MASTER OF ARTS (TALBOT)

Biola University MASTER OF ARTS (TALBOT) Director: Alan Hultberg, Ph.D. Mission The mission of the Master of Arts is to produce biblically, theologically, and spiritually discerning Christian thinkers who can serve the body of Christ in lay, parachurch or academic ministries. The Master of Arts program provides both a general biblical, theological, and spiritual foundation for reflection and a specialized focus on a discipline crucial to fulfilling Talbot's mission and from which students can serve or go on for advanced study. These disciplines include Bible Exposition, Biblical and Theological Studies/Diversified, Biblical and Theological Studies in the Eurasian Context (Kyiv extension only), New Testament, Old Testament, Philosophy, Spiritual, and Theology. Program Upon completion of the Master of Arts, students will be able to:. Integrate a sound understanding of Scripture with the contents of their respective emphasized disciplines (ULO ).. Explain the major doctrines of Christianity, including their biblical basis, historical development, and contemporary relevance, and assess non-evangelical doctrines from an evangelical perspective (ULO ).. a. Explain the basic elements of Spiritual Theology, namely, the nature, process, and practices of spiritual growth (ULO ); b. demonstrate how knowledge of self integrates with knowledge of God in one's own life (ULO ); c. demonstrate relational skills that develop community (ULO ); d. articulate how the biblical teaching on vocation shapes one's own understanding of vocation and gainful employment (ULO,, ). 4. Perform and report research in their respective disciplines at a level sufficient to begin a doctoral program (ULO ). Each Program Learning Outcome (PLO) listed above references at least one of the University (ULO,, ), which may be found in the General Information (http://catalog.biola.edu/generalinformation) section of this catalog. Requirements Admission Requirements Applicants must possess a Bachelor of Arts degree or its academic equivalent from an accredited college with a minimum grade point average of.0 (on a 4.0 scale). Additionally, applicants should have completed an accredited course in Old Testament survey and in New Testament survey prior to matriculation. If the prerequisite courses are not completed prior to matriculation, the student is required to take TTBE 59 and TTBE 50 as elective credits during their program. All applicants must submit a written statement outlining their vocational objectives and how the degree might relate to those objectives. For special admissions deadlines and requirements involved in the Spiritual specialization, contact Graduate Admissions. Due to the limited enrollment in this specialization, all applicants will be personally interviewed. Graduation Requirements. Satisfactorily complete 49 credits as outlined in the curriculum requirements below. The rate of progress for many students is credits per semester, allowing the program to be completed in two years.. Students without previous courses in Old Testament Survey and New Testament Survey must take TTBE 59 and TTBE 50, which are not for credit unless taken in place of elective credits.. Complete the online introduction to theological research and writing by the end of the second semester. 4. Submit an acceptable capstone project, as determined by the department of specialization. Students in Spiritual specialization submit an acceptable Spiritual Master's Project-Thesis, which includes credits for writing and one credit for personal growth exploration. The Project-Thesis must involve both a theoretical and practical-experiential dimension in consultation with thesis advisor. Students in other MA specializations will receive specific directions about their capstone project from their respective departments. 5. At least 4 of the total credits required for the degree program must be completed in residency at Biola. Advanced Standing, Reduction and transfer credit are not considered residency credits. 6. Obtain a.0 average with no grade below a "C-" in all courses to be credited toward graduation. 7. Complete the entire program in no more than five years. 8. Meet with a Graduate Graduation Counselor in the Office of the Registrar one year prior to graduation to declare intent to graduate. (See Graduate Graduation Check description in the Admission, Enrollment and Graduation Requirements (http://catalog.biola.edu/ general-information/admission-enrollment-graduation-requirements) section). Specialization Requirements Program Structure The academic programs leading to the degree Master of Arts with specializations in Bible Exposition, Biblical and Theological Studies/ Diversified, Biblical and Theological Studies in the Eurasian Context, New Testament, Old Testament, Philosophy, Spiritual, and Theology are comprised of 49 credits structured in common to include:. Biblical and theological foundations.. Spiritual Focus (SFF).. Academic specialization in one of four disciplines requiring biblical language studies, or general studies in which biblical languages are not required. 4. Additional elective courses determined by the student in consultation with the advisor. Students may complete the specializations in Bible Exposition, New Testament, and Theology online, on-campus, or by a combination of those two modalities. Advanced Standing Applicants who have taken undergraduate courses in biblical or theological studies may request advanced standing based on collegiate work. See Talbot Admissions Requirements for details. Note: if master's

Master of Arts (Talbot) level courses are given advanced standing based on undergraduate coursework, some Ph.D. programs may require additional graduate courses in order to meet doctoral program requirements. Curriculum Requirements Prerequisite Courses TTBE 59 Old Testament Survey TTBE 50 New Testament Survey The following program courses apply to all Talbot Master of Arts specializations except for the Biblical and Theological Studies in the Eurasian Context (Kyiv Extension), and Spiritual specializations. The program courses for these specializations are listed under each specialization. TTBE 57 Hermeneutics and Bible Study Methods TTSF 50 TTSF 50 TTSF 504 Introduction to Spiritual Theology and Personal Foundations for Spiritual Spiritual, Vocation, and the Disciplines TTSF 505 Talbot Spiritual Direction I 0 TTSF 506 Talbot Spiritual Direction II 0 TTTH 5 Theology I: God, Scripture, Creation TTTH 5 Theology II: Christ, Humanity, Sin, Salvation TTTH 6 Theology III: Spirit, Church, Last Things Specialization and Select a 0 credit specialization from the options below 0 Total Credits 49 May be used to fulfill the specialization electives where available. Specializations with elective options may take up to 6 graduate elective credits in other schools of Biola University with advisor's approval. Specializations Bible Exposition. Be able to identify the basic contents, backgrounds, and purpose of each book of the Old and New Testaments.. Be able to explain the general history and cultures relevant to the study of the Old and New Testament.. Be able to interpret and apply passages of the Old and New Testaments through use of the grammatical-historical method, including understanding the contribution of genre to the passage ancient meaning and modern significance. TTBE 50 TTBE 745 World of the Old Testament TTBE 780 Teaching Scripture TTBE 790 Bible Exposition Capstone TTNT 70 The World of the New Testament Bible Exposition elective courses covering OT 6 Bible Exposition elective courses covering NT 6 General elective courses (TTOT, NT, BE) 6 Total Credits 0 Students may count TTBE 59 and TTBE 50 towards their elective Biblical and Theological Studies/Diversified As of Fall 07, this specialization is in a teach out phase, no new students will be admitted at this time.. Be able to research either the Old Testament or the New Testament using exegetical commentaries and certain tools designed for those with limited knowledge of Greek and Hebrew.. Be able to dialog with those who are outside of a biblically centered faith confidently and effectively, applying the knowledge of biblical doctrine to refute errors and to utilize practical techniques of dialog with the intent to reach those who "seek to know the reason for the hope that lies within you.". Be able to articulate a clear theology/philosophy of educational ministry. 4. Have an understanding and appreciation for the teaching/learning process, utilizing a broad range of ministry methods and resources in educational ministry. 5. Be able to plan, administrate, and evaluate an effective educational ministry program at a basic level. TTBE 50 TTCE 600 Educational Ministry in the Church TTPT 50 Evangelism and Follow-Up TTPT 70 The Church and Society Select one of the following: ISCL 556 TTHT 76 TTPH 60 World Religions Cults of America Select elective courses from TTBE, CE, HT, NT, OT, PH, PT, TH 5 (a maximum of 6 credits in TTPT or TTCE) Total Credits 0 Students may count TTBE 59 and TTBE 50 towards their elective Biblical and Theological Studies in the Eurasian Context (Kyiv Extension) As a result of this program, students will:

Biola University. Be able to recall the key contents of the Old and New Testaments and will identify important historical and cultural background information relevant to the study of the Old and New Testaments.. Be able to exegete and apply a biblical text through the application of historical-grammatical hermeneutics.. Be able to articulate the major elements of orthodox Christian theology, including biblical foundations, and will be able to apply this theology to an issue in the Eurasian church context. 4. Be able to explain the theory of "the sanctification gap" and will reflect upon the calling(s) of God in their lives. For the purposes of assessment, "sanctification gap" is defined as the perceived gap between the goal of sanctification and one's present spiritual life. Prerequisite Courses TTBE 59 TTBE 50 TTSF 50 TTSF 50 Old Testament Survey New Testament Survey Introduction to Spiritual Theology and Personal Foundations for Spiritual TTSS 50 Theological Research Methodologies TTTH 5 TTTH 5 Theology I - Introduction: Revelation and Nature of God Theology II - Works of God, Angels, Man and Sin TTTH 6 Theology III - Christ, Salvation and the Spirit TTTH 64 Theology IV - The Church and Last Things TTBE 50 TTBE 7 Exposition of Old Testament Segments or Themes TTBE 747 Hermeneutical Principles TTBE 770 The Life of Christ TTHT 505 Patristic and Medieval Theology TTHT 506 Reformation and Modern Theology TTNT 70 The World of the New Testament TTNT 79 New Testament Seminar TTOT 745 World of the Old Testament TTOT 79 Old Testament Seminar TTTH 790 Kyiv Capstone Project Select from the following: 7 TTBE 76 TTBE 750 TTCE 600 TTPH 60 TTPT 70 TTPT 70 TTTH 7 TTTH 70 Expositional Methodology in Daniel and Revelation Old Testament Wisdom and Poetry Educational Ministry in the Church The Church and Society Biblical Leadership and Management Current Theological Issues The Theology and Practice of Prayer TTTH 77 TTTH 78 Co-Curricular Requirements Cults in the Eurasian Context Theological Systems Participation in Spiritual Labs (6 sessions). These discussion groups meet as an additional component of class time. Total Credits 5 Should be taken as the theme of Central Prophetic Passages Students may count TTBE 59 and TTBE 50 towards their elective New Testament. Have a developing appreciation of the New Testament through application of skills in the areas of Greek language, exegesis, the historical-cultural setting of the New Testament, and biblical theology.. Have a developing appreciation for the value of studying New Testament Greek for a better understanding of God's written word. It is expected that the graduate will use an exegetical methodology for the New Testament on a regular basis throughout his or her lifetime.. Personal study and teaching of the New Testament will also be within the framework of: a. Accurate interpretation of the New Testament in its various genres, especially the Gospels and the Epistles. b. The life and ministry of Jesus, the apostles, and the early church within the context of the culture of first-century Judaism and the Greco-Roman world. 4. Be able to articulate key critical issues about the New Testament and give perspective on a reasonable and informed solution. TTNT 50 Beginning Greek I TTNT 50 Beginning Greek II TTNT 50 Introduction to Exegesis TTNT 604 Exegesis in the Gospels TTNT 605 Exegesis in the Epistles TTNT 60 Readings in New Testament Greek TTNT 70 The World of the New Testament New Testament Exegesis and Theology courses (at least one course in each category is required) General elective courses Total Credits 0 TTNT 70 should be taken for a minimum of credits. If taken for credits, the third credit may count toward the required number of New Testament electives (see Elective Requirements). Must be taken within the final 0 credits of the program. Students may count TTBE 59 and TTBE 50 towards their elective 8

4 Master of Arts (Talbot) Old Testament. Have a developing appreciation of the Old Testament through application of skills in the areas of Hebrew language, exegesis, and the historical-cultural setting of the Old Testament.. Have a developing appreciation for the value of studying Old Testament Hebrew for a better understanding of God s written word. It is expected that the graduate will use an exegetical methodology for the Old Testament on a regular basis throughout his or her lifetime.. Be able to research the Old Testament using the exegetical tools of Hebrew language and archaeological and historical studies. It is expected that the insights into the biblical text will be more original and better supported as a result of the exegetical method. 4. Be able to help others understand the textual history, historical accuracy, and key critical issues of the Old Testament in light of the latest findings and based on a thoroughly biblical worldview. TTOT 60 Elements of Hebrew I TTOT 604 Elements of Hebrew II TTOT 70 Introduction to Hebrew Exegesis TTOT 70 Studies in Old Testament Introduction TTOT 7 Advanced Hebrew Reading TTOT 745 World of the Old Testament TTOT 799 Old Testament Capstone (OT Capstone) Old Testament elective courses 9 General elective courses Total Credits 0 Must be taken for credits, may be taken for credits with the remaining credit counting towards electives. Students may count TTBE 59 towards their Old Testament elective Students must include one Semitic language course (TTOT 7 or TTOT 7) and one Old Testament Seminar (TTOT 79). Students may count TTBE 50 towards their general elective Philosophy The main purpose of this specialization is to help the student develop the skills to do philosophy from a Christian worldview. The attitudes and character traits of a Christian philosopher will be fostered by departmental activities, professional modeling, and teaching techniques. Skills necessary for the craft of philosophy will be developed by equipping the student to think critically, conduct high-level philosophical research, and interact with the broader philosophical community. The specialization is aimed at developing the ability to do philosophy in various ministry programs, such as parachurch and local church apologetics as well as preparing the student for further graduate work in fields such as philosophy, ethics, religious studies, law, political science, and theology. Collectively, graduates of our program should be providing visionary leadership, articulating a Christian worldview in various cultural contexts at Christian colleges, in seminaries, and in parachurch ministries, for example and should be penetrating the secular university and venues of popular culture, such as art, media, and music. Therefore, many graduates will qualify for admission to competitive doctoral programs in philosophy, ethics, religious studies, and other fields. As a result of this program, the student will achieve the following learning outcomes (in addition to the core M.A. learning outcomes):. Graduates will be able to explain the importance of sustaining a vibrant intellectual life as part of an ongoing commitment to following Christ.. Graduates will be able to summarize and critique, in written form, professional philosophical literature published in specialized philosophical journals and with academic presses, and will be able to relate the material in professional philosophical literature to various aspects of a Christian worldview, for use either in a professional academic setting, in the local church, or through engagement with popular culture. These learning outcomes will be measured through the evaluation of a portfolio submitted by each student during the semester after which he or she will graduate from the M.A. Philosophy specialization. Details of the portfolio and how it will be evaluated can be found in the Talbot Philosophy Department office and will be sent to students during their first semester enrolled in the program. Advanced Standing and Transfer Guidelines for Philosophy Specialization Students with satisfactory undergraduate parallel content in philosophy will be considered for advanced standing. All requests for advanced standing are subject to departmental approval on a case by case basis. Students seeking course reduction must have earned at least a "B" grade. Students may only transfer courses that are parallel in content and taken from accredited graduate schools and seminaries. Request for transfer of courses should be submitted to the Office of the Registrar with prior approval from the department. Students must complete in residence a minimum of 4 credits in the Philosophy specialization. TTPH 5 Metaphysics I TTPH 544 Epistemology I TTPH 566 History and Normative Systems of Ethics TTPH 667 Philosophical Anthropology and Philosophy of the Mind TTPH 684 Philosophy of Religion TTPH 685 Philosophical Theology Philosophy elective courses Total Credits 0 Spiritual This specialization is designed as a personal growth and academic degree. It is an intensive, integrative program within the Institute for Spiritual at Talbot School of Theology, designed to equip men and women for the ministry of discipleship and spiritual formation in general, in the local church, and for further academic training in spiritual formation. The program is designed entirely around promoting growth

Biola University 5 in the believer's inner life of faith and prayer with God in the context of a shared community and developed knowledge-base in the Word. Because the program is experiential and theoretical in nature with respect to spiritual growth and the dynamic processes involved, the M.A. specialization in Spiritual draws upon an interdisciplinary faculty from both Talbot and Rosemead School of Psychology. It includes both in-depth theoretical and integrative coursework, employing the creation disciplines such as theology, philosophy, psychology and education as well as experiential-relational soul work in classes and co-curricular requirements to aid in understanding the spiritual life mentoring. Note also that this more academic M.A. with a specialization in Spiritual is to be distinguished from the more professional M.A. in Spiritual and Soul Care, the latter being fashioned more along the lines of an Apprentice Training Model which includes training, supervision and service components in spiritual direction and mentoring. As a result of this program, students will:. Develop the PLOs having to do with biblical integration (#) and spiritual formation (#) to a higher level of mastery. TTBE 59 Old Testament Survey TTBE 50 New Testament Survey TTSF 57 Hermeneutics and the Word in Spiritual TTTH 5 Theology I: God, Scripture, Creation TTTH 5 Theology II: Christ, Humanity, Sin, Salvation TTTH 6 Theology III: Spirit, Church, Last Things TTSF 5 TTSF 54 TTSF 5 TTSF 5 TTSF 54 TTSF 544 Introduction to Christian Spirituality and Prayer History and Theory of Christian Soul Care and Direction History and Traditions of Christian Spirituality Developmental Spirituality and Contemplative Prayer Personal Foundations of Spirituality and Retreat Personality Development and Psychopathology TTSF 585 Personal Spiritual Direction 0 TTSF 64 Spiritual Disciplines Seminar TTSF 645 Christian Virtue and the Spiritual Disciplines TTSF 67 Personal Retreat and TTSF 70 Spiritual Seminar TTSF 740 Spiritual Project/Thesis Co-Curricular Components Didactic Therapy Faculty-Student Retreats TTSF 585 Personal Spiritual Direction TTSF 67 Personal Retreat and Total Credits 49 TTSF 585 to be taken every term of enrollment. TTSF 67 should be taken twice, once for credits and again for credit, for a total of credits. See Institute for Spiritual section for full description. Theology As a result of this program, the student will be able to explain the major doctrines of Christianity, including their biblical basis, historical development, and contemporary relevance, and assess non-evangelical doctrines from an evangelical perspective. TTHT 505 Patristic and Medieval Theology TTHT 506 Reformation and Modern Theology TTTH 709 Contemporary Theology TTTH 765 Theology Capstone Seminar Select one of the following: TTPH 60 TTHT 76 TTTH 7 Cults of America World Religions and New Religious Movements Select either the Greek or Non-Greek option below 5 Greek Option TTNT 50 Beginning Greek I TTNT 50 Beginning Greek II TTNT 50 Introduction to Exegesis General elective courses 6 Non-Greek Option TTBE 50 Elective courses from TTBE, NT, OT General elective courses 9 Total Credits 0 Students may count TTBE 59 and TTBE 50 towards their elective