Master of Divinity – Program Outline

MASTER OF DIVINITY

The Master of Divinity program prepares students for pastoral ministry. We seek to shape whole persons to communicate the gospel and demonstrate its implications in everyday life. Pastors and church leaders must be biblically saturated, theologically discerning, and contextually sensitive Christians; to that end, the curriculum focuses on three major areas: biblical, theological, and practical ministry studies.

We hold steadfastly to the truth and authority of God’s Word, and so we pour ourselves into reading the Bible. Our graduates read the whole Bible in the original languages, so that they can interpret it with literary and theological care. Jesus speaks through his Word, so our students see the whole Bible — both Old and New Testaments — pointing to the gospel in a variety of compelling and beautiful ways.

We shape students to reason biblically by studying systematic theology—grasping the breadth, emphases, and coherence of biblical teaching. Furthermore students gain familiarity with the resources of the Christian tradition through study of primary sources in church history. They learn to interpret the Bible and their culture by seeing how this was done by Irenaeus and Augustine, Aquinas and Luther, Calvin and Edwards. In these historical and systematic studies, we seek to have our minds renewed and sanctified that we might be discerning, wise, and gospel centered in everyday thinking.

Our graduates learn to graciously minister in a variety of pastoral contexts. Their preaching skills are developed through a number of practicums in sermon delivery. They plan and lead worship by reflecting on its theological significance and contextual shape. We seek to pass on a concern not only for evangelism and discipleship but also for justice and mercy in the city. Our location in South Florida lends itself to multicultural and global ministry opportunities which expand the horizons and strengthen the character of our students as world Christians able to engage a post-Christian culture with the gospel of Jesus.

We form students who are gripped by grace and, thus, who exude the humility of those desperately dependent on God’s kindness in Jesus. Furthermore, our graduates are lifelong learners always eager to be reformed by God—to that end, we do not shirk fearfully from hard questions and real concerns, but we confidently turn to God’s Word for direction and transformation. We pray that time in such a community of grace will prepare students to serve as models of grace in church plants, revitalization projects, and evangelistic work.

 

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or the educational equivalent is required. Transfer students must take their final 33 credit hours at Knox. A select group of applicants who do not possess an undergraduate degree or its equivalent may be admitted to the program with diploma standing. (See the Admission section in the catalog.)

 

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPLETION

The Master of Divinity program requires completion of a total of 90 credit hours. To graduate, a student must earn at least a grade of C- (1.7) in each course, and must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale). Students are required to participate in a Supervised Ministry Internship. See course descriptions for more information.

Upon successful completion, the student is awarded the Master of Divinity degree.

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES

A graduate of the MDiv program will:

• Effectively communicate Christ and His gospel throughout the entirety of Scripture.

• Be increasingly transformed by the gospel and grow in desire and competence for sharing that gospel with others.

• Articulate the centrality of the gospel for every aspect of Christian life and ministry.

• Thoughtfully exegete their culture and understand the Christian’s responsibility to participate in God’s work of making all things new.

• Faithfully work with the original languages of the Scriptures for theological and pastoral work.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Total Semester Hours: 90

 

BIBLICAL LANGUAGES 18 Hours / Credits:

• NT612 Greek 1: Greek Syntax and Grammar3
• NT514 Greek 2: Greek Exegesis3
• OT612 Hebrew 1: Hebrew Grammar3
• OT614 Hebrew 2: Hebrew Exegesis3
• NT712 Biblical Hermeneutics3
• NT702 Advanced Biblical Exegesis3

 

BIBLICAL STUDIES 15 Hours / Credits:

• OT602 Old Testament 1 — Genesis to 2 Samuel3
• OT604 Old Testament 2 — 2 Samuel to Malachi3
• NT502 New Testament 1 — Gospels and Acts3
• NT504 New Testament 2 — Epistles and Revelation3
• ST502 Biblical Theology3

THEOLOGICAL STUDIES 12 Hours / Credits:

• ST506 Systematic Theology 1 – God and Creation3
• ST602 Systematic Theology 2 – Christ and the Church3
• ST604 Systematic Theology 3 – Salvation and Eschatology3
• ST608 Ethics3

 

HISTORICAL STUDIES 6 Hours / Credits:

• CH502 History of Christianity 1 — Ancient and Medieval3
• CH504 History of Christianity 2 — Reformation to Modern Era3

 

PASTORAL STUDIES 18 Hours / Credits:

• AT608 Ministry and the Church3
• ME702 Missions3
• AT704 Worship3
• AT502 Introduction to Homiletics, Theology, and Structure3
• AT602 Preaching Practicum 1 – Basics of Biblical Preaching1
• AT604 Preaching Practicum 2 – Preaching from the New Testament1
• AT702 Preaching Practicum 3 – Preaching from the Old Testament1
• AT706 Supervised Ministry Internship3

 

ELECTIVES 21 Hours / Credits:

Note: Some students may require more than three years to complete this program.