The Associate of Arts in Biblical Studies provides a strong foundation in Bible and theology for marketplace ministers and for students desiring to go on to complete any of the five Bachelor of Arts degree programs offered at Pacific Rim Christian University. The Biblical Studies curriculum aims to equip the student to value the careful study of the Bible and theology for life and ministry.

The AA in Biblical Studies program is available in an accelerated format and can be completed in 18 months.

Upon completing the Associate of Arts in Biblical Studies, students will demonstrate:

The ability to integrate biblical and theological thought into their life, ministry, or marketplace context.

AA - Biblical Studies Program Sheet

General Education & General Ministry Requirements

General Education and General Ministry coursework prepares Pacific Rim University graduates to gain essential skills for success, including critical thinking, clear communication, and a sense of responsibility in their communities and the marketplace. These General Education Learner Outcomes prepare them for personal and professional growth.

Course offerings:

• GM 1300 Spiritual Transformation
• GM 1301 Personal Evangelism and Discipleship
• GM 1303 Character Formation
• GE 1303 Life Skills
• UG 12B Ministry Service
Course offerings:
• GE 0301 College Writing Skills
• GE 1301 English Composition
• GE 1302 Writing and Research Methods
• GE 2303 Speech Communication
• GE 2311 Critical Thinking Skills
Course offerings:
• GE 2304 History of World Civilizations I
• GE 2305 History of World Civilizations II
• GE 2307 Introduction to Humanities
• GE 2309 Elementary Hawaiian Language and Culture

Course Offerings

A study of the first five books of the Bible, Genesis through Deuteronomy. Special attention will be given to exploring the literary and theological themes in the Pentateuch, from creation to the formation of the nation of Israel. Covenant, law, election, worship, and other major topics will be studied considering their original context and in light of their interpretation in the New Testament.
In-depth study of the book of Acts. Topics include the progress of the gospel and the growth of the early church through the power of the Holy Spirit, the life of the Apostle Paul, methods of interpreting Acts, and consideration of how to apply the message of Acts in the modern church.
Spanning nearly 800 years of Israel's history, there are twelve books in this part of the Old Testament: Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther. These books were composed at different times and places but have been arranged in a sequence that tells the story of God's people from the conquering and possession of Canaan, the reigns of the judges, the establishment of kings, the division of Israel into the Northern and Southern Kingdoms, the fall of the Northern Kingdom to Assyria, the exile of the Southern Kingdom into Babylon, and the return to Jerusalem under the leadership of people like Nehemiah and Ezra, and the rebuilding of Jerusalem into the Persian period. An examination of each book’s principal themes and topics will be considered the story of God as revealed in this section of the Old Testament.
An overview of Romans through Revelation. The course primarily emphasizes the main themes and theological emphases of each book and their application to the modern church but also covers introductory issues such as authorship, setting, date, and literary structure of each book.
This course is designed to give the student advanced instruction and practice in the process of inductive Bible studies, focusing on the steps of observation, interpretation, and application, along with charting of Scripture. The goal is to improve the student’s ability to accurately study Scripture and apply it with relevance to unleash the transforming power of God’s Word.
*Prerequisites: BI 1303 or BI 1304 and GE 1301.
This course includes a study of the Old Testament's poetic books and wisdom literature. The Psalms regarding meaning, form, structure, and context will be studied. The wisdom books of Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes will be studied regarding message, form, structure, and wisdom theology.
This course introduces students to theological thinking and methodology and introduces the doctrines of God's revelation, theology proper (the person of God and the Trinity), Christology, anthropology (the nature of humanity), and hamartiology (the nature of sin).
This course develops the student's ability to think theologically and introduces the doctrines of soteriology (salvation and growth), pneumatology (the Holy Spirit), angelology, ecclesiology (the church), and eschatology (future things).
This course provides introductory principles for leadership at all levels of Christian leadership, from the newest ministry team members to the church's senior pastor.
A biblical and theological study of the call upon leaders and disciples to guide people to conform their lives to the likeness of Christ. Students will look at the life of Jesus as the exemplar of the biblical shepherding of people into their purpose. Old Testament and New Testament “shepherds” will also be given attention to learn principles and practices in leading God’s people. Extensive attention will be given to what the Bible teaches about growth towards God’s created purpose for man for each student to develop a scripturally based theology of shepherding.