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Biblical Studies
Program Overview
The two-year Associate of Arts in Biblical Studies offer students a broad-based foundation for Christian life and service with an emphasis on worldview issues. These programs combine introductory coursework from Johnson University’s undergraduate Arts & Sciences Core and Bible & Theology Major. Accordingly, they prepare students for further studies toward a four-year bachelor’s degree.
The A.A. in Biblical Studies provides gateway instruction in biblical studies, the humanities, and social and natural sciences in order to equip students with the developing skills, broad knowledge, and biblical perspective necessary to understand and engage the world as ambassadors for Christ.
Core Classes
This survey familiarizes learners with a definition and description of the literature of the Old Testament. Key theological ideas, important characters, textual turning points, and historical sweeps are highlighted. Emphasis moves beyond what the Old Testament says to why it matters.
This survey familiarizes learners with a definition and description of the literature of the New Testament. Key theological ideas, important characters, textual turning points, and historical sweeps are highlighted. Emphasis moves beyond what the New Testament says to why it matters.
What is theology? How is it studied? What are its challenges and benefits? Questions like these offer structure to a study of key doctrinal issues relating to a God-centered life: Christology, salvation, work of the Spirit, community living, and Christian formation are considered.
Learning to read, interpret, and apply the biblical text is a skill set built upon specific presuppositions and principles. Biblical Interpretation teaches learners how to recognize these presuppositions and use these principles to study Scripture with care and understanding.
Choose two of the following courses:
Genesis
Genesis provides an essential introduction to the identity of God and the identity of the people of God. As a backstory to Torah, Genesis offers readers the resume of God as creator and trustworthy guide for life.
Exodus
Exodus details central elements of the Old Testament story including Israel’s exodus from Egypt, the Ten Commandments, and the Tabernacle. This course will take students through the book’s powerful story with focus on its great themes of deliverance and freedom.
Joshua, Judges, and Ruth
This course will explore the books of Joshua, Judges, and Ruth through highlighting the historical context of the Hebrews during the periods of the Conquest and the Judges. It will emphasize interpretive methods for reading biblical narrative, particularly in terms of how these books reveal the character of God and anticipate Christ.
Narratives in Samuel
The rise of David is one of the most compelling in all of Scripture. Study of selected texts in the books of 1 and 2 Samuel reveal the art of narrative storytelling. David is a hero, but not without flaws.
Matthew
This course is a study of the Gospel of Matthew, with special focus on how to interpret biblical narratives. In addition to literary considerations (plot, characters, structure, recurring themes, etc.), it also considers the Gospel of Matthew in various contexts (historical, theological, canonical, etc.).
Mark
This course is a study of the Gospel of Mark, with special focus on how to interpret biblical narratives. In addition to literary considerations (plot, characters, structure, recurring themes, etc.), it also considers the Gospel of Mark in various contexts (historical, theological, canonical, etc.).
Luke
This course is a study of the Gospel of Luke, with special focus on how to interpret biblical narratives. In addition to literary considerations (plot, characters, structure, recurring themes, etc.), it also considers the Gospel of Luke in various contexts (historical, theological, canonical, etc.).
John
This course is a study of the Gospel of John, with special focus on how to interpret biblical narratives. In addition to literary considerations (plot, characters, structure, recurring themes, etc.), it also considers the Gospel of John in various contexts (historical, theological, canonical, etc.).
Elementary Greek I
Elementary Greek I introduces students to the basics of Koiné Greek grammar, syntax, and vocabulary, with particular reference to biblical texts (New Testament and Septuagint). Both this course and its follow-on, GREK 2200, develop a greater appreciation for the relation between the Greek New Testament and modern translations, and encourage students to explore the challenges and opportunities of communicating the ancient Word of God in contemporary global contexts.
Elementary Hebrew I
An introduction to elements of biblical Hebrew prose, including basic grammar, verb forms, and common vocabulary. This course and its follow-ups develop the ability to read and translate the Hebrew Old Testament for more insightful ministry in the contemporary world.
God and the Human Person
How do we understand ourselves within a relationship to God and the Christian story? How do past, present, and future acts shape us and lead us to God? These questions suggest the pursuit of personal formation and ethics within the scope of Christian thought.
Online
The two-year Associate of Arts in Biblical Studies offer students a broad-based foundation for Christian life and service with an emphasis on worldview issues. These programs combine introductory coursework from Johnson University’s undergraduate Arts & Sciences Core and Bible & Theology Major. Accordingly, they prepare students for further studies toward a four-year bachelor’s degree.
The A.A. in Biblical Studies provides gateway instruction in biblical studies, the humanities, and social and natural sciences in order to equip students with the developing skills, broad knowledge, and biblical perspective necessary to understand and engage the world as ambassadors for Christ.
This survey familiarizes learners with a definition and description of the literature of the Old Testament. Key theological ideas, important characters, textual turning points, and historical sweeps are highlighted. Emphasis moves beyond what the Old Testament says to why it matters.
This survey familiarizes learners with a definition and description of the literature of the New Testament. Key theological ideas, important characters, textual turning points, and historical sweeps are highlighted. Emphasis moves beyond what the New Testament says to why it matters.
What is theology? How is it studied? What are its challenges and benefits? Questions like these offer structure to a study of key doctrinal issues relating to a God-centered life: Christology, salvation, work of the Spirit, community living, and Christian formation are considered.
Learning to read, interpret, and apply the biblical text is a skill set built upon specific presuppositions and principles. Biblical Interpretation teaches learners how to recognize these presuppositions and use these principles to study Scripture with care and understanding.
Choose two of the following courses:
Genesis
Genesis provides an essential introduction to the identity of God and the identity of the people of God. As a backstory to Torah, Genesis offers readers the resume of God as creator and trustworthy guide for life.
Exodus
Exodus details central elements of the Old Testament story including Israel’s exodus from Egypt, the Ten Commandments, and the Tabernacle. This course will take students through the book’s powerful story with focus on its great themes of deliverance and freedom.
Joshua, Judges, and Ruth
This course will explore the books of Joshua, Judges, and Ruth through highlighting the historical context of the Hebrews during the periods of the Conquest and the Judges. It will emphasize interpretive methods for reading biblical narrative, particularly in terms of how these books reveal the character of God and anticipate Christ.
Narratives in Samuel
The rise of David is one of the most compelling in all of Scripture. Study of selected texts in the books of 1 and 2 Samuel reveal the art of narrative storytelling. David is a hero, but not without flaws.
Matthew
This course is a study of the Gospel of Matthew, with special focus on how to interpret biblical narratives. In addition to literary considerations (plot, characters, structure, recurring themes, etc.), it also considers the Gospel of Matthew in various contexts (historical, theological, canonical, etc.).
Mark
This course is a study of the Gospel of Mark, with special focus on how to interpret biblical narratives. In addition to literary considerations (plot, characters, structure, recurring themes, etc.), it also considers the Gospel of Mark in various contexts (historical, theological, canonical, etc.).
Luke
This course is a study of the Gospel of Luke, with special focus on how to interpret biblical narratives. In addition to literary considerations (plot, characters, structure, recurring themes, etc.), it also considers the Gospel of Luke in various contexts (historical, theological, canonical, etc.).
John
This course is a study of the Gospel of John, with special focus on how to interpret biblical narratives. In addition to literary considerations (plot, characters, structure, recurring themes, etc.), it also considers the Gospel of John in various contexts (historical, theological, canonical, etc.).
Elementary Greek I
Elementary Greek I introduces students to the basics of Koiné Greek grammar, syntax, and vocabulary, with particular reference to biblical texts (New Testament and Septuagint). Both this course and its follow-on, GREK 2200, develop a greater appreciation for the relation between the Greek New Testament and modern translations, and encourage students to explore the challenges and opportunities of communicating the ancient Word of God in contemporary global contexts.
Elementary Hebrew I
An introduction to elements of biblical Hebrew prose, including basic grammar, verb forms, and common vocabulary. This course and its follow-ups develop the ability to read and translate the Hebrew Old Testament for more insightful ministry in the contemporary world.
God and the Human Person
How do we understand ourselves within a relationship to God and the Christian story? How do past, present, and future acts shape us and lead us to God? These questions suggest the pursuit of personal formation and ethics within the scope of Christian thought.
Department Overview
Dr. Steve Cook
Program Director
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