Major: Bible Studies
Pick up a copy of the Bible. Find a poetic psalm by King David. Read a gripping passage about Moses speaking directly to God, or Jesus protecting Mary Magdalene from stone throwers. The 2,000-year-old text you're holding has had a greater impact on Western civilization than any other book, ever.
People study the Bible for many reasons. Some wish to delve into a fascinating work of literature while others wish to understand the Western concept of God. Still others want to learn how Judaism and Christianity have shaped history, gain spiritual inspiration, or discover guidelines for living the good life. Most Bible studies majors prepare for careers as religious leaders or scholars.
This major focuses on the Christian Bible, the Jewish Bible, or both, in addition to related literature, such as the Talmud. Students deepen their understanding of the Bible and learn how to interpret it.
Did You Know?
- Women serve as leaders in many faiths, including Reform Judaism, Evangelical Lutheranism, and Untied Methodism.
Are You Ready To...?
- Learn Hebrew, Latin, or ancient Greek
- Perhaps study abroad for a semester
- Spend some time doing social service or missionary work
- Balance your spiritual needs, your desire to serve others, and your academic work
It Helps to Be...
Someone who loves literature and history. This major is suited to people who seek spiritual meaning and have a passion for helping others. You'll need solid time-management and organizational skills to stay on top of all the reading, writing, and research you'll be doing.
College Checklist
- Is the program housed in a religiously based private school or a public institution?
- Will you be required to learn a biblical language such as Hebrew?
- What is the ratio of female to male students and faculty?
- What is the program's position on the role of women in biblical studies and religious leadership?
- Will you have a chance to study abroad?
- Will you have the chance to do social service or missionary work?
Did You Know?
- Most Bible studies programs are housed in private universities emphasizing a particular belief system, such as Quakerism.
Course Spotlight
A standard course in this major is called Hermeneutics, a word that means "interpretation." As you can imagine, deciding what a passage in the Bible means can pose quite a challenge. Not only do different religions read the text differently, but so do various congregations within each religion. A course in hermeneutics will help you grasp past and current theories about how to interpret the Bible, and give you tools to understand it in ways that make sense in today's world.
