Master of TheologyAdvanced Competency
For faithful interpretation

• BBL-840 Advanced Language Study
  • Guided study in Aramaic, or if competency already is demonstrated for Aramaic, then Ugaritic, Akkadian, or Middle Egyptian may be substituted.
• BBL-841 Advanced Study in the History and Culture of Israel and the Ancient Near East
  • Guided study of critical issues in the history and culture of ancient Israel within the context of the ancient
    Near East. In addition to extensive reading in biblical and ancient Near Eastern literature, archaeology, and historical geography, students will present a final paper before the faculty of Old Testament.
• BBL-846 Advanced Study in Critical Issues and Methods in the Study of the OT
  • Guided study of critical issues and contemporary methods in the study of the Old Testament. In addition
    to extensive reading in the various subfields of biblical criticism, students will present a final paper before the faculty of the Old Testament.
• BBL-848 Advanced OT Exegesis
  • Guided exegesis in selected texts in a variety of genres. The student will incorporate a variety of constructive approaches to biblical criticism and demonstrate competency using the advanced search capabilities of electronic tools. The final paper will be an exegetical commentary on a selected text.
• BBL-880 Enrichment
  • The student will select, with the guidance of the academic advisor, an enrichment module outside the
    program major.
• BBL-884 Advanced Study in Old Testament Biblical Theology
  • Guided study of classic and contemporary Old Testament theologies, engaging as well at the interface
    with Israelite religions. In addition to written review of the primary literature, the student will present a final paper before the faculty of the Old Testament on a topic that demonstrates his/her own method.
• BBL-890 Th.M. Thesis
  • The student will write a 60-100 page thesis on a significant and approved topic in the major field. The thesis will be supervised by a thesis advisor and defended before a faculty committee.

• BBL-870 Grammar and Translation of the NT
  • The student will be expected to have a working knowledge of Greek grammar and to have translated
    the entire Greek New Testament.
• BBL-872 NT Introduction & Historical Background
  • The student will be expected to know the basis, history and methodology of textual criticism. The student must have a general awareness of those significant historical developments from the Persian period through the Bar Kokhba’s revolt which form the backdrop for the New Testament.
• BBL-874 Exegesis of the Gospels & Acts
  • The student will sight-read the Greek text and discuss the exegetical issues with the major professor. He/she will also prepare a list of major exegetical problems for each book.
• BBL-876 Exegesis of the Pauline Epistles
  • The student will sight-read the Greek text and discuss the exegetical issues with the major professor. He/she will also prepare a list of major exegetical problems for each book.
• BBL-877 Exegesis of the General Epistles & Revelation
  • The student will sight-read the Greek text and discuss the exegetical issues with the major professor. He/she will also prepare a list of major exegetical problems for each book.
• BBL-880 Enrichment
  • The student will select, with the guidance of the academic advisor, an enrichment module outside the
    program major.
• BBL-890 Th.M. Thesis
  • The student will write a 60-100 page thesis on a significant and approved topic in the major field. The thesis will be supervised by a thesis advisor and defended before a faculty committee.

The student must complete the degree, including the thesis, within three academic years. The major professor and dean conduct a formal evaluative meeting with any student who fails to complete the program within this time limit (three academic years and two summers). Program extension beyond the three-year limit is granted only on the basis of a faculty vote.

Grand Rapids Theological Seminary Master of Theology graduates excel as competent, character-driven leaders in our world for Christ. As a result, they demonstrate lifelong commitments toward learning, serving and leading which set them apart in their respective ministry and vocational contexts.

Old Testament Specialization Objectives

• Read with facility the prose and poetry of the Hebrew Bible with the use of lexical tools.
• Demonstrate advanced hermeneutical and exegetical skills that apply to Old Testament literature.
• Identify and describe the academic study of the Old Testament.
• Demonstrate competency to read the Old Testament against its Ancient Near Eastern background.
• Research and write an advanced-level master’s thesis in Old Testament.

New Testament Specialization Objectives

• Read with facility the Greek New Testament with the use of lexical tools.
• Demonstrate advanced hermeneutical and exegetical skills.
• Identify and describe the categories that comprise the academic study of the New Testament.
• Research and write an advanced-level master’s thesis in New Testament.