Classical Studies Program

Over two thousand years ago Tertullian asked, “What indeed has Athens to do with Jerusalem?” A century later Augustine offered a more constructive answer: truths discovered by philosophers that accord with the Christian faith should be “claimed for our own use,” since all truth ultimately belongs to God. The Residential Master of Divinity (MDiv) with a concentration in Classical Studies at Reformed Baptist Seminary embodies this Augustinian vision by integrating rigorous theological training with humane learning rooted in the Great Tradition of Western civilization. The curriculum includes 79 credit hours of traditional divinity coursework—covering biblical languages, exegesis, systematic theology, church history, and pastoral ministry—alongside 18 credit hours of classical studies focused on the Great Books of the Western world. Through the Socratic method, students engage influential texts from literature, philosophy, theology, and history, cultivating intellectual clarity, cultural understanding, and moral wisdom while recognizing how the highest insights of human thought ultimately find their fulfillment in the gospel of Jesus Christ. In this way, the program seeks to form ministers who are biblically grounded, theologically mature, culturally informed, spiritually formed, pastorally equipped, and missionally engaged, prepared to serve Christ and His church with wisdom, conviction, and humility.

Program Outcomes

PLO 1: Biblical Exegesis and Interpretation – Graduates will demonstrate the ability to interpret Scripture faithfully through sound hermeneutical principles, careful exegesis, and the responsible use of biblical languages and research tools.

PLO 2: Theological and Historical Understanding – Graduates will demonstrate a coherent understanding of Christian doctrine and the historical development of the church’s theological tradition.

PLO 3: Classical Learning and Cultural Engagement – Graduates will demonstrate familiarity with the literature, philosophy, and history of the Western intellectual tradition and engage cultural ideas thoughtfully in light of the Christian worldview.

PLO 4: Spiritual Maturity and Character – Graduates will demonstrate spiritual maturity and Christlike character consistent with the biblical qualifications for Christian ministry.

PLO 5: Pastoral Skills and Church Mission – Graduates will demonstrate the knowledge and practical skills necessary for faithful pastoral ministry and participation in the mission of the church.

Click here for a fuller explanation of the program learning outcomes and how they are assessed.

Program Requirements

Individuals with an earned bachelor’s degree are eligible to earn a Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree. Individuals without a bachelor’s degree are eligible for a Bachelor of Divinity (BDiv) degree. Students who complete at least 50% of the Bachelor of Divinity may apply for an upgrade to Master of Divinity if they meet the degree upgrade criteria. Since this is a residential program, students must complete at least 50% of their coursework in residence. All classes and modules meet at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Coconut Creek, Florida. The course schedule is designed so that students can complete their degree requirements in four years. To ensure this, some asynchronous online courses may be utilized. The student must complete the Divinity program within 8 years.

Core Seminary Preparation (3 Credits)

SP401 Research and Writing (2)
SP402 Logos Academic Training (1) – Online

Core Biblical Languages (15 Credits)

BL501 Hebrew I (3)
BL502 Hebrew II (3)
BL511 Greek I (3)
BL512 Greek II (3)
BL513 Greek III (3)

Core Exegetical Theology (15 Credits)

ET500 Hermeneutics (3)
ET510 OT Introduction (3)
ET515 NT Introduction (3)
ET530 Biblical Theology (3)
ET531 Bible Survey (3)

Core Historical Theology (13 Credits)

HT500 Baptist Symbolics (2)
HT501 Church History I (3)
HT502 Church History II (3)
HT503 Church History III (3)
HT521 Particular Baptists (2)

**Courses are subject to change