Master of Divinity in Biblical Studies
This major is designed to provide a solid biblical and theological foundation for the person who plans to enter pastoral church ministries or as Christian workers in training institutes. It is highly recommended that students who desire to pursue post-graduate studies take this major study.
First Year
| First Quarter | Units | Second Quarter | Units | Third Quarter | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hermeneutics | 3 | Basic Counseling | 3 | Creative Teaching Methods | 3 |
| Old Testament I | 3 | Homiletics | 3 | Old Testament III | 3 |
| Research Methods | 3 | Old Testament II | 3 | Preaching Practicum I | 3 |
| Hebrew I | 3 | Hebrew II | 3 | Hebrew III | 3 |
| Field Education | 1 | Field Education | 1 | Field Education | 1 |
| Summer Practicum | 3 | ||||
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Hermeneutics – 3 Units
A study of the principles and methods of biblical interpretation. Particular emphasis is given to the development of skills in interpreting the various types of literary genres found in the Bible and applying the Scriptures in daily life and in the Christian ministries of preaching and teaching.
Old Testament I: Torah – 3 Units (Pre-requisite: Hermeneutics)
A study of Torah the Hebrew Bible (Genesis trough Deuteronomy), with attention to introductory and critical issues, historical and geographical context, literary structure, and key theological themes
Research Methods – 3 Units
A study of key concepts and procedures of basic research with special attention to the preparation and writing of a research paper applicable to biblical, theological, education, counseling, and intercultural studies.
Hebrew I: Elementary Hebrew – 3 Units
A study of Hebrew grammar and syntax.
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Basic Counseling – 3 Units
Homiletics – 3 Units
A study of the principles and process involved in the preparation of expositional and other varieties of sermons. This include proper extraction of the central idea from an exegetical study of the text and moving from the central idea to sermon outline.
Old Testament II: Former and Latter Prophets – 3 Units (Pre-requisite: Hermeneutics)
A study of the Former and Latter Prophets of the Hebrew Bible (Joshua, Judges, 1-2 Samuel, 1-2 Kings; Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Hosea), with attention to introductory and critical issues, historical and geographical context, literary structure, and key theological themes. The office and work of the prophet is also briefly examined.
Hebrew II: Intermediate Hebrew – 3 Units (Pre-requisite: Hebrew I)
A continuation of Hebrew I
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Creative Teaching Methods – 3 Units
A Study of various creative methods in Christian educational ministries in non-formal and formal settings.
Old Testament III: Poetic Books – 3 Units (Pre-requisite: Hermeneutics)
A study of the Writings of the Hebrew Bible (Psalms, Job, Proverbs, Ruth, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes, Lamentations, Esther, Daniel, Ezra – Nehemiah, 1 – 2 Chronicles), with attention to introductory and critical issues, historical context, literary structure, and key theological themes.
Preaching Practicum I – 3 Units
Application of homiletical principles and actual preaching of selected texts from the New Testament.
Hebrew III: Principles of Hebrew Exegesis – 3 Units (Pre-requisite: Hebrew II)
A study of the principles of Hebrew Old Testament exegesis with emphasis to the tools, methods and procedures of interpreting the different Old Testament literary genres through the study of selected passages.
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Second Year
| First Quarter | Units | Second Quarter | Units | Third Quarter | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Testament I | 3 | New Testament II | 3 | New Testament III | 3 |
| Pastoral Ministry I | 3 | Pastoral Ministry II | 3 | Pastoral Ministry Elective | 3 |
| Preaching Practicum II | 3 | Global Mission | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| Old Testament Book Study | 3 | Greek I | 3 | Greek II | 3 |
| Field Education | 1 | Field Education | 1 | Field Education | 1 |
| Summer Practicum | 3 | ||||
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New Testament I: Gospels – 3 Units (Pre-requisite: Hermeneutics)
A study of Gospels with attention to introductory and critical issues, historical and geographical context, and key theological themes.
Pastoral Ministry I/Pastor’s Spiritual Formation – 3 Units
A study of the spiritual formation of the pastor with special attention to the minister’s call, the cultivation of spiritual discipline, the pastor’s family, pastoral ethics, and spiritual leadership.
Preaching Practicum II – 3 Units
Application of homiletical principles and actual preaching of selected texts from the Old Testament.
Old Testament Book Study – 3 Units (Pre-requisite: Hebrew I, II, III)
An in-depth exegetical study of a selected book of the Old Testament with a view of applying the principles of Hebrew exegesis.
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New Testament II: Acts and Early Epistles – 3 Units (Pre-requisite: Hermeneutics)
A study of Acts and the early epistles with attention to introductory and critical issues, historical and geographical context, and key theological themes.
Pastoral Ministry II/Pastoral Ministries – 3 Units
A study of the nature of pastoral ministry with emphasis to the role of the pastor. Attention is given to the minister’s spiritual leadership among the congregation and the minister’s various pastoral ministries such as preparation for preaching and worship, administration, home-visitation, teaching and other ministries.
Global Missions – 3 Units
A study of the history and strategy of world missions with special attention tot he “un-reached peoples” group and the challenge and task of world evangelization.
Greek I: Elementary Greek – 3 Units
A study of Biblical Greek grammar and syntax.
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New Testament III: Later Epistles and Revelation – 3 Units (Pre-requisite: Hermeneutics)
A study of later epistles and Revelation with attention to introductory and critical issues, historical and geographical context, and key theological themes.
Pastoral Ministry III/Pastoral Counseling – 3 Units
A study of the principles and practice of various aspects of pastoral counseling and care. Special attention is given to the skills necessary for a pastoral counseling ministry and the general issues Chinese-Filipino and Filipino parishioners face today.
Greek II: Intermediate Greek – 3 Units
A continuation of Greek I
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Third Year
| First Quarter | Units | Second Quarter | Units | Third Quarter | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global Christianity I | 3 | Global Christianity II | 3 | Global Christianity III | 3 |
| Systematic Theology I | 3 | Systematic Theology II | 3 | Systematic Theology III | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | General Elective | 3 | Urban Mission | 3 |
| Greek III | 3 | New Testament Book Study | 3 | Old / New Test. Book Study | 3 |
| Field Education | 1 | Field Education | 1 | Field Education | 1 |
| Summer Practicum | 3 | ||||
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Global Christian History I: Apostolic and Medieval Church History – 3 Units
A study of the history of the church from the apostolic to the medieval periods dealing with its establishment, development, theological movements, and liturgy.
Systematic Theology I: Foundation of Theology: Introduction, The Bible and God – 3 Units
This course studies the methodology and philosophy of theology, the doctrine of the Bible and God. Prolegomena is an examination of reality, truth, language, meaning, value, and source of Christian theology. Bibliology is the study of the revelation, inspiration, inerrancy, canonicity, and authority of the Bible. Theology Proper deals with the existence, nature, attributes and works of God and His relationships to His creation and creatures.
Greek III: Principles of Greek Exegesis – 3 Units
A study of principles of Greek New Testament exegesis with emphasis on the tools, methods and procedures of interpreting the different New Testament literary genres through the study of selected passages.
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Global Christian History II: Reformation and Modern Church History – 3 Units
A study of the history of the church covering the Reformation, Counter-reformation, modern and contemporary periods dealing with biographical, theological, and liturgical developments. Special topics include revivalism, denominationalism, missions, ecumenism, evangelism, and Pentecostal/charismatic/third wave movements.
Systematic Theology II: Anthropology, Hamartiology, Pneumatology, Angelology: Humans, Sin, The Holy Spirit and The Spirit World – 3 Units
A study of the biblical doctrines of man, sin, the Holy Spirit and the spiritual world. Anthropology deals with the origin and nature of human beings. Hamartiology deals with the origin, nature, extent, and effects of sin in creation, in human relationships to God. Pneumatology deals with person and work of the Holy Spirit with attention given to the current Pentecostal-charismatic movements. Angelology deals with the doctrines of evil, angels and demons with attention to their origin, personality, works, and views of the Filipino and Chinese spirit world.
New Testament Book Study – 3 Units (Pre-requisite: Greek I, II, III)
An in-depth exegetical study of a selected book of the New Testament with a view of applying the principles of Greek exegesis.
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Global Christian History III: Historical Theological of Asian Churches – 3 Units
A study of the history and theological trends of the Asian churches, with particular focus on the Chinese and Filipino settings. The historical survey covers the early up to the modern periods. Emphasis will be given to missiological, Christological, and other contemporary issues in theology.
Systematic Theology III: Christology, Soteriology, Ecclesiology, Eschatology: Christ, Salvation, The Church and The End Times – 3 Units
A study of the biblical doctrines of Christ, salvation, the church, and end times. Christology deals with the person and work of Jesus Christ. Soteriology examines the themes of propitiation, redemption, adoption, reconciliation, atonement, election, justification, sanctification, perseverance, and glorification of the believer. Ecclesiology examines the nature, government ordinances officers, and mission of the church. Eschatology deals with the Second Coming, the resurrection, judgement, and the eternal state.
Urban Missions – 3 Units
A Study of the nature and methods of missions in the urban context with special attention to the problems, opportunities and challenges of urban evangelism and the development and implementation of a mission strategy for urban outreach. Field trips to selected places are include.
Old / New Testament Book Study – 3 Units
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Advance Hermeneutics – 3 Units (Pre-requisite: Hermeneutics)
A study of the development, current trends and critiques of various hermeneutical approaches and their contribution and effects on the task of exegesis.
Biblical Theology – 3 Units (Pre-requisite: Hermeneutics I, OT Book Study, NT Book Study)
An introductory study of Old Testament and New Testament theology with special emphasis on the nature, methodology, unity and diversity of biblical theology, and the key theological themes of biblical theology.
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Field Education – 1 Unit
Actual field work is an integral part of the training of students. During weekends each quarter, students are assigned to local churches in Metro Manila where they learn to minister to various age groups and develop the right outlook toward ministry. Students are supervised by resident pastors or church leaders in these local churches.
During the quarter recess or summer vacations, evangelistic and mission teams are formed and sent out to areas for exposure. Students also undergo one-month internship at different provincial churches where on-the-job training in church planting and pastoral works are provided. Other ministries include counseling in organized camps, conferences, conducting Daily Vacation Bible Schools, church planting, and teaching in training seminars.
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