Christian Studies (B.A.)
Explore the philosophical foundations of Christian living and leadership while building a deep understanding of Scripture and practical ministry skills.
Explore the philosophical foundations of Christian living and leadership while building a deep understanding of Scripture and practical ministry skills.
Pursue theological reflection in an environment that encourages critical thinking and communication skills.
The Department of Christian Studies can trace a long history at Mississippi College, which offered courses in Biblical and classical studies as far back as 1852. Today, the department continues to fulfill a valuable role, serving as a place where students and faculty can come together to consider and explore the most important questions of human existence.
The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) program offers students opportunities to explore significant aspects of scriptural understanding, philosophical and theological reflection, spiritual formation, and practical ministry.
To accomplish its goal of preparing students for meaningful careers in the global Christian community, the program:
Anyone interested in pursuing a life of service, or a career that makes a positive impact on their community will find a challenging and engaging curriculum. Through hands-on training programs, MC students actively make a difference. They serve churches as paid staff, travel on mission trips, volunteer for charities, spend summers working at Christian camps and retreats, and intern at local churches.
Professors invest in their students and strive to impart wisdom and knowledge to prepare them for ministry. Through the rigorous curriculum, students will be challenged to look beyond themselves and live with Christ at the center of their lives.
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies must choose from one of the following four concentrations. Additionally, students who major within the Department of Christian Studies have the opportunity to also minor in a different field of study within the department.
Classes in Ancient Near Eastern geography, culture, history and archaeology, and the context and content of Biblical literature, equipping students to interpret canonical Christian scriptures in preparation for vocational ministry or seminary.
The Ministry Studies concentration helps students develop skills as leaders, administrators, educators, and missionaries, and identify their calling in the area of service and ministry.
This concentration allows students to develop evangelism skills for the mission field. Courses include Evangelism and Cross-Cultural Witness, History of Missions, and Contemporary Mission Strategies.
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Christian Studies must complete the 49 University Core hours, 21 hours in Christian Studies Core courses and 15 hours from one of the concentrations below.
Requirement | Class Name | Hours |
University Core | 49 | |
Christian Studies Core | 21 | |
BIB 210 |
Discovering the World of the Bible (Fall) |
3 |
BIB 220 |
Interpreting the Bible (Spring) |
3 |
BIB 322 |
Distinctive Theological Ideas in the Bible (Fall) |
3 |
BIB 422 |
The Teachings of Jesus (Spring) |
3 |
MIN 201 |
Foundations for Christian Ministry (Fall) |
3 |
MIN 224 |
Ministry of the Church (Spring) |
3 |
MIN 404 |
The Development of Christian Worship (Fall) |
3 |
The Bible Concentration prepares students (1) called to vocational ministry and (2) planning to attend a seminary or divinity school. The curriculum is comprehensive, balancing the needs to be extensive and intensive. BIB courses address the basics of biblical studies: Ancient Near Eastern geography and culture, archaeology, text, canon, hermeneutics, history, and theology. BIB courses also examine the specifics of biblical literature: context, text, and content. As a result, students become equipped to interpret the canonical Christian scriptures.
Requirement | Class Name | Hours |
Select any 5 courses below | 15 | |
BIB 315 |
A History of Israel |
3 |
BIB 316 |
Exegesis in Poetic and Wisdom Literature |
3 |
BIB 317 |
Exegesis in Eighth Century Prophets |
3 |
BIB 324 |
History of the Bible |
3 |
BIB 327 |
Acts of the Apostles |
3 |
BIB 328 |
Paul: The Man and His Writings |
3 |
BIB 329 |
Hebrews and the General Epistles (James-Jude) |
3 |
BIB 413 |
Exegesis in the Pentateuch |
3 |
BIB 417 |
Exegesis in Jeremiah-Ezekiel |
3 |
BIB 424 |
Exegesis of the Fourth Gospel |
3 |
BIB 425 |
Exegesis in the Letters of Paul |
3 |
BIB 427 |
Exegesis of Romans |
3 |
BIB 429 |
Revelation |
3 |
BIB 432 |
The New Testament World |
3 |
BIB 440 |
Geography and Culture of the Biblical Lands |
3 |
BIB 490 |
Special Topics |
3 |
Total Hours | Including University and Christian Studies Core | 130 |
The Ministry Studies concentration seeks to assist students in examining issues and acquiring skills that are helpful in the engagement of local church ministry. MIN courses assist students in identifying and clarifying a call to ministry in addition to considering the various dimensions of the church's life and work. MIN courses also assist students in developing skills as leaders, administrators, educators, youth workers and missiologists.
Requirement | Class Name | Hours |
Select any 5 courses below | 15 | |
MIN 300 |
Essentials for Ministry |
3 |
MIN 316 |
Church Administration |
3 |
MIN 302 |
Christian Formation |
3 |
MIN 410 |
Faith Development |
3 |
MSS 302 |
Evangelism and Cross-Cultural Witness |
3 |
MIN 315 |
Ministry to Youth |
3 |
MIN 403 |
Church Leadership |
3 |
Total Hours | Including University and Christian Studies Core | 130 |
The Missions concentration allows students to develop evangelism skills for the mission field. Courses include Evangelism and Cross-Cultural Witness, History of Missions, and Contemporary Mission Strategies.
Requirement | Class Name | Hours |
15 | ||
MSS 301 |
Introduction to Missions |
3 |
MSS 302 |
Evangelism and Cross-Cultural Witness |
3 |
MSS 303 |
History of Missions |
3 |
MSS 304 |
Contemporary Mission Strategies |
3 |
MSS 305 |
Spiritual Warfare and Missions |
3 |
Total Hours | Including University and Christian Studies Core | 130 |
200 S. Capitol Street, Clinton, MS 39056
601.925.3000