Biblical and Theological Studies Program Distinctives

Customizable Biblical Studies Major and Minor

The major and minor in Biblical and Theological Studies are designed to integrate with all other majors offered on campus. As a department, one of our core mission goals is to facilitate student integration of faith and learning. By offering a customizable major and minor in Biblical and Theological Studies, we aim to facilitate the increase of double-majors at Wheaton College. In addition to offering numerous courses for the Christ at the Core Curriculum, the department offers courses that cover the majority of the Thematic Core tags as well. We also created our program such that in pursuit of the core and thematic requirements a student can also achieve additional certifications such as The Certificate in Religions of the World or the Certificate in Early Christian Studies.  

Biblical Archaeology Major and Minor 

Wheaton College offers a unique opportunity for students to engage with our renowned Archaeology faculty through our Biblical Archaeology program. Students can take a single course, include a minor in their studies, or even pursue a complete major in the program. Our biblical archaeology program richly intertwines archaeology with the study of the Old and New Testaments. This unique program is one of the top programs of its kind in the country.  

Studying Scripture through the lens of archaeology and ancient Near Eastern linguistics lens clarifies and enlivens its message while also exploring its contemporary relevance. Courses include, Old Testament Archaeology, New Testament Archaeology, Akkadian Cuneiform, and Archaeology of Ancient Syria-Palestine.  

Tel Shimron Archaeological Excavation

In addition to core courses in archaeology, history, and ancient languages (including biblical languages), the department includes participation in an approved archaeological excavation (Tel Shimron, Israel) and an interdisciplinary emphasis that provides a strong liberal arts foundation for a variety of vocations. 

Religions of the World Certificate

The Certificate in Religions of the World aims to address our contemporary world of religious pluralism through four goals. In this certificate program students will:

• understand the diversity of beliefs and practices of other religious traditions from the perspective of those who adhere to the respective tradition.
• explore how to think about and engage with other religious traditions and persons through examining scripture and Christian scholarship on the topic.
• gain greater understanding of their own Christian faith through open dialogue with the texts and practitioners of the other religious traditions.
• articulate the Gospel through the idioms, concerns, and frameworks of other religious traditions to better serve as authentic witnesses to the Gospel in our pluralistic world.  

The Wheaton Center for Early Christian Studies

The Wheaton Center for Early Christian Studies is an interdisciplinary program that fosters the study of early Christianity as a source of wisdom for contemporary issues. It provides a rigorous and integrative academic opportunity at Wheaton College for undergraduates and graduates to explore how the theology and practices of the early church address issues for the church and the world today.