Certificate in Biblical Studies
Connecting with God’s vision and purpose through the study of His Word is a rewarding endeavor. Delving deeper into the Bible raises an awareness of the passion Jesus had for all of us, a passion that will often leave the reader asking more questions.
In the end, a deeper knowledge of His mission throughout the Scriptures generates an intense passion to learn more.
Biblical studies is the in-depth look at the message of the whole Bible, including its original language, context, and overall mission and purpose. At Missio we teach that the entire Bible points to Jesus Christ and His mission. From the Old Testament to the New Testament we see the writers pointing to Christ and instructing us in the mission of God.
Through our Certificate in Biblical Studies program we teach students to keep Christ at the center of ministry. We seek to inspire them to do ministry in creative and unique ways that will engage their community. We hope to sharpen and focus the vision of churches to be about and for the work of Christ.
Who is this Certificate for?
Anyone who wants to study the Word of God is welcome. Students will grow in their knowledge of the Bible and its missional perspective and in their ability to humbly interpret and apply it in light of history, culture, and genre.
The Certificate in Biblical Studies program was designed for students who desire seminary-level education but who are not pursuing a degree. This program is an excellent way to strengthen your biblical foundation for Christian life and ministry.
What is the Biblical Seminary Advantage?
This certificate program meets the requirements of many mission boards for candidates who have not had formal biblical education, and Christian school teachers needing continuing education. The program also provides an opportunity for spouses of students in degree programs to pursue biblical studies without pursuing a full degree.
Are there any specific requirements?
The certificate program requires a completed undergraduate degree, and completion of a degree application. Upon completion students may transfer appropriate completed certificate courses into a degree program.
Curriculum within the Program
Required Courses – 9 Credits
Reading the Old Testament Missionally
Reading the New Testament Missionally
Authentic Biblical Interpretation
General Electives – 9 Credits
Please be aware that these elective courses vary from year to year. Please see our current term schedules for the classes being offered this year.
Notes regarding the program:
To earn the certificate, students must complete twelve credit hours with a minimum grade point average of 2.0.
Total Required Credits - 18
Ready to start your journey?
Whether you are looking for more information regarding a program, scheduling a visit, starting the application process, or just wanting to talk to someone about your dreams, our admissions department is always available to assist you and answer any question that you might have.
What are professors saying?
In Defense of Missional Theology: A Response to Mark Galli
Mark Galli, editor-in-chief of Christianity Today, has devoted a four-part series in Christianity Today to critiquing missional theology and evangelicalism’s embrace of the missional purpose of the church: see 1) https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2019/june-web-only/unfortunate-pedigree-of-missional-church.html; 2) https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2019/june-web-only/church-does-not-exist-for-sake-of-world.html; 3) https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2019/june-web-only/purpose-of-world-to-become-church.html; 4) https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2019/june-web-only/churchs-sickness-unto-death.html. Christianity Today has a well-earned reputation as being the publication of centrist evangelicalism (founded, as it is, by evangelical pillars Billy Graham and Carl F. H. Henry); and Mark Galli, its current editor-in-chief, has a well-earned reputation for level-headed, irenic analysis.
New Perspective(s) On Paul
Hot off the press and well worth the read is this book that does a masterful job of laying out the topography of “perspectives” on Paul and illustrating (with sample sermonettes) the difference the various perspectives make in preaching (and applying) “the real point(s)” of Romans.
The Living Gospel
It is a powerful testimony to the watching world when Christians live out the Gospel amid tragedies such as in hurricane Katrina, the tsunami disaster, the Haitian earthquake or 9/11.
4 Things That Can Derail Missional Leaders
This post by Seth Richardson on the Missional Alliance web page caught my attention. It’s titled, “Addicted to Dysfunction: Healing from Missional Misery.”
The Blessing of Numbers
Don’t you feel bad for the book of Numbers? Seriously, the fourth book of the Bible gets no respect. I think the primary reason the book gets ignored is its name.
A Walk through African American History and Culture
Professor Todd Mangum and Dr. Larry Anderson Reflect on their walk through The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. A number of our Missio grads are serving in leadership in the Southern Baptist Convention in our region. One of the missional, Kingdom strategies being pursued – racial reconciliation. A set of pilot exercises and conversations are currently being conducted in southeast Pennsylvania that could end up impacting the whole convention, including deep into the south of the Mason Dixon line. Now, wouldn’t that be something?
Eugene Peterson: The Man Who Translated – and Lived – The Message
My wife called me Monday afternoon with the expected, but untimely news that my mentor and friend Eugene Peterson had passed away. “I’m sorry,” she said with a soft and warm tone, her voice trailing off into silence. I was preparing for this moment for the past few years – even more so the past week, as he was put on hospice – but the tears still flowed. Some out of sadness, most out of gratitude for his life. His son, Eric, wrote that for someone who practiced Sabbath, which he kept on Mondays, it’s only fitting Eugene experienced true rest for the first time on that particular day of the week.
Learning the How-To’s of Pastoral Ministry
Several years ago, when I graduated from Biblical Seminary, I was equipped with valuable theological, missiological and philosophical truth about God and His Mission. I learned what it meant to join God and His mission in the world by being incarnational. But looking back, I realized I had missed something: I didn’t really know how to do that specifically and practically in my day-to-day role as a pastor. I lacked the practical training for how to put into practice what I had learned.
Remembering September 11, 2001
Today we remember the 9/11 tragedy of 17 years ago — the abrupt loss of life, the dazed faces of dust-covered women and men who made it out of the towers alive and the sheer bewilderment that something like this could happen. The trauma may have diminished, but the struggle to understand remains.
Can Christians Call God Allah?
“[Christians and Muslims] worship the same God.”
These words on a Facebook post by a Wheaton College professor, Larycia Hawkins, whose principal aim appears to have been a demonstration of solidarity with Muslims (by wearing a hijab during Advent) at a time when Muslims are increasingly being demonized in the US, have caused much uproar whose ripples have reached far outside the relatively small world of North American evangelicalism (see the latest issue of Time).
