The Master of Theology at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary is an advanced degree aimed at developing mastery of exegetical skills in either Old or New Testament. By learning and understanding the Bible in its historical and cultural contexts, engaging in original language studies and interacting with a variety of perspectives, you will become more thoroughly equipped to teach and interpret God’s Word.
The Master of Theology is available on a limited basis to students who have earned a Master of Divinity or Master of Arts degree in the relevant theological discipline. In this program, you’ll be challenged to think deeply about the Bible from a variety of perspectives. You’ll pick a specialization in either Old or New Testament.
Each specialization consists of the following:
Major Field – A 20-hour unit in the selected specialization.
Enrichment – A four-credit unit in another division or cognate area with another professor, with the approval of the major professor.
Professional Practicum – A teaching and/or related professional learning experience under the supervision of the major professor, with approval of the dean. The student earns no academic credit for the professional practicum.
Thesis – A six-hour unit composed of a thesis in the major field. The dean will appoint a faculty committee to review and evaluate the thesis. The student must submit the thesis topic to the major professor by the end of the second week of September for approval. The first draft of the thesis is due at the end of the second week of January. The student must submit the final draft to the major professor at the end of the first week of March. The student must perform an oral defense of the thesis, which the faculty committee will conduct.
The student must achieve a minimum 3.0 G.P.A. in all Master of Theology degree course work. The student must repeat any work below a 3.0 G.P.A. according to the seminary retake policy.
Careers
The Master of Theology degree prepares graduates for careers that require in-depth engagement with Scripture in the original languages.
Opportunities
Pastoral Ministry
Teaching Ministry
Advanced Theological Education
Admission Requirements
Have an accredited undergraduate degree and a Master of Divinity degree or M.A. degree in a related discipline, with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA in the master’s program.
Submit a graded writing sample from graduate work demonstrating knowledge of research and scholarly writing. The Graduate Record Examinations General Test (GRE) may also be requested by the Seminary Admissions Office in addition to, or in place of, the writing sample.
Demonstrate advanced competency in Hebrew or Greek, when applying for the Old Testament or New Testament specialization respectively.
Possess well-developed critical thinking and communication skills, both of which are essential to theological research and writing.
Show promise for exceptional productivity in Kingdom ministry through previous academic work and personal spiritual qualifications.
Provide two letters of recommendation from former teachers — one from a former teacher in the anticipated specialization field.
Submit to the Seminary Admissions Office a formal letter to the faculty indicating reasons for pursuing an advanced graduate theological degree. The letter should also include the selection of a program specialization and life objectives.
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Areas of specialization: Old Testament or New Testament.
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Total credit hours.
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Major professor who will supervise your research and thesis.
Pursue Your Call Further Biblical Expertise
At Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, we strive to know God more fully by studying his word. That’s why our faculty are devoted to both teaching and mentoring you toward greater biblical expertise and discipleship.
Courses and Learning Outcomes
Master of Theology courses are research-based, involving regular meetings with the professor for guidance and evaluation. The guided research and reading is adapted to the specific goals of each student.
Old Testament Specialization
BBL-840 Advanced Language Study
Guided study in Aramaic, or if competency already is demonstrated for Aramaic, then Ugaritic, Akkadian, or Middle Egyptian may be substituted.
BBL-841 Advanced Study in the History and Culture of Israel and the Ancient Near East
Guided study of critical issues in the history and culture of ancient Israel within the context of the ancient
Near East. In addition to extensive reading in biblical and ancient Near Eastern literature, archaeology, and historical geography, students will present a final paper before the faculty of Old Testament.
BBL-846 Advanced Study in Critical Issues and Methods in the Study of the OT
Guided study of critical issues and contemporary methods in the study of the Old Testament. In addition
to extensive reading in the various subfields of biblical criticism, students will present a final paper before the faculty of the Old Testament.
BBL-848 Advanced OT Exegesis
Guided exegesis in selected texts in a variety of genres. The student will incorporate a variety of constructive approaches to biblical criticism and demonstrate competency using the advanced search capabilities of electronic tools. The final paper will be an exegetical commentary on a selected text.
BBL-880 Enrichment
The student will select, with the guidance of the academic advisor, an enrichment module outside the
program major.
BBL-884 Advanced Study in Old Testament Biblical Theology
Guided study of classic and contemporary Old Testament theologies, engaging as well at the interface
with Israelite religions. In addition to written review of the primary literature, the student will present a final paper before the faculty of the Old Testament on a topic that demonstrates his/her own method.
BBL-890 Th.M. Thesis
The student will write a 60-100 page thesis on a significant and approved topic in the major field. The thesis will be supervised by a thesis advisor and defended before a faculty committee.
New Testament Specialization
BBL-870 Grammar and Translation of the NT
The student will be expected to have a working knowledge of Greek grammar and to have translated
the entire Greek New Testament.
BBL-872 NT Introduction & Historical Background
The student will be expected to know the basis, history and methodology of textual criticism. The student must have a general awareness of those significant historical developments from the Persian period through the Bar Kokhba’s revolt which form the backdrop for the New Testament.
BBL-874 Exegesis of the Gospels & Acts
The student will sight-read the Greek text and discuss the exegetical issues with the major professor. He/she will also prepare a list of major exegetical problems for each book.
BBL-876 Exegesis of the Pauline Epistles
The student will sight-read the Greek text and discuss the exegetical issues with the major professor. He/she will also prepare a list of major exegetical problems for each book.
BBL-877 Exegesis of the General Epistles & Revelation
The student will sight-read the Greek text and discuss the exegetical issues with the major professor. He/she will also prepare a list of major exegetical problems for each book.
BBL-880 Enrichment
The student will select, with the guidance of the academic advisor, an enrichment module outside the
program major.
BBL-890 Th.M. Thesis
The student will write a 60-100 page thesis on a significant and approved topic in the major field. The thesis will be supervised by a thesis advisor and defended before a faculty committee.
Time Limits
The student must complete the degree, including the thesis, within three academic years. The major professor and dean conduct a formal evaluative meeting with any student who fails to complete the program within this time limit (three academic years and two summers). Program extension beyond the three-year limit is granted only on the basis of a faculty vote.
Program Learning Outcomes
Grand Rapids Theological Seminary Master of Theology graduates excel as competent, character-driven leaders in our world for Christ. As a result, they demonstrate lifelong commitments toward learning, serving and leading which set them apart in their respective ministry and vocational contexts.
Old Testament Specialization Objectives
Read with facility the prose and poetry of the Hebrew Bible with the use of lexical tools.
Demonstrate advanced hermeneutical and exegetical skills that apply to Old Testament literature.
Identify and describe the academic study of the Old Testament.
Demonstrate competency to read the Old Testament against its Ancient Near Eastern background.
Research and write an advanced-level master’s thesis in Old Testament.
New Testament Specialization Objectives
Read with facility the Greek New Testament with the use of lexical tools.
Demonstrate advanced hermeneutical and exegetical skills.
Identify and describe the categories that comprise the academic study of the New Testament.
Research and write an advanced-level master’s thesis in New Testament.
Grand Rapids Theological Seminary has several programs designed to prepare students to in-depth study of Scirpture. Take a look at some of the similar programs we have available.
