Division of Christian Studies & Fine Arts
Christian Studies Faculty Members
Mark W. Gregory, Professor of Old Testament, Dean
Steven F. Echols, Professor of Leadership
Byron Esley Edens, Professor of Preaching and Christian Ministry
Jerry L. Ray, Professor of New Testament (Part-Time)
Billy L. Puckett, Associate Professor of Theology and Ethics
Fine Arts Faculty Members
Hildegard Stanley, Distinguished Professor of Music Emeritus
David S. Wilson, Professor of Church Music
Matthew D. Haley, Associate Professor of Music
Programs of Study in the Division of Christian Studies
Associate of Arts (A.A.) in Christian Studies
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Christian Studies (with concentrations in Missions ∙ Pastoral Ministry ‧ Worship Ministry)
Bachelor of Ministry (B. Min)
Georgia Baptist Bible Institute (GBBI) - select Christian studies courses offered at local associational sites in articulation with the Georgia Baptist Mission Board (GBMB)
Accelerated B.A. + M.Div. program in articulation with the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Programs of Study in the Division of Fine Arts
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Music Bachelor of Music (B. Mus.) for Worship Arts
The Division of Christian Studies and Fine Arts is rooted firmly in a strong Christian and liberal arts tradition committed to the discovery of truth in the world in which we live. Studies in language, history, the creative arts, and human culture will prepare students for a more abundant life through vocational fulfillment and Christian service.
The division has designed academic programs to serve a variety of students and their vocational pursuits. Each academic program has learning outcomes specific to the academic major, which are housed in the university’s assessment planning documents. Overarching learning goals for each program are described below.
To major in music (BA in Music, BM in Worship Arts, or BS in Music Education), students must be accepted by the university and successfully pass an audition for the music department.
The goals of the undergraduate Christian studies programs are for students to:
GOAL 1: Be able to describe and interpret the Bible.
GOAL 2: Possess Christian character and habits that reflect a desire for discipleship and service to the Great Commission.
Georgia Baptist Bible Institute Program
The Georgia Baptist Bible Institute (GBBI) program is jointly administered by the university under an agreement with its sponsoring denominational convention, the Georgia Baptist Mission Board (GBMB). Under the agreement the university offers select Christian Studies and ministry courses to non-traditional-aged students (25 years old or above) at GBBI Center locations established by the GBMB.
Students may take the courses as continuing education classes toward certificates conferred by the GBMB, or they may opt to complete the classes for course credit conferred by the university. Students exercising this second option may complete the first 27 hours of coursework very inexpensively, after which they may apply that credit toward a four-year degree, primarily in the university’s online Bachelor of Arts program in Christian studies.
Degree - Undergraduate
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Christian Studies, A.A.
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Christian Studies, B.A.
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Christian Studies, Concentration in Missions, B.A.
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Christian Studies, Concentration in Pastoral Ministry, B.A.
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Christian Studies, Concertation in Worship Ministry, B.A.
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Ministry, B.A.
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Music, B.A.
Minor