Mission Statement
Our Lord Jesus Christ commissioned His followers to “go and
make disciples of all nations, baptizing them ... and teaching
them to observe all that I commanded you ... ” (Matt. 28:19). The
apostle Paul is an example of how the early believers embraced
this mission and carried it forward. “We proclaim him (Christ),” Paul
declared, “admonishing every man and teaching every man with
all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ”
(Col.1:28). Indeed, over the centuries there is an unbroken chain
of men and women who have found life doing the same. So it is
the mission of the School of Biblical and Theological Studies at
Cedarville University to stand firmly in that line of those who have
faithfully carried forward Christ’s commission. With Peter we are
convinced that it is Christ alone who has “the words of eternal life”
(John 6:68).
As a school, we are privileged to carry out this commission
on two levels. First, we are engaged in training men and women
professionally and academically. Professionally, we want to equip
graduates for full-time ministry in the church by preparing men
and women with a theologically informed philosophy of ministry
accompanied by the skills and experience needed to actualize it
in the church. Majors that particularly facilitate this are Christian
education, youth ministries, pastoral studies, world missions,
and international studies-missiology. Academically, we want to
inspire men and women to use their minds for the glory of God.
We want to raise up a generation of scholars whose desire is to
bring every thought into submission to Christ for the glory of God.
Majors geared toward this purpose are comprehensive Bible, pre-
seminary Bible, and philosophy.
Second, we have the institution-wide opportunity of influencing
each student through the required Bible minor. On this level we
endeavor to aid students from all disciplines in developing a
distinctively God-centered world and life view. We believe it to be
crucially important that all those who will be appointing the pastors
and missionaries of the future, doing the work of the ministry, and
serving God through their vocations know how to handle the Word
of truth accurately.
To this end, we commit ourselves to facilitating the development
in every student of a biblically based, theologically sound,
philosophically defensible, and life-transforming view of life under
God.
Personal Requirements
Students planning to pursue careers in vocational ministries
should possess a commitment to intense study of the Scriptures,
a heart for ministering to the needs of others, and a reputation for
Christlike character, which would provide a platform for authentic
spiritual leadership. In addition to classroom expectations,
students should seek to gain as much practical experience in
ministries as possible. Biblical and Theological Studies majors
find the opportunities provided by Christian Ministries to be
excellent avenues for applying truths learned in the classroom and
developing necessary skills for effective ministry.
School Requirements
To graduate with a major from the School of Biblical and
Theological Studies, students must earn a cumulative average
of 2.0 or higher and a “C-” or higher in all courses included in the
major.
Programs of Study
The School of Biblical and Theological Studies offers the
following programs:
Majors
• Biblical Studies
• Christian Education
• Intercultural Studies - Missiology
• Youth Ministries
Minors
• Bible
• Bible Teacher Education
• Christian Education
• Greek
• Missions
• Pastoral Ministry
• Philosophy and Religion
• Preseminary
• Women’s Ministry
• Youth Ministries
Special Program
• One-Year Bible Certificate
Technical Resources
• Concordance and Bible study software (Logos Series-X
Scholar’s Edition)
• Textbook-specific software
• Course-specific software
Cocurricular Opportunities
Several organizations exist campus wide, which assist in the
development of character and ministry skills. Many Bible faculty
serve as advisors for these organizations, and our students are
encouraged to take full advantage of them. For example:
Alpha Sigma
Alpha Sigma is an organization devoted to promoting critical
thinking through philosophical and theological inquiry into issues
central to the Christian worldview and our contemporary culture.
Career Opportunities
Graduate schools, professional schools, and seminaries
welcome Cedarville University graduates. Careers pursued by
graduates include:
• Bible teacher
• Pastor
• Camp director
• Philosopher
• Christian education director
• Writer
• Missionary
• Youth pastor
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2014–15 Undergraduate Academic Catalog
School of Biblical and Theological Studies
Mission Statement
