Bible and theology in the core curriculum

Ask any Christian college what every student studies in Scripture and theology, and you will hear a different answer. Some require a single course. Others build the Bible into the whole core. The catalog answers the question in a few lines, and this guide shows where to look.

What to look for in the catalog

• How many Bible or theology courses every bachelor’s student must take, not only students who choose a theology major.
• Whether both Testaments are required, or only one, or one as a choice among other courses.
• Christian worldview or faith-and-learning courses, which connect the faith to subjects such as science, business or the arts.
• Whether faith is part of the whole curriculum, as stated in academic or faculty policy, or only in the religion department.
• Whether a Bible, theology or ministry major or minor is offered for students who want more.

Questions to ask

1. Which courses meet the Bible and theology requirement, and do all students take the same ones?
2. Does every student study both the Old and the New Testament, or may a student choose one?
3. How do faculty in biology, literature or business bring faith into their courses? Ask for an example from a recent syllabus.
4. If a student already knows Scripture well, can they place out of part of the requirement or take a different course?
5. Are these courses taught from one church tradition or several? How are students from other traditions treated in class?

Reading the grade

The Bible and theology pillar counts required courses first. A college that requires three or more Bible or theology courses of every bachelor’s student earns the most points for that item, and smaller requirements earn fewer. The pillar also records whether both Testaments are required, whether a worldview course is required, whether faith is stated across the curriculum, whether a Bible, theology or ministry major or minor is offered, and whether the college publishes a statement of faith. For the statement, the Compass records only whether one is published. What it says is not graded.

A small required number does not always mean less study. Some colleges teach Scripture in courses that do not carry a theology label. The catalog and a conversation with the department will show that.

Next steps

• Browse Christian colleges and see each one’s Bible and theology grade.
• Read Statements of faith and community covenants, which often go with the same courses.
• See the Bible and theology indicators with their point values.