Bar-Ilan University’s International School is pleased to announce that the Master of Arts in Bible Studies will now be offered entirely in English from the next academic year starting in October 2020.
This exciting opportunity will open more doors for potential students from all walks of life, many of whom previously couldn’t choose BIU’s top-quality M.A. program because they felt uncomfortable studying in Hebrew.
Whether you’re Jewish, Christian, Muslim, or any other religion, the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) plays a major role when studying religions, faiths, belief systems, ethics, or morals.
Why study the Bible?
“The Hebrew Bible is the most influential and widely-recognized book in the world, and many people, regardless of their religious orientation, view it as an ethical and literary masterpiece,” said Prof. Michael Avioz, head of the Zalman Shamir Bible Department in BIU’s Faculty of Jewish Studies.
“This vital book encompasses principles and culture revered by many nations and religions. It represents the very core of the Jewish people, by which Jews can learn about their religious heritage, their people’s history, and their social and moral values. The life of the Jewish people is comprehensively described in the Bible, which also attests to the strong bond between man and his land.
“Studying the Bible is more than just an academic experience,” Prof. Avioz said. “It is a spiritual journey as much as it is an intellectual one. These studies challenge the student to find new ways to expose the hidden meaning and significance of the sacred texts, following centuries of interpretation and analysis.”
Why study Bible at Bar-Ilan University?
The team of researchers and lecturers in BIU’s Bible Department is the largest and most highly recognized of its kind in the world, let alone in Israel. The Department’s researchers, 15 in total, dedicate their time to academic research and teaching.
“Our excellent faculty includes world-renowned academics, who contribute greatly to the national and international body of research in this field,” said Prof. Avioz. “All of our faculty members are highly-rated lecturers, who are constantly invited all over the world to impart their wisdom and share their discoveries.
“Our curriculum is the most versatile and richest of its kind, both in Israel and throughout the world. Students have come to Israel from all over specifically to study in our Bible Studies department, even though it was previously mostly in Hebrew, and each one has added his or her own unique cultural and social qualities to the atmosphere.
“Being able to offer our M.A. in Bible Studies completely in English allows us to bring an extra dimension to our program. This will encourage even more international students to join our diverse, interesting, and rewarding program, bringing an even broader global element to the department,” said Prof. Avioz.
Note: Application deadline has been extended to July 31, 2020. First semester now begins in mid-October 2020.
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Important: English Proficiency
Students registering for any of the degrees offered must have an accepted level of English. Students with English as a second language will need to take an English exam.
As a result of the Coronavirus and being isolated at home, BIU will now accept certain recognized online English proficiency tests including: the TOEFL Test, the IELTS Test, the English3 Proficiency Test (E3PT), and the Duolingo English Test.
You can take the test at any time from the comfort of your own home.
PLEASE NOTE: The TOEFL and IELTS tests are comprehensive, valid, and secure online English assessments that are recognized by Bar-Ilan University and other universities around the world. In order to be accepted into one of our English programs, you will need to have a score of 90% for TOEFL and 6.5 for IELTS.
If you take the E3PT or Duolingo tests, you will be required to take a follow-up test once you arrive at BIU to evaluate your exact level. The price of this test is NIS 150 (+ $45) and you will need a score of 90%.
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A Word from Brian Kinzel, Ph.D. Bible Studies
What first attracted me to Bar-Ilan University was the depth of scholars and the scholarship represented in the Bible department. There is no doubt that the people that I’ve been studying under really understand the text of the Bible.
Another thing that really impressed me was that I could tell they cared about the Bible and the message of the Bible. It wasn’t just scholarship. It was something that they felt was valuable.
And, of course, there’s no better place to study the Bible than in the land of the Bible? I’ve really benefited from being able to study in Israel, not only because I’ve been able to learn to speak Hebrew, which of course, helps me understand the Bible better, but also because I’m in the place where so much of it happened.
Watch Brian Kinzel’s video here.
