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Master of Divinity (MDiv)

Deepen your Biblical knowledge.

Learn to value God’s Word, interpret it knowledgeably, articulate it clearly, obey it faithfully, and share its truth appropriately. The Master of Divinity at LCU’s Seminary will enrich your relationship with Christ and your understanding of God’s Word, enable you to lead effectively, and equip you to embody Christ in your ministry.

Specializations:

  • Bible:
    • Biblical Languages
    • General Bible
    • New Testament
    • Old Testament
  • Theology and Philosophy:
    • Church History/Historical Theology
    • Philosophy & Apologetics
    • Theology
  • Christian Ministries
    • Preaching Ministry
    • Christian Education
    • Leadership Studies
    • Worship Studies
    • Pastoral Care & Counseling
    • Intercultural Studies (Missions)
  • Students also have the option to choose “No Specialization”

Our program is designed to be flexible. You can take a variety of electives, or you can focus your studies by selecting an area of specialization. Where and when you study is flexible, too. Whether you want the full on-campus experience or are looking for less traditional options, our program works to fit your lifestyle. You can choose between two options: Take up to two-thirds of your classes online and finish the other third in week-long intensives, or take full-semester courses. This hybrid approach allows you to tailor your education to fit the needs of your life and ministry, and it results in more productive in-class time and engaged learning.

Whichever path you choose, our 75-hour program will help you comprehend Scripture and the value of theological tradition, understand yourself, engage your ministry context effectively, and implement the skills necessary for Christian ministry.

Course List

BI 501
Introduction to God’s Word
A course designed for entering seminarians with little or no undergraduate work in biblical studies. The course looks at the message of the Bible as it is developed in the various parts of the Old and New Testaments is explored.
NT/OT 702
New Testament Use of the Old Testament
An examination of New Testament quotations of the Old Testament in order to understand the New Testament’s exegetical and hermeneutical methodology. Greek and Hebrew proficiency are prerequisites.
NT 605
Advanced New Testament Introduction
A critical introduction to the background, content, and interpretation of the New Testament corpus, with a focus on historical context, special issues confronting selected books, and making the transition from what the text meant in its initial setting to what it means in a contemporary environment.
NT 610
Greek Basics
An introduction to the basics of the Greek language, with focus on using the language in a ministry setting. In using examples from the Greek New Testament, the course is designed to prepare students to use the basics of the language (e.g., grammar, syntax, the meaning of words, etc.) in interpreting Scripture. NT 611 is a continuation of this course.
NT 611
Greek Exegesis
By building on NT 610, this course will emphasize using the Greek NT in the exegetical (interpretative) process. Students will develop a method for using the Greek text, English translations, and other appropriate tools to understand the context, grammar, syntax, word meanings, theology, and contemporary meaning of New Testament texts. Attention will be given to how to use the New Testament in preaching and teaching. Greek proficiency or NT 610 is a prerequisite.
OT 605
Advanced Old Testament Introduction
An advanced treatment of the date, authorship, unity, historical context, literary characteristics, history of interpretation, theology, and canonical context of each of the books of the Old Testament. Some consideration will also be given to matters of general introduction such as text, canon, and historicity of the Old Testament in general.
OT 610
Hebrew Basics
An introduction to the basics of the Hebrew language, with focus on using the language in a ministry setting. In using examples from the Hebrew Old Testament, the course is designed to prepare students to use the basics of the language (e.g., grammar, syntax, the meaning of words, etc.) in interpreting Scripture. OT 611 is a continuation of this course.
OT 611
Hebrew Exegesis
By building on OT 610, this course will emphasize using the Hebrew Old Testament in the exegetical (interpretative) process. Students will develop a method for using the Hebrew text, English translations, and other appropriate tools to understand the context, grammar, syntax, word meanings, theology, and contemporary meaning of Old Testament texts. Attention will be given to how to use the Old Testament in preaching and teaching. Hebrew proficiency or OT 610 is a prerequisite.
CH 600
Christianity Through the Ages
A comprehensive overview of Christianity from its beginning to the present day. The course, which includes discussion of the theological implications of the philosophy of history, introduces students to the church’s history and theology, preparing them to face contemporary concerns in preaching, teaching, and evangelism.
CH 500 OR CH 801
Understanding the Stone-Campbell Movement and My Own Heritage OR History and Theology of the Stone-Campbell Movement
An introduction to the history and theology of the Stone-Campbell Movement or Restoration Movement, designed primarily for those without a previous Restoration Movement course. Assignments concentrate on implementation of principles; some are specific to whether the student’s congregation is from the Stone-Campbell Movement or another Christian heritage.
OR
History and theology of the movement begun in America in the late 18th century to promote world evangelism by practicing unity in the Church based upon the restoration of biblical authority and of the essential elements of New Testament Christianity. Special attention will be given to understanding and implementing key principles of the movement, to critical points in its development, to ideological differences within it, and to currently developing issues.
TH 600
Systematic Theology
A graduate study of systematic theology, seeking to understand the bases, meanings, and relations of Christian doctrines, with attention to the controversies about and inner unity of the Christian faith.
LS 601
Personal Development in Christian Ministry
This course engages students in the ongoing process of shaping the heart and developing Christian character for spiritual leadership. It will promote greater self-awareness through the use of tests or inventories that address temperament, spiritual gifts, and leadership styles.
LS 602
Theology of Leadership for Christian Ministry
This course seeks to help the student develop a Biblical theology of leadership to inform both the theory and the practice of leadership. Primary biblical themes and metaphors will be explored to see how they impact one’s approach to leadership. Such leadership concepts and competencies as strategic planning, organizing, group process and team development, communication and conflict-resolution skills, and leading through change will be emphasized.
LS 701
Mentored Ministry Experience
Mentored Ministry Experience seeks to integrate the classroom with practical ministry in the church or church-related setting under the oversight of a faculty mentor and a field mentor. A “learning covenant” will be developed for each experience, which will be evaluated by the mentors. Three semester hours are required for all Master of Divinity students. It is recommended that the student fulfill this requirement over three semesters, but it is possible to take more than one hour in a given semester or during the summer with the approval of the Director of Mentored Ministry. LS 601 is a prerequisite.
IC 603
Cultural Insights for Effective Ministry and Missions
An introductory study in applied cultural anthropology, this course is designed to provide students with basic anthropological insights and practical applications to increase their effectiveness in understanding the culture(s) of their ministry setting(s) in order to more effectively communicate the Gospel of Christ.
LS 800
Shaping the Ministry of a Leader
This course serves as a capstone experience for the Master of Divinity degree program and should be taken in the last year of that program. It focuses on assessing the Master of Divinity degree program’s six student learning outcomes and the student’s readiness for effective ministry. The course will use various faculty and ministers as presenters and various approaches such as case studies, readings, reflections, exams, and presentations to enhance the learning experience and the assessment process.
TH 710
Understanding Contemporary Mindsets
An analysis of the development, nature, and “spiritual disposition” of contemporary mindsets, whether they be more philosophical in nature (e.g. Modernism Postmodernism) or more cultural in nature (e.g. Pluralism, Secularism, and different mindsets influenced by historical era, geographical location, subcultural affiliation, age, education, science, technology, gender, race, politics, economic status). Providing historical context since the 17th century, this class involves an extensive “audience-analysis” of today’s world as foundational to communicating effectively the basic truths of the Christian faith.
WS 705
Foundations for Worship Ministry
Through an examination of the biblical, theological, historical, and cultural perspectives on worship, this course seeks to help the students develop the analytical and practical skills to lead in the experiences of worship, giving proper attention to content, structure, and style.
CE 600
Teaching Ministry of the Church
An introduction to Christian education in the local congregation including its biblical-theological bases, relationship to spiritual formation, learning methods, and administrative necessities.
COUN 600
Basic Types of Counseling Ministry
A course opening avenues of insight and service through pastoral care and counseling by exploring biblical, historical, and contemporary material. Students are encouraged to apply the pastoral function with a healthy interface of theology and psychology. Specific applications are made in such areas as crisis intervention; marital, premarital, and family counseling; and cross-cultural counseling.
PR 601
Preparing to Preach
A course designed to provide the student with the skills necessary to preach relevant, biblical sermons. Attention is given to homiletical method, biblical and theological content, the contemporary context, and creative methodology. A specialized study of the contemporary context of preaching. Students will examine contemporary thinking, current preachers and possible approaches to preaching to the contemporary listener.

Faculty

Meet the professionals who will be teaching your classes:
Dr. Dinelle Frankland
Professor of Worship Studies
Dr. Steven Cone
Professor of Theology
Dr. James Estep
Professor-at-Large
Dr. Richard Knopp
Professor and Program Director of Philosophy and Christian Apologetics
Dr. Paul Kissling
Professor of Old Testament
Dr. Robert Rea
Professor and Program Director of Church History/Historical Theology
Dr. Nolan Thomas
Associate Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Tyler A. Stewart
Assistant Professor of New Testament

Student Testimonials

Hear from students who've earned a...
  • The scholarship here is excellent. The help that you can get if you go and ask for it, you will get more than what you could ever need. It's like a family, it's a holistic approach, they're not going to just let you walk away—they're going to challenge you.
    — Tim Earle,MDiv, Class of 2014
  • My experience studying philosophy and theology at LCU exceeded my highest expectations. Opportunities to learn under exceptional teacher-scholars gave me an intellectual foundation comparable to those of [my] Marquette colleagues who studied at larger, better known institutions.
    — Joseph K. Gordon,MDiv, Class of 2011, PhD Candidate at Marquette University
  • Specializing in the Old Testament opened my eyes to the grand narrative of the Bible, and how God has constantly been pursuing the restoration of his people. Now, I am able to more fully understand the passion with which God has sought after humanity, and the great lengths to which he would go to reconcile us to himself.
    — Matt Termeer,MDiv, Class of 2014
  • The years I spent [at] Lincoln allowed me both the freedom and the direction to explore the Christian theological and philosophical tradition and to find in it a vision of life and thought worth making my own. In my subsequent years of graduate study, I have found my formation to have been as or more rigorous than that of peers from some of the most elite American universities. The combination of outstanding faculty and a culture of collegiality between students and professors make the life of learning at LCU both rich and rare.
    — Ryan T. Hemmer,MDiv, Class of 2012, PhD student in Systematic Theology and Ethics at Marquette University
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