Department of Biblical Studies

Academic Programs + Academics

The Department of Biblical Studies seeks for God to be glorified and enjoyed in all of life. 

"Not to us,  O LORD,  not to us,  but to your name give glory . . ." Ps. 115:1 (ESV)

We believe that God has designed all people to reflect his glories and to be his image in the world.  Bryan celebrates and seeks to help students find those particular ways God has empowered them to be his choice tools,  to help his rule come into the world.  For many students,  this will be in all the diverse fields of lifetime learning which God has designed to bring glory to himself.  Therefore,  part of the mission of the Department of Biblical Studies is to enable these students to understand the Bible and apply its truths to their various disciplines.  All students here have the privilege of instruction in the Pentateuch and New Testament with an eye to how the Bible applies to our lives today. 

From Left to Right: J. Daryl Charles, Peter Held, Ben Norquist, Jud Davis, Paul Boling, Matt Benson, Ken Turner
Pictured from left to right:
J. Daryl Charles,  Peter Held,  Scott Jones,  Ben Norquist,  Jud Davis,  Paul Boling,  Matt Benson,  and Ken Turner
Not Pictured yet:  Drew Randle and Ben Williams

The Christian Studies Division has a very strong core of part-time professors who teach classes in Biblical Studies and related fields.  These include Director of Athletics,  Dr. Sandy Zensen, Vice President for Student Life,  Dr. Peter Held,  Dean of Spiritual Formation,  Matt Benson,  Director of Worldview Teams,  Ben Williams,  and Assistant Director of Spiritual Formation,  Ben Norquist.  These fine men bring the balance of Biblical Studies and effective ministry to our program,  emphasizing that Biblical Studies is never an end in itself but is rather meant for the building up of Christ's church.  This year welcomes the addition of Dr. J. Daryl Charles,  Director of the Bryan Institute for Critical Thought and Practice.  Daryl brings a wealth of theological and philosophical acumen to the Biblical Studies Department at Bryan as well as organizing Lecture Series for the Bryan Institute.

Dr. Paul Boling is the head of the Christian Studies Division,  the head of the Department of Christian Thought and Philosophy as well as the current head of Biblical Studies.  Paul is one of the most respected teachers on campus and brings a winsomeness of Christianity that is welcoming to the seeker and saint alike.  Paul brings a rich background of Old Testament studies and an expertise in philosophy to the department and serves as the mentor for all in the Christian Studies Division.  One of Dr. Boling's passions is the Center for Worldview Studies which he leads.  Here are some recent talks from Dr. Boling on True Freedom,  and What does it mean to be Human?

The Biblical Studies Department has a close and supportive relationship with the Department of Christian Ministries and Department of Christian Thought and Philosophy.  Students from either of these majors often take courses in Biblical Studies so as to be the best possible minister of the gospel.  Dr. Drew Randle,  Head of Christian Ministries,  and Dr. Scott Jones teach these classes remarkably well and help keep everyone's mind focused on the Bible and ministry.  Dr. Randle was recently interviewed for Bryan's Life Today radio program.

For those gifted by God to serve his work in vocational teaching of the Bible,  Biblical Studies offers an intense experience in the basics of Bible study.  Majors in Biblical Studies take two and a half years of Greek and at least one year of Hebrew as well as courses covering the theology of the whole Bible and individual books.  For the past two years our students have won awards from the Evangelical Theological Society Southeast Regional meeting.  This year,  senior Ashley Baker won 2nd place in the competition for her work on Ruth.  This was quite an honor since a number of the student papers were written by Ph.D. students.

The Biblical Studies Department currently has two fulltime faculty. 

Dr. Ken Turner,  Associate Professor of Old Testament,  is a sought after teacher,  speaker and writer.  He is currently working to publish,  among other things,  his doctoral dissertation which investigates the current idea of covenant nomism and Deuteronomy.  Ken is gifted by God in Hebrew and in the examination of biblical texts from many different angles.  Students at Bryan find him engaging,  and he and his wife welcome many,  many students into their home.

Dr. Jud Davis,  Associate Professor of Greek,  has a passion for the teaching and learning the languages of the Bible.  He brings to the Department a love for studying the use of the Old Testament in the New.  In particular,  Jud has a zeal to look at the ways New Testament writers see Christ as the key to make all the Bible make sense.  His doctoral thesis appears now as,  Carl Judson Davis,  The Name and Way of the Lord.  Old Testament Themes,  New Testament Christology  (Sheffield:  Sheffield Academic Press,  1993).  He also contributes to the excellent magazine,  Answers in Genesis.  Here is his  The Splendor of Thorns.

At Bryan we celebrate the essentials of Evangelicalism and believe that they express those core values that have united Christians throughout the ages.  The diverse heritage of Evangelicalism brings many strengths and voices.  We delight in the richness of this heritage at Bryan College and seek to learn together the glories of God.