2023-2024 Seminary and Graduate Catalog

Biblical Studies (MABS)

Credential: Master of Arts in Biblical Studies

Location: Lancaster (hybrid), Washington, DC (hybrid), Online

Program Director: Dr. Doug Finkbeiner

Program Mission Statement: The Master of Arts in Biblical Studies (MABS) program is designed to provide individuals the opportunity to pursue an integrated program of study in Bible and theology. The program provides an understanding of and appreciation for deeper biblical truth that transforms students’ minds, with a goal of motivating them to sacrificial ministry and service within the contexts of church and community (Romans 12:1-2).

Program Learning Outcomes: As a result of this program, the students will 

1. Develop a knowledge of the narrative, content, and interpretation of the Bible in context toward the development of a biblical worldview.
2. Apply skills necessary to study the Bible in its original languages with appropriate tools.
3. Demonstrate competency in interpreting, applying, and communicating the theological teaching of the Bible to life and ministry.
4. Integrate research skills using appropriate resources for maintaining life-long education.

Additional Program Information:

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. The program and its faculty are guided by the following ethos:

  • 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 students 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. Online students create this community through learning activities and weekly zoom meetings.
  • 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.

The MABS program is delivered in two formats, hybrid and online, which allows life-engaged students to complete an advanced degree without uprooting life at home and work. Students have the option of either format with most courses 8 weeks in length. In the online format, there is no residency requirement. In the hybrid format, students participate in two consecutive days of residency.

Curricular Structure and Degree Requirements

Curricular Structure Credits
ORI 500 Orientation 0
Biblical and Foundational Foundations Courses 15
Biblical Skills Development Courses 15
Concentration Courses 12
Elective Courses 6
Program Total 48

Biblical & Theological Foundations Courses (15 Credits)

Biblical and Theological Foundations Courses may be met through Advanced Standing. See the section below for more information.

BIB 505Introduction to Biblical & Theological Research

3

BTC 523Biblical Narrative - Old Testament

3

BTC 533Biblical Narrative - New Testament

3

BTC 563Biblical Interpretation

3

BTC 573Introduction to Christian Theology

3

Biblical Skills Development Courses (15 Credits)

The language classes are 16 weeks in length. BIB 536 and BIB 537 are 8 weeks in length.

BIB 512Greek I

3

BIB 513Greek II

3

BIB 517Hebrew I

3

BIB 518Hebrew II

3

BIB 536Biblical Exegesis and Exposition - Hebrew

3

OR

BIB 537Biblical Exegesis and Exposition: Greek

3

Bible Exposition Concentration Courses (12 Credits)

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.

Bible Exposition Electives: BIB 526 Pastoral Epistles, BIB 528 The Gospel According to Mark, BIB 551 Applied Hermeneutics: Interpretation of Narrative, BIB 552 Applied Hermeneutics: Interpretation of Poetry, BIB 553 Applied Hermeneutics: Interpretation of Prophecy, BIB 563 The Use of the Old Testament in the New Testament

BIB 535Introduction to Biblical Preaching

3

Bible Elective

3

Bible Elective

3

Bible Elective

3

Christian Apologetics Concentration Courses (12 Credits)

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.

Christian Apologetics Concentration Electives: APO 510 Philosophy for Apologetics, APO 515 Old Testament in Apologetics.

APO 540Christian Apologetics

3

APO 545Logic and Critical Thinking

3

APO
APO Elective

3

APO
APO Elective

3

Theology Concentration Courses (12 Credits)

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.

Theology Concentration Electives: THE 527 The Trinity, THE 525 Theology of Suffering, THE 526 Pauline Theology. Appropriate pre-requisites must be met.

THE 517Theological Method

3

THE 518History of Christian Doctrine

3

Theology Elective

3

Theology Elective

3

General Biblical Studies Concentration Courses (12 credits)

Students may elect to take courses from several concentration areas within the degree program for the General Biblical Studies concentration. For students in biblical studies programs, they may take seminary courses beginning with the prefix BIB, THE, and APO. Any transfer courses brought in as concentration courses must align with the program outcomes of the student’s degree program.

General Biblical Studies Concentration Courses: Seminary Courses with a prefix of BIB, THE, or APO. Appropriate pre-requisites must be met.

BIB/THE/APO Elective

3

BIB/THE/APO Elective

3

BIB/THE/APO Elective

3

BIB/THE/APO Elective

3

Elective Courses (6 credits)

Students may take 6 credits of elective courses from the following seminary course prefixes: APO, BIB, CFM, LSP, MIN, MFL, PAS and THE.

Elective

3

Elective

3

 

Admission, Retention, and Graduation Information

Admission Requirements

Admission into a master's degree program at Capital Seminary is consistent with the general admissions policy and practice of LBC|Capital and found in this catalog in the Admissions Information section.

Transfer Credit

Transfer credit is awarded in accordance with the general transfer policy in the Academic Policies and Procedures section of the catalog. Transfer credits are reviewed and approved by the Program Director. This program has the following program specific transfer credit information. Transfer credit  must be from an institution other than LBC|Capital.

Seminary Program Program Credits  # of Transfer Credits Age of Transfer Credits Min. Grade of Transfer Credits
Biblical Studies (MABS) 48 cr. up to 50%

10 yrs. (biblical languages)

15 yrs. (all other courses)

C

Advanced Standing

Advanced Standing for the Biblical and Theological Foundations courses 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.

Program Retention

Academic progress in this program is monitored after each term. The Academic Probation policy and Academic Dismissal policy found in this catalog are applied to all LBC|Capital students.

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

Program Faculty

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:

Dan Carver, PhD
Mark Draper, PhD
Mark Farnham, PhD
Gordon Gregory, ThD
Justin Harbin, EdD
Samuel Harbin, DMin
Albin Huss, PhD
Joseph Kim, PhD
Mark Meyer, PhD
Tim Nicholls, PhD
Tony Shetter, PhD
Daniel Spanjer, PhD