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At Living University you can undertake the online study of biblical archaeology leading to a Certificate in Biblical Archaeology. This program deals with the study of the archaeology of the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament. The design of this certificate program is to help you gain a fuller perception of the events and the lifeways of the peoples described in the Bible, to reconstruct the lifeways of biblical peoples, and to learn of the cultural change in their civilizations. This certificate normally requires one academic year (two semesters) to complete on a part-time basis. Those who plan to complete the certificate over two or more years can take one or two courses a semester.

Upon entering the Certificate in Biblical Archaeology program a student is assigned an adviser who will be available for program advisement and career information. An adviser helps a student create a workable plan to meet his or her educational objectives within a reasonable time period. For the conferring of the certificate students should apply for graduation in the semester they plan to graduate. Students may obtain an Application for Graduation from the Registrar. This application must be filed with the Registrar by midterm for graduation that semester.

On successful completion of this program, you should be able to:

1. Define basic terminology in biblical archaeology;

2. Demonstrate knowledge of the mechanics of archaeological fieldwork as performed in a stratigraphic excavation (tells and other kinds of settlements) in the Levant by describing the steps and methodologies involved in field excavation;

3. Describe the geographical setting of the Levant;

4. Cite and explain the highlights of the major archaeological periods in the Levant 10,000 BCE - CE 135;

5. Explain in general terms the field of biblical archaeology, its major means and ends, and the leading issues in biblical archaeological research;

6. Cite and describe the significance of the major Levantine archeological sites with emphasis upon those located in Israel;

7. Explain how archaeological research of biblical lands can illuminate parts of the biblical text in both the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament; and

8. Explain the concept of culture, the nature of archaeological data, and archaeological context through definition and examples from the material cultures that provide the setting for the biblical narrative.

Click Here For more Information on How to Enroll in This Program or Take Courses as an Open University Student

Program Faculty

Dr. Michael P. Germano, Professor and President of the University B.S. (1959), University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; B.A. (1961), Ambassador University; M.A. (2000), Texas A&M University-College Station;  M.S. (1966), Ed.D. (1968), University of Southern California; J.D. (1980), University of La Verne. Dr. Germano completed post-graduate study in anthropology, archaeology, and theology at Southern Methodist University and Texas A&M University at College Station. He held responsibilities in Ambassador University's involvement in the archaeological excavations at the south Temple Mount directed by Benjamin Mazar, the Umm el-Jimal Project directed by Bert de Vries, the Mozan Expedition directed by Giorgio Buccellati and Marilyn Kelly-Buccellati, and the Hatzor Excavations in memory of Yigael Yadin directed by Amnon Ben-Tor. He supervised the AU contingent at the Hatzor Excavations and held responsibility for excavation videography. His current research consists of an investigation of the relationship of the Tomb of Jesus, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, and the Cenacle in Jerusalem. He has two books in preparation entitled The First Christians: Life in the Ancient Church dealing with the historical Christianity of the New Testament period and The Ancient Church of the Apostles consisting of a historical and archaeological analysis of Jerusalem's Cenacle. He is a member of the California State Bar and admitted to practice before the federal bar. Ordained in 1983, Dr. Germano is an elder in the Living Church of God.

Dr. Charles W. Moore, Adjunct Associate Professor B.A. (1965), M.U.P. (1967), Ph.C. (1969), Ph.D. (1971), University of Washington. Dr. Moore completed post-graduate study in geography and urban/regional planning at the University of Washington.  His career has been devoted to both academic and government research in the areas of natural sciences, technological change and natural resource development. During the 1970s, he served as Assistant Professor of Geography at the University of Saskatchewan and spent a year at Glasgow University in Scotland as a Research Fellow.  His past 33 years have been spent with the Canadian federal government in policy-related evaluation of science and technology programs at the former Science Council of Canada and the Department of Natural Resources (including the Geological Survey of Canada, Geomatics Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Canada Centre for Mineral and Energy Technology).  He has published and delivered academic papers in the fields of historical economic geography, geology, regional planning and program evaluation as well as traveled and conducted research in those same subjects in North America and Western Europe. Dr. Moore’s current research interests are in the relationships between technology /technological change and regional / natural resource development in ancient Israel as well as in efforts and methods of ancient landscape restoration in modern Israel.  He is a member of the American Association of Geographers. He has made two intensive study tours of Israel including a short extension to Jordan. The tours emphasized archaeological sites, geology, water, vegetation, agriculture and the management of geological, forest and water resources and included meeting with senior Israeli researchers and administrators in the field.  He is also a student of the Hebrew language.

Program Courses

Prerequisites: None.

Corequisites: None.

This course deals with the historical geography of the Bible Lands as represented in ancient texts (the Bible as well as Egyptian, Mesopotamian and Canaanite sources). Emphasis is on the interrelationship of history and geography during the Bronze and Iron Ages, including settlement, economic, military, and communication factors in ancient Israel. Upon completion, students should be able to correlate relevant archaeological, historical and biblical material with important sites, roads, and features in each region.

[ Course Prospectus ]   [ Sample Lesson ]

THL 473 Archaeology and the Old Testament (3 semester hours credit, offered Fall Semester)

Prerequisites: None.

Corequisites: None.

This course deals with the archaeology of the bible lands from the fourth millennium B.C.E. through the Intertestamental Period. Topics addressed include patriarchal Palestine, Joseph and Moses in Egypt, the reigns of David and Solomon, the divided kingdom, the exile, and the intertestamental period. Upon completion, students should be able to explain how understanding of the social, political and religious background of the biblical world aids illumination of the Hebrew Scriptures.

[ Course Prospectus ]   [ Sample Lesson ]

THL 474 Archaeology and the New Testament (3 semester hours credit; offered Spring Semester)

Prerequisites: None.

Corequisites: None.

This course deals with the archaeology of Syro-Palestine from Herodian times through the Second Jewish Revolt (C.E. 132-135). Emphasis on orientation to the geography and archaeology of the biblical world and the application of archaeology in biblical research. Upon completion, students should be able to explain how understanding of the social, political and religious background of the biblical world aids illumination of the New Testament text.

[ Course Prospectus ]   [ Sample Lesson ]

THL 475 Ancient Egypt and the Biblical World (3 semester hours credit, offered Fall Semester)

Prerequisites: None.

Corequisites: None.

This course deals with ancient Egyptian archaeology, history and culture from the Pre-dynastic Period through the Late Period. Emphasis is upon on the interconnection of Egypt with the land of Canaan, the Exodus, the Conquest, and the Settlement. Upon completion, students should be able to  analyze significant political, socioeconomic, and cultural developments in ancient Egypt.

[ Course Prospectus ]   [ Sample Lesson ]

THL 476 Archaeology of Jerusalem (3 semester hours credit; offered in Summer Session)

Prerequisites: None.

Corequisites: None.

This course deals with the development of Jerusalem from prehistoric to Byzantine times in light of archaeological discoveries. Emphasis upon key stages of the city’s past as Canaanite Jebus, City of David and Mt. Zion, Nehemiah’s Jerusalem, Herodian Jerusalem, and Roman Colonia Aelia Capitolina. Special emphasis placed on Temple Mount, Cenacle, and Golgotha. Upon completion, students should be able to identify features and key structures.

[ Course Prospectus ]   [ Sample Lesson ]

THL 478 Lands of the Bible: Archaeology, Culture and Geography (3 semester hours credit; offered in Summer Session)

Prerequisites: None, but we recommend THL 467, 473, 474 and 475 in preparation for the study tour.

Corequisites: None.

This course is a study tour focusing on the archaeology and geography of the Levant and biblical Israel from the rise of urbanization (ca. 3200 BCE) to the emergence of ancient Israel (ca. 1200 BCE), through the Second Temple and Roman periods, concluding with the development of the region as the “Holy Land” for Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Upon completion, students should be able to explain  the geographical and archaeological contributions of significant sites of biblical relevance and locate significant geographical places and archaeological sites in biblical Israel on suitable maps and media.

[ Course Prospectus ]   [ Sample Lesson ]

THL 479 Fieldwork in Biblical Archaeology (3 semester hours credit; offered in Summer Session)
Prerequisites: THL 473, 474 or consent of instructor.
Corequisites: THL 478 or already completed.
This course consists of supervised excavation at an archaeological site in the Levant. Experience in all facets of archaeological work including excavating, sifting, surveying, washing and reading pottery, and the process of computerized finds registration. Upon completion, students should be able to explain the major elements of archaeological method and analysis used on the site. This course may be repeated for a maximum of 6 hours [not graded; CR (credit) or NC (no credit) will appear on transcript].

[ Course Prospectus ]   [ Sample Lesson ]

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