2015-16 Undergraduate Academic Catalog

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

• Biblical Care and Counseling

• Christian Ministry

• Greek

• Missions

• Pastoral Ministry

• Philosophy and Theology

• 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

• Writer

• Christian education director

• Youth pastor

• Missionary

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2015–16 Undergraduate Academic Catalog

School of Biblical and Theological Studies

Mission Statement