Biblical Studies At A Glance
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This diploma is awarded to students who complete 30 credits/10 courses in the First Level Track. It is designed to provide a comprehensive curriculum in the different aspects of the Bible including the Old Testament, New Testament and Gospels. Students of Biblical Studies will learn how to interpret the Bible within a historical context and look at the philosophical aspects of religion and practical aspects of ministry. |
Students who enroll in the Biblical Studies track will learn to identify Biblical themes in each book of the Bible. They will be introduced to the primary characters, the author, the purpose, key events, historical contexts and more as they proceed through an overview of the 66 books of the Bible. Students will learn to identify in which division each book is located, and more.
We will teach students how to evangelize and disciple using time-proven methods. They will learn to apply these methods as they go about spreading the gospel; fulfilling the Great Commission.
The diploma in Biblical Studies may qualify graduates to become:Missionaries
Evangelists
Youth Leaders
Christian Counselors
Worship Coordinators
SPRING 2024 CLASSES
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FEASTS OF ISRAEL Why study the feasts? What will be laid out in these feasts that will fill us up to overflowing? Why are the feasts important to us in the 21st Century as it was important in the Old Testament times? The Old Testament furnishes us with the shadow of things to come (Col.
 2:17 and Heb. 10:1). The one who loves the Lord understands His concern for the welfare of mankind and His dealings with His chosen people, is to understand the Lord Himself, and in particular, His grace. Furthermore, understanding the connection of the Old Testament with the things of the New Testament enables a true searcher of scripture to be fully equipped for every good work (2Tim. 3:14). The feasts emphasize the shedding of the blood of the Lamb that enables the redemption from the bondage of sin, the resurrection of Christ, as the firstfruit. We will also be looking at the feasts of Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, Pentecost, and Trumpets. We see the future foretold with the wakening of the remnant of Israel, their repentance and restoration, and the blessings of the poor estranged, all of which manifests the glory and blessedness of the Kingdom of God. Many of the Bible’s most incredible prophecies about Christ are intricately hidden within the Jewish holidays and feasts of the Old Testament where you will find little-known, but astounding pictures that point to Christ’s deity, such as His ministry, the cross, His resurrection, even His second coming. This is just a little taste of what we will be covering in this class. |
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INTER-TESTAMENT HISTORY
Many people refer to this period of time as the 400 years or silent years because there is a general belief that during these years from the closing of the Old Testament text with Malachi until the time of John the Baptist, you had roughly a 400-year period in which no prophet spoke in the land of Israel and no official text of scripture was being developed. It was as if God was silent; however, one needs to understand that though God may have seemed silent, He was not inactive. He was very much at work and that is what we will address in this Inter-testament course.
Dr. D. W. Ekstrand stated after God delivered His final message through His prophet Malachi, He paused in His communication from men, for some 400 years. God’s silence was part of His eternal plan. He had spoken on numerous occasions and through various people; but He was now preparing to speak His greatest and most powerful word to mankind through His Son Jesus Christ. The pause added incredible emphasis to His monumental revelation.
In this course, we will identify the two main sources by which we can note and speak of the moral and spiritual condition of the Jews, God’s chosen people. We will compare and contrast the dreams, the visions of King Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel. Together we will explore the 6 historical eras of this intertestamental time, and we will profile the leaders of each era and their impact on the Jesish nation. The 400 years of silence during the inter-testament period were broken by the greatest story ever told, and that story is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If you’re intrigued by historical events, dates, ancient customs and people, this is the course for you.
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POETIC BOOKS
What are the Poetic books? The Poetic books are Job, Psalm, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon. Two of those books are also called wisdom books. Which two of them are called wisdom books? Right again - Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. Those two books are included among the Poetic Books because they were written in Hebrew poetic style. Some expositors include Lamentations among the Poetic Books also, but we’ll be following the traditional list, which also are book followers, and Lamentations we will not be included. Now those Poetic Books are not called the Poetic Books not because they are written in the Poetic styles that we are accustomed to, but because they are written in the Poetic form of the Hebrews at that time.
Our poetry is largely based on rhyme and rhythm, but Hebrew poetry is based on thoughts and concepts that are presented in a pattern or arranged in a particular way such as in an acrostic. One reason why we can’t really appreciate Hebrew poetry is because of the language barrier and in translating from Hebrew to English, much is lost. Pronunciation of words also and stressing of syllables cannot be captured in English as it is captured in the Hebrew. Even Jews today are unable to fully capture the poetry in those books because after more than 3,000 years, the language has changed much. Biblical Hebrew is different from today’s Hebrew so they can’t get the full flavor of the poetry in the Bible. |
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THE PENTATEUCH The Pentateuch is the first five books of the Old Testament or the Hebrew Bible. Sometimes it’s referred to as the Law of Moses. In the class we are going to discuss if the Laws of Moses should be referred to as the law.
The objective of the class is to instruct the canonical organization of the Pentateuch. How does the scripture get in the Canon? The the basic context. We are going to look at the world behind the text. That is the production of the text: the authorship, the sources. We are going to unfold and connect the stories to run into the theme that reveals God’s character and God’s purposes for using Israel to represent God.To reinforce the Bible student’s belief and extend a larger reality of God -- to walk away with a larger reality of God. We will teach the Pentateuch like a narrative moving from the birth of a Nation, to the eve of Israel’s settlement in the Promised Land; and there’s more. Join us for this exciting journey through the Pentateuch. |
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