The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biblical Studies is a terminal research doctorate designed to prepare and equip biblical scholars who show exceptional academic promise and teaching potential.
The degree program requires 60 credit hours of study, including the doctoral dissertation. The program is delivered in a blended format, leveraging online technology with face-to-face seminar experiences, resulting in a model of delivery that fits the lives of adult learners. Because of this alternate delivery method, the PhD in Biblical Studies will be accessible to men and women who are already actively engaged in full time marketplace employment or Christian ministries and are unable to enter a traditional residency program.
The students will join a cohort of peers who will progress together though a prescribed sequence of seminars, develop sustainable habits of scholarly inquiry, and enjoy the benefits of functioning in a cooperative learning environment.
Through the PhD in Biblical Studies, students will realize a greater mastery of biblical languages, historical backgrounds, and theological frameworks. The program also contains a significant component of seminar work dedicated to the development of mediated and classroom teaching skills for the instruction of adult learners, including learning theory, instructional design, and educational technology. In addition to the more common humanities-based research model for biblical research, students will have the option of focusing their dissertation research in the area of biblical instruction by using empirical methodologies as well as humanities-based research designs.
The integration of these studies and disciplines will enable the candidates to conduct doctoral level research and will equip them to serve as ministry practitioners in a variety of fields requiring the highest level of academic degree achievement.
The PhD in Biblical Studies program consists of sixty credits, two non-credit Research Language Courses (French and German) and a non-credit Qualifying Exams Course. The curriculum is designed as follows:
This program requires a minimum of three and a half years of study. Students who enroll in the PhD in Biblical Studies degree program will complete 60 hours of academic study consisting of 40 credit hours of core competency seminars and 20 credit hours of focused, research-related study, including qualifying exams, prospectus preparation, and completion of the dissertation.
The purpose of the PhD in Biblical Studies program is to prepare twenty-first century professors, teachers, pastors, and missionaries to teach biblical and theological studies in institutes of Christian higher education, the local church, and parachurch organizations and equip them to integrate a significant knowledge of educational technology, adult learning theory, and mediated learning methodology in their teaching roles.
Dr. Mark Meyer provides the leadership for the PhD in Biblical Studies. He brings more than 20 years of church ministry and teaching experience to the classroom having taught at the graduate level at Capital Bible Seminary. Dr. Meyer has earned a BS in Electrical Engineering from North Carolina State University, an MS in Electrical Engineering at The Johns Hopkins University, an MDiv degree at Capital Bible Seminary, and an MA and PhD in Semitic Languages and Literatures at The Catholic University of America. Dr. Meyer has also completed studies in Israel with Jerusalem University College.
These individuals have full-time or part-time appointments on the faculty and will serve this program. Other full-time, adjunct and part-time faculty will be engaged as the program progresses in its development.
As a result of completing the PhD in Biblical Studies, the student will attain an excellent command of the historical, cultural, and linguistic foundations of Scripture. The student will also attain an expert's ability to apply advanced hermeneutical principles to develop a theology of Scripture and to critically evaluate theological systems. The graduate of the program will then be empowered to serve as a teacher of teachers, employing the most effective and innovative techniques, including computer technology and mediated instruction. The program will also prepare world-class scholars proficient in advanced research methods leveraging cutting-edge computer research techniques.
Biblical Studies PhD Program
Name of Program
Doctorate of Philosophy in Biblical Studies
Credential
PhD
Introduction
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biblical Studies is a terminal research doctorate designed to prepare and equip biblical scholars who show exceptional academic promise and teaching potential.
The degree program requires 60 credit hours of study, including the doctoral dissertation. The program is delivered in a blended format, leveraging online technology with face-to-face seminar experiences, resulting in a model of delivery that fits the lives of adult learners. Because of this alternate delivery method, the PhD in Biblical Studies will be accessible to men and women who are already actively engaged in full time marketplace employment or Christian ministries and are unable to enter a traditional residency program.
The life-engaged learners will join a cohort of peers who will progress together though a prescribed sequence of seminars, develop sustainable habits of scholarly inquiry, and learn to function in a cooperative learning environment.
Through the PhD in Biblical Studies, students will realize a greater mastery of biblical languages, historical backgrounds, theological frameworks, and teaching methods. This program also contains a significant component of seminar work dedicated to the development of mediated and classroom teaching skills for the instruction of adult learners.
The integration of these studies and disciplines will enable the candidates to conduct doctoral level research and will equip them to serve as ministry practitioners in a variety of fields requiring the highest level of academic degree achievement.
Program Purpose
The Doctor of Philosophy in Biblical Studies program at Lancaster Bible College | Capital Seminary and Graduate School is designed to prepare twenty-first century professors, teachers, pastors, and missionaries to teach biblical and theological studies in institutes of Christian higher education, the local church, and parachurch organizations and equip them to integrate a significant knowledge of educational technology, adult learning theory, and mediated learning methodology in their teaching roles.
Additional Information
This program requires a minimum of three and a half years of study and will enable the participant to integrate that study into existing ministry responsibilities. Students who enroll in the degree program will complete 60 hours of academic study consisting of 40 credit hours of core competency seminars in biblical and educational studies (10 courses, 4 hours each) plus 20 credit hours of focused, research-related study including qualifying exams and the completion of the dissertation.
Seminars consist of 14 weeks of coursework. This is typically comprised of seven weeks of online learning, one week of face-to-face engagement in on-campus seminar work (24 face-to-face hours per seminar), and six more weeks of online learning. In each course, students pursue lines of inquiry in course assignments that are related to both the seminar topic and individual student research interests. The goal of the seminars is for students to explore the subject matter at a doctoral level in order to inform and equip the student for research in that area. Research papers will involve the study of primary sources to deepen one’s understanding of Scripture.
During the first half of the course, prior to the on-campus research seminar, students are required to complete readings and research corresponding to the educational objectives of that seminar. Specific assignments are found in the course syllabus available through the program web site. Online sessions include instructional methods that engage the learner, such as discussion, presentations, and interactions with precedent literature.
Face-to-face research seminars, also called “residencies,” are conducted on campus. The residencies are designed to engage students in critical reflection and dialogue. Each research seminar consists of 24 hours of classroom instruction. The research seminar is built upon the foundational research component completed prior to coming to campus and is also preparatory for the advanced research component following the on-campus seminar. Students are physically on campus for the seminars three times per year. Seminar dates are posted well in advance and are rarely changed. Seminars are three days in length, scheduled from 8 AM to 5:30 PM. The first seminar begins on Monday morning and continues to Wednesday evening. The second seminar begins Thursday morning and continues to Saturday evening.
During the second half of the course, following the on-campus research seminar, students are required to complete readings and research corresponding to the educational objectives of that seminar. Specific assignments are found in the course syllabus.
Program Description
This program requires a minimum of three and a half years of study and will enable the participant to integrate that study into existing ministry responsibilities. Students who enroll in the degree program will complete 60 hours of academic study consisting of 40 credit hours of core competency seminars in biblical and educational studies (10 courses, 4 hours each) plus 20 credit hours of focused, research-related study including qualifying exams and the completion of the dissertation.
Seminars consist of 14 weeks of coursework. This is typically comprised of seven weeks of online learning, one week of face-to-face engagement in on-campus seminar work (24 face-to-face hours per seminar), and six more weeks of online learning. In each course, students pursue lines of inquiry in course assignments that are related to both the seminar topic and individual student research interests. The goal of the seminars is for students to explore the subject matter at a doctoral level in order to inform and equip the student for research in that area. Research papers will involve the study of primary sources to deepen one’s understanding of Scripture.
During the first half of the course, prior to the on-campus research seminar, students are required to complete readings and research corresponding to the educational objectives of that seminar. Specific assignments are found in the course syllabus available through the program web site. Online sessions include instructional methods that engage the learner, such as discussion, presentations, and interactions with precedent literature.
Face-to-face research seminars, also called “residencies,” are conducted on campus. The residencies are designed to engage students in critical reflection and dialogue. Each research seminar consists of 24 hours of classroom instruction. The research seminar is built upon the foundational research component completed prior to coming to campus and is also preparatory for the advanced research component following the on-campus seminar. Students are physically on campus for the seminars three times per year. Seminar dates are posted well in advance and are rarely changed. Seminars are three days in length, scheduled from 8 AM to 5:30 PM. The first seminar begins on Monday morning and continues to Wednesday evening. The second seminar begins Thursday morning and continues to Saturday evening.
During the second half of the course, following the on-campus research seminar, students are required to complete readings and research corresponding to the educational objectives of that seminar. Specific assignments are found in the course syllabus.
Program Requirements
Content Seminars (40 credits)
Content seminars engage the student in the study and analysis of the pivotal topics in biblical backgrounds, exegesis, hermeneutics and theology, exposition, and pedagogical and androgogical communication skills. Students learn both the skill of biblical research and the skill of teaching adults in the blended and online environments.
Research Language Courses (0 credits)
Proficiency in two modern languages is required for the PhD in Biblical Studies, usually French and German. Doctoral students who have not previously taken French and German must complete noncredit coursework to gain proficiency in reading French and German literature pertinent to biblical studies. These courses are taken during the first two years of the program. A proficiency exam is administered at the end of each course. A grade of B or higher is required for the proficiency exam.
Qualifying Exams (0 credits)
Six written qualifying examinations will be given in the following areas: OT biblical backgrounds, NT biblical backgrounds, OT exegesis, NT exegesis, OT hermeneutics and theology, and NT hermeneutics and theology. Students must complete the qualifying exams after completing the coursework phase of the program and prior to beginning the dissertation series.
Dissertation Series (20 credits)
The student follows the dissertation courses 915-918 leading to dissertation completion.
Locations offered
Washington, DC (Greenbelt, MD) with 2 classes in Lancaster
Program Director
Dr. Mark R. Meyer
PhD, The Catholic University of America, Semitic Languages and Literature
MA, The Catholic University of America, Hebrew and Aramaic
MDiv, Capital Bible Seminary, Biblical Studies
MS, The Johns Hopkins University, Electrical Engineering
BS, North Carolina State University, Electrical Engineering
Dr. Mark Meyer serves as the Director of the PhD in Biblical Studies program. Dr. Meyer initially served the Lord in the field of engineering prior to his call to full-time Christian ministry. After earning his BS in Electrical Engineering from North Carolina State University, he went on to complete the MS in Electrical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University while also pursuing the MDiv degree at Capital Bible Seminary. During his time working as an engineer for the Applied Physics Laboratory of Johns Hopkins University, he completed the MA and PhD in Semitic Languages and Literatures at Catholic University. Dr. Meyer also completed studies in Israel with Jerusalem University College, focusing on the historical and geographical settings of the Bible and the life and times of Jesus. He is the author of A Comparative Dialectical Study of Genitive Constructions in Aramaic Translations of Exodus, and he recently translated the book of Exodus from the Syriac Peshitta into English for The Antioch Bible Set.
In addition to serving as the director, Dr. Meyer teaches a number of courses in the program. He first began teaching seminary courses in 1993. His area of expertise is the biblical languages and the languages of the Ancient Near Eastern cultures which surrounded the nation of Israel during both the Old and New Testament periods. In addition to his facility with Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, Dr. Meyer is conversant in Akkadian, Ugaritic, and Syriac. With this unique skill set, Dr. Meyer brings the ancient world of the Bible to life for students in courses like BIB903 OT Backgrounds, BIB905 OT Exegesis, and BIB911 New Testament Use of the Old Testament. Additionally, he teaches BIB901 Advanced Biblical Research & Writing and BIB907 Reading French. Dr. Meyer is passionate about equipping students with even greater ministry and teaching skills as they pursue a deeper understanding of the Word of God through the study of the original languages, cultures, and literatures that serve as the foundations of Scripture. Dr. Meyer’s door is always open to his students, and his ready words of encouragement always point them to the Lord.
Dr. Meyer is married to his college sweetheart, Karen. While he is passionate about teaching seminary students, he and Karen also have a great love for the local church and especially for international congregations. They have served side by side in a wide variety of these ministries from the time they first met in college, beginning with their ministry with the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship of North Carolina State University. An ordained minister since 1993, Dr. Meyer has also served as the English Pastor for Korean and Chinese congregations and as a pastor and elder in other churches. He currently preaches and teaches in a number of local churches, including Hengtong Church in Baltimore and The Light of Life, a Chinese congregation which meets in the chapel of Johns Hopkins Hospital. Dr. Meyer and his wife reside in Columbia, Maryland.
Faculty List (Name, Degree)
Resident Faculty:
Doug Finkbeiner, PhD
Joseph Kim, PhD
Mark R. Meyer, PhD
Timothy Nicholls, PhD
John Soden, PhD
Adjunct Faculty:
Michael Anthony, PhD
Debra Johnson-Cortesi, PhD
Jeffrey Tuttle, EdD
Program Core Competencies
As a result of completing the PhD in Biblical Studies, the student will attain an excellent command of the historical, cultural, and linguistic foundations of Scripture. The student will also attain an expert’s ability to apply advanced hermeneutical principles to develop a theology of Scripture and to critically evaluate theological systems. The graduate of the program will then be empowered to serve as a teacher of teachers, employing the most effective and innovative techniques, including computer technology and mediated instruction. The program will also prepare world-class scholars proficient in advanced research methods leveraging cutting-edge computer research techniques.
Biblical Studies PhD Curricular Structure/Degree Requirements
Brief Overview of Program Competencies
The PhD in Biblical Studies seeks to develop three core competencies in the student. These include Expert Biblical Exegete, Innovator of Education, and Research Scholar.
Competencies & Credits for Each
| Competency |
Credits
|
| Expert Biblical Exegete |
32 |
| Innovator of Education |
8 |
| Research Scholar |
20 |
| Total Required Credit Hours |
60 |
Competency 1
Competency 1 Expert Biblical Exegete
• This core competency will deepen and sharpen the student’s ability to exegete Scripture through advanced training in the original languages of Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. The students explore the cognate languages and study textual criticism to expand their knowledge and understanding of the wider foundations of Scripture.
• Students will be enabled to comprehend and analyze Scripture against the backdrop of the languages, civilizations, and literatures of the ancient world in which the revelation of God was first given to humanity.
• Students will be equipped with the exegetical skills needed to effectively discern the teaching of Scripture for the sake of communicating biblical truth to others.
Competency 2
Competency 2 Innovator of Education
• Students will be equipped to think and execute skillfully as classroom and online teachers. Courses focus on the acquisition of the knowledge and skills necessary for comprehending human development processes, learning theory, and the teaching-learning process as they apply to both the classroom and online teaching contexts.
• Students will gain an understanding of adult learning theory and its effective application to the teaching of adults in the changing higher education environment. Students learn how to engage adult learners in face-to-face, online, and blended teaching contexts. Students explore appropriate teaching models for adult learners in mediated learning environments. As students employ technological tools and blended learning techniques, they further hone the ability to train others to effectively use the same tools and techniques.
| BIB 902 | Teaching & Learning: Theory & Practice | 4 |
| BIB 913 | Contemporary Instructional Methods and Design | 4 |
Competency 3
Competency 3 Research Scholar
• As a result of completing the PhD in Biblical Studies program, the student will gain the ability to think and execute skillfully as a research scholar and author. This core competency focuses on the development of research skills necessary in the completion of a research doctoral degree. This is accomplished through three primary means: the foundational research course, mentored research, and the dissertation sequence.
• Students may elect one of two approaches to research – the humanities approach most commonly employed in biblical scholarship or an empirical approach, which is often employed in the field of education. All students will take a Biblical Research and Writing Course at the beginning of the program. Students pursuing the biblical instruction dissertation option will also take Empirical Research & Statistics.
• Biblical Research & Writing Course: This course is taken in the first semester to orient the student to the research and writing methods which will continue to be developed throughout the duration of the program. The principles established in this foundational course feed directly into the educational competency as they model the teaching methods from the pedagogical courses.
• Mentored Research: All students are assigned an advisor who will assist them in honing the skill of research during the dissertation writing process. Advisors supervise the student’s research and serve as the chair of the student’s dissertation committee.
• Biblical Research Dissertation Sequence: The dissertation sequence consists of four stages: 1) Reading & Proposal, 2) Chapters 1-2, 3) Dissertation Completion, and 4) Dissertation Defense. Building on the foundation laid in the Biblical Research & Writing Course, this core competency furthers the development of the essential knowledge and thinking skills needed to carry out the entire research process, including identification of the research problem, conducting a literature review, designing the research approach, and writing the dissertation. This core competency also develops the analytical and critical thinking skills needed to evaluate and interpret research findings. This competency culminates with the writing and defense of a research dissertation.
Application, Admission, Retention, and Graduation
Admission Requirements
Application Protocols – General Information
Applicants for the PhD in Biblical Studies program should begin the application process early in order to allow for as much lead time as possible. Some application requirements, such as completing standardized testing and having transcripts sent from other institutions, involve time delays. Applicants who begin early will have a greater chance of completing all of the application steps in time to be considered for admission to the program. Preferred applicants will be those engaged in a teaching or ministry role or those applicants who show exceptional promise for such a role in the future.
Only fully completed application files will be reviewed. This is because a partially completed application does not always give an accurate picture of a student’s ability to successfully perform doctoral level work. For example, applicants with borderline grade point averages (GPA) may have significant successful ministry experience. Such an applicant would be evaluated on the basis of both achievements, rather than just the GPA. This comprehensive evaluation might result in the student’s admission to the program. Applicants should not assume that a shortcoming in one admission criteria automatically disqualifies them from admission. In reality, significant achievements in other admission criteria may accommodate a shortcoming in another area.
Prerequisites to Program Application
•
General Degree Prerequisites
Applicants to the PhD program must hold an earned and accredited master's degree in an appropriately related field. Applicant’s transcripts should reflect a background in biblical, theological, and ministry studies at the master's level. Applicants who have not completed course work in biblical, theological, and ministry studies, including biblical Hebrew and biblical Greek, may be required to successfully complete “leveling” work to equip them for the biblical and theological components of the program.
•
Degree Leveling
Students who are deficient in meeting the above requirements must take additional coursework to attain equivalency. This process is called “leveling.” Several options for leveling academic deficiencies are available to students. You should discuss deficiencies with the Program Director of the PhD in Biblical Studies. Equivalency options through the completion of additional approved academic courses include: campus-based courses; web-based courses; taking courses at a Capital Seminary and Graduate School extension site; and completing academic courses at another accredited institution.
The method and timeline for the completion of leveling requirements will be determined by the Program Director. If leveling coursework is completed at an institution other than LBC | Capital, the student will submit official transcripts to be retained on file by the registrar’s office.
•
Grade Point Averages
The minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) for admission to this doctoral program is equivalent to the letter grade "B," 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Cumulative GPAs below a “B” usually disqualify an applicant for admission to doctoral research studies at LBC|Capital. However, students with a lower GPA who have significant qualifications in other areas may appeal to the Program Director regarding this requirement. Students with a GPA under 3.0 may choose to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) and submit their score with the application. A high score on the GRE or MAT will be taken into consideration in the application process for students who do not meet the minimum GPA requirement.
•
English Language Requirement
Applicants whose first language is not English must attain a minimum test score of 100 on the internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test. Alternatively, with the approval of the Director of the PhD in Biblical Studies program, students may provide an equivalent demonstration of the ability to read, write, and conduct academic research in Standard English.
Application Process
Steps to Apply
1.
Complete the Application Form (Appendix A) and submit it along with the $40 non-refundable application fee. Applicants must submit with the application a personal testimony of faith in Jesus Christ, describing their personal spiritual journey.
2.
Submit Additional Documents
•
Official transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended
•
Three “Recommendation for Admission” forms (Appendix B; two academic, one pastor)
3.
Complete Standardized Testing, if necessary
- Optional: Submit official test scores for the GRE or MAT for consideration in cases of low GPA (see Handbook section 1.2.3)
- Applicants whose first language is not English must also submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
4.
Complete interview and submit research sample
•
All applicants must participate in an admissions interview.
•
Applicants must submit a research paper written at the master’s level on a biblical or theological topic.
All items requested on the LBC|Capital application form should be emailed to Capitaloffice@lbc.edu or sent to:
Capital Admissions Office
901 Eden Road
Lancaster PA 17601
Application Deadlines
All application materials must be submitted in full no later than July 15th to be eligible for admission for the next fall semester.
Applications initiated or completed after this date may be placed on a waiting list. Applications received after July 15th may be delayed for admission until the next year.
Application Response
Application Evaluation
Once applicant files are completed in full, the PhD Admission Committee evaluates applicant profiles in terms of demonstrated and potential ability to complete doctoral studies and doctoral level research successfully. Applicants will be notified of the admissions decision within four weeks of the submission of all application materials.
Five decisions are possible. The Committee makes a consensus admission decision on applicants using the following scale.
1.
Full Acceptance: The student is fully accepted with no deficiencies or leveling requirements.
2.
Accepted with Deficiencies: The student is accepted into the program with admissions deficiencies identified.
3.
Accepted on Review Status: The student is admitted pending further review. This may be because a part of the student's application was incomplete (e.g. a score was not received in time) or because the applicant did not meet one of the admissions requirements.
4.
Delay: The student may receive an application delay. This may be due to the program being full, a change in the student's life situation, or an event preventing the student from attending the first program session. Delayed status students will not have to reapply to the program but must pay the program down payment fee.
5.
Declined: The student who is declined will be notified by mail or email. Specific reasons for the decline are not provided.
Advanced Standing
Applicants with a ThM degree may apply for Advanced Standing. Students who are admitted and approved for Advanced Standing may be exempted from up to three courses. The exact number and type of courses for exemption are selected by the Program Director based on the specific details of the student’s educational background. For some students, it may be possible to complete the program with 48 hours of coursework instead of the standard 60 hours.
Graduation
In order to graduate with the PhD in Biblical Studies degree, the
student must have fulfilled all of the following:
1. Complete all course work with B grade or above in all seminars.
2. Pass the qualifying exams.
3. Successfully write the dissertation proposal.
4. Successfully write and defend the dissertation.
5. Submit the completed dissertation for publication and binding.
6. Fulfill all financial obligations to Capital Seminary & Graduate
School.
7. Complete the program within the statute of limitations period as identified in the PhD in Biblical Studies Handbook.
8. Adhere to biblical standards and ethics in one’s lifestyle.
9. Participate in the graduation and hooding ceremony.
In order to graduate with the PhD in Biblical Studies degree, the student must have fulfilled all of the following:
Admission to the PhD in Biblical Studies program is selective and is reserved for students who demonstrate advanced abilities in the areas of teaching, ministry, and academic scholarship. Applicants should meet or exceed the requirements listed below.
In order to complete an application to the PhD in Biblical Studies program, the applicant will need to perform the following tasks.