Program Overview
The Bible-Theology program at Asbury University builds on your passion for Jesus Christ and fosters a desire for a deeper understanding of God’s Word and a heart for service to others.
Biblical and theological studies span a range of disciplines. These include Old Testament, New Testament, hermeneutics (the art and science of interpretation) and theology (including biblical, systematic, historical and pastoral theology).
Students will:
Asbury University’s Bible-Theology degree program provides personal attention and outstanding opportunities for putting what you learn in the classroom to work. The program boasts an outstanding classroom teaching faculty that is actively involved in ministry, research and writing, from involvement in local churches to virtually every facet of University life. Our graduates leave campus well prepared, answering calls to a wide variety of ministries throughout the world.
Students in the Bible-Theology (BTH) program have opportunities to participate in academic events such as the biennial Wesleyan Heritage Conference and the annual Festival of Preaching held on campus. The university hosts a wide array of speakers and performances that enrich students’ educational experience, and all Bible and Theology majors are encouraged to participate in lectures by visiting scholars hosted by nearby Asbury Seminary. Bible-Theology students can enjoy privileges in the B.L. Fisher theological library at Asbury Theological Seminary in addition to the resources of Asbury’s Kinlaw Library.
Students in the Bible-Theology major are required to choose one of two available concentrations, depending on future career goals.
Students selecting this concentration take 9 hours of credits to prepare for the transition to seminary.
Students selecting this concentration take a total of 15 hours of courses, including one intercultural studies course and additional ministry courses.
Students in other Asbury undergraduate programs can select a Bible-Theology Minor.
Bible-Theology students have gone on to pursue vocations in ministry, missions, medicine, law, social work, counseling, business, communications, among others.
Bible Theology programs are reasonably sized: Pre-Ministry (49 credits); Pre-Seminary (43 credits); Minor (18 credits). It is easy for students to pair Bible and Theology with nearly any other major or minor, such as:
The Bible-Theology program encourages intellectual growth through study of biblical texts, original languages, theological writings, church history, and ministry courses. The program also encourages personal spiritual growth. You’ll be urged to grow in your commitment to and relationship with Jesus Christ, as classes cultivate a study of God that can impact you spiritually and ethically, moved by the subject of your classes and assignments. This complements the campus atmosphere that fosters spiritual growth in other ways.
All Bible-Theology majors with a pre-ministry emphasis are required to complete a ministry internship course, in which they experience pastoral ministry firsthand. Other Bible-Theology majors student-pastor at local churches, volunteer as youth leaders, or lead worship at their church or in chapel. There are many ways to get involved in ministry at Asbury, both on and off campus, bringing your courses into practice in pre-professional ways.
Students will experience this program in the historic Hughes Auditorium building, restored with state of the art classroom technology in an iconic building almost 100 years old. Classes sometimes visit other parts of campus to encounter the art of stained glass windows or the 1780 Leipzig Biblia Sacra Quadrilingua bible.
Biblical and theological studies faculty at Asbury have a Ph.D. in their respective areas of expertise. Together, these scholar-teachers have more than 100 years of teaching experience. More importantly, they have a heart for students that extends well beyond the classroom.
The Bible-Theology program teaches students to interpret the biblical texts faithfully. It introduces in-depth knowledge of Scripture and theology. It commends Christian ways of thinking and living as Christ-followers. The goal is to equip ministers of the gospel, teachers in the academy, and other faithful workers in the church.
Our graduates:
More than 75 percent of our graduates attend seminary within 10 years of graduation. Some of our Bible and theology graduates are chaplains in various branches of the military, officers in the Salvation Army, and teachers in the academy. Others have gone on to law school or pursued graduate studies in biblical studies or theology.
admissions@asbury.edu
(859) 858-5000