Unlock boundless opportunities by pursuing a B.A. or B.S. in Bible. Our comprehensive programs equip you with essential knowledge and spiritual leadership skills, empowering you to excel in local ministry and beyond. With a core of 55 semester hours and additional Bible courses, you’ll be prepared for impactful work in various ministry settings. Embrace your calling and take the first step towards a fulfilling future by enrolling in our Bible major programs today!
Department:
College of Biblical Studies
Dean:
Justin M. Rogers
Program Coordinator:
Dr. Doug Burleson (B.A.)
Dr. Kevin Moore (B.S.)
Studying the Bible at Freed-Hardeman University opens doors to spiritual growth and diverse opportunities. Our B.A. and B.S. in Bible programs provide a comprehensive and enriching curriculum, spanning 55 semester hours along with essential Bible courses. Our dedicated faculty brings expertise from the field, ensuring personalized attention and guidance throughout your journey.
Embrace hands-on learning and gain practical experience, preparing you for impactful roles in local ministry and beyond. Whether you’re passionate about the pulpit, education program, counseling or other ministry areas, our Bible major programs equip you to excel in your chosen path.
Discover your purpose and elevate your career prospects by enrolling in Freed-Hardeman University’s Bible major programs today!
Bachelor of Arts in Bible and Bachelor of Science in Bible Four-Year Plans
Embark on a clear path to success with Freed-Hardeman University’s four-year plan for Bible majors. Our guide is designed to assist you in reaching your goals and fulfilling your dreams in the field of ministry. With our encouraging approach to education, we provide unwavering support every step of the journey. Whether you’re a first-year student or nearing graduation, rest assured, we’re here for you. Follow our comprehensive four-year plan and pave the way to a fulfilling and rewarding career in ministry.
For those pursuing a degree in Bible studies, the future holds promising opportunities. As the demand for spiritual leaders continues to rise, graduates in this field are highly sought after. At FHU’s Bible Department, students can gain hands-on experience through real-world ministry projects and internships. With a combination of in-depth biblical education and practical training, graduates will be well-prepared for success in various fulfilling career paths, from local ministry roles to counseling and education programs.
At Freed-Hardeman University, students majoring in Bible can expect to acquire knowledge and skills in biblical interpretation, theology, pastoral care and church history. This comprehensive program is designed to prepare future biblical scholars for diverse ministry roles and theological studies. Moreover, a Bible major often serves as a strong foundation for leadership positions within the field of ministry and spiritual guidance.
Listed in this catalog under Academics: Liberal Arts Display
Limit I. A. Bible to BIB 446 Christian Evidences (not BIB 346 Foundations of Faith)
| BIB 130 | Personal Evangelism | 3 |
| BIB/COM 231* | Preparation and Delivery of Sermons | 3 |
| BIB 250 | Church History OR | 3 |
| BIB 350 | Restoration Theology OR | (3) |
| BIB 352 | Early Christian Theology | (3) |
| BIB 330 | Congregational Ministry | 3 |
| BIB 347 | Systematic Christian Doctrine (W) | 3 |
| BIB 410 | Critical Introduction to the Old Testament (W) | 3 |
| BIB 420 | Critical Introduction to the New Testament (W) | 3 |
| BIB 296/396/496 | Field Laboratory | 3 |
*Women Bible Majors may substitute COM 231 Preparation and Delivery of Sermons with BIB 233W The Christian Woman, BIB 235W Message Design and Delivery, or BIB 333W Teaching the Bible to Children (women only).
| BIB 261 | New Testament Greek I | 3 |
| BIB 262 | New Testament Greek II | 3 |
| BIB 361 | New Testament Greek Readings | 3 |
| BIB 362 | New Testament Greek Exegesis | 3 |
(choose one of the following seven emphases)
| A. Bible Text: | ||
| BIB 110 | Survey of the Old Testament | 2 |
| BIB 120 | Survey of the New Testament | 2 |
| BIB | Additional Old Testament course | 2 |
| BIB | Additional New Testament course in Pauline Text | 2 |
| BIB | Additional Testament course in non-Pauline Text | 2 |
| BIB 326 | Bible Text Colloquium | 1 |
| BIB 434 | Seminar for Bible Majors | 3 |
| Plus four (4) hours of BIB text or language courses
Two (2) hours must be Old Testament |
4 | |
| B. Christian Apologetics: | ||
| PHI 243 | Introduction to Philosophy (W) | 3 |
| BIB 428 | The Bible and Science | 3 |
| BIB 299E/399E | The Problem of Suffering | 3 |
| BIB/PHI 344 | Ethics | 3 |
| BIB 434 | Seminar for Bible Majors | 3 |
| BIB 340 | Logic OR | 3 |
| BIB 443 | Critical Thinking | 3 |
| C. Ministry: | ||
| BIB 237 | Fundamentals of Youth and Family Ministry | 3 |
| BIB 331 | Organizational and Administration of Bible School | 3 |
| BIB 345 | Contemporary Concerns | 3 |
| BIB 434 | Seminar for Bible Majors | 3 |
| Plus six (6) hours from any of the following courses: | 6 | |
| BIB 232 | Missionary Principles and Practices | (3) |
| BIB 333W | Teaching the Bible to Children (women only) | (3) |
| BIB 343 | Christian Worship | (3) |
| BIB 433 | Personal Counseling | (3) |
| D. Missions: | ||
| BIB 200 | Bible Basis of Missions | 3 |
| BIB 232 | Missionary Principles and Practices | 3 |
| BIB/COM 236 | Intercultural Communication OR | 3 |
| BIB 351 | Missionary Anthropology | (3) |
| BIB 434 | Seminar for Bible Majors | 3 |
| And choice of six (6) hours from the following (3 hours must be upper-division) | 6 | |
| BIB 332 | History of Missions | (3) |
| BIB 338 | Urban Church Growth | (3) |
| BIB 239/339/439 | Area Mission Studies | (3) |
| BIB 433 | Personal Counseling | (3) |
| BIB 436 | Encountering Islam | (3) |
| BIB 445 | World Religions (W) | (3) |
| E. Preaching: | ||
| BIB 328 | Inductive Preaching | 3 |
| BIB 342 | Current Religious Thought | 3 |
| BIB 345 | Contemporary Concerns | 3 |
| BIB 433 | Personal Counseling | 3 |
| BIB 434 | Seminar for Bible Majors | 3 |
| BIB 435 | Expository Preaching | 3 |
| F. Youth and Family Ministry: | ||
| BIB 237 | Fundamentals of Youth and Family Ministry | 3 |
| BIB 337 | Adolescent Spiritual Development | 3 |
| BIB 345 | Contemporary Concerns | 3 |
| BIB 433 | Personal Counseling | 3 |
| BIB 437 | Seminar in Youth and Family Ministry | 3 |
| Plus three (3) hours from any of the following courses: | 3 | |
| BIB 328 | Inductive Preaching | (3) |
| BIB 329 | Biblical Leadership | (3) |
| BIB 331 | Organization and Administration of Bible School | (3) |
| BIB 435 | Expository Preaching | (3) |
Listed in this catalog under Academics: Liberal Arts Display
Limit I. A. Bible to BIB 446 Christian Evidences(not BIB 346 Foundations of Faith)
| BIB 130 | Personal Evangelism | 3 | |
| BIB/COM 231* | Preparation and Delivery of Sermons | 3 | |
| BIB 250 | Church History OR | 3 | |
| BIB 350 | Restoration Theology OR | (3) | |
| BIB 352 | Early Christian Theology | (3) | |
| BIB 330 | Congregational Ministry | 3 | |
| BIB 347 | Systematic Christian Doctrine (W) | 3 | |
| BIB 410 | Critical Introduction to the Old Testament (W) | 3 | |
| BIB 420 | Critical Introduction to the New Testament (W) | 3 | |
| BIB 296/396/496 | Field Laboratory | 3 | |
*Women Bible Majors may substitute COM 231 Preparation and Delivery of Sermons with BIB 233W The Christian Woman, BIB 235W Message Design and Delivery, or BIB 333W Teaching the Bible to Children (women only).
| BIB 241 | Biblical Exegesis | 3 | |
| BIB 341 | Interpreting the Bible | 3 | |
| BIB | One lower-division text course | 2 | |
| BIB | Two upper-division text courses | 4 | |
(choose one of the following seven emphases)
| A. Bible Text: | |||
| BIB 110 | Survey of the Old Testament | 2 | |
| BIB 120 | Survey of the New Testament | 2 | |
| BIB | Additional Old Testament course | 2 | |
| BIB | Additional New Testament course in Pauline Text | 2 | |
| BIB | Additional New Testament course in non-Pauline Text | 2 | |
| BIB 326 | Bible Text Colloquium | 1 | |
| BIB 434 | Seminar for Bible Majors | 3 | |
| Plus four (4) hours of BIB text or language courses
Two (2) hours must be Old Testament |
4 | ||
| B. Christian Apologetics: | |||
| PHI 243 | Introduction to Philosophy (W) | 3 | |
| BIB 428 | The Bible and Science | 3 | |
| BIB 299E/399E | The Problem of Suffering | 3 | |
| BIB/PHI 344 | Ethics | 3 | |
| BIB 434 | Seminar for Bible Majors | 3 | |
| BIB 340 | Logic OR | 3 | |
| BIB 443 | Critical Thinking | 3 | |
| C. Ministry: | |||
| BIB 237 | Fundamentals of Youth and Family Ministry | 3 | |
| BIB 331 | Organizational and Administration of Bible School | 3 | |
| BIB 345 | Contemporary Concerns | 3 | |
| BIB 434 | Seminar for Bible Majors | 3 | |
| Plus six (6) hours from any of the following courses: | 6 | ||
| BIB 232 | Missionary Principles and Practices | (3) | |
| BIB 333W | Teaching the Bible to Children (women only) | (3) | |
| BIB 343 | Christian Worship | (3) | |
| BIB 433 | Personal Counseling | (3) | |
| D. Missions: | |||
| BIB 200 | Bible Basis of Missions | 3 | |
| BIB 232 | Missionary Principles and Practices | 3 | |
| BIB/COM 236 | Intercultural Communication OR | 3 | |
| BIB 351 | Missionary Anthropology | (3) | |
| BIB 434
|
Seminar for Bible Majors | 3 | |
| And choice of six (6) hours from the following (3 hours must be upper-division) | 6 | ||
| BIB 332 | History of Missions | (3) | |
| BIB 338 | Urban Church Growth | (3) | |
| BIB 239/339/439 | Area Mission Studies | (3) | |
| BIB 433 | Personal Counseling | (3) | |
| BIB 436 | Encountering Islam | (3) | |
| BIB 445 | World Religions (W) | (3) | |
| E. Preaching: | |||
| BIB 328 | Inductive Preaching | 3 | |
| BIB 342 | Current Religious Thought | 3 | |
| BIB 345 | Contemporary Concerns | 3 | |
| BIB 433 | Personal Counseling | 3 | |
| BIB 434 | Seminar for Bible Majors | 3 | |
| BIB 435 | Expository Preaching | 3 | |
| Plus three (3) hours from any of the following courses: | 3 | ||
| BIB 328 | Inductive Preaching | (3) | |
| BIB 329 | Biblical Leadership | (3) | |
| BIB 331 | Organization and Administration of Bible School | (3) | |
| BIB 435 | Expository Preaching | (3) | |
| F. Youth and Family Ministry | |||
| BIB 237 | Fundamentals of Youth and Family Ministry | 3 | |
| BIB 337 | Adolescent Spiritual Development | 3 | |
| BIB 345 | Contemporary Concerns | 3 | |
| BIB 433 | Personal Counseling | 3 | |
| BIB 437 | Seminar in Youth and Family Ministry | 3 | |
| Plus three (3) hours from any of the following courses | 3 | ||
| BIB 328 | Inductive Preaching | (3) | |
| BIB 329 | Biblical Leadership | (3) | |
| BIB 331 | Organization and Administration of Bible School | (3) | |
| BIB 435 | Expository Preaching | (3) | |
Below are answers to questions prospective students often have when considering a major in Bible. If you have additional questions or need more information, please contact admissions@fhu.bramblettgrp.com and they will happily answer questions and provide additional details about our program.
The Bible Major at Freed-Hardeman University offers two degree options: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Bible and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Bible: Ministry. Both programs consist of a core curriculum of 55 semester hours, in addition to the Bible courses required for general education.
The B.A. in Bible is specifically designed to prepare students for local ministry and graduate education, while the B.S. in Bible: Ministry is tailored for those aspiring to work in various local ministry settings, including roles in the pulpit, education program, and counseling. Although the B.S. program does not mandate the study of Greek or Hebrew, students have the option to take these languages as electives.
Both majors focus on equipping students with profound insights into the scriptures, spiritual leadership skills, and practical experience, empowering them for fulfilling and impactful careers in ministry.
Majoring in Bible at Freed-Hardeman University (FHU) offers a host of valuable benefits:
Overall, majoring in Bible at FHU provides a transformative and enriching educational experience, empowering you to fulfill your calling and make a positive impact in the world through your profound understanding of God’s Word.
The job outlook for individuals majoring in Bible can be diverse and varies depending on the career path they choose within the field of ministry and theological studies. Here are some potential aspects of the job outlook for Bible majors:
While the job outlook for Bible majors may not be as quantifiable as other fields, the demand for individuals with a deep understanding of biblical studies, spiritual leadership, and pastoral care continues to exist in various capacities. Graduates who combine their academic knowledge with practical experience and a strong sense of calling are likely to find meaningful and rewarding career opportunities within the realm of ministry and theological studies.
As a Bible student, you will acquire a wide range of skills that are essential for effective ministry, spiritual leadership, and in-depth understanding of the scriptures. Some of the key skills you will learn include:
These skills are valuable not only in traditional ministry roles but also in various careers that require strong interpersonal, communication, and leadership abilities. As a Bible student, you will be equipped to serve effectively in local ministry, counseling, education programs, and other fields where a deep understanding of biblical studies and spiritual leadership is highly regarded.
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