Advanced Masters in Biblical Studies (AMBS)
Introduction
The Advanced Masters in Biblical Studies (AMBS) is a new degree not offered anywhere else in the world. Due to the depth of study, including every single word of the Bible, it has its own special designation, like the MBA which is a terminal degree for Business Managers, the ANP for nurses, or the MFA for artists.
- Why it is like a Masters: The AMBS contains more work than a normal MA and takes longer, but the amount of actual words produced are equivalent to the higher end of Master’s
Thesis requirements and the timeframe is within the upper parameters of a Masters. - Why it is more than a Masters: The AMBS takes longer and contains far more information than any recognized Masters level program. No MA or MDiv requires study of every single
book of the Bible. That is unprecedented. - Why it is not a PhD? While the AMBS is longer and more difficult than a Masters, and the timeframe closer to a PhD, the writing produced is not as lengthy as a PhD Dissertation. A
PhD contains a major thesis of great length on one subject while the AMBS contains many smaller essays about each of the books of the Bible.
When online programs were first introduced, they were considered inferior to the full-time face-to-face study at a university. The world has changed, and now online programs are more and more accepted, partly because the ‘traditional’ institutions have now started offering them. Warnborough is glad to offer an elevated level of advanced education. Welcome to the Advanced Masters in Biblical Studies (AMBS).
The AMBS program at Warnborough College is designed to be the world’s premier comprehensive biblical studies program, looking at every book of the Bible (and some of the Apocrypha).
Key Info
Duration:
4 terms (16 months) minimum ^
Credits:
120 ECTS credits
Fees:
€85 per credit. €10,200 in total.
Start:
Monthly
Prerequisites:
Undergraduate degree in the same or related discipline
Any candidate who is keen to enhance their knowledge by undertaking a rigorous and substantive research into the Bible. It is ideal with serious church leaders and Biblical scholars. Senior Leaders that want to dive deeper into the Word; and Pastors, Bible Teachers, and Scholars that want to understand the Bible like never before are why this degree exists.Candidates will be expected to work independently and aggressively to identify and secure an understanding of the issues that seem most meaningful, the challenge of which will have the potential to stimulate the candidate to contribute to new knowledge in the discipline. There is academic progression on to a PhD in Theology by research.
There are many differences between other MA programs and this particular program from Warnborough, but the length is the first clue. 127 weeks (not counting breaks) is much longer than a regular master’s programme, and longer than many PhDs. This timeframe is necessary to look at every word in the Bible, especially if you plan to try to understand every book. The entire idea is unique, and that has created a brand-new type of degree that is more than a Masters and not quite a PhD, a terminal degree that is all about the Word.
Advanced Master’s candidates will be required to complete a minimum of 200 ETCS (100 US) credits, which will include study of every book of the Bible plus some Apocrypha. They will produce 25 essays and a Summary Introduction of between 30,000 to 40,000 words. The 25 Modules include introduction and background as well as every book of the Bible (see below).
The credits are comprised of 25 month-long modules plus 1 week between modules and two weeks at the end for final compilation, which equals 127 weeks, and at a 9-month school year that takes about 3.5 years.
Advanced Program Modules:
- Module I, Introduction (Parts 1 and 2 of 4)
- Introduction to Format and Technique of the AMBS Programme: 1 Week.
- Old Testament History and Structure: 1 Week.
- Module II, Pentateuch Part One: Genesis. 4 Weeks.
- Module III, Pentateuch Part Two: Exodus. 4 Weeks.
- Module IV, Pentateuch Part Three: Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy: 4 Weeks.
- Leviticus: 1 Week.
- Numbers: 2 Weeks.
- Deuteronomy: 1 Week.
- Module V, Promised Land: Joshua, Judges, and Ruth: 4 Weeks.
- Promised Land Geography and History: 1 Week.
- Joshua: 1 Week.
- Judges: 1 Week.
- Ruth: 1 Week.
- Module VI, Last Judge and First King: 4 Weeks.
- Samuel I: 2 Weeks.
- Samuel II: 2 Weeks.
- Module VII, Kings and Chronicles: 4 Weeks.
- I Kings: 1 Week.
- II Kings: 1 Week.
- I Chronicles: 1 Week.
- II Chronicles: 1 Week.
- Module VIII, Old Testament Side Stories: 4 Weeks.
- Ezra: 1 Week.
- Nehemiah: 1 Week.
- Esther: 1 Week.
- Job: 1 Week.
- Module IX, Psalms: 4 Weeks.
- Psalms 1-37. 1 Week.
- Psalms 38-75. 1 Week.
- Psalms 76-113. 1 Week.
- Psalms 114-150. 1 Week.
- Module X, Works of Solomon: 4 Weeks.
- Proverbs: 2 Weeks.
- Ecclesiastes: 1 Week.
- Song of Solomon: 1 Week.
- Module XI, Isaiah: 4 Weeks.
- Module XII, Works of Jeremiah: 4 Weeks.
- Jeremiah: 4 Weeks.
- Lamentations: 1 Week.
- Module XIII, Ezekiel: 4 Weeks.
- Module XIV, Daniel: 4 Weeks.
- Module XV, Minor Prophets, Part One: 4 Weeks.
- Hosea: 1 Week.
- Joel: 1 Week.
- Amos: 1 Week.
- Obadiah and Jonah: 1 Weeks.
- Module XVI, Minor Prophets, Part Two: 4 Weeks.
- Micah and Nahum: 1 Week.
- Habakkuk and Zephaniah: 1 Week.
- Haggai and Zechariah: 1 Week.
- Malachi and The Inter-Testament Time: 1 Week.
- Module I, Introduction (part 3 of 4).
- New Testament History and Structure: 1 Week.
- Module XVII, The Gospels, Part One: 4 Weeks.
- Matthew: 2 Weeks.
- Mark: 2 Weeks.
- Module XVIII, The Gospels, Part Two: 4 Weeks.
- Luke: 2 Weeks.
- John: 2 Weeks.
- Module XIX, The Foundation of the Church: 4 Weeks.
- Acts: 2 Weeks.
- Romans: 2 Weeks.
- Module XX, The City Epistles, Part One: 4 Weeks.
- I Corinthians: 1 Week.
- II Corinthians: 1 Week.
- Galatians: 1 Week.
- Ephesians: 1 Week.
- Module XXI, The City Epistles, Part Two: 4 Weeks.
- Philippians: 1 Week.
- Colossians: 1 Week.
- I Thessalonians: 1 Week.
- II Thessalonians and Final Summary of Cities: 1 Week.
- Module XXII, Personal Epistles and Hebrews: 4 Weeks.
- I and II Timothy: 1 Week.
- Titus and Philemon: 1 Week.
- Hebrews: 2 Weeks.
- Module XXIII, Apostolic Epistles: 4 Weeks.
- James: 1 Week.
- I and II Peter: 1 Week.
- I, II, and III John: 1 Week.
- Jude and Final Summary of Epistles: 1 Week.
- Module XXIV, Revelation: 4 Weeks.
- Module I, Introduction (Part 4 of 4)
- Overview of Non-Canonical (and “lost”) Books: 1 Week.
- Module XXV, Deutero-Canonical Books: 4 Weeks
- Esdras (I and II): 1 Week.
- Tobit and Judith: 1 Week.
- Baruch and Sirach: 1 Week.
- Maccabees (I and II): 1 Week.
- Final Compilation and Presentation of Results. 2 Weeks.
There are literally thousands of possible subjects and examples, and a student should develop those ideas as they apply to their particular mission and role within the church.
The Thesis should be composed in academic and research paper style (MLA preferred, but footnote accepted), with ample sources and textual quotes. Word count should be between 30,000 to 40,000 words.
This program is delivered via distance learning. Students work independently, with the guidance of an allocated mentor, interacting when necessary, with groups conducting learning via the Online Moodle. Each of the 25 modules results in an essay of 1000-1500 words and all of those essays are combined at the end into a total Bible summary with an introduction from the student about their process.
Victor W. Matthews, PhD, is a third-generation pastor, multiple company founder, Bible teacher and church leader who lives in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. His grandfathers on both sides were church planters and pastors - he attended his first revival at the age of seven, and he led his first mission trip at seventeen, over 30 years ago. A born leader, Dr Matthews was the youngest four-star chef in Louisiana history as well as the youngest Masterchef in America (at the time). He has founded and run over a dozen successful companies. His first degrees were English and Education from North Carolina State University and his Masters was in Global Leadership from Fuller Seminary. Dr Matthews has been a believer most of his life and a deeply-committed and passionate Christian Leader and pastor for over a decade. Dr Matthews has over 27 years of teaching experience; and has written five books including Modern Paladin, the textbook used in this course.
* Fees:
Fees refer to tuition only. It does not include ancillary expenses such as required materials (see above), textbooks, internet connections, postage, telephone calls, insurance and printing. More…
^ Duration:
Depending upon exemptions, performance and the workload, it may take more or less time. Accreditation for Prior Learning or Experience (APEL) can reduce time and fees.