Master's Curriculum

Master of Biblical Studies and Master of Theological Studies

500 - Introduction to Graduate Studies - Donnie Bates (MBS) (2 credit hours) This course will introduce the student to graduate level studies and research. This course will form the foundation for the additional coursework in our Masters Program and must be completed before any additional courses can be taken. 

501 - Advanced Hermeneutics - Dr. Denny Petrillo (Ph.D.) (3 credit hours) This course is designed to address the complexities of Biblical Interpretation and to provide a solid hermeneutical methodology. (Blitz Week)

503 - Romans - Dr. Dan Owen (Ph.D.) - (3 credit hours)  (Blitz Week)

505 - Biblical Counseling - Dr. Jerry Martin (Ph.D.) (3 credit hours) This course is designed to provide basic training for preachers, church leaders, Bible class teachers, and any concerned Christian who is interested in knowing how to provide emotional assistance in a spiritual context. An overview of the different levels of counseling and the kind of person that is capable of providing counseling at each of those levels will be outlined. Specific texts will be assigned and will be expected to be read before class begins. (Blitz Week)

507 - Advanced Apologetics - Bart Warren (M.Div.) (3 credit hours) In order to defend his faith, the Christian must have a thorough knowledge of his own faith. In order to defend his faith, the Christian must also have a working knowledge of his opponent's claims and/or beliefs. This course is designed to help equip the serious Bible student to be able to meet the challenges and arguments posited by atheists, agnostics, or skeptics in general. This will be done through reading, reporting, research, and written assignments.

508 - Church Growth and Evangelism - Donnie Bates (MBS) (3 credit hours) This course is designed to be an in-depth study of church growth and evangelism. Emphasis will be given to understanding various evangelistic methods, motivating, and equipping congregations, as well as, formulating a plan to grow the Lord's kingdom in a particular area.

509 - The Gospel of John - Dr. David Lipe (Ph.D.) (3 credit hours) The major introductory questions to the Gospel of John will be discussed. The course will focus on an in-depth study of key passages. Applications for the twenty-first century minister will be emphasized. (Blitz Week)

512 - Restoration History - Donnie Bates (MBS) (3 credit hours) While in one sense the restoration of the church is still taking place, this course is a study of the early Restoration Movement in America. Studies will concentrate on key figures, events, and teachings of the Restoration Movement from the early 1800s through the early 1900s.

513 - Biblical Ethics - Bart Warren (M.Div.) (3 credit hours) This course is a study of of contemporary theories in philosophical ethics with an emphasis on biblical applications to current problems in values.

514 - Postmodernism in the Church - Dr. Dan Owen (Ph.D.) (3 credit hours)  (Blitz Week)

516 - Revelation - Dr. Dan Owen (Ph.D.) (3 credit hours) This course will be an exegetical study of the book of Revelation using a literary/historical approach. The student will be introduced to a method of studying the book along with a verse by verse consideration of the text. (Blitz Week)

518 - Hebrews - Dr. Dan Owen (Ph.D.) - (3 credit hours)  (Blitz Week)

519 - Joshua, Judges, Ruth - Dr. Jerry Martin (Ph.D.) (3 credit hours) This course is designed to provide an opportunity for the student to gain deeper knowledge of, and greater insight from, the study of a specific time in the history of God's chosen people, Israel. This course will provide an overview of the Israelites' triumphant conquest of the "Promised Land," the repetition of their "godless" failures, and insight into the purity of individuals' personal lives going on behind the scenes. (Blitz Week)

522 - The Gospel of Matthew - Wesley Walker (M.Div.) (3 credit hours) The Gospel of Matthew focuses on Jesus as the Rightful King. Matthew’s goal is to establish Jesus’ kingly credentials, the nature of the Kingdom of God, and how we live as Kingdom subjects. The course will explore Matthew’s development of these themes and aid students in using this material in their teaching roles in the local church.

523 - Advanced Greek - Dr. Denny Petrillo (Ph.D.) (3 credit hours) This course takes the student beyond elementary Greek into some of the more interesting and significant aspects of the language of the New Testament.  Consideration will be given to applying grammatical lessons to sound exegesis of the New Testament texts.

525 - New Testament Theology- Donnie Bates (MBS) (3 credit hours) The general objective of this course is to better understand the overall message of the New Testament when considered as a unit and not just a collection of twenty-seven disparate texts. The student’s overall appreciation of the relationship of all the books of the New Testament will grow through the successful completion of assignments designed to help in the preaching and teaching of the material of this course.

526 - Biblical & Biomedical Ethics - Dr. Daniel Stearsman (Pharm.D.) (3 credit hours) (Blitz Week)

527 - Seminar on Luke - Acts - Dr. Dan Owen (Ph.D.) (3 credit hours) (Blitz Week) This seminar is designed to give students a look at the overall design of Luke-Acts. Students will learn to see individual stories and speeches as parts of a cohesive whole. Hopefully, we will better appreciate how to show what Luke was trying to prove to Theophilus as we teach from this great two-volume work.

604 - Missionary Issues - Donnie Bates (MBS)  (3 credit hours) This course is designed to help the student anticipate issues and potential problems that typically arise on the mission field. 

605 - Advanced Missions Leadership - Chad Wagoner (M.Div.)  (3 credit hours) This course will enable the student to develop personal, individual leadership skills and learn how to apply those skills in a mission environment. Emphasis will be placed on leadership development (both personal and missional), mission leadership with the BVBI Extension School concept, and developing leadership within indigenous Christian populations.

606 - Introducing Cultural Anthropology - Dave Chamberlin (MBS)  (3 credit hours)This course will examine the use of cultural anthropology as the description, interpretation, and analysis of similarities and differences in human cultures. This study is designed to focus on an anthropological perspective that will enhance the work of the missionary in the field by understanding the methods and concepts of the discipline. The basic study of Anthropology should better equip the missionary in matters of evangelism, social action, church life, and the role of culture in one's own understanding of the gospel message.