Theological Languages Major (A)
The theology department identifies its purpose in terms of Concordia’s statement of purpose, especially the following statements with spiritual focus:
“The total program is centered in the Christian philosophy with a confessional Lutheran emphasis…. Concordia University seeks to develop mature Christians in whom knowledge and understanding of the Holy Scriptures, the inspired, inerrant Word of God and the source and norm of Christian truth, are united with personal faith in Jesus as God and Savior. Concordia’s spiritual resources are directed to the development of Christian faith and practice of Christian virtues so that the student can form value judgments and arrive at ethical principles required for purposeful living. Concordia’s programs … nurture religious commitment, provide insights for Christian action in the world, and … provide an opportunity for intelligent selection of vocations for service to God, church and society…. Concordia … is interested in exerting a Christian influence on the community, nation, and world.” (Departmental Statement of Purpose, August 30, 2002)
Students learn Hebrew, Greek, and either Latin or German in order to read the Bible and major theological works. The curriculum enables students to attain a high level of competency for reading the Bible in its original languages and is an excellent preparation for graduate work in theology. All pre-seminary students take at least the minor.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Students will develop an understanding of the origin of the Bible, recognize the unique qualities of God’s Word, and appreciate the varied yet unified content of the Old and New Testaments, and use sound principles in interpreting Scripture.
- Students will recognize Greek vocabulary, distinguish between the various parts of speech, analyze Greek morphology, and apply rules of syntax in order to create translations of Greek texts that represent a synthesis of Greek vocabulary, morphology, and syntax.
- Students will recognize Hebrew vocabulary, distinguish between the various parts of speech, analyze Hebrew morphology, and apply rules of syntax in order to create translations of Hebrew texts that represent a synthesis of Hebrew vocabulary, morphology, and syntax.
Curriculum
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | 45 | |
| Major Requirements 1 | 39 | |
| Electives (credits may very depending on Major(s) and Minor selected) | 42 | |
Major: Applied Theology (recommended) | ||
Minor: Required (minimum 18 credits) | ||
| Total Hours | 126 | |
- 1
This major/minor is not permitted to share (overlap) any credits with the core curriculum, with a major, with a minor, or with a certificate per departmental policy unless otherwise specified in the curriculum.
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core Courses | ||
| Old Testament | ||
| Biblical Theology | ||
| Greek I | ||
Theology Elective | ||
It is strongly recommended that the theological elective be fulfilled by taking an upper-level course in biblical content. | ||
| Required Courses | ||
| One of the language courses below (normally GRK 201) is counted in the core, not the major. | ||
| GER (4 credits)/ LAT Language Elective I | 3 | |
| GER (4 credits)/ LAT Language Elective II (Second semester of Language Elective I) | 3 | |
| Greek I | ||
| GRK 202 | Greek II | 3 |
| GRK 303 | Greek III | 3 |
| GRK 304 | Greek IV | 3 |
| HEB 301 | Hebrew I | 3 |
| HEB 302 | Hebrew II | 3 |
| HEB 401 | Hebrew III | 3 |
| HEB 402 | Hebrew IV | 3 |
| GRK/HEB XXX Greek/Hebrew V | 3 | |
| GRK/HEB XXX Greek/Hebrew VI | 3 | |
| REL 203 | New Testament | 3 |
| Biblical Skills elective (any theological languages course or Bible elective) | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 39 | |