Academics

Curriculum Overview

Freshmen have the opportunity to learn in these areas:

  • Bible
  • Theology
  • Ethics: Contemporary Views
  • Speech & Communication
  • English Grammar and Composition
  • Worldview Formation
  • History of Worship & Music
  • Personal Planning & Management
  • Travel in Israel

The normal academic program consists of 34 hours of classroom instruction, of which a minimum of 30 hours is required for the Certificate in Biblical Studies. The courses meet the ordinary standards of Bible and Christian liberal arts colleges for transfer credit.

Course Descriptions

BIB 105 Survey of the Old Testament

3 s. hrs.  This course is designed to give the student a grasp of the key people and events of OT history. An understanding will be developed of the major themes and principles of the OT and the progression of God’s saving plan through Israel’s history which culminates in the person and work of Jesus

BIB 106 Survey of the New Testament

3 s. hrs. A study of the 27 books of the New Testament from the perspectives of their historical and cultural backgrounds, their literary characteristics and interrelationships, and their distinctive themes and messages. The student will learn the chronology, the history, the biographies of Jesus and Paul, and will discover the major doctrines of the

BIB 112A, 112B Bible Lands Seminar

1,2 (total 3) s. hrs. The BICS Bible Lands Seminar consists of a two-semester seminar capped by twenty days or more of intensive study in Egypt (including the Sinai), Israel, and Jordan. Classes (held weekly throughout both semesters) will consist of lectures and presentations of relevant geographical, historical, and archeological data. Students will be responsible

THE 107 Survey of Biblical Theology

3 s. hrs. The purpose of this course is to provide the student with a working knowledge of the major elements underlying Systematic Theology. The course will survey the biblical teaching concerning Scripture, God, man, sin and salvation, the person and work of Christ, the Holy Spirit and application of redemption, the church, the return

ENG 117 English Grammar and Composition

3 s. hrs. This course seeks to increase the student’s understanding and use of the English language and the elements necessary for clear and effective writing.  Course components include a thorough review of fundamental English grammar, assigned readings and books, and written compositions.

COM 129 Basic Skills in Communication

3 s. hrs. Although reading and composition will be required, Basic Skills in Communication is essentially a course in which students make speeches. Students develop their communication skills through instruction, reading, discussion, performance and critiquing classmates in an open and friendly laboratory/workshop environment. They will also experiment with ancillary means of presentation such as the

MUS 142 History of Worship & Music in the Church

3 s. hrs. The students will be introduced to the history of worship and music in the Church from biblical times to the present. The course will survey the major periods of church history and will deal with the contributions of David, Paul, Justin Martyr, Augustine, Luther, Calvin, Wesley, Watts, and American leaders. Special attention

PLA 149 Personal Planning and Management

3 s. hrs. This course will teach the student to manage personal time and finances from a Christian perspective. It will also deal with the major factors of operating within the context of God’s will and of the determination and development of one’s own spiritual gifts. The course will be taught in two modules: Learning

EVA 150 Evangelism and Christian Apologetics

3 s. hrs. In this study, one is introduced to the methods and materials of effective personal evangelism within the larger context of world mission.  It will include  biblical evangelism, the theology of evangelism, and a brief overview of the history and objectives of the mission of the Church. The student will also gain a

DIS 151A, DIS 151B Discipleship Seminar

1/2, 1/2 (total 1) s. hr. This seminar aims to challenge each student to practice Christian discipleship through devotional, disciplinary, and academic exercises. Emphasis is placed on essential biblical doctrines regarding personal salvation and sanctification, personal Bible reading, the keeping of a journal and the practice of financial and time management. Section 151-B will focus

BIB 208 The Book of Romans

3 s. hrs. Romans is the key to the whole Bible. Bible 208 is an expository and theological study of Paul’s epistle focusing on its answer to the question “What is the Gospel?” The student will gain a knowledge of the progress of Paul’s thought and encounter many of the great doctrines of the faith.

BIB 212 The Book of Acts

3 s. hrs. This course exposes the biblical principles of ministry that laid the foundation of the early Church and enabled it to carry out the Great Commission.  Students will discover Luke’s purpose in writing the book to Theophilus by examining his selection and ordering of material, by detecting particular themes and by noting the

PHI 229 Ethics: Contemporary Views & Challenges

3 s. hrs. This course will survey ethical theories as a prelude to discussion of current ethical and moral issues in society. The aim is to understand the twin biblical principles of being “In the world and not of it” (Jn 17:11-16) and of being “all things to all men” (1 Cor 9:19-23). Through philosophic

MIS 254 Introduction to World Mission

3 s. hrs. This course will delineate the biblical basis for missions and survey the progress of missions in history. Attention will be given to major historical figures in the history of missions as well as to various evangelistic methods and strategies employed to the present day.

Special Post-Commencement Study: SCI 244 Introduction to Field Archeology

Introduction to Field Archeology is a beginning experience of participation in the excavation of a biblical site. The course includes at least ten days of excavation in the West Bank, Israel, visits to selected archeological sites throughout the country, and fifteen evening classroom lectures by academic professionals in the field. The lectures include topics on

Extracurricular Studies

Occasionally one may wish to continue with further study beyond the Certificate in Biblical Studies; or, in some cases, to substitute a tutorial course for one of the certificate courses that is very similar to one he has taken elsewhere. Arrangements may be made with the Administration. The faculty of the Institute has a broad and rich experience in college-level teaching of a number of courses besides those scheduled in the program above.

Additional Courses

In addition a wide selection of courses is offered locally by qualified institutions. The following is a sampling of courses in areas previously taught by the BICS’ faculty and others that have drawn recent interest. THE 110 Advent Christian History, Polity, and Doctrine ENG 220 Selections from English Literature, MUS 140 Hymnology, MUS 148 Choral Conducting, MUS 227-A Music Theory I, MUS 227-B Music Theory I

Colleges which have accepted transfer credit from the Institute:

The Antioch School, Ames, IA
Houghton College, Houghton, NY
Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI
Lancaster Bible College, Lancaster, PA
Campbell University, Buies Creek, NC

Montreat-Anderson College, Montreat, NC
Columbia Bible College, Columbia, SC
Nyack College, Nyack, NY
Eastern College, St. David, PA
Eastern Nazarene College, Quincy, MA

Toccoa Falls College, Toccoa Falls, GA
Gordon College, Wenham, MA
University of Massachusetts
Thomas College, Waterville ME