DEPARTMENT OF BIBLICAL ARCHAEOLOGY

The Department of Biblical Archaeology exists to provide a venue and apparatus for instruction, research, and field experience in archaeology within ancient Near Eastern and Greco-Roman contexts. Biblical archaeology seeks to illuminate our understanding of the biblical world by recovering and investigating its material culture and ancient texts. This department provides the opportunity for students to participate in scheduled excavations throughout the modern countries representing this historical context. Participants in such excavations will be equipped to demonstrate the skills necessary for all phases of fieldwork, follow-up analysis, conservation, and the publication of such findings.

BIBLICAL ARCHAEOLOGY CONCENTRATION

This concentration allows a student to go deeper into the field of biblical archaeology—exploring issues of methodology, theory, fieldwork, excavation, analysis, and conservation. It offers ideal academic preparation for the student who desires to progress toward doctoral work. The concentration includes the following courses in addition to the 48 core credit hours for the MABS and the 80 core credit hours for the MDiv.

Below are the requirements for this concentration in both the MABS and MDiv degree programs:

MABS Degree Program Requirements

	MABS Required Common Core	48
AR 510	Archaeological Method and Theory	2
AR 515	Introduction to Biblical Archaeology	2
AR 610	Archaeological Fieldwork I	2
AR 615	Archaeological Fieldwork II*	2
BE 710	Greco-Roman & Jewish Backgrounds	3
OT 710	Ancient Near Eastern History	3
	Total Concentration Credits	12
	Total MABS Credits	60

MDiv Degree Program Requirements

	MDiv Required Common Core	80
AR 510	Archaeological Method and Theory	2
AR 515	Introduction to Biblical Archaeology	2
AR 610	Archaeological Fieldwork I	2
AR 615	Archaeological Fieldwork II*	2
BE 710	Greco-Roman & Jewish Backgrounds	3
OT 710	Ancient Near Eastern History	3
	Total Concentration Credits	12
	Total MDiv Credits	92

* Not required but can be taken as an open elective.

DEPARTMENT FACULTY

Joel Kramer

Field Archaeologist/Adjunct Faculty

Joel Kramer serves as Adjunct Professor of Biblical Archaeology – our “archaeologist in the field”…read more.

Mary Buck

Adjunct Faculty

Dr. Mary Buck serves as an Adjunct Faculty of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations at Shepherds…read more.

Titus Kennedy

Field Archaeologist/Adjunct Faculty

Dr. Titus Kennedy is a field archaeologist working primarily with sites and materials related to the Bible…read more.

Clayton Schultz

Operations and Cooperative Disciplines Director

Dr. Clayton Schultz serves as the Director of The WEST Institute (Laramie, WY), where he is responsible for…read more.

Doug Bookman

Faculty

Dr. Bookman completed his M.Div. and Th.M. at Central Baptist Theological Seminary, and…read more.

Peter Goeman

Faculty

Peter Goeman began serving at Shepherds in 2017 as Assistant Professor of Old Testament and…read more.

W. Andrew Smith

Faculty

W. Andrew Smith is Associate Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity, and serves as…read more.