I can’t believe I’m thinking about changing my M.Div concentration already… and I’m over 4 months away from starting school! Ahhhhhhh!! I’m thinking about the M.Div “North American Church Planting” in the Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism and Church Growth. I just checked & found there’s a form to fill out to change degree concentrations! Hope they don’t hate me for switching..

I just don’t know if I can take all the Greek and Hebrew and Bible studying–even though that’s all great and edifying… I’m just thinking hard about WHAT God really wants me to do. Preach expository sermons: yes, contend for the faith and contextualize to the culture: yes, start and build a church - yes! What do You want me to do?!

I’m currently enrolled in Southern Seminary’s School of Theology’s M.Div - Biblical and Theological Studies concentration:

This option within the Master of Divinity program is designed to give concentrated focus upon biblical and theological studies. Through this concentration, students engage in intensive biblical language study and explore theology, philosophy, and history in depth. Students with this concentration will likely take Hebrew and Greek simultaneously in varying degrees of intensity. (AHHHHHH… WHAT DID I GET MYSELF INTO?!?!) Since students in this concentration do not have room for the Old and New Testament Introduction classes within the required program of studies, they are strongly advised to attend the introductory lectures (i.e. of 20200, 20220, 22200, and 22220) to increase their general knowledge of the Scriptures. Permission of the instructor is required.

Vocational Objectives
• Biblical and theological studies
• Campus/college ministry
• Doctoral studies
• Evangelism
• Pastorate
• Preaching

Remedial/Pre-requisite Courses
20400 Elementary Hebrew (3)
22400 Elementary Greek (3)
31980 Written Communication (if required) (2)
42490 Cooperative Program 0

Scripture and Interpretation (33 hours)
20440 Hebrew Syntax and Exegesis 3
22100 Biblical Hermeneutics 3
22440 Greek Syntax and Exegesis 3
27800 Theology of the Old Testament 3
27820 Theology of the New Testament 3
Hebrew Exegesis elective—Pentateuch or Historiography 3
Hebrew Exegesis elective—Prophets or Poetic/Wisdom Writings 3
Greek Exegesis elective—Gospels or Acts 3
Greek Exegesis elective—Epistles or Revelation 3
OT Elective in Language Exegesis, Backgrounds, Textual Criticism 3
NT Elective in Language Exegesis, Backgrounds, Textual Criticism 3

Theology and Tradition (21 hours)
25100 Introduction to Church History I 3
25120 Introduction to Church History II 3
26100 History of the Baptists 3
27060 Systematic Theology I 3
27070 Systematic Theology II 3
27080 Systematic Theology III 3
27700 A Biblical Theology of Worship or
27710 Worship Leadership or
40200 The Worshipping Church 3

Worldview and Culture (6 hours)
28500 Introduction to Christian Philosophy 3
29250 Survey of Christian Ethics 3

Ministry and Proclamation (19 hours)
30000 The Ministry of Proclamation* 3
32100 Personal Evangelism 3
32960 Introduction to Missiology 3
34300 Introduction to Biblical Counseling: Methods and Skills 3
40080 The Ministry of Leadership 3
40150 Personal Spiritual Disciplines 2
44910 Applied Ministry: Theology or
44955 Applied Ministry: Women 2

Restricted Electives (9 hours)
Restricted electives from Theology and Tradition, and Worldview and Culture Divisions, with 3 hours minimum required from
each division 9

Total Master of Divinity with a concentration in Biblical and Theological Studies Requirements 88

• Elementary Hebrew (if required) +3
• Elementary Greek (if required) +3
• Written Communication (if required) +2