to think biblically and to respond appropriately to the variety of chal lenges of life and ministry.
Master of Divinity
Objectives The Master of Divinity curriculum at Talbot School ofTheology is de signed to foster the purposes for which the seminary was established - preparation for the propagation of the faith. This purpose entails an accurate knowledge of the Word of God - the source of faith and the effective means of its communication. The course of study is therefore designed around these two basic foci. Believing firmly that God in love and grace has provided an answer for the needs of the world in Jesus Christ, and that this Jesus is the Christ of the Scriptures, Talbot emphasizes a knowledge of the content of the Word of God . So that the Word may be known and expounded accurately and authoritatively, matters of biblical back ground, including the languages of the Old and New Testaments, are studied. Sound principles of literary interpretation are also explored as a basis for the interpretation of the Scriptures. On the basis of such interpretation there comes systematic study so as to organize various parts of the Word into theological categories. Since the faith of today does not stand alone but is rooted in past centuries during which God has preserved and instructed His people, cognizance of this heritage is taken in a study of the history of the Church and its doctrine. Previous interaction between faith and the world provides a basis for understanding modern times. It is the sem inary's aim that this knowledge of the faith first grip the life of the student and then motivate the student to share it with the world. In accord with this latter aim instruction is given in vital areas of ministry and commu nication. From the preparation and delivery of sermons to individual involvement in counseling, the curriculum is designed to provide instruction that will facilitate propagation of the faith in the various fields of God's call. Opportunity is also given for the development of ministry skills as principles are applied in the context of ministry in the Church. With recognition that the Great Commission commands the Church to go into the world to minister to all peoples, the cross-currents of modern thought are considered relevant to the preparation of God's minister. Throughout the course of instruction, interaction is pro vided with various perspectives for the purpose of inculcating their contributions and understanding their divergences. All the while they are measured by the pattern of the Word. Talbot's program focuses on the entire person and is meant to con tribute to personal spiritual formation as well as cognitive awareness and the development of ministry skills. The curriculum is structured to develop sustainable habits that can be continued in life and ministry after graduation. The various components of the curriculum are designed to complement one another and to reinforce basic principles to which students have been exposed in other parts of their seminary program. A goal of the program is to equip students
Admission Requirements All applicants must hold the Bachelor of Arts degree, or its academic equivalent, with a 2.6 (on a 4.0 scale) grade point average. Those not meeting this latter requirement, if accepted, will be placed on proba tion. Graduates from approved unaccredited colleges, if accepted, will be granted provisional acceptance, though exceptions may be made when the grade point average is 3.0 or higher. Graduates from approved unaccredited colleges may be required to take additional liberal arts course work (not applicable toward the graduate degree) if their undergraduate program did not include these courses. Stu dents who have not had Greek but wish to take it in seminary may take Beginning Greek at Talbot and receive elective credit app licable toward the graduation requirement. Emphasis Requirements Emphases are offered in the following areas of professional prepara tion:
Pastoral & General Ministries Christian Education
Pastoral Ca re & Counseling Evangelism & Discipleship Missions & Cross-cultural Ministries Spiritual Formation
Each student is to select an emphasis and satisfactorily complete its requirements. Students should indicate their choice of emphasis at the beginning of their program. Changes of emphasis may be authorized under certain circumstances prior to the completion of 48 units, but are discouraged after that point Students without a working knowledge of Greek must take TTNT 501 and 502 (Beginning Greek) which are not for credit unless taken in place of elective units. ELECTIVES IN THE CURRICULUM Electives are open to the student's choice (check prerequisites) regardless of emphasis, but that choice may be governed by the following guidelines:
1. If writing a thesis, the student's advisor may require up to four units of electives in an area of study in preparation for the thesis.
2 . Students who do not write a thesis are required to take two additional elective units for a program total of 98 units.
ADVANCED STANDING Applicants who have taken undergraduate courses in biblical or theological studies may request advanced standing based on col legiate work. See Admissions Requirements for details.
Talbot School of Theology
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2005-2007 CATALOG
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