The Master of Theological Studies (MTS) Biblical Studies concentration is designed to give students an opportunity to acquire focused knowledge in the specific discipline of Biblical Studies. The distinctive approach and contributions of the Pentecostal Theological Seminary in the area of Biblical Studies, which has had a global impact within the Pentecostal tradition and within the broader discipline of Biblical Studies, are brought to bear in this degree concentration in an intentional way, offering candidates for this degree the opportunity to study and research at the intersection of Biblical Studies and Pentecostal theology.
Upon graduation the student will be able to:
1. Experience and give priority to encounter with God through His Word.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of the Word of God by showing familiarity with the structure, content, theological emphases, canonical context, original context, church context, and Pentecostal context of the books of the biblical canon.
3. Demonstrate proficiency in the Biblical Languages.
4. Rightly divide (interpret/discern) the Word of God by means of a Pentecostal approach to Scripture that utilizes critical appropriation of spiritual and academic resources.
5. Practice and foster community of faith relationships around the Word of God.
6. Exhibit knowledge of the Word that informs Pentecostal faith and practice, both generally and more specifically.
7. Produce ministry of the Word through writing, speaking, and enacting the Word in relation to various gifts of ministry.
8. Discern the Spirit of the Word that attends the Word of the Spirit through reverential recognition and response to the presence and voice of the Holy Spirit in and through the Scripture, assessed in the context of Pentecostal community.
9. Be people of the Word by ingesting the Word to the point that it is embodied in one’s life and witness.
Candidates for the MTS Biblical Studies Concentration must complete 48-60 hours (depending upon previous academic training) of prescribed coursework. This includes the successful completion of first year Greek and first year Hebrew (or their completion at undergraduate level), eleven hours of core courses in biblical studies including an introductory seminar on Biblical Studies in the Pentecostal Tradition (one hour) and the Biblical Studies MTS Capstone Seminar (one hour), thirteen hours of Pentecostal Theology and History including Pentecostal Foundations as well as four hours of Community of Faith Group participation, at least twelve hours of coursework in Biblical Studies based upon Greek and/or Hebrew, and twelve hours of elective Biblical Studies coursework. The candidate will produce a final project in the MTS Biblical Studies Concentration Capstone Course.