Master of Divinity – Concentration in Messianic Jewish Studies

Gain the foundational knowledge of Scripture, Messianic Judaism and ministry needed to equip you for your calling to lead or to teach through our MJS-focused Master of Divinity degree. Whether you desire to lead in the Messianic community or feel called to be a bridge between the Church and the Jewish people, our Messianic Jewish Studies (MJS) program is designed for you. This program is truly one of a kind. It is accredited, Spirit-filled, and approved by the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations (UMJC) for training rabbis and teachers. You can earn this degree online or on-ground (Southlake).

Program Objectives

This concentration seeks to:

  • Prepare men and women for Messianic Jewish ministry;
  • Provide a knowledge of Scripture and the tools and methods to interpret Scripture;
  • Provide a knowledge of Judaism and Christianity and the relationship between these religious traditions;
  • Provide a knowledge of Messianic Jewish history, theology and practice;
  • Equip students with practical ministry skills in the areas of Messianic Jewish leadership, teaching, preaching, worship, counseling, and administration;
  • Assist students in developing a theology of Messianic Jewish ministry;
  • Develop practical ministry skills through supervised Messianic Jewish ministry experiences; and
  • Encourage students to develop their unique spiritual gifts and to integrate these gifts into their theological studies and Messianic Jewish ministry.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this concentration, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate the ability to interpret and properly apply biblical texts using sound hermeneutical principles and exegetical methods;
  • Demonstrate a knowledge of the heritage and traditions of the Synagogue and the Church;
  • Demonstrate a knowledge of Messianic Jewish history, theology and practice;
  • Articulate a biblically-based theology of Messianic Jewish ministry that is Spirit-led and informed by the calling of Israel and the Body of Messiah;
  • Integrate biblical and theological knowledge with Messianic Jewish ministry;
  • Communicate the knowledge of who God is and what He has done clearly, accurately, and with love and respect; and
  • Articulate knowledge of and show ability to participate in Messianic Jewish ministry.

Master of Divinity – MJS Concentration (MDiv-MJS)

Prerequisites

In order to provide students an opportunity to demonstrate their background in biblical studies, all Master of Divinity students are required to take the Graduate Bible Assessment upon admission to the university. Students are also required to attend an introductory workshop on Old Testament, New Testament, and Biblical Interpretation. The workshop will be waived for those students whose Graduate Bible Assessment score is 75% or higher. This workshop must be completed before students are permitted to enroll in graduate Bible or hermeneutics courses.

Curriculum
Total Hours 78
  • 12
  • 15
  • 18
  • 21
  • 6
  • 6
  • Biblical Studies 12 Hours
    • BIBD 5320 Tanakh: The Beginnings of Judaism and the Jewish People 3
    • BIBD 5321 The New Testament as Jewish Literature 3
    • BIBL 5304 Current Issues in Biblical Interpretation 3
    • BIBL 5305 Life of Jesus in Historical Context 3
  • Theological/Historical Studies 15 Hours
    • BIBD 5300 Messianic Jewish Theology 3
    • BIBD 6301 Christian Theology I 3
    • BIBD 6302 Christian Theology II 3
    • BIBH 5302 Christian History and Renewal I 3
    • BIBH 5303 Christian History and Renewal II 3
  • Practical Ministry Studies 18 Hours
    • BIBC 7301 Pastoral Counseling 3
    • BIBM 5305 The Spirit Formed Leader 3
    • BIBM 5307 Preaching that Connects 3
    • BIBM 6301 Graduate Ministry Practicum 3
    • BIBM 7314 Congregational Growth and Development 3
    • BIBM 7315 Master's Capstone Project: Divinity 3
  • Concentration 21 Hours
    • APOL 6301 Messianic Jewish Apologetics I 3
    • BIBD 6320 Messianic Jewish Spirituality 3
    • BIBD 7310 Jewish-Christian Relations 3
    • BIBH 6306 Messianic Judaism in Antiquity and the Modern Era 3
    • BIBH 7320 The Land and State of Israel OR 3
    • BIBH 7321 Biblical Geography of Israel Study Trip
    • BIBL 6320 Jewish Practices in Messianic Context 3
    • BIBL 6321 Introduction to Rabbinic Literature 3
  • Hebrew Courses 6 Hours
    • BHEB 5301 Hebrew I 3
    • BHEB 5302 Hebrew II 3
  • Messianic/Biblical Language Electives 6 Hours
    • Choose 6 hours from the following: 6
    • APOL 7301 Messianic Jewish Apologetics II
    • BGRK 5301 Greek I
    • BGRK 5302 Greek II
    • BGRK 5303 Greek Exegesis
    • BHEB 6303 Hebrew Exegesis
    • BIBH 6320 Studies in Anti-Semitism and the Holocaust
    • BIBH 6322 History of Judaism and the Jewish People
    • BIBH 7322 Studies in the New Anti-Semitism
    • BIBL 5315 Studies in Matthew and Early Judaism
    • BIBL 5316 Studies in Luke and Early Judaism
    • BIBL 5317 Studies in the Jewish Calendar
    • BIBL 5323 The Jewish Heritage of Christianity
    • BIBL 6305 Studies in John and Early Judaism
    • BIBL 6306 Studies in Acts and Early Judaism
    • BIBL 6307 Studies in Romans and Early Judaism
    • BIBL 6322 Introduction to Midrash
    • BIBL 7302 Studies in Jewish Ethics
    • BIBL 7303 The Talmud
    • BIBL 7304 Studies in Galatians and Early Judaism
    • BIBM 6308 Messianic Jewish Non-profits
    • BIBM 6320 The Basics of Synagogue Worship
    • BIBM 6323 Leading Messianic Worship