Dr. Tim Mackie, co-founder of Bible Project¹ and self-described Bible nerd, observes, “What I think that familiarity does is it dulls us, it dulls our imaginations, and we tend not to think that we’re gonna be surprised or learn anything significant or new from these [Biblical] stories.”²

For many of us, the Bible is deeply familiar. We’ve heard the stories since childhood, memorized verses, and learned the major characters. Yet that very familiarity can quietly flatten something meant to be endlessly rich. What if Scripture still has the power to surprise you?

At Sattler, the Biblical & Religious Studies (BRS) program exists to help students move beyond this surface familiarity into a rich understanding. As Christians, we understand that reading Scripture is not simply about collecting information — it is about encountering God and discerning His will for humanity. It is about moving knowledge from academics and head knowledge to lifestyle and heart transformation. This kind of study does not produce arrogance or division, but humility and a growing awareness that we are engaging with words that have shaped lives, communities, and history, the Words of God Himself. As Sattler students are taught to press deeper, the Bible becomes less like a set of well-known stories and more like a living narrative that speaks to why we are here and how we ought to live.

One of the most transformative ways Sattler cultivates this understanding is through the study of Biblical Hebrew and Greek. Wrestling through four semesters of Hebrew is challenging, but it instills a profound respect for the text. There is something unforgettable about reading through Genesis in its original language for the first time. As I began this process this semester, it was as though the grainy black-and-white video story of Genesis had suddenly transformed into an HD color experience. I now look forward to being able to engage with Scripture in this way for the rest of my life.

The BRS program is also shaped by professors whose lives reflect the message they teach. Deeply invested in their church communities, they model what it looks like to live a Scripture-shaped life, offering students not only instruction but examples of following Jesus in everyday life. At the same time, Sattler intentionally exposes students to a wide range of perspectives within biblical scholarship. Rather than handing students a single theological system, the program equips them with the tools to think carefully, engage charitably, and navigate a diverse landscape of interpretations with confidence and humility. Those who complete Sattler’s BRS program will find that Sattler has well equipped them for further training in theology and pastoral ministry at the graduate level.

Finally, Sattler’s BRS program is not confined to the classroom. Students are encouraged to put their learning into practice — leading Bible studies, discipling others, sharing their faith, and serving their communities. The goal is not merely academic achievement, but a lifelong engagement with Scripture that transforms both the reader and the world around them.

When was the last time Scripture surprised you?

If you long to rediscover the depth of God’s Word and grow in both humility and understanding, the BRS program at Sattler may be the next step in your journey.

1. https://bibleproject.com/ ↩︎
2. Tim Mackie, “Yahweh Saves [Matthew],” video, 48:24, August 19, 2017, posted by Tim Mackie Archives, YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1TLU9fG5mY. ↩︎