Mine the depths of the Bible
You want to learn more about the Bible and the God who is revealed in it. The Biblical Studies program teaches students the main message of the Bible to prepare for professional church work, future studies, or to be a more informed lay leader in your Christian congregation.
Credits
126
Minor
This program is also available as a minor.
Learn more
Careers
- Church Worker
- Lay Leader
Financial Aid
The average undergraduate student award is $16,603.
Learn about financial aidProgram Overview
The Biblical Studies program lays out a good foundation for further work not only in the LCMS but for all Christian denominations. This program offers classes that all Christian students can be prepared for church work or simply because they want to know more about the Bible and the God who is revealed in it. At the same time, this is a great program for Lutheran students who want to focus on the Bible itself.
What to Expect
With this program, students will explain and analyze the basic tenets of the Christian faith and will apply the Christian worldview and doctrines to current situations (personal, professional, and societal) and to historical problems and situations.
Biblical Studies graduates can expect to:
- Develop an understanding of the origin of the Bible, recognize the unique qualities of God's word, appreciate the varied yet unified content of the Old and New Testaments, and use sound principles in interpreting Scripture.
- Recognize the Bible as the authoritative source for knowledge of God and humankind, articulate key doctrines of the Christian faith, especially the gospel of Jesus Christ, and apply the teachings of Scripture to the life of the individual.
- Develop an appreciation for how God has worked in history, recognize key figures and movements in the life of the Church, and identify the state of theology today.
- Grow in their relationship with Christ and put His teachings into practice in their vocations.
- Observe, assess, and interpret today's cultures and world views. Students will be familiar with various methods of delivering and defending biblical truth in a relevant and practical way to diverse groups.
- Demonstrate an understanding of research skills in the discipline.
Locations
- Ann Arbor
Undergraduate
Undergraduate Application Steps
Admit. Commit. That’s it!
For first-time freshmen and transfer students:
- Submit your online application
- Send Official High School Transcripts (College Transcripts if Applicable).
- Send your official ACT or SAT scores
For those that would like to be considered as test optional in the admissions process, please contact your admission counselor. Students with a cumulative GPA below 3.0 are required to submit an ACT/SAT. You will receive an email and a phone call from your dedicated Admission Counselor. Please reach out to your counselor if you have any questions regarding the application process. We review each application on an individual basis using a holistic approach.
Theodore J. Hopkins Ph.D., M.Div.
Director - Pre-seminary studies for CUAA, Assistant Professor
Office: Krieger K-110
Phone: (734) 995-7480
Email: theodore.hopkins@cuaa.edu
Bio
I am a husband and father, pastor and professor. I began teaching at Concordia University, Ann Arbor in 2015.
Education
- Ph D - Doctrinal Theology, Concordia Seminary (2016)
- M Div - Theology, Concordia Seminary (2011)
- BS - Physics, Valparaiso University (2007)
Contributions
- Hopkins, T. (2020). Luther and Bonhoeffer on the Sermon on the Mount: Similar Tasks, Different Tools 7 (1, pp. 1). Mequon, WI: Concordia Theological Journal.
- Hopkins, T. (2019). Review of Mark Chavez, American Religion: Contemporary Trends (2nd edition) 28 (1, pp. 1). Logia.
- Hopkins, T. (2018). Review of DeJonge, Michael P. Bonhoeffer’s Reception of Luther 6 (1, pp. 1). Concordia Theological Journal.
- Hopkins, T. (2018). Theology Is for Confession 6 (1, pp. 1). Concordia Theological Journal.
- Hopkins, T. (2018). The Significance of Luther's Ninety-Five Theses After Five-Hundred Years 5 (1, pp. 1). Concordia Theological Journal.
Presentations
- Hopkins, T. (2020). Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Witness: Confessing Christ in Nazi Germany and Beyond; Reading Scripture Against Ourselves: The Relevance of the Bible in Bonhoeffer and Today; and Confessing Christ in the World Come of Age: Understanding Bonhoeffer’s “Prison Theology” in Light of Post-Christian America. Keynote/Plenary Address. Confessing Christ in a Hostile Culture: What Bonhoeffer Can Teach Us. Dewitt, MI.
- Hopkins, T. (2020). Reading Scripture Against Ourselves: Bonhoeffer's Penitential Hermeneutic. Paper. Devoted: Reforming the Devotional Life (30th annual Theological Symposium). St. Louis, MO.
- Hopkins, T. (2018). The Servant Church: Mission After Christendom. Lecture. St. Luke Lutheran Church Sermon/Bible Study Two-Part Series on The Church's Mission After Christendom. Ann Arbor, MI.
- Hopkins, T. (2018). The Location of Congregational Vocation: The Importance of Place in the Mission of the Church. Oral Presentation. The Lutheran Foundation Grant Workshop. Fort Wayne, IN.
Research Interests
- Modern Theology
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Teaching Interests
- Systematic Theology
- Lutheran Confessions
Charles R. Schulz S.T.M., M.A., M.A., M.Div.
Assistant Professor
Phone: (734) 995-7384
Email: charles.schulz@cuaa.edu
Bio
Professor Schulz, Pre-seminary Director, loves helping students realize God's calling. At Concordia since 2001, he also served as pastor of St. Thomas (2005-2014). His hobbies include running, travel, and German.
Education
- M Div - Concordia Seminary (1996)
- MA - Christianity and Judaism in Antiquity, University of Virginia (2004)
- MA - Classical Languages, Washington University (1998)
- BA - General Science, Concordia University (1990)
- Exegesis, Concordia Seminary (1998)
Contributions
- Schulz, C. (2018). Catechism Sermon on the First Article of the Creed. Luther's Works, Vol. 56, Sermons III. 56 (1, pp. 1). St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House. https://www.cph.o...
- Schulz, C. (2018). Sermon for Exaudi Sunday Afternoon, On Divorce . Luther's Works, Vol. 56, Sermons III, pp. 27-36. 56 (1, pp. 1). St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House. https://www.cph.o...
- Schulz, C. (2018). Sermon for the 10th Sunday after Trinity. Luther's Works, vol 56, Sermons III. 56 (1, pp. 1). St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House. https://www.cph.o...
- Schulz, C. (2018). Sermon on the Legend of St. Christopher . Luther's Works, Sermons III. 56 St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House.
- Schulz, C. (2017). "I said, 'You are gods'": Citations of Psalm 81:6 in the Augustinian Corpus 4 (2, pp. 2). Mequon, WI: Concordia Theological Journal.
Research Interests
- Patristics (Church Fathers)
- Theology of the Lord's Supper
Teaching Interests
- Greek
- Church History
Scott E. Yakimow Ph.D., M.Div.
Professor
Office: Krieger 114
Phone: (734) 995-7411
Email: scott.yakimow@cuaa.edu
Bio
Rev. Dr. Scott Yakimow arrived at Concordia University Ann Arbor after spending five years as a mechanical engineer working in hydraulics, another four as a missionary in both East Africa and Morocco, and five years as an Associate Professor at Concordia - Portland. His academic interests cover the areas of philosophical theology and comparative religion. Most specifically, he is interested in scriptural logics, particularly those exhibited by pre-modern Christian exegesis, contemporary Lutheran theology, and medieval Islamic tafsir, analyzing them through the thought of the American philosopher, Charles S. Peirce and the contemporary Jewish philosopher, Peter Ochs. This interest leads him to investigate such diverse areas such as Lutheran confessional theology, pragmatic philosophy, ethics, scriptural exegesis and Islam. Scott is married to Miriam, and they have five children together. His interests include enjoying his family, mountain biking, hiking, reading, and traveling.
Education
- Ph D - Comparative Scripture, Interpretation, and Practice, University of Virginia (2014)
- M Div - Concordia Seminary (2004)
- MA - Comparative Scripture, Interpretation, and Practice, University of Virginia (2011)
- MA - Islamic Studies, Luther Seminary (1999)
- BS - Mechanical Engineering, Valparaiso University (1994)
- Valparaiso University (1994)
- Modern Standard Arabic, Arabic Language Institute in Fez (2006)
Contributions
- Yakimow, S. (2020). Spreading Open the Letter and Peering Inside: Gregory Nazianzen, Scriptural Pragmatism, and Doctrinal Development 19 (1, pp. 1). The Journal of Scriptural Reasoning. https://jsr.shant...
- Yakimow, S. (2019). Testing the Spirits: The Early Church on Judging Prophecy and Prophets 6 (1, pp. 1). Ann Arbor, MI: Concordia Theological Journal.
- Yakimow, S. (2016). Signs of Transformation: Communicating the Gospel in an Age of Nones and Dones 24 (2, pp. 2). Lutheran Mission Matters.
Presentations
- Yakimow, S. (2020). Signs of Transformation: A Semiotic Approach to a Lutheran Engagement with the World. Lecture. Tri-Circuit Gathering. LCMS Michigan District offices.
- Yakimow, S. (2016). Inquiring into Inquiry. Paper. Theological Educators Conference. Irvine, California.
- Yakimow, S. (2015). Proclamatory Pragmatism: An Investigation into the Lutheran Logic of Law and Gospel. Lecture. Puget Sound Pastor's Conference. Whidbey Island, WA.
- Yakimow, S. (2015). The Role of Doctrine in the Church’s Life. Lecture. Oregon Pastor's Conference. Bend, OR.
- Yakimow, S. (2014). Doctrine and Truth. Lecture. Bi-Circuit Gathering. Portland, OR.
Research Interests
- Biblical Interpretation / Hermeneutics
- Theology and Science
Teaching Interests
- Philosophical Theology
- Scriptural Pragmatism