It’s not a phrase that would likely come up in daily conversation, but if you are considering an online biblical studies degree, this term may be one you’ve encountered before. Religious academic terms can seem like a foreign language if you’re not familiar with them. So then, what does systematic theology mean?

An Explanation of Systematic Theology

systematic theology is studying how all the different components of God and faith fit together. It’s kind of like putting theology into a framework. The purpose of organizing theology this way is so that it can be united and comprehended in a single worldview.

There are so many different parts of theology, such as creation, birth, death, and the nature of God, just to name a few. Each of these components can be studied separately, but when we study them all together we see how they fit together. systematic theology looks at all the parts of theology and comes up with a consistent picture. These parts are not meant to be contradictory, but to be consistent and unified.

Studying Systematic Theology in an Online Biblical Studies Degree

Systematic theology can be studied at the bachelors, masters, and doctorate level. Students who are preparing for work in ministry or biblical outreach might enroll in our college of biblical studies at the bachelor level. Those who are pursuing a masters in biblical studies online might be pastors or other church professionals who are seeking to broaden their theological knowledge.

Our online biblical studies degree at the doctorate level is available for those who are hoping to teach at the collegiate level or who are working toward a professional career.

The term “Systematic theology” might sound intimidating, but this course of study is both fascinating and helpful. It’s a great degree program for a pastor who is seeking a masters in biblical studies online or for anyone who wants to better understand God and the Christian worldview. And, since our degree programs are completely online, they are the perfect option for parents, working adults, busy professionals, or world travelers.

For more information about our college of biblical studies, call us at 1-800-457-5510 or complete the Request More Information form on the right side of this page.

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Online Biblical Studies Degree

A degree in biblical studies focuses on the literary and historical facts of the Bible. It’s kind of like digging deep into the “nuts and bolts” of God’s word. Students in the college of biblical studies learn all about the different books of the Bible, important dates, authors, historical background, customs of ancient peoples, and social conventions of those times.

An online biblical studies degree provides students with the knowledge to dig deeper into the scripture and better understand the significance of certain customs, historical events, and ancient people. Our college of biblical studies offers this program at every level, such as our masters in biblical studies online. Pursuing a masters in biblical studies online would be a helpful program for pastors, church work professionals, lay leaders, or anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of the Bible.

Online Biblical Theology Degree

A degree in biblical theology is actually quite different. Theology comes from the Greek word “theos” which means God. So theology means: the study of God. Students in our biblical theology degree programs study the nature of God and what he expects from us. They study how God works and how faith works. Through the biblical theology degree program, students construct a bigger picture of who God is and learn how to answer big questions and topics, such as the creation of the world. Studying theology helps us understand why God is the way he is and what our purpose here on earth is.

Trinity’s biblical theology degree can be studied at the bachelors, masters, or doctorate level and is a great field of study for any Christian who wants to obtain a greater understanding of their faith and a better understanding of God. Studying theology helps Christians better understand our morals and ethics and helps form a solid, godly worldview.

Trinity’s College of Biblical Studies is 100% online, which makes it a feasible and flexible option for anyone to pursue. If you are seeking to obtain a masters in biblical studies online or an online biblical studies degree at any level, call us at 1-800-457-5510 or complete the Request More Information form on the right side of this page.

The post Biblical Studies Degree vs Biblical Theology Degree first appeared on Trinity College of the Bible and Theological Seminary.

Trinity Bible College and Theological Seminary offers an outstanding online biblical studies degree at the bachelors, masters, and doctorate level. Our college of biblical studies offers learners the perfect opportunity to receive a standard biblical and theological education. Each degree level allows students to focus on areas of study that might be of special interest to them, such as Old Testament prophets or Paul’s epistles, for example. Whether a student is pursuing an initial bachelor’s degree, a doctorate degree, or a masters in biblical studies online, our college meets a variety of educational needs.

College of Biblical Studies Degree Programs for Pastors

Anyone can enroll in our college of biblical studies, as our programs are aimed at a variety of people. Pastors, for example, may benefit from our masters in biblical studies online program. This program helps expand and broaden their knowledge of the Bible and understanding of theology. This online biblical studies degree gives them the background to be able to answer tough questions, such as “why do bad things happen to good people?” There is an entire course devoted to exploring those tough topics.

College of Biblical Studies Degree Programs for Lay People

Lay people and church leaders are also great candidates for our college o biblical studies. Often times, church leaders or members simply desire to expand their own biblical knowledge and theological understanding. They may pursue a bachelors or even a masters in biblical studies online. Trinity’s programs can help expand and challenge someone’s thinking and knowledge of Christian faith and the Bible.

The reasons why someone might pursue an online biblical studies degree are as varied as the students who enroll in our programs. Generally, the students in our biblical studies programs are looking to receive a standard biblical and theological education in order to broaden their own knowledge and deepen their Christian faith.

100% Online College of Biblical Studies

Perhaps one of the greatest things about Trinity is that our programs are completely online. That means that 100% of our courses are available to you where you are at any time. Our degree programs offer flexibility to our students. Whether you are working, taking care of your family, or traveling abroad, our programs are designed with you in mind.

Click to learn more about Trinity’s college of biblical studies or complete the “Request More Information” form on the right. We’ll be delighted to answer your questions and help you explore Trinity’s degree options.

The post College of Biblical Studies FAQs first appeared on Trinity College of the Bible and Theological Seminary.

If so, one of the questions you may have is…

How long does it take to become a pastor?

The length of time it takes to become a pastor depends on three things:

1) The process. As we discussed in the article How to Become a Pastor, every denomination and church organization has their own process for training pastors, ministers and clergy. Before you start taking classes and pursuing a degree, it’s important to check with the denomination or organization you wish to serve in and learn about its process – the degree requirements, internship, and everything else.

2) The prerequisites you already have. Most church organizations require a master of divinity, master of biblical studies or some other masters level degree. If you already have a degree that fulfills this requirement, obviously it’s going to take you a lot less time to become a pastor than if you don’t. Similarly, it’s going to take less time to become a pastor if you have a bachelor degree of some kind than if you have an associate degree or no college at all.

3) The pace. How long it takes to become a pastor depends on how much time and effort you have to put towards your classes and training. A full-time graduate student might be able to earn their MDiv or master of biblical studies in 18 months. While someone who is working full time and taking classes in the evening might take 3 years or longer.

These are the three primary factors that determine how long it takes to become a pastor – process, prerequisites and pace.

So, while we can’t say exactly how long it takes to become a pastor a rough estimate is about 3 to 4 years.

If you would like to become a pastor, Trinity’s online seminary provides a great way for you to earn your master of divinity online or masters in biblical studies online. To learn more, complete the Request More Information form on the right side of this page.

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Wondering, “How do I become a pastor?”

The process of becoming a pastor varies from denomination to denomination.   Many denominations expect a person to have a master’s degree in biblical studies or a masters of divinity degree before they can be ordained.  However, education is usually just one part of the process of becoming a pastor.

Many denominations have pastoral training programs that include psychological testing, mentoring, internship or vicarage, and more.

If you would like to become a pastor, here are…

5 Steps Towards Becoming a Pastor

1) Pray & seek Godly counsel

We would be remiss if we didn’t recommend starting with prayer and praying throughout the entire process as you seek God’s guidance as to whether to go into the ministry, in what capacity, and when and how to pursue that calling.  It would also be wise to discuss the matter with several other pastors, especially your own pastor, those in your denomination, and those who have entered the ministry in a similar stage of life as you are currently in.

2) Contact your denomination or church network. 

Ask the denomination in which you would like to pastor to provide information about the requirements and process of becoming a pastor in that denomination.  If you feel God is calling you to plant a new church that is not a part of a denomination, it can still be beneficial to partner with a church planting network. You may want to investigate church planting networks and see what sort of pastoral training programs or requirements they have.

3) Ask specifically about the educational requirements. 

While almost all denominations have their own seminaries, many of them accept degrees from other seminaries and bible colleges. Some specific things you should find out:

• Does your denomination accept degrees from other seminaries and bible colleges?
• If so, do they have a list of seminaries and bible colleges from which they will accept degrees?
• Do they have a list of degrees from those seminaries and bible colleges they will accept?
• What is the cost of their own seminary degree program?
• What requirements does their seminary degree program for taking classes, exams or seminars on campus?
• What is the expected workload of their seminary program?

4) Investigate seminary and bible college options. 

If your denomination accepts degrees from other seminaries or bible colleges and their seminary requires classes or exams to be taken on campus, you might find it more convenient and less expensive to opt for a 100% online seminary like Trinity.  If your job, family or ministry situation would make it difficult to keep up with the expected workload of your denomination’s seminary degree program, you might find a self-paced degree program a better option as well.

5) Confirm your plans with your denomination

If you’re leaning towards pursuing a seminary degree with an online seminary like Trinity, talk with an advisor within your denomination. Tell them the degree program you are considering and confirm they will accept the degree.  Discuss the time table for completing your degree as well as going through the other steps in the denomination’s pastoral development program.

Trinity is a trans-denomination seminary.  Through our college of biblical studies, you can earn a masters in biblical studies online or master of divinity online which are almost universally accepted.  If you are thinking and praying about becoming a pastor, complete the “Request More Information” form on the right side of this page, so we can provide all the information you need and answer any questions you may have.

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