Master of Arts in Biblical Studies
Name of Program
Master of Arts in Biblical Studies
Credential
MABS
Introduction
The program is delivered in a blended, accelerated model that allows life-engaged adult learners to complete an advanced degree without uprooting life at home and work. Students participate in a learning community that blends online education with in-class residencies. A typical course is 7 weeks in length and two days of residency.
Program Purpose
This program is designed to provide you with the opportunity to pursue an integrated program of study in Bible and theology. In this program, you’ll gain understanding of and appreciation for deeper biblical truths that will transform your mind. We focus on the head, heart, and hands of students preparing for a leadership role in multiple ministry contexts.
Program Philosophy
Since the Bible is the foundation for effective kingdom ministry, the MABS program emphasizes the understanding of the Bible in its original context and languages and applying its theology to all of life.
Educational Philosophy
• We believe the Bible provides the philosophical and practical foundations for ministry in any context. Therefore, classroom content and Scriptural principles are integrated and applied to professional practice in every course.
• We believe adults grow more effectively in nurturing communities. Therefore, the graduate student is viewed as a self-directed learner and adult learning methods are emphasized, making the classroom environment an educational workshop that emphasizes interactive methods which utilize the professor’s and students’ unique gifts and life experience.
• We believe in life-long education. Therefore, courses emphasize critical thinking skills that relate to all of life and ministry, and provide the practical research skills for maintaining continuing education in Christian ministry beyond a formal degree program.
Locations offered
Lancaster, Washington, D.C.
Program Director
Douglas Finkbeiner, PhD After teaching in a seminary near Philadelphia, Doug joined the faculty of Capital in 2015. He has been a full-time pastor for 13 years. He and his wife, Sheri, have 6 adult children.
Faculty List
Dan Carver, PhD
Mark Farnham, PhD
Gordon Gregory, ThD
Samuel Harbin, DMin
Albin Huss, PhD
Victor Jacobs, PhD
Joseph Kim, PhD
Mark Meyer, PhD
Tim Nicholls, PhD
Tony Shetter, PhD
John Soden, PhD
Program Core Competencies
• A foundational knowledge of the narrative, content, and interpretation of the Bible for the purposes of the development of a biblical worldview.
• The skill sets necessary in effectively communicating the Scriptures.
• The skills necessary in the process of personal spiritual formation and discipleship of others.
• The character and competencies necessary to be an authentic servant leader.
• The skills necessary to study the Bible using the tools of biblical interpretation and language study.
• Experiential learning and research skills for maintaining life-long education.
MABS Curricular Structure/Degree Requirements
Competencies and Credits for Each
| Competencies |
Credits |
• Biblical and Theological Studies
|
12 |
• Ministry Praxis
|
6 |
• Biblical Languages
|
12 |
| • Concentration courses |
12 |
• Open Electives
|
6 |
| Program Total |
48 |
Competency 1
•
A foundational knowledge of the narrative, content, and interpretation of the Bible for the purposes of the development of a biblical worldview.
| BTC 523 | Biblical Narrative - Old Testament | 3 |
| BTC 533 | Biblical Narrative - New Testament | 3 |
| BTC 563 | Biblical Interpretation | 3 |
| BTC 573 | Introduction to Christian Theology | 3 |
Competency 2
•
The skill sets necessary in effectively communicating the Scriptures.
| MIN 504 | Communicating Biblical Truth | 3 |
Competency 3
•
The skills necessary in the process of personal spiritual formation and discipleship of others.
| MIN 509 | Spiritual Formation & Discipleship | 3 |
Competency 4
•
The character and competencies necessary to be an authentic servant leader.
| MIN 509 | Spiritual Formation & Discipleship | 3 |
Competency 5
•
The skills necessary to study the Bible using the tools of biblical interpretation and language study.
| BIB 510 | Hebrew for Ministry I | 3 |
| BIB 511 | Hebrew for Ministry II | 3 |
| BIB 515 | Greek for Ministry I | 3 |
| BIB 516 | Greek for Ministry II | 3 |
| BIB 530 | Selected Topics in the Gospels | 3 |
| BIB 531 | Selected Topics in New Testament Epistles | 3 |
| BIB 535 | Introduction to Biblical Preaching | 3 |
| BIB 540 | The Land of Israel | 3 |
| BIB 541 | Biblical Archaeology | 3 |
| BIB 551 | Applied Hermeneutics: Interpretation of Narrative | 3 |
| BIB 553 | Applied Hermeneutics: Prophecy | 3 |
| BIB 561 | Seminar in Hebrew Exegesis | 3 |
| BIB 562 | Seminar in Greek Exegesis | 3 |
| BIB 563 | The Use of the Old Testament in the New Testament | 3 |
Competency 6
•
Experiential learning and research skills for maintaining life-long education.
| BTC 563 | Biblical Interpretation | 3 |
| BIB 510 | Hebrew for Ministry I | 3 |
| BIB 511 | Hebrew for Ministry II | 3 |
| BIB 515 | Greek for Ministry I | 3 |
| BIB 516 | Greek for Ministry II | 3 |
| BIB 551 | Applied Hermeneutics: Interpretation of Narrative | 3 |
| BIB 553 | Applied Hermeneutics: Prophecy | 3 |
Concentrations
Bible Exposition Concentration
Bible Exposition
Each week both professional and lay Christian ministers, who are tasked with preaching and teaching God’s Word, engage in a two-fold journey. First, they journey from the contemporary world back to the biblical world (interpretive journey). Second, they journey back from the biblical world to the contemporary world (communicative journey). Thus, Christian ministers need to know how to interpret and communicate God’s Word. To do so with integrity, they need to know how to accurately interpret God’s Word. To do so with relevancy, they need to know how to appropriately apply God’s Word to a contemporary audience. This particular concentration is designed to prepare the Christian minister to both interpret the Word accurately and communicate the Word relevantly. While heavier weight is given to the interpretive journey in the concentration, ample time is given to the communicative journey.
This concentration effectively equips pastors, elders, lay teachers, youth leaders, and para-church leaders who desire to sharpen their skills for expository communication of the scriptures.
| BIB 535 | Introduction to Biblical Preaching | 3 |
Bible Exposition Electives:
BIB 531 Selected Topics in NT Epistles: Pastoral Epistles
BIB 551 Applied Hermeneutics: Interpretation of Narrative
BIB 563 The Use of the Old Testament in the New Testament
Christian Apologetics Concentration
Christian Apologetics
God’s people are called to love him with all their minds, in addition to their hearts and strength. With the increasing pluralism and antagonism to Christianity, believers must be prepared to give a defense for their hope. This concentration prepares students to think critically about the various religious and non-religious belief systems that challenge the truth of Christianity. It equips them to effectively engage any person or thought-system with the truth of the Christian faith. This is a benefit to the church and the cause of Christ as a whole.
| APO 540 | Christian Apologetics | 3 |
| APO 545 | New Testament Issues in Apologetics | 3 |
Christian Apologetics Electives:
APO 510 Philosophy for Apologetics
APO 515 Old Testament in Apologetics
Theology Concentration
Christian leaders are constantly called upon to assess and discern ideas and trends that affect the church and society. Foundational to that task is a solid understanding of the Bible and its view of the world as understood and expressed in the long tradition of Christian theological reflection. This concentration equips Christian leaders for ministry by providing them with an advanced framework for thinking theologically, an understanding of the development of Christian theology from its origins to the present, and opportunities for focused research into various topics and issues in systematic, historical, and biblical theology. The goal of the concentration is to graduate Christian pastors and leaders who have the knowledge and skills to interpret and articulate an orthodox understanding of the Christian faith in the evangelical Protestant tradition, to pass it on to future generations, and to apply its insights to the contemporary needs of the church and society. Anecdotally, we have received numerous requests from current students who desire such a theological focus in either their MABS or MDiv studies.
Theology Concentration Electives:
THE 510 Old Testament Theology
THE 511 New Testament Theology
THE 520 Selected Topics in Systematic Theology
THE 531 Theological Classics
Application, Admission, Retention, and Graduation
Admission Requirements
Individuals seeking admission to Capital Seminary programing in the Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Ministry, Master of Arts in Biblical Studies, Master of Arts in Christian Care and the Master of Arts in Formational Leadership must complete the following application steps. Decisions for admission to these programs are made using each application piece listed as criteria.
Application Process
Individuals seeking admission to Seminary programs must complete the following application steps. Decisions for admission to these programs are made using each application piece listed as criteria.
1.
Application Form: Complete the online application and submit the $40 application fee. Once your application has been received, you will be contacted by an Admissions Representative who will guide you through the application process.
2.
Autobiographical Essay: Write an autobiographical essay. Guidelines for the essay are found here or from Adult Learner Services (717-560-8282). This essay is designed to provide applicable life content as well as demonstrate the applicant's writing ability. Applicants will be evaluated on: confirmation of acceptance of Christ as personal Savior, developments in spiritual growth, statement of ministry goals, and rationale for desiring a master's degree. This autobiography has specific guidelines (please follow link above) and is designed for assessing the above content as well as writing ability.
3.
References: Ask two people who are qualified to evaluate your ministry/work experience and potential, to complete the reference form on your behalf. Reference forms are located online here.
4.
Request Official Transcripts: Contact all institutions through which degrees have been awarded to request official transcripts to be sent to Adult Learner Services (717-560-8282). These must be official transcripts sent directly from the degree granting institution(s). There must be a transcript from an accredited institution showing completion of a bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 2.50.
5.
Computer Proficiency Form: Please complete the online computer proficiency form.
6.
TOEFL Score: Non-native speakers of English must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). If the applicant has an undergraduate degree from an accredited American college or university, he/she is exempt from the TOEFL requirement. If required, the TOEFL test score must meet the following minimum for admission: paper score 550; computer score 213; or internet score 79. The applicant's skill score in writing will also be considered in the admissions decision.
7.
Personal Interview: Following receipt of the above items, a personal interview will be arranged with a faculty member.
Application Response
Applicants will be notified within three weeks of the submission of all application materials with regards to their acceptance into a program. Five decisions are possible.
•
Full Acceptance: The applicant is fully accepted with no deficiencies or leveling requirements.
•
Accepted with Deficiencies: The applicant is accepted into the program with admission's academic deficiencies identified. The applicant will be informed as to the necessary steps required to achieve full acceptance.
•
Accepted on Review Status: The applicant is admitted pending further review. This may be because a part of the application was incomplete (e.g. a score was not received in time) or because the applicant did not meet one of the admission's requirements.
•
Delay: The applicant may receive an application delay. This may be due to the program being filled, a change in the applicant's life situation, or an event preventing the applicant from attending the first program session. Delayed status applicants will not have to reapply to the program but must pay the program down payment fee.
•
Declined: The applicant who is declined will be notified by mail or email. Specific reasons for the decline are not provided.
Advanced Standing
The following Biblical and Theological Studies courses are required unless the student has entered the program with advanced standing. Advanced Standing is granted to those students who have completed 30 hours or more of undergraduate Bible and theology courses. Students with less than 30 hours may receive partial Advanced Standing credit proportionate to undergraduate or graduate Bible and theology studies completed. Students’ official transcripts will be evaluated during the admissions process.
Students transferring from theological seminaries or graduate institutions with accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education will be given advanced standing to the extent that their credits approximate the curriculum of Capital Seminary & Graduate School. Transfer credits must be from a seminary or graduate program with a final grade of “C” or higher. They must be no older than 10 years (for biblical language courses) or 15 years (for all other courses). Students can transfer no more than 50% of a degree from an outside institution. For specific information or questions, applicants or students must consult the Program Director.
| BTC 523 | Biblical Narrative - Old Testament | 3 |
| BTC 533 | Biblical Narrative - New Testament | 3 |
| BTC 563 | Biblical Interpretation | 3 |
| BTC 573 | Introduction to Christian Theology | 3 |
Graduation
The following requirements must be successfully completed in order to receive a Seminary degree or certificate:
•
Satisfactory completion of all course work
•
A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5
•
Fulfillment of all financial obligations
•
Adherence to biblical standards and ethics in living one’s lifestyle
G. Gordon Gregory, Jr., DTh
Joseph A. Kim, ThM
Harold A. Kime, EdD
Mark R. Meyer, PhD
John M. Soden, PhD
Carl E. Sanders II, PhD