Azusa Pacific University

Biblical Studies Major

Requirements

Core requirements for the biblical studies major may double-count with course requirements for the biblical hermeneutics and/or biblical archaeology concentration. A minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA is required in all courses for the major.

THEO/UBBL Double Major Guidelines

Should a student choose to double major in theology and biblical studies, he/she must take 3 additional upper-division courses in a single discipline of either THEO or UBBL (THEO 4XX or UBBL 3XX/4XX) to meet the guidelines for double majors.

NOTE: Only one correspondence course may be counted toward the major or minor and only with permission from the department.

Required Courses

• Luke/Acts 
• Luke/Acts through a Latinx Lens
• Writing 3: Women in the Biblical Tradition 

Select one of the following:

• Senior Seminar: Biblical Theology and Ethics 
• Senior Seminar: Church and Society 
• Senior Seminar 
• Senior Seminar: Theology and Social Issues 
• Studying and Teaching the Bible
• Any 400-level UBBL Course

Select one of the following:

• Contemporary Christian Theology
• Any 400-level UBBL Course

Select one of the following:

• World Religions 
• Biblical Lands and Cultures 
• Global Biblical Interpretation 

Select one of the following:

• Church History: Apostolic Era to the Eve of the Reformation 
• Church History from the Eve of the Reformation to the Present 
• Core Texts in Christianity 

Select one of the following:

• Reasons for Faith: Exploring the Rationality of the Existence of God and Christianity
• History of Ancient Philosophy
• Medieval Philosophy
• History of Early Modern Philosophy
• History of 19th and 20th Century Philosophy
• Core Texts in Philosophy 

Select 12 units of upper-division ancient languages or biblical studies courses from the following:

• Ancient Languages
• Intermediate Greek I
• Intermediate Greek II
• Greek Readings
• Intermediate Hebrew I
• Intermediate Hebrew II
• Hebrew Readings
• The Rise of the King: I and II Samuel
• Old Testament Prophets 
• Ruth and Esther 
• Psalms and Wisdom 
• Life and Teachings of Jesus
• The Gospel and Letters of John 
• Romans and Galatians 
• Thessalonian and Corinthian Epistles 
• Biblical Lands and Cultures
• Near Eastern Archaeology
• Archaeological Field Excavation
• Prison and Pastoral Epistles
• Old Testament World
• New Testament World
• Biblical Apocalyptic
• History of Biblical Interpretation
• Global Biblical Interpretation 
• Postcolonial Biblical Interpretation
• Biblical Studies Capstone Course: Old Testament Theology (If not taken above)
• Biblical Studies Capstone Course: New Testament Theology (If not taken above)
• Readings
• Directed Research

• 1 of 126: Best Western Colleges according to Princeton Review's 2023 Best Colleges Guide
• No.8 on the 2023 Most Well-Attended Bible Majors in California ranking

Students who successfully complete this program shall be able to:

1. Explain current methodological approaches used to study the Christian Scriptures.
2. Explain how history and culture influence the interpretation of the Christian Scriptures.
3. Write an acceptable Biblical Studies research paper or prepare an equivalent project.
4. Articulate how scripture, tradition, experience, and reason shape our Christian worldview.
5. Articulate biblically responsible perspectives on gender, race, and ethnic and cultural diversity.

This major provides students with tools for continued education at a seminary or university. Graduates have also assumed positions in churches and Christian organizations where knowledge and understanding of the Scriptures are essential.