BA in Biblical Studies and Classical Christian Thought
Program Description
Veritas International University is pleased to announce the newly formed BA in Biblical Studies and Classical Christian Thought program in the evangelical-friendly tradition of Augustine, Anselm, and Aquinas. Using primary sources and trusted texts, students will be exposed to the thought and theology of leading classical Christian thinkers and biblical books and familiarize themselves with classical languages.
This program is designed for those desiring to familiarize themselves with the Bible to communicate the Scriptures in a classically informed expositional manner and/or to understand a classically oriented biblical worldview.
Resident students will follow a Paideia form of education, in 15-week semesters, incorporating didactic, Socratic, and project-based learning, using the skills they acquire to impact the culture for Christ as VIU’s mission declares: Proclaiming the Gospel, equipping the saints, and defending the faith.1
Paideia
Rooted in classical, Christian culture, the Paideia form of education is a trusted means to form and inform the whole person. Classical scholar Werner Jaeger defines paideia as “the shaping of a person in the context of culture, the formation of a human soul.” VIU strives to shape student learning within a classical, Christian worldview.
We find hints of this form of education in Jesus’s time as a student, when He sat among the teachers, listened, and asked questions (see Luke 2:46).
Jesus also fostered a Paideia form of education as a teacher, using broad methodology in His instruction. He encouraged His followers to love God with their hearts, minds, souls, and strength, a holistic approach to learning (see Matthew 22:37).
Furthermore, the Apostle Paul uses paideia to describe a holistic way of life in the context of the training, nurture, and instruction of students (see Ephesians 6:4 and 2 Timothy 3:16). Later, the church picked up this form of education, using it throughout the centuries via a Classical education, a broad and all-encompassing pedagogy.
For more information on Paideia, we recommend Dr. Mortimer J. Adler’s books The Paideia Proposal, The Paideia Program, and Reforming Education, generally espoused as the Great Books approach. With a Paideia form of education, in-person students will be exposed to the following methods:
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- Didactic: Classroom instruction rooted in a classical, Christian thought.
- Socratic: Discuss primary texts and sources.
- Project-Based: Apply their knowledge in practical, penetrating ways.
Features of the BA Program
Bible Exposition Track: Using key biblical books, the Bible Exposition Track introduces students to specific books of the Bible, highlighting authorship, historical background, Christological theme, core theological messages and historical/chronological flow. Furthermore, students will learn to exposit the text with a grammatical-historical approach, upholding a high view of textual interpretation. Each book will be faithfully exposited in consistent with the perspective of full biblical inspiration and inerrancy.
Classical Christian Thought Track: Using Paideia methodology,2 the Classical Christian Thought Track introduces students to leading thinkers in Classical Christianity in the evangelical-friendly tradition of Augustine, Anselm, Aquinas, and other great thinkers from the western world. This is accomplished by reading and discussing pivotal texts that are consistent and supportive of evangelical Christianity, familiarizing students with the larger scope of patristic thought (the study of the early Church Fathers). Furthermore, students will learn elements of classical philosophy (with a focus on the transcendentals: simplicity, truth, beauty, and goodness) and historic, classical theology and apologetics in the classical Thomistic tradition of Norman L. Geisler and the evidential tradition of John Warwick Montgomery.
Biblical Languages Track: Over the course of four semesters, the student will become familiar with the foundational vocabulary and grammar of Koine Greek and biblical Hebrew for reading the Old and New Testaments. This will allow the student to gain firsthand experience translating the text of primary documents with the aid of basic primary language skills as well as having a working knowledge of the dynamics involved.
Paideia methodology includes didactic instruction, Socratic discussion of primary source material, and practical projects.
Program Objectives
The BA in Biblical Studies and Classical Christian Thought program will:
- Present the core biblical texts for study and exposition, focusing on the historic-grammatical method of interpretation emphasizing expositional communication of the Scriptures (All Tracks).
- Familiarize students to the various personages associated with a classical, Christian worldview, with special emphasis placed on Augustine, Anslem, and Aquinas and core metaphysical concepts such as truth, beauty, and goodness (Classical Christian Thought Track).
- Defend the significance of this corpus for New Testament studies and the contemporary Church (Biblical Studies track).
- Provide students the opportunity to learn vocabulary and grammar of biblical languages (Hebrew and Greek) as a foundation for reading the Old and New Testaments (Biblical Languages Track).
- The students will learn the classical case for Christianity. Specifically, they will be required to memorize the 12 points that show Christianity is true. This will be part of the final exam and will constitute most of the time of the semester (Apologetics track).
- Introduce students to key theological and philosophical works, using primary sources within a Socratic discussion format, preparing them to think critically and biblically about various theological and philosophical themes addressed within Classical, Christian thought (All tracks).
- Instill within students the proper tools/methods to support and defend the historic Christian faith by offering an outlet for students to write—and/or speak— in a manner that is hermeneutically and theologically sound (All tracks), thereby articulating a Biblical and classical Christian theology (All tracks).
Admissions
Admission to the BA program requires either a high school diploma, or GED, or equivalent with
a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. The BA degree program calls for students who
demonstrate a desire to understand and communicate God’s Word, possess a potential for
academic research, desire for primary research, a faithful commitment to the Word of God, and
the personal discipline and commitment necessary to complete the degree requirements.
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Bachelor of Arts – 120 units |
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Major Requirements – 75 units |
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General Education Requirements – 45 units* |
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Year 1 |
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Fall – 12 units |
Spring – 12 units |
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OT310/SH-310: Survey of the OT | 3 |
NT320/SH-320: Survey of the NT | 3 |
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OT217: Esther | 3 |
NT202/204: Gospel of John or Mark | 3 |
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TH320: Bible Study Methods & Interpretation | 3 |
TH202: Classical Systematic Theology | 3 |
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BLG401: Greek I | 3 |
BLG402: Greek II | 3 |
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Year 2 |
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Fall – 12 units |
Spring – 12 units |
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OT227: Daniel | 3 |
NT218: Epistles of John | 3 |
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OT216: Nehemiah | 3 |
NT217: Epistles of Peter & Jude | 3 |
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AP301: Christian Apologetics | 3 |
CCT204: Truth, Beauty, and Goodness | 3 |
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BLH401: Hebrew I | 3 |
BLH402: Hebrew II | 3 |
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Summer Term – 3 units |
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PH402: God and Philosophy | 3 |
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Year 3 |
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Fall – 12 units |
Spring – 12units |
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OT308: Ruth | 3 |
OT438: Zechariah | 3 |
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OT315: Ezra | 3 |
NT411: Philippians | 3 |
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NT312: Colossians | 3 |
NT406: Romans | 3 |
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PM340: Expositional Teaching/Preaching | 3 |
PM440: Homiletics | 3 |
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*45 units of general education courses must be earned at another institution and transferred to VIU to receive the VIU BA degree. These additional units may be earned concurrently with your VIU program. |
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