Written by: United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities July 1, 2024

The Role of Biblical Studies in Seminary

Biblical Studies photo UTS2019-055

At its most basic level, biblical studies involves studying the Bible. In practice, biblical studies involve the deliberate interplay of diverse disciplines—from ancient history, philology, and theology, to literary criticism, art, and comparative religion—to gain a contextual foundation for making meaning out of the Bible’s Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) and New Testament (Christian Bible).

Because of how these diverse disciplines inform the Bible and the Bible informs these disciplines, biblical studies are relevant to seminarians, whether they intend to preach, teach, write, practice art, or lead an organization.

What Is Biblical Studies?

The core focus of biblical studies is exegesis—a careful, analytical study of biblical texts that emerged from Judaic and Christian written traditions and became the basis for today’s Bible. To inform exegesis, subcategories of exploration include textual criticism, hermeneutics (the scholarly study of interpretation), biblical archaeology, biblical history, biblical languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek), and biblical theology.

Fields that undergird exegesis call for an understanding of the geographic, historic, and linguistic context in which the humans who wrote and translated early texts existed. By examining the location, culture, time, and language in which early biblical texts came into being, we gain meaningful clues for enriching our perspective about modern translations of biblical texts.

Biblical Studies vs. Theology: What Is the Difference?

As discussed above, biblical studies is concerned with the Bible. Through exegesis, biblical scholars strive to gain contextual knowledge about ancient texts—including the Hebrew Bible, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the Septuagint—and the times in which they were created to illuminate biblical comprehension.

Theology, by contrast, is the broader study of God. Instead of solely examining the Bible book by book or passage by passage to discern the meaning of biblical texts, theological scholars use numerous sources to reflect on the nature of Divine reality and construct concepts, ideas, and imaginative descriptions to attempt to articulate ultimate reality. Though different in many ways, theology and biblical studies also complement one another.

What Does a Biblical Studies Degree Involve?

United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities offers both a Master of Arts (36-credit) and a Master of Divinity (72-credit) degree in Biblical Studies. Both degrees require students to take classes in:

Religious Texts (such as the Hebrew Bible and New Testament)
Theological Tradition (basic theology courses and courses that explore the history of Christian or modern theology)
Ethics and Justice (including Christian or Comparative Religious Ethics)
Academic Contextualization (including biblical exegesis, as well as biblical Hebrew or New Testament Greek)

The MDiv in Biblical Studies degree requires a broader range of exploration that encompasses art and theology courses, world religions and global Christianity courses, a constructive theology course, and a social transformation course. It also features a section of vocational contextualization and skills courses that involve preaching, faith formation, and a congregational internship.

To learn more, visit United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities’ Degree Programs page.

What Can You Do with a Biblical Studies Degree?

A biblical studies degree gives students an opportunity to deeply engage with the cultural and historical contexts, overarching narratives, theological themes, and critical issues of the Bible, as well as attend to the ethical implications of interpreting Scripture. These skills are well-suited for a variety of ministerial and academic roles—from parish ministry and chaplaincy to textual scholarship and teaching.

A biblical studies degree opens up many meaningful and impactful opportunities for individuals seeking to make a difference in the world. With a biblical studies degree, you can pursue paths aligned with your unique interests, skills, and calling.

A biblical studies degree from United will set you up for success in the following vocational paths and meaningful pursuits:

Congregational Ministry: Many biblical studies MDiv graduates become ordained or licensed ministers and serve as pastors, providing spiritual leadership, guidance, and support to congregations. They have the privilege of leading worship, preaching sermons that bring the Bible to life, conducting sacraments, and offering pastoral care to individuals and communities.
Public Policy and Advocacy: As a biblical studies graduate, you can contribute to shaping public policy by working in advocacy organizations, think tanks, or government agencies. Drawing on your theological understanding, analytical skills, and ethical frameworks, you can research, analyze, and advocate to influence policies addressing poverty, human rights, environmental justice, and other social concerns.
Social Services and Community Development: With a biblical studies degree, you can work in various social service organizations, nonprofits, or community development agencies. This may involve coordinating programs that provide food, shelter, healthcare, and counseling services to vulnerable populations. As a seminary graduate, you can contribute your spiritual and contextual insights and compassionate approach to help uplift individuals and communities facing social challenges.
Nonprofit and Community Leadership: As a biblical studies graduate, you can contribute to the nonprofit sector, assuming roles in organizations focused on research, educational pursuits, social justice, community development, advocacy, or humanitarian work. You can lead religious, or faith-based organizations, guiding their vision, mission, and community outreach efforts.
Writing and Publishing: With a biblical studies degree, you can explore opportunities in writing and publishing, such as becoming an author or editor, or contributing to theological journals and publications. This avenue allows you to share insights, research, and perspectives on matters of faith, art, and spirituality.
Chaplaincy: With a chaplaincy certificate, you can use your MDiv in Biblical Studies degree to work as a chaplain in various settings such as hospitals, military organizations, correctional facilities, universities, and hospices. You can offer spiritual and emotional support to individuals during challenging times—through your understanding of context—and provide counsel as well as facilitate religious services and rituals.
Teaching and Education: If you are a biblical studies graduate who obtains a doctoral degree, you can pursue careers in teaching biblical studies, theological studies, or ethics at educational institutions, including seminaries, colleges, universities, and other schools. You can then inspire and educate students, fostering understanding and dialogue about faith, spirituality, and religious traditions.

These are just some of the many examples, as the true possibilities are vast! A biblical studies degree equips you with a strong foundation in theology, ethics, exegesis, and spiritual leadership, enabling you to make a positive impact in the lives of individuals, communities, and society as a whole—in your own unique way.

Online Biblical Studies Programs Are Flexible, Accessible, and Rigorous

United’s MA and MDiv in Biblical Studies degrees are both offered online through our distance learning program. Online biblical studies courses allow for greater flexibility in studying and learning, a feature that accommodates students wherever they live and in concert with other demands on their time.

In fact, not only can biblical studies students at United obtain their degree 100 percent online, but many courses are offered asynchronously! Asynchronous courses offer students additional online resources and the freedom to access course instruction and complete coursework at their own pace. Synchronous courses, by contrast, require all students to attend a live online class at the same time. A mix of synchronous and asynchronous biblical studies courses offers both the benefit of community and the flexibility of faculty-guided independent study.

As United students will attest, online courses are no less rigorous than those taught in traditional in-person courses. Like the best biblical studies degree programs at other seminaries, United’s MDiv in Biblical Studies requires students to dive deeply into exegesis through intensive studies related to world religions, art and theology, religious texts, and biblical Hebrew and New Testament Greek.

Is a Biblical Studies Degree Right for You?

No matter what faith or belief community you come from, there is a place for you in United’s biblical studies degree programs. Whether you intend to promote biblical scholarship or serve as a teacher, preacher, or community leader, United’s programs will equip you with the knowledge, creativity, ethical grounding, and spirit of curiosity that will enhance your vocation.

We invite you to sit in on a class, view our recorded past events and lunches, or set up a meeting with a faculty member or student to learn more!

Interested in learning more about or pursuing a biblical studies degree at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities in Minnesota? Contact our admissions team to explore our 30+ seminary degree programs today!

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September 18, 2026

Announcements News Releases President

United Launches National Search for Its Next President

The Position Profile and Application Are Now Available Today, the Presidential Search Committee, on behalf of United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, is opening the national search for the seminary’s next leader. This comes after the July announcement of Rev. Dr. Molly T. Marshall’s 2027 retirement following six transformative years of institutional growth and expansion. United’s next president will helm a dynamic school with a student body that has more than doubled in size in just ten years; a world-class faculty of artists, scholars, and theologians; and a diverse and interreligious student body preaching in pulpits, ministering in ICUs, leading nonprofits, and organizing for the common good. In a message shared with the United community, trustee and committee chair Rev. Dr. Kenneth V. Daniel (’81) describes the committee’s work in concert with executive search firm Isaacson, Miller (IM) to help “the seminary step into the next chapter of United’s mission and ministry.” Describing the ideal candidate, Dr. Daniel writes, “We are seeking an engaged leader who will join our mission to inspire creative scholarship, advance innovative pedagogy, develop leaders of distinction, and move the school forward to increased sustainability and global impact.” As of today, the public profile of the President’s role, as well as the application, is available to prospective applicants. Additionally, the public is invited to nominate individuals for consideration by the Committee. The application is linked on an official landing page that features Dr. Daniel’s note and a list of the committee members and their affiliations. The committee includes trustees as well as current and former faculty, student, staff, and alum representatives. Each faithfully brings their experiences to bear on their assignment. Dr. Daniel urges qualified leaders from myriad backgrounds to consider applying, writing, “Leaders from interfaith and ecumenical traditions, academic disciplines, relevant professional and denominational roles, and innovators in educational practices are invited to consider this unique opportunity.” Visit the link below to learn more, nominate a candidate, or submit your application. Apply or Nominate a Candidate About United Founded by the United Church of Christ (UCC) as a welcoming, ecumenical school that embraces all denominations and faith traditions, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities has been on the creative edge of progressive theological thought and leadership since it was established in 1962. Today, United continues to educate leaders who, through the eyes of faith, engage in the dismantling of systems of oppression, exploring multi-faith spirituality, and pushing the boundaries of knowledge. Search Committee Contact Grace Pennings Guenthner (’26) Administrative Assistant, Presidential Search Committee pssearch@unitedseminary.edu

United Welcomes Site Visit by The Association of Theological Schools’ Commission on Accrediting

United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities is hosting a comprehensive evaluation visit for reaffirmation of accreditation by the Association of Theological Schools’ Commission on Accrediting on October 12–15, 2026. The purpose of this visit is to verify that the school meets all applicable Commission Standards of Accreditation. Comments regarding how well the school meets those standards and/or generally demonstrates educational quality may be sent to accrediting@ats.edu at least two weeks before the visit. Comments may also or instead be sent in writing to the Dean of the Seminary Kyle Roberts at kroberts@unitedseminary.edu. All comments will be shared with the onsite evaluation committee. For more about United's accreditation, click here. >

Rev. Dr. Molly T. Marshall to Retire in 2027 Following Six Exemplary Years as President

Her Vision and Leadership Have Transformed United Following six historic and transformative years as President of United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, Rev. Dr. Molly T. Marshall will retire on June 30, 2027, upon completion of the seminary’s 65th academic year. President Marshall secured United’s financial standing, advanced institutional objectives toward long-term sustainability, and catalyzed historic growth in institutional fundraising and student enrollment. Rev. Dr. Marshall assumed her role as Interim President in March 2021 following thorough vetting by a search committee and the Board of Trustees’ unanimous vote. Having served in theological education for more than 40 years, her reputation preceded her. She made headlines as the first woman appointed to the School of Theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, the flagship school of the Southern Baptist Convention. Ordained as a Southern Baptist, she later received the privilege of call by the American Baptist Church. In 1997, she joined the faculty of Central Baptist Theological Seminary as professor of Theology and Spiritual Formation, thereafter stabilizing and revitalizing the school as President from 2004 to 2020, becoming the first woman ever to lead a Baptist seminary or divinity school. President Marshall’s respect and renown culminated in her executive report on effective seminary leadership, written for The Association of Theological Schools (ATS) before she arrived at United. Her experiences as a congregational minister, feminist theologian, prodigious academician, and her achievements as an administrator in theological education augured well for the seminary’s future in her care. Less than a year later, her position was made permanent, formally making her United’s tenth president, and, desiring to honor United's legacy, she pursued and received clergy standing with the MN United Church of Christ. United trustees outlined a set of priorities at the beginning of President Marshall’s tenure, on which she began immediate work. She invested much of her first several months in office in forming connections with alums, donors, and faculty. She concentrated her relational acumen on Advancement, and donors responded enthusiastically. In September 2021, United announced the Johnson-Fry Chair in World Religions and Intercultural Studies, endowed by Rev. Dr. Andrea Johnson (’17, ’23) and David Fry. Cultivating “respect for the lived religion of others,” as President Marshall often asserts, is a pillar of her scholarship and the seminary’s academic ethos. The Sophia Chair in Religious and Theological Studies, funded by a generous gift from Dr. Mary Farrell Bednarowski—Professor Emerita of Religious Studies (1976–2004)—and her husband and former trustee, Keith Bednarowski, followed in 2024. Finally, in 2025, a cadre of friends, alums, and former faculty established the Wilson Yates Chair in Theology and the Arts. These chairs, paired with substantial growth in endowed scholarships, feature prominently in President Marshall’s legacy and will endure as a witness to her faithful stewardship of alum and donor relations. Rev. Dr. Cindi Beth Johnson, Vice President for Advancement, reflects, “President Marshall’s enthusiasm, attention, and engagement with our donors have been important components of her leadership. She has honored our alums and delighted in our students. Molly has valued United’s history even as she has led us into new ways of being. She has built a culture that reflects her dedication, vision, and generosity. She has been a bright light in the broader community, embodying her passion for and dedication to United. Molly arrived with both expertise and heart, and she has shared them generously. She leaves a lasting imprint, and we are better for that. On a personal note, it has been a great gift to be her colleague.” Historic enrollment has been a fixture of President Marshall’s tenure. Between fall 2020 and fall 2025, degree-seeking student enrollment grew 57 percent, with the seminary welcoming its largest incoming class of degree-seeking students ever in fall 2025. In a climate where many theological schools have experienced stable or declining enrollment, United has surged. The Association of Theological Schools (ATS), one of the seminary’s two accrediting bodies, named United in its 2023 Holiday Colloquy Online issue as one of only 18 ATS-accredited seminaries to have demonstrated “steady year-over-year growth during the past five years.” President Marshall has positioned United as a leader in progressive theological education and a model for historically Mainline Christian schools. Commenting on what makes the seminary unique, President Marshall astutely noted United’s “desirable curriculum that emphasizes social transformation, theology and the arts, interreligious engagement, and public theology” and the intentional welcome of “students with myriad religious, spiritual, and theological leanings.” She sharpened and raised the seminary’s prophetic voice, believing that progressive theological education exists to serve the common good. From considerable growth in the Interreligious Chaplaincy program to the establishment of the Sims Scholars Initiative, she has expanded the student body’s depth and breadth. Under President Marshall’s fastidious leadership, United completed a Five-Year Strategic Plan in 2026. David S. Anderson, former Chair of the Board of Trustees (2020–2026), witnessed firsthand President Marshall’s effective management of United’s revitalization and her manifold accomplishments in office. On his close friend and colleague, David writes, “In her writings, President Marshall, Molly to me, once observed, ‘. . . following the Spirit will require of all of us faith—all the guidance we usually get is enough to take the next uncertain step.’ United, in late 2020, was indeed in a state of uncertainty, and President Marshall’s emergence as its next president must be seen as a revelation of the Spirit. She has led United to a platform of stability from which it will move forward with confidence, heeding the Spirit toward an uncertain, as human endeavors are, but bright and sustainable future.” Dr. Kyle Roberts, Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs, shared the news of President Marshall’s retirement with students this morning. With profound gratitude for her enrichment of the seminary’s faculty and scholarship, he remarked, “President Marshall has been just the leader this seminary needed to reclaim its vision, its vibrancy, and its voice in theological education. She has led a process of internal healing and of increasing external influence. She has been a champion of rigorous but applied theological education for spiritual leadership, supporting and encouraging the faculty in their teaching and the staff in their work. United,” he affirmed, “will always be indebted to her years of service and to her passion and care in moving the seminary to its next stage. United is, once again, a leading voice in progressive seminary education in large part because of President Marshall.” Rev. Dr. Dianne Oliver, Chair of the Board of Trustees, celebrates President Marshall’s transformative tenure and looks toward a bright future ahead. She affirms, “President Marshall’s impact on United is really extraordinary, and she will leave a profound legacy at the institution. Clearly, she has been successful in the ways often highlighted for an outstanding President—record enrollment, expanded academic programs, and financial stability, building a strong foundation for the next steps on United’s journey. Add to these leadership successes Molly’s theological acumen and prophetic voice in challenging times, and it is easy to see the scope of her leadership. Just as importantly, though, Molly has helped create a deep sense of community among the faculty, staff, students, trustees, and the broader community who support the work of United. Her leadership and accomplishments ensure United will keep living into the fullness of its mission and vision as the context for theological education continues to evolve.” Reflecting on her service to the seminary, President Marshall writes, “Serving as United’s President has been a joyful pursuit over these past several years as I have lived into the storied history of this good seminary. I have been invited into a theologically expansive landscape where courageous learning and creative ministries have renewed my own vocation in theological education.” She continues, “Faculty, staff, students, board members, donors, and friends have welcomed me to help craft this chapter of our shared mission. I could not be more grateful for the opportunity to serve as United’s tenth president. (Don’t say goodbye to me yet; there’s still work to be done!)” A Presidential Search Committee, comprised of trustees and representatives from the student body, alums, faculty, and staff, has been engaged in faithful preparation ahead of the public search for President Marshall’s successor. The seminary will share details about this process in the days ahead. Friends and colleagues from throughout President Marshall’s career were invited to submit reflections in her honor. These have been published on our announcement page. United eagerly anticipates celebrating President Marshall and her myriad contributions to the life of the seminary community during special events in spring 2027. Details will be made available in the months ahead. Strengthened and invigorated by President Marshall’s faithful leadership over these six years, United enters its 65th year of progressive theological education, steadfast in its mission: preparing innovative and compassionate leaders for the equipping of churches, other faith communities, and society toward justice and peace. Honoring President Marshall In celebration of President Marshall's tenure, a webpage featuring images, reflections by friends and colleagues, and opportunities to honor her achievements is now available. Visit the link below to learn more. Learn More About United Founded by the United Church of Christ (UCC) as a welcoming, ecumenical school that embraces all denominations and faith traditions, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities has been on the creative edge of progressive theological thought and leadership since it was established in 1962. Today, United continues to educate leaders who, through the eyes of faith, engage in the dismantling of systems of oppression, exploring multi-faith spirituality, and pushing the boundaries of knowledge. Media Contact Nathanial Green (he/him) Director of Marketing and Communications press@unitedseminary.edu • 651.255.6138