Check out this months School of Biblical Studies Newsletter

A Message from Dr. Bill Sheffield
Dean of the School Biblical Studies

The School of Biblical Studies is central to the mission and purpose of Louisiana Baptist University. It provides quality education for future pastors, counselors, evangelists, missionaries, and other Christian workers as well as individuals pursuing careers in business, education and the arts and sciences.

The School of Biblical Studies contributes to the overall goals of LBU and provides the nucleus around which all other programs revolve. Its influence is realized throughout our institution as it adds to the distinctive Christian atmosphere.

A specific degree in Biblical Studies seeks:

To provide you with learning experiences needed to equip you for the finest service to God and your fellow man;

To provide you with a well-balanced general education as well as the opportunity for detailed study leading to a Bible major;

To provide you with an opportunity to study and learn the doctrines and practices of New Testament Christianity;

To provide you with the knowledge which will enhance your understanding of the sovereignty of God in your life, the redeeming power of Jesus Christ, and the purpose of your service to God and to humanity

To aid you in the development of a Christian philosophy of life and to assist you in developing Christian standards of moral and ethical conduct;

To assist you in finding your purpose in God's plan whether you seek to be a pastor, missionary or dedicated layperson.

Biblical Studies Degrees

Upon its founding, the institution was primarily a Bible school. The essential goal was to teach ministers and other Christian workers how to understand the Word of God (Holy Scripture) and to serve God and mankind effectively. Over the past decades, LBU has expanded its curricular offerings to include education, counseling, music and communications.

Using the finest materials available from leading conservative authors, we are constantly improving our curricula to meet your needs. If you are a minister or a Christian layperson, you can pursue your chosen course of study in either the on-campus or the external studies program. You should know that many of this nation's most successful and respected ministers and Christian educators hold degrees from Louisiana Baptist University. Louisiana Baptist University School of Biblical Studies offers the following areas of concentration:

Pastoral Ministries
The purpose of this area of concentration is to prepare the student professionally for their duties as a pastor, missionary or Bible expositor. The administrative duties of the pastor, his role as the leader of public worship, developing of skills in preaching, leadership in the local congregation, his role in the community and other subjects will be considered. Special emphasis will be given to evangelism, discipleship and church growth. (NOTE: Students are encouraged to take a minimum of fifteen (15) semester credit hours of leadership and administration).

Student Ministries
Today, more than ever, our world is in need of men and women with a passion for ministering to teenagers and young adults. Recognizing this need, in the spring of 2003, Louisiana Baptist University developed an area of concentration in Student Ministries. An effective youth ministry comes from a deep understanding of the Word of God, for this reason the student ministry degree is founded on a sound education of liberal arts and Bible and includes specialized courses designed by top youth pastors. Principles and practices will be taught that will enable, equip and empower a youth pastor in leading a professional staff, adult volunteers and student leaders. Specialized courses will help student ministers to define their role in the overall ministry of the church, their responsibility and relationship to the senior pastor, the professional and volunteer staff and the parents of the students that are under their direction.


Educational Administration
This area of concentration is designed for those who feel the calling to serve the church as either education director or as administrative pastor. Like all other degrees the education and administration degree is founded on a sound liberal arts and Bible education with special emphasis on teaching and administration. Students will study how to organize and administrate the educational ministries of the church, church and personal finance, church marketing and strategic church management.

Evangelism

Believing that evangelism is the key element in the life of individual believers and essential in the local church, Louisiana Baptist University has always placed emphasis on soul-winning, evangelism, and revival. The evangelism program is designed to equip those planning to enter full-time evangelism and also instill in those who are pastors both the desire and know-how to build a soul-winning church. The program seeks to impart to the student the ability to plan, organize and implement both individual church and city wide evangelistic campaigns.
The evangelism program will have an academic portion, but will also feature a practical application side. Students will be able to earn extra credit by either conducting an evangelistic crusade or assisting in setting up evangelistic meetings.

Spanish Courses now available:

The School of Biblical Studies is now offering courses in the Spanish language. These degree programs are intended to meet the academic needs of pastors and missionaries who work with the ever increasing Hispanic population within the borders of this nation. Studies are being made available from the Bachelor level through the Doctoral level programs.

The Hispanic Baptist Bible Fellowship within the United States is growing at an unprecedented rate and LBU is excited to be a part of what God is doing within that segment of our population. For more information contact Dr. Sheffield.

Bachelor of Arts Program
View or order Bachelor Level Textbooks (200-400)
The program leading to the Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies requires one hundred twenty-eight semester credit hours (128SCH) of academic work.
Minors are available in Church Administration, Missions, and Music. Those students seeking a double major in one of these fields must select electives which are appropriate to that field.

Master of Arts in Biblical Studies
View or order Master Level Textbooks (500)
If you have an undergraduate degree and appropriate academic preparation in Biblical Studies, as determined by your faculty advisor, you may wish to pursue the Master of Arts in Biblical Studies program. As with all graduate study programs you must, however, meet the individual approval of the Admission Office.
You must complete a minimum of thirty semester credit hours (30SCH) of course work. You must also complete a thesis for which you receive six semester credit hours (6SCH), for a total of thirty-six semester credit hours (36SCH) at the graduate level.

Doctor of Philosophy
View or order Doctorate Level Textbooks (600-700)
The Ph.D. is the highest academic degree that can be earned at this institution. Therefore, the University demands an excellence in scholarship, including the ability to do effective independent research. Because of the nature of a Ph.D. program, it is recommended that no more than thirty (30) semester hours will be achieved through structured class work. Courses may be selected from the 600 and higher level of Biblical Studies listed in the back of the catalog. Other courses should include research projects that fall within the parameters of this field of study. The program culminates in an original work representing a significant contribution in their field of study.

The person admitted to our Ph.D. program must have the appropriate academic background as well as the initiative and self-discipline and the research skills necessary to succeed in such a program.
Upon approval for entry into the program the doctoral student is assigned a faculty advisor and two other faculty members. These three persons must approve the individualized program that is designed for the student seeking a Ph.D. The faculty advisor acts as chairperson for this committee.