Study Biblical Studies at Otago
Study Jewish and Christian scriptures.
Biblical Studies looks in detail at the biblical writings in their ancient contexts and considers how they should be interpreted.
Biblical Studies papers are divided between Old Testament (Tanakh or Hebrew Bible) and New Testament.
You can also study the biblical languages (Classical Hebrew and New Testament Greek) to an advanced level.
Requirements
Bachelor of Arts (BA) majoring in Biblical Studies
Level | Papers | Points |
---|
100-level
| BIBS 112 Interpreting the Old Testament
|
18
|
BIBS 121 Interpreting the New Testament
|
18
|
200-level
|
Three 200-level BIBS papers, one of which may be replaced with a 200-level CHTH paper
|
54
|
300-level
|
Four 300-level BIBS papers, one of which may be replaced with a 300-level CHTH paper
|
72
|
Plus
|
198 further points; must include 54 points at 200-level or above.
Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Arts
|
198
|
Total | | 360 |
Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)) in Biblical Studies
Papers |
---|
BIBS 490 Dissertation
|
Three further 400-level BIBS papers
|
One 400-level CHTH, MINS, PAST or RELS paper may be substituted for one 400-level BIBS paper. |
Prerequisites: 36 points of either Greek or Hebrew language (or other combinations of papers comprising one year of Greek or Hebrew language study) |
Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) in Biblical Studies
The Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) programme in Biblical Studies is the same as the programme for the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)).
Bachelor of Theology (BTheol) endorsed in Biblical Studies
Papers |
---|
|
A programme may be endorsed in Biblical Studies if it includes a total of eight BIBS papers, including three at 300-level. |
Bachelor of Theology with Honours (BTheol(Hons)) in Biblical Studies
Papers |
---|
One 400-level CHTH, MINS, PAST or RELS paper may be substituted for one 400-level BIBS paper. Prerequisites: 36 points of either Greek or Hebrew language (or other combinations of papers comprising one year of Greek or Hebrew language study) |
Postgraduate Diploma in Theology (PGDipTheol) in Biblical Studies
Papers |
---|
Prerequisites: 36 points of either Greek or Hebrew language (or other combinations of papers comprising one year of Greek or Hebrew language study) Note: Some variations may be possible. For further details consult the University of Otago Calendar or the Head of the Theology Programme. |
Biblical Studies as a minor subject for a BA, MusB, BPA, BSc, BCom, BEntr, BHealSc, BACom, BASc or BComSc degree
Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree
Note: This minor subject is not available for students enrolled in the Bachelor of Theology (BTheol).
BIBS papers
Paper Code |
Year |
Title |
Points |
Teaching period |
BIBS112 |
2024 |
Interpreting the Old Testament |
18 |
Semester 1 |
BIBS121 |
2024 |
Interpreting the New Testament |
18 |
Semester 1 |
BIBS131 |
2024 |
Introductory New Testament Greek Language 1 |
18 |
Semester 1 |
BIBS132 |
2024 |
Introductory New Testament Greek Language 2 |
18 |
Semester 2 |
BIBS211 |
2024 |
God, Land and Exile in the Hebrew Prophets |
18 |
Semester 2 |
BIBS213 |
2024 |
Hebrew Old Testament Exegesis 2 |
18 |
Full Year |
BIBS215 |
2024 |
Special Topic: The Bible in Religious Education |
18 |
Not offered, expected to be offered in 2026 |
BIBS218 |
2024 |
Judaism in the Time of Jesus |
18 |
Not offered in 2024 |
BIBS221 |
2024 |
The Gospels |
18 |
Not offered in 2024 |
BIBS223 |
2024 |
Greek New Testament Exegesis 2 |
18 |
Full Year |
BIBS224 |
2024 |
Special Topic: The Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles |
18 |
Not offered, expected to be offered in 2026 |
BIBS225 |
2024 |
Special Topic: Approaches to Hermeneutics |
18 |
Not offered, expected to be offered in 2026 |
BIBS226 |
2024 |
Jesus in the New Testament |
18 |
Semester 2 |
BIBS227 |
2024 |
Mātauranga Māori and the Bible |
18 |
Not offered in 2024 |
BIBS311 |
2024 |
God, Land and Exile in the Hebrew Prophets (Advanced) |
18 |
Semester 2 |
BIBS313 |
2024 |
Hebrew Old Testament Exegesis 3 |
18 |
Full Year |
BIBS315 |
2024 |
Special Topic: Israel's Return from Exile |
18 |
Not offered, expected to be offered in 2026 |
BIBS317 |
2024 |
God, Suffering and Justice |
18 |
Semester 1 |
BIBS318 |
2024 |
Judaism in the Time of Jesus (Advanced) |
18 |
Not offered in 2024 |
BIBS321 |
2024 |
The Gospels (Advanced) |
18 |
Not offered in 2024 |
BIBS322 |
2024 |
The New Testament Epistles |
18 |
Not offered in 2024 |
BIBS323 |
2024 |
Greek New Testament Exegesis 3 |
18 |
Full Year |
BIBS324 |
2024 |
Special Topic: The Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles |
18 |
Not offered, expected to be offered in 2026 |
BIBS325 |
2024 |
Special Topic: Approaches to Hermeneutics |
18 |
Not offered, expected to be offered in 2026 |
BIBS326 |
2024 |
Jesus in the New Testament (Advanced) |
18 |
Semester 2 |
BIBS327 |
2024 |
Mātauranga Māori and the Bible (Advanced) |
18 |
Not offered in 2024 |
BIBS411 |
2024 |
Hebrew Old Testament Exegesis (Advanced) |
20 |
Full Year |
BIBS412 |
2024 |
Special Topic: Israels Return from Exile (Advanced) |
20 |
Not offered in 2024 |
BIBS413 |
2024 |
God, Suffering and Justice (Advanced) |
20 |
Semester 1 |
BIBS421 |
2024 |
Greek New Testament Exegesis (Advanced) |
20 |
Full Year |
BIBS423 |
2024 |
Special Topic: The New Testament Epistles |
20 |
Not offered in 2024 |
BIBS490 |
2024 |
Dissertation |
60 |
1st Non standard period |
Qualifications
Explore your study options further. Refer to enrolment information found on the following qualification pages.
More information
Contact us
Theology Programme
School of Arts
Email theology@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/theology
Studying at Otago
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2024 Calendar and supplementary material.