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WHY THIS PROGRAM?
The Christian world is, for
the most part, generally uninformed regarding the truth concerning origin
theories. Studies have shown that while Christians believe God is the
Creator of the universe, they are deeply divided over the issue of
creation vs. evolution. In fact, many have been led to believe that
the theory of evolution is partly or even wholly true because science has
declared it to be so. This so-called conflict between science and
religion has left millions of Christians wondering whether the Genesis
record of the origin of man and the universe is only partly correct, or
possibly only a general statement showing how God may have used evolution
to bring about the world.
However, when
challenged through hard scientific inquiry, the theory of evolution
reveals its faulty premise. On the other hand, the Genesis record
has demonstrated a remarkable consistency with what is actually known
about the current universe and the infinitely good God, Who demonstrated His omnipotence
and omniscience by creating the entire universe, and all living creatures
therein, including humans.
When the truth is allowed to seek its own level, God's wonderful creative
power shines forth as light.
The courses in this unique degree program will highlight how the many
proofs of God’s creatorship, logically speaking, are irrefutable.
The graduate of this program will be able to defend the inerrant logic of
the Biblical record of creation with clarity and confidence.
Furthermore, the social and
spiritual implication of embracing the theory of evolution and discarding
the truth of creation, is now being revealed in tragic consequence.
The value of human life is at an all-time low reflected in the abortion of
millions of children around the world each year, and the parallel decline
of respect for the fragility and brevity of all human life. When the
universe is regarded as the product of random chance, all that is sacred
is in peril. When man becomes the ultimate authority, the outcome is
ultimately anarchy. As the Scripture warns, "There is a way which
seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death" (Proverbs 16:25).
So Who Should Consider This Program? Anyone with an interest in
becoming an apologist for the Genesis record of creation, but especially
pastors, Christian school teachers and administrators, Christian college
faculty and administrators, evangelists, Christian home school parents,
and other Christian leaders. This program will also appeal to
Christians working in secular fields of education and administration,
especially those with a background in life-science or social-science.
QUICK OVERVIEW OF THIS PROGRAM
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The Master of Arts in Biblical Creation Apologetics is made
available through an academic partnership with MISD and the
ICR School of
Biblical Apologetics. The degree is issued by MISD.
What are the entrance requirements? Entrance into the
M.A. in Biblical Creation Apologetics requires an acceptable
bachelor's degree from an approved institution, and the resources
necessary to access the Internet.
Which institution
teaches what courses? The Biblical and theological foundation
courses are taken through MISD, while the Creation Apologetics
courses are taken through ICR-SOBA. This unique graduate
degree is offered in both the MISD
online
format (which requires no more complicated technology than a
computer with Internet access that can accommodate the use of
speakers and a microphone), and the new ICR-SOBA online format
(scheduled for launch in September of 2011) that will be equally
accommodating. If you desire to earn a creation apologetics
targeted graduate degree that is reasonably priced, power-packed,
and designed to be completed totally online in about two to three
years, then this is the program for you!
Basically, how
does the program work? Students enroll first with MISD,
and begin taking courses. Following their initial enrollment
with MISD, students are provided instructions on how to enroll in
the online courses taught by the faculty of the ICR-SOBA. It
is possible to take courses simultaneously. The degree may be
earned in about two to three years, but students are given up to
five years. After all coursework is successfully completed,
the degree is awarded by MISD, and transcripts are provided by both
MISD and ICR-SOBA.
REQUIRED COURSES FOR THE PROGRAM
Courses taken through MISD in black.
Courses taken
through ICR-SOBA (APOL) in light blue. |
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Orientation OR-MA - 0 Credits
Biblical Inspiration Translation & Hermeneutics ITH-1510-OLS
Content & Chronology of the Old Testament OT-1501-OLS
Content & Chronology of the New Testament NT-1501-OLS
Biblical Apologetics BAP-1510-OLS
Systematic Theology I STH-1510-OLS
Systematic Theology II STH-1520-OLS
Bible Mastery BM-501 - 10 Credits
Biblical
Truth and Worldview Conflicts APOL 701
Basic Studies in Biblical Beginnings APOL 702
Basic Apologetics of Heaven and Earth APOL 703
Basic Apologetics of Living Creatures APOL 704
Mankind’s Social Dynamics After Eden APOL 705
TOTAL CREDITS (total of 12 courses) |
0
3
3
3
3
3
3
10
3
3
3
3
3
43 |
Designed for individuals with a strong desire to increase their
knowledge and skills in order to competently understand, teach and
defend the Biblical truth of the origin of all things.
Ministry Training
for:
Pastors and Staff
Christian School Teachers
Christian School Administrators
Ministers of Christian Education
Christian Home School Parents
Para Church Ministers
Science Teachers who are Christians
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COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Courses Taken Through MISD |
Courses Taken Through ICR-SOBA
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COURSES TAKEN THROUGH MISD |
Biblical
Inspiration Translation & Hermeneutics ITH-1510-OLS - 3 Credits
The purpose of this course is to introduce and expose the student to
the basic elements of biblical inspiration, translation and
hermeneutics; to encourage the student to identify and describe some
of the primary shortcomings in many modern English translations; to
extend the student’s ability to exegete carefully and accurately any
passage of Scripture the Lord may lead him or her to minister from,
and to suggest certain helps to make the process more successful; to
help the student to apply such knowledge to his or her current
ministry. |
Content & Chronology
of the Old Testament OT-1501-OLS - 3 Credits
The purpose of this course is to provide the student with an
opportunity to present the Old Testament as a series of pictures
which represent a continuous scene from the initial creation of the
current heavens and earth to the return of the exiles to the Land of
Israel. |
Content & Chronology
of the New Testament NT-1501-OLS - 3 Credits
The purpose of this course is to present and expose the student to
the study of the New Testament as a whole; to enable the student to
recognize and interpret individual characters, the purpose and theme
of each New Testament book and the relation of the Old Testament to
the New Testament; to apply that knowledge in the student’s ministry
and to lead the student to examine carefully the various
interpretive options in New Testament studies. |
Biblical Apologetics
BAP-1510-OLS - 3 Credits
The purpose of this course is to develop the student’s understanding
of the requisite issues in the study of Apologetics; to enable the
student to identify key terms and describe essential issues of
Apologetics and to apply Apologetic methodology to contemporary
challenges; to offer the student the opportunity to explore
significant challenges to the Christian faith and apologetic
responses to those challenges; to examine and analyze the competing
truth claims of rival world views. |
Systematic Theology
I STH-1510-OLS - 3 Credits
This online course presents the student with an opportunity to
demonstrate comprehension and general mastery of the two initial
primary issues of Systematic Theology that form the basis of all
the other tenants (the Prolegomena and Bibliology), and how these
relate to the Bible as a foundational source. This online course
will allow the student to document a mature understanding of the
study of Christian doctrine within a coherent framework; will enable
the student to identify and describe relevant key doctrinal issues;
and also document that knowledge in the context of the student’s
current ministry; and finally to allow the student to relate
doctrinal truths to a coherent system of thought consistent with the
student’s own faith tradition. |
Systematic Theology
II STH-1520-OLS - 3 Credits
This online course presents the student with an opportunity to
demonstrate comprehension and general mastery of the ten (10)
primary issues of Systematic Theology that form the basis of
doctrine, and how these relate to the Bible as a foundational
source. This online course will allow the student to document a
mature understanding of the study of Christian doctrine within a
coherent framework; will enable the student to identify and describe
relevant key doctrinal issues; and also document that knowledge in
the context of the student’s current ministry; and finally to allow
the student to relate doctrinal truths to a coherent system of
thought consistent with the student’s own faith tradition. |
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Bible Mastery BM-501 - 10 Credits
This course is the "capstone" course of the entire degree program,
and is taken only after all of the other courses in the degree
program have been completed. The Bible Mastery project will
provide the master’s level student with an opportunity to
demonstrate a personal comprehension of the Bible as a continuum
from the creation of the current heavens and earth to its recreation
in perfection and righteousness. |
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COURSES
(APOL) TAKEN
THROUGH ICR-SOBA |
Biblical
Truth and Worldview Conflicts APOL 701 - 3 Credits
This multidisciplinary apologetics course considers how our
big-picture “worldview” concepts of ultimate realities, including
God, the world, life, death, our own origins and destinies, and
concepts of meaning and value (truth vs. falsity, right vs. wrong,
good vs. bad, valuable vs. worthless) are tied to our beliefs about
which information is foundationally true and reliable. Various
worldview elements are examined, theistic vs. atheistic, creationist
vs. evolutionary, Biblical vs. humanist, and eternal perspectives
vs. temporal perspectives. Critical issues regarding cosmic and
human origins are specially analyzed, based upon Scripture-provided
truth, including the age of the earth, the original and renewed
Dominion Mandate, and the laws of life and death. The crucial and
unique authority of the Holy Bible is emphasized, with attention to
how the Scriptures define and provide rules of engagement for “the
war of the worldviews." |
Basic Studies in
Biblical Beginnings APOL 702 - 3 Credits
This multidisciplinary apologetics course examines an overview of
Biblical beginnings, including Creation Week (with special attention
to the creation of Adam and Eve), mankind’s temptation and fall in
the Garden of Eden, conditions in the world before the Flood,
highlights of the worldwide Flood and its aftermath, the early
history of Noah’s family and their descendants after the Flood
(including the division of languages at Babel), and God’s program of
redemptive grace (or judgment) for fallen humanity. The importance
of natural and special revelation, provided by God, is carefully
investigated, with attention to the theological importance of human
life and death. This course specially emphasizes the Biblical model
of Earth’s creation and its catastrophic past, in contrast to
evolutionary and uniformitarian myths used to explain Earth’s
origins. Biblical information regarding the “young” age of the earth
is also analyzed. |
Basic Apologetics of
Heaven and Earth APOL 703 - 3 Credits
This multidisciplinary apologetics course considers our physical
world and its elements, as well as the majestic heavens beyond.
Special attention is given to how observation-based data, analyzed
by astronomy, physics, and the geosciences (geology, ocean science,
meteorology, climatology, and the like) provide Bible-corroborating
natural revelation, declaring the glory of God. The multifaceted
evidence of God’s providential care for mankind (the so-called
anthropic principle) is examined as a proof of God’s creatorship and
providence, clearly seen in God’s continuing care for mankind’s
physical needs, being facilitated by features of the sun, moon, and
physical processes on the earth (such as the water cycle). When
analyzing the heavens and the earth (including its past history),
special attention is given to the value of logic, the forensic
nature of historic origins, the fossil record, evidences of the
global Flood, common assumptions used to measure the unobservable
past (such as radiometric dating assumptions), and to why the
evolutionary Big Bang theory is false. |
Basic Apologetics of
Living Creatures APOL 704 - 3 Credits
This multidisciplinary apologetics course considers the amazing
origins and diversity of life on earth, including mankind, animals,
plants, and microorganisms. The Bible’s distinction between
creatures with or without a nephesh is clarified, especially as this
relates to how there was no death before Adam’s sin in the Garden of
Eden. The purposeful design and activities of living things (humans,
animals, plants, and microorganisms) are analyzed, including the
proof of providential programming in DNA, RNA, and other
biomolecules used by the informational systems inherent in all
living creatures. The Scriptural categorization of created “kinds”
(defined by genetic potential for breedability) is contrasted with
evolutionary taxonomy concepts (such as “missing links” and
“species”) defined apart from breedability. The indispensable
elements and dynamics of biochemical information transfer, as well
as kind-limited reproduction, found in all living creatures, are
analyzed. Attention is given to how the Scriptures compare the
Bible’s own textual information and transmission with the
informational and reproductive traits of living seeds (including the
seeds of humans, animals, and plants). Biblical insights applicable
to biomedical ethics are briefly reviewed. |
Mankind’s Social
Dynamics After Eden APOL 705 - 3 Credits
This multidisciplinary apologetics course considers Biblical
stewardship obligations that mankind has been charged with,
especially as those have been particularized after the Flood.
Various social relationships, obligations, and dynamics are
examined, with special attention to the social aspects of education,
investigation of creation (including scientific discovery and
research), technology, commerce, political systems, and legal
enforcement of social obligations. The social dichotomy between
believer and unbeliever is analyzed, including the historic pattern
of religious persecution (of believers by unbelievers), beginning
with the example of Cain murdering Abel. The contrast between the
rule of law and arbitrary political power is analyzed, with special
attention to how the theory of evolution has impacted legal
education and legal process. This course also investigates the
historic interplay between politics relevant to the Genesis Mandate,
and politics relevant to the Great Commission. True education is
defined as the careful transmission of God-provided truth to
learners. Biblical principles and practices of education are
examined, using key Scriptures in the Old and New Testaments. |
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GENERAL
PROGRAM FINANCIAL DETAILS
The M.A. degree
program cost is divided between MISD and ICR-SOBA. Initial
enrollment is with MISD. The student begins by making the
minimum tuition down payment to MISD. Following enrollment
with MISD, the student is free to decide when to enroll with ICR-SOBA
and to begin taking the required courses. At that time, the
student will make program costs arrangements with ICR-SOBA.
FINANCIAL DETAILS FOR MISD AND ICR-SOBA
COURSES
Cost for MISD Courses |
Cost for ICR-SOBA Courses |
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DEGREE FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR COURSES TAKEN THROUGH MISD
(Does not
include cost of textbooks.)
MISD
TUITION DISCOUNT GRANTS MAY BE AVAILABLE FOR QUALIFIED APPLICANTS. |
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OPTION # 1
PROGRAM FEE STRUCTURE
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$50 application
fee.
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$500 down payment.
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Four additional
payments of $645, the first payment due four months after
enrollment, and three additional payments at four month intervals
(total of $3,080 paid over 16 months, but does not include the
online live seminar fees). This is an interest-free payment
option.
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$140 per OLS course
($140 x 6 online live seminars = $840 total).
This improves cost management because the
fee for each course is not due until the time of actual course
registration. All online live seminars are offered twice
each year.
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Graduation fee of
$200 may be paid at any time prior to completion of the program.
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Total MISD portion
program cost including all fees = $4,170.
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OPTION # 2
PROGRAM FEE STRUCTURE
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$50 application
fee.
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$500 down payment.
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Twenty-four (24)
additional payments of $107.50 per month for 24 months.
First payment due on the 21st of the month in the month following
enrollment (total of $3,080 paid over 24 months, but does not
include the online live seminar fees). This is an
interest-free payment option.
-
$140 per OLS course
($140 x 6 online live seminars = $840 total).
This improves cost management because the fee
for each course is not due until the time of actual course
registration. All online live seminars are offered twice
each year.
-
Graduation fee of
$200 may be paid at any time prior to completion of the program.
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Total MISD portion
program cost including all fees = $4,170.
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DEGREE FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR COURSES TAKEN THROUGH ICR-SOBA
IMPORTANT TUITION COST INFORMATION
Tuition at ICR is
currently (subject to change) $200/semester hour credit, and
each of ICR's courses provide 3 semester hours credit. Thus,
each ICR course cost is $600. |
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CONTACT INFORMATION |
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Master's International School of
Divinity
For complete information sent directly to you please select this
option:
REQUEST PERSONAL EVALUATION
To make application for the program use this option:
MAKE APPLICATION
To speak with an
Admissions Officer at Master's call:
1-800-933-1445 M-F 9:00a - 4:00p Central Time U.S.
1-812-471-0611 9:00a - 4:00p Central Time U.S.
For an Admissions Officer to contact you personally, email us
with your contact info:
info@mdivs.edu
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