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Bible, Theology, and Ministry

Faithfully pursuing God’s Word

Warner’s ministry department provides spiritually-minded students with broad options and allows them to engage with academic preparation that complements their calling through our Bachelor of Arts in Bible, Theology, and Ministry major. Multiple ministry-leadership opportunities are also available on campus, including chapel, small groups, among many others. These options prepare students not only for the role of a pastor, but the many other available options inside of church ministry.

experience christ-centered ministry

General Education Core Requirement for Bachelor of Arts

Information taken from the 2023-2024 Academic Catalog. Please refer to the most recent catalog for further information, found here.

Written and Oral Communication

  • ENG 1010 – Composition I (3 credit hrs.)
  • ENG 1020 – Compostion II (3 credit hrs.)
  • COM 2010 – Oral Communication (3 credit hrs.)

Cultural and Historal Perspectives

Choose from two (2) of the four (4) disciplines:

  • Fine Arts (FAS 2005, 2006, or 2043)
  • Literature
  • Biblical Literature, Theology, or BST 2000 – Beginning Bibilical Interpretation
  • Any History (HIS) Course

Mathematics and Science

  • Choose nine (9) credit hours, comprised of at least one (1) natural science course and at least one (1) mathematics course at MAT 1030 or above.

Social Sciences

Choose six (6) credits from:

  • COM 2020 – Media Literacy (3 credit hrs.)
  • ECO 2001 – Principles of Economics: Macro (3 credit hrs.)
  • ECO 2012 – Contemporary Economics (3 credit hrs.)
  • EDU/PSY 2010 – Life-Span Development (3 credit hrs.)
  • GEO 2013 – World Geography (3 credit hrs.)
  • POS 2010 – American Government and Politics (3 credit hrs.)
  • PSY 2000 – Introduction to Psychology (3 credit hrs.)
  • SOC 2000 – Introduction to Sociology (3 credit hrs.)
  • SWK 2050 – Human Behavior and the Social Enviornment (3 credit hrs.)
  • SWK 2053 – Social Problems (3 credit hrs.)
  • UNV 2100 – Strategy and Critical Thinking (3 credit hrs.)

Biblical Studies

Required for freshman and transfer students with fewer than 60 credit hours:

  • BST 1010 – Christian Life: Faith and Practice (3 credit hrs.)
  • BST 2020 – Understanding the New Testament (3 credit hrs.)
  • BST 3005 – Understanding the Old Testament (3 credit hrs.)

Required for trasnfer students with 60 or more credit hours:

  • BST 2020 – Understanding the New Testament (3 credit hrs.)

Personal Development and Worldview

  • BST 4095 – Senior Seminar to Theology and Vocation (3 credit hrs.)
  • UNV 1100 – Introduction to the Christian Liberal Arts University (1 credit hr.)
Requirements for Bible, Theology, and Ministry Major
  • CHM 1001 – Exploring God’s Call (3 credit hrs.)
  • BST 2000 – Beginning Biblical Interpretation (3 credit hrs.)
  • CED 2012 – Spiritual Formation (3 credit hrs.)
  • BST 3110 – Elementary Greek I (3 credit hrs.)
  • BST 3210 – Elementary Greek II (3 credit hrs.)
  • BST 4130 – Intermediate Greek I (3 credit hrs.)
  • BST 4230 – Intermediate Greek II (3 credit hrs.)
  • BST 4095 – Senior Seminar in Theology and Vocation (3 credit hrs.)
  • TST 3051 – Principles of Christian Theology (3 credit hrs.)

Six (6) additional credits electives from:

  • BST 3010 – OT Commentary/Literature of the Torah (3 credit hrs.)
  • BST 3020 – OT Commentary/Literature of the Prophets (3 credit hrs.)
  • BST 3040 – NT Commentary/Literature of the Gospels & Acts (3 credit hrs.)
  • BST 3070 – NT Commentary/Literature of the Letters (3 credit hrs.)

Select Six (6) upper-division credits in Bible, Theology, and Ministry

Examples of Electives
  • BST 1/2/3/4045 – Special Topics in Biblical Literature (3 credit hrs.)
    • Study of biblical literature that investigates individual books or meaningful clusters
      in terms of the background, purpose, literary composition, and interpretation.
      Emphasis is given to current issues in biblical studies.
  • CED 3015 – Christian Discipleship (3 credit hrs.)
    • Responding to the Great Commission mandate from our Lord (see Matthew 28:16-
      20), students explore the discipleship ministry of the church from cradle to grave.
      Biblical, historical, lifespan and contemporary concepts are identified and are
      applied to the nurture and formation of Christ followers. Contemporary expressions
      of discipleship are researched and analyzed for their effectiveness as students
      devise plans for faithfully fulfilling the Great Commission in their life and ministry.
  • CED 3060 – Spiritual Practices (3 credit hrs.)
    • A practical experience offered in spiritual formation. The focus will be on the
      development of the spiritual life through activities and disciplines (practices) such
      as meditation, prayer, fasting, journaling, lectio divina, etc. Experimentation and
      practices both in and out of the class, written reflections, and group process will be
      included.
  • CHM 3012 – Communicating the Gospel (3 credit hrs.)
    • This course investigates sermon preparation skills and communication approaches
      appropriate for the 21st Century. It emphasizes the spiritual preparation of the
      communicator, the content of the message, the context of the receivers, and the
      methods (media) of delivery.

Our Faculty

DR. Shawn Craigmiles

DR. Shawn Craigmiles

Chair, Assistant Professor of Bible and Church Ministry / Associate Dean of Academic Integrity

Dr. Mark Schnell

Dr. Mark Schnell

Assistant Professor of Bible, Theology, and Ministry

Dr. Matt Swale

Dr. Matt Swale

Assistant Professor of Bible and Church Ministry

Dr. Swale is married to Jackie, a physical therapist, and they have three children: Hank, Eve, and Cole. Before coming to Warner, he taught the Bible to middle and high school students in Christian schools in Illinois and Alabama.

He enjoys movies, detective novels, coffee, and sometimes cooking.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

1 Peter 2:9

Learn about The Department

Answer God’s Call

Contact Admissions

About Warner University

Warner University is a distinctly Christian university that strives to make a Christian liberal arts education accesible to all. We are committed to guiding individuals toward Christ-like character and intellectual maturity while equipping them to serve. We are located in beautiful Lake Wales, Florida, which is nearly the exact center of the Florida peninsula. We are just a short drive away from rapidly growing cities such as Lakeland and Winter Haven. At Warner we offer a variety of in-person and online degree plans. Choose Warner and answer God’s call, receiving an education that helps you pursue your dreams and grow closer to Christ.