BA in Christian Studies: Pastoral Ministry
Graduates of Grand Canyon University’s Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies program will utilize biblical
studies as the foundation, and an understanding of theology, philosophy, and Christian history as the
framework, for communicating Christ to various audiences. In addition to spiritual formation and exegetical
skills essential to Christian studies, graduates will be able to employ communication, leadership, and
organizational skills necessary for effective ministry.
General Education:
Competency Requirements Credits
University Foundations
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will complete one of the following
UNV Foundational courses: UNV 103 for students entering with under 24
credit hours or UNV 303 for students transferring 24 or more credit hours.
4
Effective Communication
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to construct rhetorically
effective communications appropriate to diverse audiences, purposes, and
occasions (English composition, communication, critical reading, foreign
language, sign language, etc.). Students are required to take 3 credits of
English grammar or composition.
9-12
Christian Worldview
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to express aspects of
Christian heritage and worldview. Students are required to take CWV 101.
4
Critical Thinking
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to use various analytic
and problem-solving skills to examine, evaluate, and/or challenge ideas and
arguments (mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, geology, astronomy,
physical geography, ecology, economics, theology, logic, philosophy,
technology, statistics, accounting, etc.). Students are required to take 3 credits
of college-level mathematics.
11-12
Global Awareness, Perspectives,
and Ethics
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to demonstrate awareness
and appreciation of and empathy for differences in arts and culture, values,
experiences, historical perspectives, and other aspects of life (psychology,
sociology, government, Christian studies, Bible, geography, anthropology,
economics, political science, child and family studies, law, ethics, crosscultural
studies, history, art, music, dance, theater, applied arts, literature,
health, etc.).
6-8
Total General Education Credits: 34-40
© 2010 Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved.
Updated: 03/05/2010
2 of 3
Christian Studies Major Courses:
Course
Number
Course Title Course Description Credits
PHI 305 Ethical Thinking in
the Liberal Arts
This course considers the role that ethical thinking plays in the liberal arts.
Topics are set in historic, literary, artistic, political, philosophical, religious,
social, and scientific perspectives. The impact and contributions of leaders in
these fields are also considered.
4
BIB 104 Old Testament
Historical
Perspectives
This course is an introductory historical survey of the Old Testament.
Attention is given to the study of the Bible itself, its institutions, its literature,
and the history of the national life of the Hebrew people from earliest times to
the close of the Old Testament period. The course also explores the impact of
the Old Testament on the development of Christianity and Christian values.
4
BIB 105 New Testament
Historical
Perspectives
This course is an introductory historical survey of the New Testament,
beginning with the interbiblical period. The main emphasis of this course is
the Gospels and Acts, and the development of Christian faith and perspectives
throughout this historical period.
4
INT 244 World Religions This course is a study of the major contemporary religions of the world
including Abrahamic religions, Eastern religions, and other religions. The
course covers religious texts, historical background, and current beliefs and
practices. Emphasis is given to the ideological foundations of a Christian
worldview, a comparison of worldviews, and the application of worldviews
within a global society.
4
MIN 350 Spiritual Formation
for Christian
Leaders
This writing-intensive course is a study of the basic disciplines of Christian
discipleship, focusing on the formation of character, values, disciplines, and
habits, especially related to the inner development of spirituality. The study
makes use of some of the Christian devotional classics. Beyond personal
spiritual development, this course addresses students’ preparation for being
spiritual leaders, encouragers, and/or disciplers of others. Prerequisites: BIB
104 and BIB 105.
4
BIB 351 Moses and the
Prophets
This course examines the tradition of the pentateuch tradition and its
elaboration in the prophetic tradition. The scriptural record of beginnings and
of early Hebrew history, religion, and law is the foundation for the study,
with corresponding attention given to Old Testament prophetic writings.
Aspects of the prophetic study include the messianic element, the occasion of
writing, authorship, content, and interpretation. Prerequisite: BIB 104.
4
BIB 354 Jesus and His
Interpreters
This course focuses on the teachings and major events in the life of Jesus and
the elaboration on those teachings in Paul’s writings. Special attention is
given to the person, teachings, and work of Jesus. Some pertinent issues in
Pauline studies, such as the Judaizer conflict, the effect of Paul’s conversion
on his thinking and writing, and the sequence of his letters will be examined
for their role in the development of the Gospel tradition. Prerequisite: BIB
105.
4
BIB 355 Biblical
Interpretation and
Application
This writing-intensive course helps equip students to understand and use
basic principles of biblical hermeneutics, including an introduction to the
nature of Bible interpretation and the application to contemporary issues. The
majority of the course focuses on developing practical procedures and stepby-
step skills in exegesis of Scripture. Prerequisites: ENG 105, BIB 104, and
BIB 105.
4
© 2010 Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved.
Updated: 03/05/2010
3 of 3
Course
Number
Course Title Course Description Credits
HTH 359 Systematic
Theology
This course is a systematic study of the major doctrines of the Christian
religion, including revelation and the Bible, the Trinity, the doctrine of man,
the atonement, salvation and Christian growth, the church and it ordinances,
and eschatology, examining the biblical foundation for these teachings and
their development over time. The course also discusses the relationship
between Christianity and other world religions and the relationship between
Christian theology and philosophy. Prerequisites: BIB 351 and BIB 354.
4
HTH 379 History of
Christianity
This course addresses the significant movements and turning points within
the church from New Testament times through the Reformation and into
modern day America and the world. Special emphasis is given to the ancient
Christian church, the church fathers, heresies, monasticism, the Papacy, the
practices and problems of the church, the Protestant Reformation, the
Catholic Counter-Reformation, and the mission movement, both Catholic and
Protestant. Attention will also be given to the relationship between
Christianity and culture as Christianity in its geographical expansion through
the course of history has interfaced with various cultures ranging from the
Jewish world, to the Greco-Roman world, to the barbarian cultures of
northern Europe, to the varying cultures encountered as Christianity spread to
the New World and then to African and Asian cultures. Prerequisites: BIB
104 and BIB 105.
4
HTH 469 Contemporary
Theology
This course begins with a brief background of the development of Protestant
liberal theology starting with Schleiermacher. Then attention is given to the
20th century schools of theological thought: neo-Orthodox, existential,
process, theology of hope, Latin American liberation theology, African-
American liberation theology, feminist liberation theology, new Catholic
theology, theological expressions of Christianity in Africa and Asia,
narrative/post modern approaches to theology, and variations and popular
expressions in Protestant theology particularly in America. Even as
Christianity must be clothed in various cultures, so the various contemporary
theologies attempt to relate theological truth in ways that are relevant to
particular cultures or sub-cultures. In the process of studying each
contemporary theology, attention will also be given to how that theology is
expressed in cultural clothing. Prerequisite: HTH 359.
4
CHL 465 Christian
Leadership in the
21st Century
This course is an examination of Christian leadership with an emphasis on
ethics, community, the environment, and the intricacies of cross-cultural
leadership. The course helps students identify administrative skills necessary
for leading a successful organization, examine how their Christian values
influence their actions and decisions as they live out their faith in their
vocations and positions, develop a framework for practicing global
citizenship, and initiate an informed dialogue concerning the nature of
leadership in other cultures and in diverse situations. Prerequisites: BIB 351,
BIB 354, MIN 350, and HTH 469.
4
Total Christian Studies Major Credits: 48
Total General Education Credits: 34-40
Total Christian Studies Major Credits: 48
Total Elective Credits: 32-38
Total Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies Credits: 120
| Concentration |
Pastoral Ministry |
| Prereq GPA |
GPA of 2.25 or above |
| Prereq Degree |
High School Diploma or GED |
| Courses |
|
