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 being eight weeks in length. In the online format, there is no residency requirement. In the hybrid format, students participate in two consecutive days of residency.
Curriculum 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 505 | Introduction to Biblical & Theological Research | 3 |
| 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 |
Biblical Skills Development Courses (15 Credits)
The language classes are 16 weeks in length. BIB 536 and BIB 537 are 8 weeks in length.
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 535 | Introduction 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 540 | Christian Apologetics | 3 |
| APO 545 | Logic 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 517 | Theological Method | 3 |
| THE 518 | History 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.
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 Director: Doug Finkbeiner, PhD
Doug Finkbeiner has been teaching fulltime at the seminary level for over 25 years. He has a DMin. degree in Pastoral ministry from Denver Seminary and a PhD degree in Early Judaism and Early Christianity from the University of Pennsylvania. He and his wife Sheri have six children.
Faculty
Dan Carver, PhD
Mark Farnham, PhD
Doug Finkbeiner, PhD
Gordon Gregory, ThD
Samuel Harbin, DMin
Joseph Kim, PhD
Matthew Lee, PhD
Mark Meyer, PhD
Tim Nicholls, PhD
Tony Shetter, PhD