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 42 core credit hours for the MABS and the 71 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 | 42 | |
| AR 510 | Archaeological Method and Theory | 2 |
| AR 515 | Intro to Biblical Archaeology | 2 |
| AR 610 | Archaeological Fieldwork I | 2 |
| AR 615 | Archaeological Fieldwork II* | 2 |
| BE 710 | Ancient Near Eastern Backgrounds | 2 |
| BE 706 | Hellenism and 2nd Temple Jewish Backgrounds | 2 |
| Elec. | Open Electives (typically 3-4 courses) | 6 |
| Total Concentration Credits | 18 | |
| Total MABS Credits | 60 |
MDiv Degree Program Requirements
| MDiv Required Common Core | 71 | |
| AR 510 | Archaeological Method and Theory | 2 |
| AR 515 | Intro to Biblical Archaeology | 2 |
| AR 610 | Archaeological Fieldwork I | 2 |
| AR 615 | Archaeological Fieldwork II* | 2 |
| BE 710 | Ancient Near Eastern Backgrounds | 2 |
| BE 706 | Hellenism and 2nd Temple Jewish Backgrounds | 2 |
| Elec. | Open Electives (typically 4-5 courses) | 9 |
| Total Concentration Credits | 21 | |
| Total MDiv Credits | 92 |
*May be substituted with an approved elective.
DEPARTMENT FACULTY
Tim Sigler
Department Chair
Dr. Tim Sigler serves as Provost and Dean at Shepherds Theological Seminary (Cary, NC) where he is…read more.
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.
Douglas D. 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.
Learn more about our degree programs and find the one most suited for you!
