and culturally sensitive. There is a strong emphasis on teaching methodologies and programming strategies. Core courses include Introduction to Youth Ministry, Philosophy for Youth Ministry, Effective Bible Teaching, Organization and Administration in Youth Ministry, Ministering to Families with Youth, Spiritual Formation and Disciple-Making Ministries, Computer Technology for Youth Ministry, Nature and Purpose of the Local Church, and a Youth Internship.

Missions Ministry

The Missions program is designed for students pursuing ministry in a cross-cultural context both within the United States and around the world. The program emphasizes the intercultural competencies necessary to build relationships with people from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Core courses include Foundations of Missions, Missionary Life and Work, Church Planting and Development, Intercultural Communication, and a professional internship in another culture.

Other specialized programs such as Church Ministries Interdisciplinary and Camping Ministries are also available.

Students who have graduated from these programs have found career opportunities as pastors, youth ministers, Christian education directors, missionaries, church planters, evangelists, children’s workers, and camp administrators. Many go on to seminary or graduate school.

Bible and Israel (1 year certificate)

PBU’s one-year Bible and Israel program exists to educate a cohort of students in an intensive and cohesive curriculum of biblical and theological study with a focus on the land and people of Israel in order to facilitate students’ spiritual formation and prepare them for church or mission work and/or further academic study. Students who successfully complete the 36 credit hours of the program receive a certificate of completion. A study tour of the land of Israel is part of the Bible and Israel program, but is not required for the certificate. For many students the Bible and Israel program functions as a freshman year, with students continuing their studies at PBU or another institution. While all of the Bible and Israel courses are offered for undergraduate credit, the number of credits that can be applied to an undergraduate degree depends on which Bachelor’s degree program the student chooses.

The objectives of the Bible and Israel program are:

1. To give students a broad knowledge of the entire Bible
2. To give students a method of biblical interpretation
3. To foster in students a biblical and theological foundation for life
4. To broaden students’ awareness of the archaeology and history of Israel and the Jewish people in the biblical story
5. To offer students opportunities for Christian service

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