The Master of Arts degree is intended to provide opportunities for specialized focus on disciplines that are crucial to fulfill the mission of Talbot School of Theology. Its purpose, as offered in the extension, is to increase students' understanding of Scripture and theology, building on a Bachelor in Theology (B.Th.) degree that offers ministry skill courses. It is expected that most students admitted to the extension program will already possess this degree. The M.A. degree is intended to provide students in Eastern Europe with the next level of theological education to prepare them for the challenges of pastoral leadership. The M.A. will equip leaders for the waves of theological challenges increasingly confronting the church in the region. Its goals and learning outcomes are consistent with the purposes of the extension program. 

Outcomes for the Master of Arts - Core

A. Personal

As a result of this program, the student will:

1. Be able to understand and apply God's written word to the development of a distinctly Christian worldview that is lived out in daily life and ministry.

2. Have a growing personal knowledge in light of biblical study, resulting in an increasingly intimate knowledge of and relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

3. Have a worldview shaped by biblical study and a sense of historical location within the Christian church by which to evaluate current trends in the world and in the Church. This worldview should grow and develop in conjunction with continuing biblical, historical and theological study.

4. Be able to research and interpret the meaning of a passage according to its context, taking into consideration:

• Its historical and cultural context as determined through archaeological, historical and cultural (including linguistic) research.

• Its broader biblical context as determined through comparison with the content and themes of related biblical books.

• Its theological context as determined through comparison with systematic theology (which is derived from the biblical text).

B. Ministry

As a result of this program, the student will:

1. Be able to teach the results of a researched biblical text in modern contexts such as:

• In the church: A Sunday School class, a lay training institute, or church-based Bible training program.

• On the campus: A college-campus-based Bible study, seminar or Bible instruction program.

• In a community Bible-study setting: A large group Bible Study context.

• At work: A workplace Bible study.

• On the mission field.

2. Be able to explain to others interpretative differences in the most widely used Bible translations and paraphrases.

3. Be able to provide a reasoned and informed perspective on critical issues related to the Bible, such as issues prominent in critical scholarship and especially those that attract media attention.

4. Be involved in mentoring relationships with others to show them how to develop their intimate knowledge of and relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Outcomes for the M.A. - Biblical and Theological Studies/Diversified

As a result of this program, the student will:

1. Be able to research either the Old Testament or the New Testament using exegetical commentaries and certain tools designed for those with limited knowledge of Greek and Hebrew.

2. Be able to confidently and effectively dialog with those who are outside of a biblically centered, applying the knowledge of biblical doctrine to refute errors and to utilize practical techniques of dialog with the intent to reach those who "seek to know the reason for the hope that lies within you."

3. Be able to articulate a clear theology/philosophy of educational ministry.

4. Have an understanding and appreciation for the teaching-learning process, utilizing a broad range of ministry methods and resources in educational ministry.

5. Be able to plan, administrate and evaluate an effective educational ministry program at a basic level.