Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
A Concentration In
Theology
An emphasis within the B.A. in Biblical and Theological Studies — biblical, historical, and philosophical theology in one focused track.
Four Theology Lenses
Biblical, historical, philosophical, and systematic
Beyond the BA Core
Adds OT/NT theology, historical theology, and Christian philosophy
Seminary-Ready
Built to prepare graduates for divinity programs
The base BA already includes two full semesters of systematic theology, ACU’s four-part thematic biblical theology sequence, church history, and apologetics. The Theology Concentration extends that work in a specific direction — adding biblical theology of both Testaments, historical theology, and a focused course in the philosophy of Christian thought.
What you end up with is a four-lens theological education: systematic (already in the BA core), biblical (BIB 215 and 315), historical (BIB 326), and philosophical (PHI 310). Few undergraduate programs assemble all four. The concentration is built for students headed to seminary, planning a teaching ministry, or stepping toward academic theological work — anyone who wants more theology than a standard Bible degree offers.
Read the Old Testament Theologically
Trace Israel's developing faith and the doctrines that emerge across the Hebrew Scriptures.
Read the New Testament Theologically
Follow the doctrinal development of early Christianity across the Gospels, Acts, the Epistles, and Revelation.
Engage the Tradition Historically
Examine how Christians have understood doctrines across two millennia of church history.
Think Philosophically as a Christian
Work through Plantinga, C.S. Lewis, Geisler, and Schaeffer as examples of Christian philosophy doing real work.
Synthesize Four Theological Lenses
Bring biblical, historical, philosophical, and systematic theology into one coherent way of thinking.
The Theology Concentration is shaped by a single conviction: doing theology well requires more than one angle of approach.
Biblical Theology, Both Testaments
BIB 215 and BIB 315 pair NT and OT theology, so students see both halves of the canon as theology in their own right — not just as material for systematic categories. The Old Testament has its own developing voice; the New carries it forward and transforms it.
Equips you to teach and preach with both Testaments fully in view.
Doctrine Has a History
BIB 326 Historical Theology takes the church's two-thousand-year work on doctrine seriously. Today's debates didn't appear out of nowhere — they're the latest chapter in a long conversation. The concentration trains students to know that conversation rather than reinvent it.
Anchors you in the tradition before you contribute to it.
Christian Philosophy, Not Just Apologetics
PHI 310 brings four modern Christian philosophers into focused study. The concentration treats philosophical work — on the rationality of belief, on culture, on truth — as legitimate Christian theological labor, not as an outside discipline to defend against.
Gives you the philosophical vocabulary to engage Christian theology with care.
New Testament Theology
The theology that develops across the New Testament — continuity with the Old, and the doctrines that take shape in early Christianity.
BIB 315Old Testament Theology
The theology that develops across the Hebrew Scriptures — Israel's faith and the doctrines that shape what comes next.
BIB 326Historical Theology
How Christians have understood theology across two millennia — and what that history still says to the church today.
BIB 301Systematic Theology I
The first half of ACU's systematic theology sequence — Scripture, God, creation, humanity, and sin.
BIB 400Apologetics
The practical art of defending the Christian faith against the modern challenges that students actually encounter.
PHI 310Philosophy of Christian Thought
A survey of major Christian philosophers — Plantinga, C.S. Lewis, Geisler, and Schaeffer — with emphasis on Schaeffer's body of work.
The Theology Concentration is built for students whose next step is more theology — and for those whose careers reward deep theological preparation.
Seminary or Divinity School
Enter a master's program with biblical, historical, and philosophical theology already in hand — well beyond what most undergraduate Bible degrees offer.
Pastoral Teaching Ministry
Step into pastoral roles where regular preaching and teaching demand serious theological depth week after week.
Academic Theology
Prepare for graduate work in biblical studies, historical theology, or philosophy of religion.
Christian School Bible Teacher
Teach Bible and theology in Christian middle and high schools with formal theological credentials.
Christian Publishing and Writing
Bring trained theological judgment to Christian publishing, journalism, or content work.
Worldview Education and Apologetics
Lead worldview programs, apologetics ministries, or campus ministries with the philosophical depth they need.
The Theology Concentration goes deeper than the BA core in a specific direction — and few undergraduate Bible programs offer this combination.
Four Lenses, Not One
Biblical, historical, philosophical, and systematic theology together — most programs cover one or two.
Real Biblical Theology, Both Testaments
A dedicated NT theology course and a dedicated OT theology course — not just a single survey.
Christian Philosophy as a Standalone Course
A full course on Plantinga, Lewis, Geisler, and Schaeffer — depth most Bible programs leave to electives.
Historical Theology in the Major Core
BIB 326 brings two thousand years of doctrinal development into the concentration.
Pre-Seminary Strength
Graduates enter divinity programs with theological preparation many master's-level peers don't have.
Already drawn to the BA in Biblical and Theological Studies? Adding the Theology Concentration takes a few clear steps.
Apply to ACU
Submit your application for admission to Arizona Christian University.
Start Your ApplicationChoose Theology as Your Concentration
Tell your academic advisor you want the Theology track so they can sequence BIB 215, 315, 326, and PHI 310 into your plan.
Plan Around Once-a-Year Courses
BIB 215 runs Fall only; BIB 315 and PHI 310 run Spring only. Build your junior and senior years with those windows in view.
Shape Your Two Concentration Electives
Choose six credits of upper-division BIB or BTS electives that line up with where you're heading after graduation.
The Theology Concentration brings biblical, historical, philosophical, and systematic theology together in one focused track. Apply or reach out today.