This program will expose students to perspectives from other parts of the world through class discussions, the presence of visiting international scholars, and an academic community engaged in global issues.
Why Pursue a Ph.D. in Biblical & Theological Studies?
The Ph.D. in Biblical and Theological Studies is designed to train scholars who can serve the church worldwide as teachers, researchers, pastors, and leaders. The program aims at fostering faithfulness to the teaching of Scripture with a view towards strengthening and equipping the church in its mission.
Why Study Biblical and Theological Studies at Wheaton?
A full tuition scholarship, as well as a research fellowship, for each of the six students accepted per year will enable each student to devote himself or herself to advanced learning as a fully involved member of the academic community.
We work with a model of strong personal and academic relationships between our students and their doctoral mentors (supervisors) from the very start of their program right through their dissertation defense. Additional faculty are available to teach doctoral seminars, serve as resources, and act as secondary readers for dissertations.
Unlike most doctoral programs in North America that operate with a sequential, step-by-step model, our program is concurrent. Our students work on their dissertation proposals during their first semester, while doing seminars, honing their modern language skills, completing required readings for breadth and depth of knowledge in their field, and engaging in fellowship work (typically supporting the research and teaching of a professor).
In a world of very super-specialized scholarship, we are intentional about bridging the scholarly gap between the Old and New Testaments, and especially between the disciplines of Biblical Studies and Theology. In today’s academy, these are often treated as separate, autonomous subjects, but our program is designed to hold them together. Our program is decidedly theological. We want our students to engage the whole canon of Scripture to discern its unified message for today. Likewise, our program explores the scriptural roots of theology and the theological roots of Scripture.
View the Course Catalog
Our course catalog provides detailed information such as course requirements, course descriptions, faculty information, and program overview for the PhD in Biblical and Theological Studies.
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Wheaton was an ideal place in which to prepare for a lifetime of scholarship and teaching.— Carmen Imes Ph.D., '16, Associate Professor in Old Testament at Prairie College
BITH Grad Women's Fellowship
The BITH Grad Women’s Fellowship was started over a decade ago to provide a space for female graduate students in the department to meet together regularly throughout the year with female faculty, build relationships, provide support, and enjoy each other’s company. The group was started by Dr. Karen Jobes (Emeritus) and is led today by Dr. Jennifer Powell McNutt. Food, fellowship, and prayer are the focus of our time together. If you are a female BITH student in an MA or Ph.D. program then please join us!
Faculty Books
Spirit of God: Christian Renewal in the Community of Faith
These essays, edited by Dr. Jeffrey Barbeau, provide an ecumenical exploration of the Holy Spirit's person and work in biblical, historical, doctrinal and practical perspective.
Christians at the Border: Immigration, the Church, and the Bible
As both a Guatemalan and an American, Dr. Daniel Carroll draws on key biblical ideas to speak to both the immigrant culture and the host culture, arguing that both sides have much to learn about the debate.
Caesar and the Lamb: Early Christian Attitudes on War and Military Service
Through the available patristic writings Dr. George Kalantzis focuses on the attitudes of the earliest Christians on war and military service and tells the story of the struggle of the earliest Church.
