KIM WILCOX | features editor

The number of Bible classes required is just right.

Nobody wants to become a Super Senior because he or she couldn’t squeeze in their required Bible classes. But are APU students really at risk of not graduating because of the number of required undergraduate Bible classes?

No way. In fact, perhaps the most confusing thing about the general studies requirements is the fact that the subheading containing the number of required Bible classes also contains the ministry and doctrine requirements as well.

The fact of the matter is students are only required to take nine units of Bible classes to graduate.

The required courses include Exodus/Deuteronomy, Luke/Acts and one upper division elective. The other two required courses are not part of the Biblical studies branch.

Still think we require too many courses? Biola requires 30 units worth of Bible classes. Students must take seven prescribed courses and three elective courses for a total of ten before they graduate.

A minor at APU does not even require that many units. In fact, a biblical studies minor requires a mere 12 units of upper division courses.

According to Kathryn Smith, Chair of the Department of Biblical Studies, a student could complete the required lower division Bible classes for their general studies, then take three upper division elective courses and the undergraduate Bible writing intensive course to complete a biblical studies minor and meet several of the general studies requirements all at the same time.

According to the Biola website, all students who complete their required Bible courses are eligible to apply for the minor as long as they have completed 12 units of upper division Bible classes somewhere in their required 30.

The bigger question here is not really about which school requires the most Bible classes, but rather why are those classes required? What good will they do us when we leave APU?

Smith said the Bible courses are required. APU’s mission states we are “community of disciples and scholars who seek to advance the work of God in the world through academic excellence.”

Part of becoming a disciple and scholar of the Lord is knowing his Word and knowing how to study his Word.

No one should merely sit around and expect others to decipher the Bible for them. Instead, as scholars, students who graduate from APU should be equipped with the proper tools to make informed and intelligent decisions on biblical matters.

The school’s Essence Statement lists several subheadings which specifically outline the goals and mottoes of those branches. Under the academic subheading the statement says, “ we believe that all truth is of God; therefore, we recognize the importance of each field of study both for its own significance and for its interrelationship with other areas of knowledge.”

These statements lead me to believe that our school sees the study of the Bible as an integral part of our education as it applies to all areas of study. And I, for one, am eager to agree.

I find that being able to place my faith within in the context of history and philosophy allows me to be a better reporter.

I can find truth in this world if I know how to look for it and the tools I learned in my Bible classes help me do that. What you learn in class isn’t just for application to the Bible. There are many texts to which we can apply our learning.

Now, I’m not saying that we should all go out and get biblical studies minors or anything. That choice is for the individual to make. However, I think that when I finish my last undergraduate Bible class this semester I may miss it a little. Call me a geek if you so desire, but there is something about sitting around talking about archaeology and the philosophy of thinkers long buried that excites me about learning.

Granted it might be more fun if we could go out there and dig for these lost artifacts ourselves, but given the opportunities we have in the classroom I can’t think of a better way to learn about the time and place my Savior was born.

Maybe in the future, the tools professors have equipped me with will have a huge impact on my career. But for now, I will be content that the more I learn now in college, the better off I will be further down the line.