Biblical and Theological Studies Department

Department Faculty

Jeff Dryden
Scott Jones
Kelly Kapic
Daniel MacDougall
Hans Madueme
Kenneth Stewart
Herbert Ward

Department Goals

To provide all students with general biblical and theological literacy and specifically with an understanding of the general content of biblical and theological truth in the Reformed tradition; to provide ways to arrive at that truth and its relevance for the Church and society.

To apply to all students, and specifically Biblical and Theological Studies (BTS) majors and minors, biblical and theological truth as the mold which transforms their hearts, renews their minds, and shapes their lives. To fit them with the lenses necessary for a biblical world and life view that paves the way to Kingdom activity in the Church and society, and to equip them with the biblical rationale for all their culture-related activities beginning with their understanding and appreciation of education from the perspective of the Christian faith.

To acquaint biblical studies majors and minors with the problems connected with biblical scholarship and the content of the Gospel over against the belief systems of the modern scene. To empower them with an effective means to communicate the Christian faith in the contemporary scene and to develop a biblically-based apologetic for that faith.

To encourage all students in general, and Biblical Studies majors and minors specifically, to maximize the development of their talents and skills and to seek the advance of the Kingdom of God in the choice and exercise of their professions. Specifically, to urge students with apparent qualifications and gifts for the ministry of the Gospel, whether in the United States or abroad, to consider the possibility of such calling.

Teacher Certification

Students interested in teaching Bible at the 6-12 level should complete a BA degree with a major in Bible and then enroll in the one-year Master of Arts in Teaching at Covenant College. It is recommended that the Education Minor be completed. Two of the courses in the minor, EDU 222 Educational Psychology and EDU 361 Education of Exceptional Children , are required for admission to the MAT. For information about certification, see Teacher Certification under the Education section of the catalog.

See Dr. Phil Horton in Brock Hall 323 for more information (phil.horton@covenant.edu).

Seminary Credit Available

Students who complete a Bible major at Covenant College may receive up to 17 semester hours of advanced standing toward the MDiv degree at Covenant Theological Seminary, St. Louis. These hours may include:

Up to six semester hours each of Greek and/or Hebrew (evaluated by testing).
Three hours for ST360 Christian Ethics (for BIB 371 Christian Ethics ).
Three hours for CH310 or CH320 (for BIB 302 or BIB 303 ).
Up to three hours of elective credit.
Two hours for WM310 God’s World Mission (by completing a missions concentration or minor).
Students who complete a Bible major at Covenant College may receive up to 30 hours of advanced standing towards the MATS degree at Covenant Seminary. (See the Seminary’s Catalog or Website for further information.)
Students must earn a grade of “B-” or better in each specific Covenant College course listed above, as well as a cumulative GPA of 30 for all courses in the Bible major and Missions minor (if applicable).
Students seeking advanced standing should contact the Seminary Registrar before enrolling. Students must formally request that the Registrar’s Office evaluate their transcripts for advanced standing.

Shared Major

For information about the Philosophy and Religion major, please see the Philosophy Department .

Programs

Major

Minor and Concentrations

Courses

Bible: Biblical Studies

Bible: Missions

Bible: Systematic and Historical Theology

Bible: Youth Ministry