Master of Arts in Hebraic Roots of Christianity
Discover the world that informed the Hebraic roots of Christianity, stretching from the Second Temple Period to the early Rabbinic sages and Church fathers.
HEBRAIC ROOTS OF CHRISTIANITY
About the Program
What You Will Learn
Students pursuing our M.A. in Hebraic Roots of Christianity have the opportunity to delve deeply in the complex yet rich Hebraic world out of which Christianity arose. The field of study is much larger than the Jewishness of Jesus, embracing not only the dynamic world of Second Temple Judaism but also the shared heritage of rabbinic Judaism and early Christianity. The degree program allows our students the flexibility to pursue their own specialized interests within the field.
Unique Opportunities at JUC
Students enrolled in the M.A. in Hebraic Roots of Christianity have ample opportunities to draw upon the rich academic and cultural resources of Jerusalem throughout their period of study. We are hard pressed to find a more appropriate place to study the Christian movement as it developed out of Judaism than in Jerusalem, the city where the church was born.
In Jerusalem, students are immersed in active, living communities, both Jewish and Christian, that trace their descent directly to the days of the New Testament. In addition, the world comes to Jerusalem—conferences and seminars held throughout the city beckon students to interact with biblical scholars and experts in the broad and lively fields of Judaism and early Christianity.
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Follow the link below to submit your application to JUC.
THE DETAILS
Course Requirements
The M.A. degree in Hebraic Roots of Christianity includes 48 semester credit hours of course work as outlined below. The degree is designed to be completed within two calendar years, although students choosing to pursue the thesis track are granted an additional year. Students with a documented learning disability or for whom English is not their native language are expected to finish the degree in three years if taking the non-thesis track, or four years if pursuing the thesis track. Up to 24 credits of approved graduate-level courses may be transferred in from another degree program if approved by the JUC Academic Committee. At least half of the program must be completed in-residence.
*The course requirements below are updated and will go into effect for students matriculating in the Fall of 2025. Students who have matriculated prior to Fall 2025 are bound by the previous requirements and should contact the Registrar with questions.
Hebraic Roots of Christianity: 12 hours
- History of the Church in the East (3)
- Hermeneutics of Old Testament Texts in Jewish and Christian Tradition (3)
- Text Studies in Midrash, Mishnah, and Gemara: The Shared Heritage of Rabbinic Judaism and Early Christianity (3)
- Seminar in Hebraic Roots of Christianity (3)
History and Geography: 7 hours
- History of the Second Temple Period (3)
- Physical Settings of the Bible (4) OR Historical & Geographical Settings of the Bible + Jordan Extension (4)
Biblical Hebrew: 8 hours
Advanced Biblical Languages: 6 hours
- Readings in Biblical Hebrew Narrative (3) OR Readings in Historical and Geographical Texts (3) AND
- Post-Biblical Hebrew: Second Temple Period (3) OR
- Syriac I (3) AND Syriac II (3)
Electives: 3 hours total
- Cultural Background of the Bible (3)
- Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls (3)
- Intertestamental Literature (3)
- Iconographic Art in Judaism and Early Christianity (3)
- The Parables of Jesus and Rabbinic Meshalim (3)
- Jesus and His Jewish World (3)
- The Life and Times of Paul (3)
- The Book of Revelation and the Seven Cities of the Apocalypse (3)
- Jesus and His Times (2)
Thesis-track degree: 6 hours
Non-Thesis-track degree: 6 additional hours of elective courses
Bible Content Examinations
- Old Testament Bible Content Examination
- New Testament Bible Content Examination
Comprehensive - Integrative Examinations
- Hebraic Roots of Christianity Examination
- Biblical Hebrew Examination OR Syriac Examination
Proficiency Examination in Modern Hebrew or Arabic (optional)
Total Credit Hours: 48
Thesis Track
M.A. students may choose to write a thesis as part of their degree program. Once a topic of interest is chosen, the student will work with two faculty members to develop a thesis proposal, then research and write the thesis. The process of writing a thesis not only allows the student to engage a topic in depth, but also to learn methods of research and writing that allow the student to pursue further academic work.
Sample Thesis Titles
The Sabbath and Jesus
The Changing Attitude of the Church to Jewish Law from the First to Second Century C.E.
A Jewish Response to Paganism after the Destruction of the Temple
A History of Judean Desert Monasticism: The Life of the Monks of the Judean Desert during the Early Byzantine Period according to Literary and Archaeological Sources
Oral Tradition in Judaism and Christianity: The Case of Memorization
How Much Does It Cost?
Studying at JUC is affordable. Learn about the program costs and our financial aid options.
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