Departments

Bible Department

The Bible program at Pacifica will expose students to the Christian faith and the Scriptures, and through it to the life and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The Bible is the foundation to our curriculum, and the major themes from the Bible will help provide a framework from which to critique all of learning. Indeed, the use and study of the Bible and related issues of the Church is not limited to the actual Bible course.

Bible instruction at school is not the same as Bible instruction in chapel or church. The task of the church is to proclaim the good news of salvation to the world, calling us to faith, worship, and service. The task of the school is to impart Biblical knowledge through rigorous study, engage students in open and intelligent dialogue about the claims of the church, and to equip students for lives of character and service through the application of these truths. This learning and dialogue will encompass the great breadth of perspectives in the Christian faith. When students leave our school, then, we want them to understand the major tenets of the Christian faith.

Course Descriptions
Graduation requirement: 2 years of high school Theology

Old Testament – (One Semester) 9th Grade
This introduction of the Old Testament features a study of the Law, Prophets, and Writings with special attention to Near Eastern content, Israelite history, literary forms, and theologicial beliefs concerning God, man, creation, and redemption.

NewTestament – (One Semester) 10th Grade
An introduction of the Bible with a survey of the New Testament with special attention given to the theologicial beliefs concerning God, man, creation, redemption, and topics including the life and teachings of Jesus, Pauline literature, the Epistles, and the church. 

Church History – (One Year) 12th Grade
Students will explore the history and thought of the Christian Church from its beginning to the present. Special emphasis will be placed on the early church, the Reformation, and the contemporary church. Students will become familiar with the wide array of thought from Paul, St. Augustine, Aquinas, Calvin, Luther, Edwards, Bonhoeffer, to Graham. Students will explore the watershed events in church history, the formation of various theological/doctrinal concepts, the effect of society on the church, and the political and social impact of the church on society.