By Jason Hiles, PhD
College of Theology
August 02, 2016
As the standard degree for ordained professional ministry, the Master of Divinity (MDiv) is designed to train students who are called to serve in local churches, Christian organizations and other ministerial settings.
Because the MDiv is a pastorally oriented degree, one of the primary objectives is to train competent expositors and teachers of the Scriptures. Thus, the biblical languages are an important component of any MDiv program.
Unfortunately, when many students finish their seminary education, their language skills fall into disuse due to ministerial responsibilities.
For this reason, Grand Canyon Theological Seminary approaches language training with the goal that students will continue to use Greek and Hebrew beyond their time in seminary. In order to achieve this, the seminary has adopted a tools-based curriculum in learning the biblical languages.
Students will still learn the foundations of grammar and syntax in conjunction with how to use tools like Accordance Bible Software. Developing the ability to use such tools gives the student the ability to access these languages to do serious analysis of the original languages while balancing the demands of ministry.
At GCTS, each student will take both elementary Hebrew and elementary Greek. Each course is designed to teach the foundations of these languages while simultaneously developing their ability to use tools.
Moreover, students will continue to use the languages and tools throughout the program. By the end of their education, students will have grown in their proficiency of the biblical languages and language tools like Accordance, making them more likely to use them long after their seminary education.