Some of the courses below apply to the program for the one-year Certificate in Biblical Studies and the rest to the two-year junior college program. Course levels vary in difficulty from freshman level to upper division levels (junior and senior level) in a four-year, Bible college curriculum. The 100-level courses will indicate, normally, freshman-level courses; 200 will indicate sophomore level or higher level courses.
00-18 Bible/Theology 19-48 General Arts/Science 49-68 Professional
3 s. hrs. This course is designed to give the student a grasp of the key people and events of OT history. An understanding will be developed of the major themes and principles of the OT and the progression of God’s saving plan through Israel’s history which culminates in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Basic principles of Biblical interpretation will be addressed with special attention being given to gaining a confidence in the authority and relevancy of the Bible and having an ability to answer those who seek to undermine the OT on literary and ethical grounds.
3 s. hrs. A study of the 27 books of the New Testament from the perspectives of their historical and cultural backgrounds, their literary characteristics and interrelationships, and their distinctive themes and messages. The student will learn the chronology, the history, the biographies of Jesus and Paul, and will discover the major doctrines of the New Testament. The instructor will point out important principles of biblical interpretation.
3 s. hrs. The purpose of this course is to provide the student with a working knowledge of the major elements underlying Systematic Theology. The course will survey the biblical teaching concerning Scripture, God, man, sin and salvation, the person and work of Christ, the Holy Spirit and application of redemption, the church, the return of Christ, the resurrection, judgment, and kingdom of God. Being a survey course, the main goal is to enable the student to lay a foundation on which to build a more thorough and complete understanding of theology as he matures in Christ. A supporting goal for this course is to help the student begin to think and reason from a sound theological perspective so that he will learn how to bring every thought under the lordship of Christ. It is further hoped that the student will learn to use his mind in a loving and earnest pursuit of the knowledge of God.
1,2 (total 3) s. hrs. The BICS Bible Lands Seminar consists of a two-semester seminar capped by twenty days or more of intensive study in Egypt (including the Sinai), Israel, and Jordan. Classes (held weekly throughout both semesters) will consist of lectures and presentations of relevant geographical, historical, and archeological data. Students will be responsible for reading and writing assignments, presentations, periodic testing, and a summary report and seminar evaluation. Participants will gain a realistic, multidimensional, hands-on comprehension of biblical geography and life in Near Eastern countries that will improve their understanding of the Bible.
3 s. hrs. This course seeks to increase the student’s understanding and use of the English language and the elements necessary for clear and effective writing. Course components include a thorough review of fundamental English grammar, assigned readings and books, and written compositions.
3 s. hrs. Although reading and composition will be required, Basic Skills in Communication is essentially a course in which students make speeches. Students develop their communication skills through instruction, reading, discussion, performance and critiquing classmates in an open and friendly laboratory/workshop environment. They will also experiment with ancillary means of presentation such as the use of the overhead projector.
3 s. hrs. The students will be introduced to the history of worship and music in the Church from biblical times to the present. The course will survey the major periods of church history and will deal with the contributions of David, Paul, Justin Martyr, Augustine, Luther, Calvin, Wesley, Watts, and American leaders. Special attention will be given to liturgical practices from high church to free. In addition to class lectures and field trips, the students will be asked to to prepare book reports and class presentations on the background of hymns. Analysis of various worship forms and orders of worship will give the student experience in worship planning.
3 s. hrs. This course will teach the student to manage personal time and finances from a Christian perspective. It will also deal with the major factors of operating within the context of God's will and of the determination and development of one's own spiritual gifts. The course will be taught in two modules: Learning The Will of God, Time Management and Financial Planning. Instruction will include lectures, audio-visual presentations, reading and writing assignments, and the preparation of personal plans and schedules.
3 s. hrs. In this study, one is introduced to the methods and materials of effective personal evangelism within the larger context of world mission. It will include biblical evangelism, the theology of evangelism, and a brief overview of the history and objectives of the mission of the Church. The student will also gain a basic understanding of Christian apologetics in general and to introduce Reformed apologetics as the system most biblical in its content and approach. The course will consist of lectures, audio-visual presentations, reading and writing assignments, and practicum.
1/2, 1/2 (total 1) s. hr. This seminar aims to challenge each student to practice Christian discipleship through devotional, disciplinary, and academic exercises. Emphasis is placed on essential biblical doctrines regarding personal salvation and sanctification, personal Bible reading, the keeping of a journal and the practice of financial and time management. Section 151-B will focus on biblical principles relating to dating, engagement and marriage. Each student will be expected to compile and maintain a "Discipleship Seminar Notebook," which will include entries from each area of emphasis described above.
3 s. hrs. Romans is the key to the whole Bible. Bible 208 is an expository and theological study of Paul’s epistle focusing on its answer to the question “What is the Gospel?” The student will gain a knowledge of the progress of Paul’s thought and encounter many of the great doctrines of the faith. Some attention will be paid to responding to modern criticism of Romans and developing sound hermeneutical techniques that can be applied to all of Scripture. Special emphasis will be made concerning the connection between good theology and right behavior, both personally and in our relationships. The student should come away from the course seeing Romans as vital to developing a sound Christian world view.
3 s. hrs. A selection of major doctrines of the Bible will be studied. The aim will be to give the student a balanced view of the essential teaching of the Bible.
3 s. hrs. This course exposes the biblical principles of ministry that laid the foundation of the early Church and enabled it to carry out the Great Commission. Students will discover Luke’s purpose in writing the book to Theophilus by examining his selection and ordering of material, by detecting particular themes and by noting the significant people and events by which the story of Jesus spreads throughout the Roman Empire. A significant component of the course will be the development on a philosophy of ministry for the proper functioning of the church going forward in the postmodern era.
3 s. hrs. An expositional study of Paul's early epistles in which he confronts doctrinal error--reaffirming the doctrine of salvation by faith alone--and provides further revelation of the second coming of Christ and the rise of the Antichrist. Hermeneutical insights, including figures of speech, will be discussed, defined and illustrated.
3 s. hrs. This course will deal systematically with the predictive prophecy in the Old and New Testaments, including the prophecies of the Book of Daniel and their expansion in the Apocalypse as recorded by the Apostle John. Attention will be given to the prophecies of the restoration of Israel, of antichrist, the tribulation and the millennial hope.
3, 3 (total 6) s. hrs. This course will deal systematically with the predictive prophecy in the Old and New Testaments, including the prophecies of the Book of Daniel and their expansion in the Apocalypse as recorded by the Apostle John. Attention will be given to the prophecies of the restoration of Israel, of antichrist, the tribulation and the millennial hope.
3 s. hrs. In this course, students will have the opportunity to practice writing for publication. The course will include grammatical review, essentials of style, and techniques for slanting articles for particular publications.
3 s. hrs. Following a discussion of the development of the early Church from the New Testament period, this survey will touch upon the highlights of the interaction of Church and State from the rise of the medieval church through the Protestant Reformation, concluding with observations on the modern period of the Church's history. Special attention will be given to the expansion of Christianity and to the evolution of the Papal apostasy.
3 s. hrs. This course will survey ethical theories as a prelude to discussion of current ethical and moral issues in society. The aim is to understand the twin biblical principles of being "In the world and not of it" (Jn 17:11-16) and of being "all things to all men" (1 Cor 9:19-23). Through philosophic and cultural analysis, we will struggle with the challenge of being relevant to and understandable by our contemporaries without compromising the Gospel.
3 s. hrs. An introduction to biblical principles and techniques for effective counseling. Instruction will be illustrated by common counseling situations. Some prominent approaches, including that of Nouthetic Counseling, will be touched upon.
3 s. hrs. This course will delineate the biblical basis for missions and survey the progress of missions in history. Attention will be given to major historical figures in the history of missions as well as to various evangelistic methods and strategies employed to the present day.
1, 2 (total 3) s. hrs. This seminar will seek to encourage students to discern the relationship between effective ministry and a life-long commitment to personal, spiritual growth through devotional and disciplinary practices, e.g., personal Bible reading, prayer, the keeping of a journal, and accountability in financial and time management. The course will include ten days or more of intensive study in a North American, cross-cultural setting, with lectures, the writing a reflection paper, and practical ministry.
The Biblical Language option is primarily for those interested in pursuing a vocation in Christian ministry. Others who wish to learn Hebrew or Greek for non-ministerial goals are also welcome to choose this elective. The option will be available for both first and second year students. Class size and schedule openings will determine course availability.
3, 3 (total 6) s. hrs. An introductory course in Hebrew language that teaches reading and writing, providing a basis for further study in modern or biblical Hebrew.
3, 3 (total 6) s. hrs. The emphasis will be on reading New Testament (Koine) Greek, but with some selections from the Greek Old Testament (LXX) and early Christian writings. An inductive method will enable the successful student to read the easier Greek passages of the New Testament.
Introduction to Field Archeology is a beginning experience of participation in the excavation of a biblical site. The course includes at least ten days of excavation in the West Bank, Israel, visits to selected archeological sites throughout the country, and fifteen evening classroom lectures by academic professionals in the field. The lectures include topics on biblical geography, archeological chronology and biblical history, ancient pottery making and use, pottery typology, stone tools and objects, techniques and recording of archeological excavation, Israelite life in the Late Bronze I-Iron Age I periods (1483-925 B.C.). the biblical record of the conquest of Jericho and Ai, and the place of Khirbet al-Makatir in the conquest history. Students will obtain a general understanding of archeological field work, the relationship of archeology to history, and the contribution of archeology to our understanding of the Bible.
Occasionally one may wish to continue with further study beyond the Certificate in Biblical Studies; or, in some cases, to substitute a tutorial course for one of the certificate courses that is very similar to one he has taken elsewhere. Arrangements may be made with the Administration. The faculty of the Institute has a broad and rich experience in college-level teaching of a number of courses besides those scheduled in the program above. In addition a wide selection of courses is offered locally by qualified institutions. The following is a sampling of courses in areas previously taught by the BICS' faculty and others that have drawn recent interest. THE 110 Advent Christian History, Polity, and Doctrine ENG 220 Selections from English Literature MUS 140 Hymnology MUS 148 Choral Conducting MUS 227-A Music Theory I MUS 227-B Music Theory I [cont.] BIB 204 Isaiah and His Contemporaries BIB 205 The Prophets of the Exile BIB 207 The Postexilic Writings BIB 212 The Life and Letters of Paul
Antioch School; Bethel College, St. Paul, MN; Houghton College, Houghton, NY; Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI; Lancaster Bible College, Lancaster, PA; Campbell Univ., Buies Creek, NC; LeTourneau Univ., Longview, TX; Cedarville College, Cedarville, OH; Montreat-Anderson College, Montreat, NC; Columbia Bible College, Columbia, SC; Nyack College, Nyack, NY; Eastern College, St. David, PA; Philadelphia Biblical University, Langhorne, PA; Eastern Nazarene College, Quincy, MA; Toccoa Falls College, Toccoa Falls, GA; Gordon College, Wenham, MA
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