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Study Biblical Studies at Otago

Study Jewish and Christian scriptures.

Biblical Studies looks in detail at the biblical writings in their ancient contexts and considers how they should be interpreted.

Biblical Studies papers are divided between Old Testament (Tanakh or Hebrew Bible) and New Testament.

You can also study the biblical languages (Classical Hebrew and New Testament Greek) to an advanced level.

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Requirements

Biblical Studies as a minor subject for a BA, MusB, BPA, BSc, BCom, BEntr, BHealSc, BACom, BASc or BComSc degree

Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree

LevelPapersPoints
100-level

Two 100-level BIBS or HEBR papers

36
200-level

Two 200-level BIBS papers

36
300-levelOne 300-level BIBS paper18
 May include either RELS 211 The Dead Sea Scrolls or RELS 311 The Dead Sea Scrolls (Advanced) 
Total 90

Note: This minor subject is not available for students enrolled in the Bachelor of Theology (BTheol).

BIBS papers

Paper Code Year Title Points Teaching period
BIBS112 2024 Interpreting the Old Testament 18 Semester 1
BIBS121 2024 Interpreting the New Testament 18 Semester 1
BIBS131 2024 Introductory New Testament Greek Language 1 18 Semester 1
BIBS132 2024 Introductory New Testament Greek Language 2 18 Semester 2
BIBS211 2024 God, Land and Exile in the Hebrew Prophets 18 Semester 2
BIBS213 2024 Hebrew Old Testament Exegesis 2 18 Full Year
BIBS215 2024 Special Topic: The Bible in Religious Education 18 Not offered, expected to be offered in 2026
BIBS218 2024 Judaism in the Time of Jesus 18 Not offered in 2024
BIBS221 2024 The Gospels 18 Not offered in 2024
BIBS223 2024 Greek New Testament Exegesis 2 18 Full Year
BIBS224 2024 Special Topic: The Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles 18 Not offered, expected to be offered in 2026
BIBS225 2024 Special Topic: Approaches to Hermeneutics 18 Not offered, expected to be offered in 2026
BIBS226 2024 Jesus in the New Testament 18 Semester 2
BIBS227 2024 Mātauranga Māori and the Bible 18 Not offered in 2024
BIBS311 2024 God, Land and Exile in the Hebrew Prophets (Advanced) 18 Semester 2
BIBS313 2024 Hebrew Old Testament Exegesis 3 18 Full Year
BIBS315 2024 Special Topic: Israel's Return from Exile 18 Not offered, expected to be offered in 2026
BIBS317 2024 God, Suffering and Justice 18 Semester 1
BIBS318 2024 Judaism in the Time of Jesus (Advanced) 18 Not offered in 2024
BIBS321 2024 The Gospels (Advanced) 18 Not offered in 2024
BIBS322 2024 The New Testament Epistles 18 Not offered in 2024
BIBS323 2024 Greek New Testament Exegesis 3 18 Full Year
BIBS324 2024 Special Topic: The Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles 18 Not offered, expected to be offered in 2026
BIBS325 2024 Special Topic: Approaches to Hermeneutics 18 Not offered, expected to be offered in 2026
BIBS326 2024 Jesus in the New Testament (Advanced) 18 Semester 2
BIBS327 2024 Mātauranga Māori and the Bible (Advanced) 18 Not offered in 2024
BIBS411 2024 Hebrew Old Testament Exegesis (Advanced) 20 Full Year
BIBS412 2024 Special Topic: Israels Return from Exile (Advanced) 20 Not offered in 2024
BIBS413 2024 God, Suffering and Justice (Advanced) 20 Semester 1
BIBS421 2024 Greek New Testament Exegesis (Advanced) 20 Full Year
BIBS423 2024 Special Topic: The New Testament Epistles 20 Not offered in 2024
BIBS490 2024 Dissertation 60 1st Non standard period

More information

Contact us

Theology Programme
School of Arts
Email theology@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/theology

Studying at Otago

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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2024 Calendar and supplementary material.

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