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Biblical and Religious Studies

The biblical and religious studies major offers students a foundation in Christian service with studies in biblical languages, exegesis, theology, practical ministry skills and a broad understanding of other religions.

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Course Catalog

What You'll Learn

The student majoring in Biblical and Religious Studies will:

Demonstrate knowledge of the Old and New Testament texts and their relationship with the cultural, geographical, historical, and political contexts surrounding those texts.
Explain the major doctrines of Christianity from a Kingdom perspective, including their biblical basis, historical development, and contemporary relevance.
Defend biblical truth and the Christian faith by engaging in respectful and substantive discussions.
Conduct basic biblical interpretation and application using both the English Bible and the original languages (Hebrew and Greek).
Exhibit a maturing Christian faith and practice demonstrated in effective ministry and commitment to growth in Christian character and lifestyle.

Hands-On Learning

Our curriculum emphasizes experiential learning where you learn by doing. Opportunities include:

Directed studies and faculty-mentored research opportunities
Internships and field studies
Capstone Projects

Career Options

While the largest benefit of pursuing a degree in Biblical and Religious Studies is the personal formation that comes through it, the degree also prepares students for certain careers or services to the church. To help students have customized, focused learning, the Bachelor of Arts in Biblical and Religious Studies offers two different tracks: Christian Ministry and Biblical Exegesis.

The Christian Ministry track prepares students for futures in counseling, church planting, overseas mission work, peacemaking, teaching, or pastoring a church.

The Biblical Exegesis track paves the way for students to do Bible translation, lead Bible studies, plant churches, do mission work overseas, and teach (in either a church or school context).

What You'll Take

A special feature of the Sattler College experience is its extensive Core Curriculum. We believe students are more likely to flourish socially and intellectually when each entering class enjoys a common academic experience. When all students take part in a common set of courses, upper-level students will have a large body of wisdom and knowledge to share with the students following behind them. We are convinced that the most fulfilling way to learn is to teach. Our robust Core Curriculum makes such.

Required Courses - Sattler Core

Sattler Core (47 credits)

BIO 101 Principles of Biology
BRS 101 Fundamental Texts of Christianity
BRS 201 Christian Doctrines
BRS 203 Apologetics
LNG 102 Elementary Biblical Greek I
LNG 103 Elementary Biblical Greek II
LNG 104 Elementary Biblical Hebrew I
LNG 105 Elementary Biblical Hebrew II
HUM 301 Hist. Global Christianity
HUM 201 Hist. Ancient World
HUM 202 Medieval & Renaissance Europe
HUM 203 Hist. Modern World
LNG 101 Exp. Writing
LNG 110 Oral Communication
MAT 102 Statistics and Data Science
IGA 401 Global Poverty & World Change

Required Courses - Major

Major (54 credits)

BRS 208 Evangelism
BRS 212 Historical Theology
BRS 301 Intro. to Biblical Counseling
BRS 320 Ministry of the Word
BRS 402 Advanced Book Study
BRS 430 Capstone Project (12 hours)
LNG 201 Intermediate Bib. Greek
LNG 203 Intermediate Bib. Hebrew
LNG 307 Exegeting Mark in Greek

Choose six of the following*:

BRS 102 Intro to Music & Hymnology
BRS 205 Islam
BRS 206 Judaism
BRS 207 Hinduism
BRS 208 Buddhism
BRS 303 Marriage & Family Counseling
BRS 305 Problems in Biblical Counseling
BRS 307 Lives of Selected Christians
BRS 330 Missiology: History and Models
BRS 404 Bib. Counseling – Adv. Topics
LNG 305 Pauline epistles in Greek
LNG 301 Introduction to Linguistics
LNG 306 Exegesis of the Hebrew Bible
HIS 303 History of Christian Movements
Any two upper level History courses, with
the permission of an advisor will also be
counted.

*Students with a concentration take the required courses for the concentration plus three additional Major Electives.

Electives or minor (21 credits)

Sample Schedule - First Year

Fall (16 Credits)

LNG 102 Elementary Biblical Greek I*
BRS 101 Fundamental Texts of Christianity
LNG 101 Exp. Writing
BIO 101 Principles of Biology
MAT 102 Statistics and Data Science

Spring (16 Credits)

HUM 201 Hist. of Ancient World
BRS 208 Evangelism
LNG 103 Elementary Biblical Greek II*
LNG 110 Oral Communication
Elective

Sample Schedule - Second Year

Fall (15 Credits)

LNG 104 Elementary Biblical Hebrew I
HUM 202 His. Medieval & Renaissance Europe
BRS 201 Christian Doctrines
LNG 201 Intermediate Biblical Greek
Major/Minor/Concentration/Electives (3)

Spring (15 Credits)

LNG 105 Elementary Biblical Hebrew II
HUM 203 Hist. Modern World
BRS 212 Historical Theology
LNG 307 Exegeting Mark in Greek
BRS 203 Apologetics

Sample Schedule - Third Year

Fall (15 Credits)

LNG 203 Intermediate Biblical Hebrew
BRS 301 Intro. to Biblical Counseling
BRS 320 Ministry of the Word
Major/Minor/Concentration/Electives (6)

Spring (15 Credits)

Major/Minor/Concentration/Electives (15)

Sample Schedule - Fourth Year

Fall (15 Credits)

BRS 402 Advanced Book Study
Major/Minor/Concentration/Electives (12)

Spring (15 Credits)

IGA 401 Global Poverty & World Change
BRS 403 Capstone Project (12 hours)

BRS Tracks

Students majoring in Biblical and Religious Studies may choose one of two tracks to tailor their degrees for greater concentration on either (1) biblical exegesis or (2) Christian ministry.

Biblical Exegesis Track

The goal for the Exegesis track is to give students solid, in-depth training in the biblical languages and biblical exegesis. It emphasizes training in Hebrew and Greek and studies of the Old Testament and New Testament, and it includes specialized classes in biblical backgrounds and the New Testament use of the Old Testament. The track is geared towards training future pastors, teachers, and Bible translators.

Required courses:

LNG 201 Intermediate Biblical Greek
LNG 203 Intermediate Biblical Hebrew
LNG 305 Pauline Epistles in Greek OR LNG 402 Advanced Koine Readings
LNG 306 Exegesis of the Hebrew Bible
LNG 307 Greek Exegesis of Mark
BRS 420 New Testament Use of Old Test.
1 Book or Corpus Study

Christian Ministry Track

The goal for the Ministry track is to give students a well-rounded and deep introduction to being a mature, engaged Christian. It emphasizes the practically oriented roles in the Christian life: the foundation of God’s Word, the life of a committed church member, and the calling to engage the unbelieving world. The track is geared towards equipping future counselors, missionaries, and faithful church members.

Required courses:

BRS 207 Intro to Biblical Counseling
BRS 210 Intro to Missiology
BRS 309 Life Together
IGA 201 Peacemaking
2 Book or Corpus Studies
1 World Religion Course

Certificate in Biblical and Religious Studies (Degree Completion Program)

Students who successfully complete the one-year Certificate in Biblical and Religious Studies at Sattler may elect to transfer into the BA in Biblical and Religious Studies and complete their degree in three years.

Sample Schedule

Fall Semester:

Fundamental Texts of Christianity
Academic Writing
Oral Communication
Historical Theology I
Elementary Biblical Greek I

Spring Semester:

Christian Doctrines
Apologetics
Evangelism
Historical Theology II
Elementary Biblical Greek II

Capstone Projects

Capstone Experiences

1 Videos

Loving Our Neighbors Through ESL Ministry

12:46

Download the Course Catalog

The Course Curriculum documents both core curriculum and elective courses, including course numbers, course names, credit hours, course descriptions, and prerequisites.

Download Course Catalog