DBS in Biblical History

ONLINE DOCTOR OF BIBLICAL STUDIES
IN BIBLICAL HISTORY

Ideal for Pastors, Ministry Leaders, Missionaries,
Christian Authors, and Christian School Teachers

The mature minister who loves the Bible, and desires to be better informed about the place of Israel and the Church in world history, will find this program a treasure trove of information and learning.

Program Curriculum

Online Orientation MOR

Evidence for Biblical Inerrancy EBI-1501

Old Testament Synthesis OT-1501

New Testament Synthesis NT-1501

Classic Readings in the History of Israel RHI-1500

Readings in the Intertestamental History of Israel RHI-1501

Historical Geography of the Holy Land HGH-1500

Israel and the Church IAC-1510

Church History During the Formative Years CH-507

Biblical History Panorama BHP-700

TOTAL REQUIRED CREDITS - 36


ADDITIONAL OPTIONAL 6 CREDITS: Adds value to the degree, and strengthens the transcript - Israel Study Tour Practicum / ISP-1500*

* Requires an approved past or future Israel tour of not less than seven days that meets the minimum requirements.

TOTAL WITH OPTIONAL CREDITS - 42

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Biblical history is about so much more than the events recorded in the sixty-six Books of Scripture. The Apostle John ended his Gospel account by saying, "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written" (John 21:25). The same is true of the whole of Biblical history.


Even the most advanced students of the Scriptures often find the chronology of the historical events of the Bible vague, and challenging. For example, just trying to name the Kings of the Southern and Northern Kingdoms of Israel can be daunting and confusing. In addition, few Bible scholars are well versed in the Intertestamental period of Biblical history, and relate to the phrase "The Four Hundred Years of Silence," more literally than symbolically.


This doctoral program in Biblical History is designed to change all of that, and to put the advanced Bible scholar in the driver's seat of the flow of Biblical history from creation to the early church era. The preacher of Ecclesiastes wrote, "He hath made everything beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end" ( Ecclesiastes 3:11). While it is not possible for any human being in this life to know all of God's works "from the beginning to the end," it is possible to gain a broad and competent understanding of the works of God in the flow of world history. 


Entrance Requirements (one of the following):

 

  • An acceptable master's degree of at least 30 hours in a Bible related discipline.
  • Applicants holding an acceptable master's degree of at least 30 hours that is not in a Bible related discipline, may be considered for admission providing they meet one of the following:
    a. Have earned an acceptable bachelor's degree in a Bible related discipline in addition to the unrelated master's degree.
    b. Have served at least ten (10) years in a Christian ministry role such as pastor, teaching minister, missionary, Christian school teacher, chaplain, or a similar field of Christian service in addition to having earned an acceptable unrelated master's degree.

 

Course Descriptions


Orientation OR-DO

The purpose of this course is to help ensure that the student will begin his or her study program at Master’s with the basic information needed to move successfully toward graduation. For this reason, this course is mandatory of all new students.


Evidence for Biblical Inerrancy EBI-1501

The purpose of this course is too provide the graduate student with an opportunity to examine the internal evidences for the validity of the Bible as its own source of confirmation of Divine inspiration, and to challenge the student to analyze these internal evidences critically and competently.


Old Testament Synthesis OT-1501

The purpose of this course is to present and expose the student to deeper study of the Old Testament as a whole; to enable the student to recognize and interpret individual characters, the purpose and theme of each Old Testament book and the relation of the Old Testament to the New Testament; to apply that knowledge in the student’s ministry and to lead the student to examine carefully the various interpretive options in Old Testament studies.


New Testament Synthesis NT-1501

The purpose of this course is to present and expose the student to deeper study of the New Testament as a whole; to enable the student to recognize and interpret individual characters, the purpose and theme of each New Testament book and the relation of the Old Testament to the New Testament; to apply that knowledge in the student’s ministry and to lead the student to examine carefully the various interpretive options in New Testament studies.


Classic Readings in the History of Israel / RHI-1500

The purpose of this readings course is to acquaint the student with the wealth of information contained in classic writings on the Biblical time period of the history Israel, and the Jewish people.


Readings in the Intertestamental History of Israel / RHI-1501

The purpose of this readings course is to expand the student's understanding of what is known as the "Intertestamental Period" of Biblical History, and how that period of about 400 years between the writing of Book of Malachi, and the birth of Jesus Christ influenced the Jewish world, and laid the foundation for the Christian era.


Historical Geography in the Holy Land HGH-1500 - A Survey of the Holy Land: Geography, Archaeology, Architecture, and History.

The purpose of this course is to acquaint the student with the geography of the Holy Land. All of the sites important to the development of the Nation of Israel and the Ministry of Jesus are studied in context with special emphasis on the unique geography of the Holy Land.


Israel and the Church IAC-1510

This course will exam several crucial topics related to the issue of Israel and the Church, including: The Jewish background of the writers of the New Testament; The Jewish background of the Messiah; The historical circumstances surrounding the separation of Jewish Messianic followers of Yeshua from the Gentile population of Christians; The subsequent theological development that led to a separation of Israel and the Church; Contemporary re-evaluation of this separation and its implications for a renewed relationship.


Church History During the Formative Years (A.D. 70-400) CH-507 - 3 Credits Course Purpose: The events that occurred between the destruction of the Second Temple and official recognition of Christianity by Rome are perhaps the most crucial events that have ever occurred for both modern Judaism and Christianity. If one wishes to build bridges between these two religions, one must have a grasp of whatever material can be gleaned from the historical record. Far too often the common assumptions on both sides are simply not historically accurate. A much more careful examination must be attempted.


Biblical History Panorama / BHP-700

This course will provide the doctoral level student with an opportunity to demonstrate a personal comprehension of the Bible as a continuum from the creation of the current heavens and earth to its recreation in perfection and righteousness.


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