RICHMOND -- Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond will offer a new concentration in biblical interpretation, beginning with the 2009-2010 academic year.

Seminary spokespersons said that in an era of declining biblical literacy, ministers have a critical need for the skills to “rightly divide the Word.”

“While our core biblical requirements provide all students with basic competence in biblical interpretation, this concentration is designed to help students move beyond competence to expertise,” said Mark E. Biddle, the Russell T. Cherry Professor of Old Testament.

“I am often struck by an incongruity in the language I hear from Protestant Christians, even or especially Baptists,” Biddle said. “We profess the centrality of Scripture for our faith, but we tend to keep it at arm’s length, reading only portions we are already familiar with, and interpreting other portions in accordance with our comfort zone.

“In my own experience, the Bible holds treasures beyond the wildest imaginings for those who are willing and able to wrestle with its significance. The church needs ministers who know the Word of God -- if it is not to drift away from its essential nature.”

 F. Scott Spencer, professor of New Testament and preaching, observed, “Though the Bible continues to be at the top of the bestseller list year after year, biblical literacy and understanding is waning. Still, church and non-church people are constantly clamoring for greater biblical knowledge and more ‘depth’ of biblical study.

 “As the man asked Philip the evangelist in Acts 8, many people today are sincerely asking, ‘How can I understand the Scriptures unless someone guides me?’ This concentration will offer advanced preparation for ministers to be interpretive ‘guides’ for those who seek greater understanding of the Bible.” 

 The master of divinity with a concentration in biblical interpretation will equip ministers with advanced skills in the use of biblical languages and in the application of the methods and tools of biblical hermeneutics (the interpretation of Scripture).

 The aim is to assist students who complete the degree to develop a faith that is formed and informed by a profound relationship with Scripture, and to excel in biblical preaching and teaching.

 The new concentration will be available to students who enter BTSR in the fall of 2009. It is also open to current students who wish to complete it as part of their degree program. For more information and a detailed list of degree requirements, visit BTSR’s website at www.btsr.edu.

 While all M.Div students graduate from BTSR with a solid base of understanding Scripture (provided through the core Bible course requirements), students who hunger for more depth will benefit greatly from the new concentration.

 “Although I've been teaching, preaching, and writing about the Bible professionally for 20 years now, I’m still constantly learning new things and exploring fresh avenues of study,” says Spencer. “This concentration will profitably launch students on a lifetime of fruitful biblical study and ministry.”

 Jennifer Law is a freelance writer for BTSR.

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