Despite the significant dip in the number of Americans who identify as Christians, Christianity is still the predominant religion in the United States. No wonder, then, that Biblical Studies and biblical archaeology are still popular fields of study at the undergraduate and graduate levels!
If you’re planning on enrolling in or already enrolled in a graduate degree program in Biblical Studies or Biblical Archaeology in faith-based graduate schools, you’re on the right track, too. Regardless of your choice in these distinct disciplines, you will enjoy excellent career returns on investment, particularly if it’s your passion.
You can satisfy your intellectual curiosity about the Bible and its history, cultures, and peoples, contribute to the body of knowledge about these matters, and strengthen your connection to the Christian faith. You will also love the interdisciplinary approach that these disciplines demand, contribute to the preservation of Christian cultural heritage, and love the challenge of making discoveries.
In terms of material rewards, a successful career in Biblical Studies or Biblical Archaeology means well-paying jobs and a wealth of career advancement opportunities. The median annual wage for religious workers was $49,380, while archaeologists earned a median annual wage of $63,940 (May 2022), both of which are above the median annual pay for all occupations. The diversity of career opportunities ranges from pastoral ministry and teaching to nonprofit leadership.
Biblical Studies and Biblical Archaeology are related disciplines with practitioners involved in the study of the Bible and its events, characters, and context. Both disciplines value interdisciplinary collaborations, too, usually between anthropology, linguistics, and religious studies, among other fields.
But these are distinct disciplines, too, in the following aspects:
- Focus – Biblical Studies is the analysis, evaluation, and interpretation, including translation of the Bible and the related biblical texts. Biblical Archaeology is the study of biblical narratives using archaeological techniques and technologies with the evidence collected used in their verification.
- Sources of evidence – While Biblical Studies use biblical texts for evidence, Biblical Archaeology relies on physical evidence; this discipline applies only the artifacts, inscriptions and structures that biblical peoples left behind.
- Interpretative methods – Biblical Studies use theological and literary frameworks, while biblical archaeology uses the scientific framework, including its techniques (e.g., artifact analysis and carbon dating).
A Quick Look at Their Differences
In the following sections, we will take a closer look at the roles and responsibilities, education and training requirements, and career opportunities in the fields of Biblical Studies vs Biblical Archaeology:
| Biblical Studies | Biblical Archaeology | |
| Average Annual Salary | $67,697 | $63,940 |
| Projected Job Growth | 10.5% or an average of 257,700 openings per year (For community and social service occupations) | 4% (2022-2032) or about 700 openings per year, on average (For anthropologists and archaeologists) |
| Licenses/Certifications Required | No | No |
| Primary Duties | Professionals in the field of Biblical Studies study, analyze and interpret, even translate, the Bible and its related texts. Their deep understanding of the contexts in which the Bible was written opens up doors of opportunities in diverse sectors. | Biblical archaeologists discover, investigate and interpret the archaeological evidence related to biblical cultures, peoples and events. Their knowledge and skills are instrumental in our contemporary understanding of the accuracy of these aspects, as well as their contexts and religious significance. |
What Does a Biblical Studies Professional Do?
Professionals involved in Biblical Studies draw from a wide range of fields in studying the Old Testament and the New Testament, collectively called the Bible, as well as its related documents like the Dead Sea Scrolls, Septuagint, and Apocrypha. These disciplines include ancient history, textual and literary criticism, mythology, theology, philology, and comparative religion.
The interdisciplinary approach facilitates our broader and deeper understanding of the history and development, cultural and historical contexts, and the events, characters, and places mentioned in the Bible. Said approach also contributes to the depth and breadth with which Bible studies professionals engage in teaching, scholarly research, and authorship of books, articles, and academic papers.
If you decide to become a Biblical Studies professional, your specific roles and responsibilities will vary based on your organization, industry, and job title. You may, nonetheless, perform many of the following duties in line with your work.
- Conduct research on the Bible and biblical texts, including the characters, events, and places mentioned in them.
- Teach students at colleges and universities, seminaries, and religious organizations about the Bible, including its history, teachings, and contexts. Teaching opportunities are also available through conferences, workshops, and seminars, as well as small group and one-on-one sessions.
- Produce scholarly works, including articles, commentaries and books that contribute to the body of knowledge about the Bible, perhaps even challenges contemporary views. Discussions and debates are welcome in Biblical Studies, but mutual respect, professionalism, and ethics are a must.
- Present scholarly works during workshops, conferences, and seminars for religious communities, peers and colleagues, and the academic community, even members of the general public.
- Provide guidance, support, and expert views regarding Biblical Studies to interested individuals and groups.
With these roles and responsibilities, bible studies professionals must possess proficient exegetical, language, and research skills. Their job also demands extensive knowledge of hermeneutics, theology and teaching pedagogy, as well as public speaking, analytical thinking, and interpersonal skills.
Biblical Studies Education and Career Paths
If you’re interested, earn a Bachelor’s in Biblical Studies, Ministry, Theology, and Divinity or other related fields. Afterward, you can earn a Master’s in Biblical Studies or a Master’s in Divinity (M.Div), both of which involve advanced studies of the Bible, church history, and theology. Graduate students also develop their practical ministry skills.
A terminal degree, the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biblical Studies, is the highest degree that can be earned in the field. Keep in mind that it’s a research-centric degree that prepares students for careers in research, teaching, and consulting.
Career paths for Biblical Studies professionals include:
- Teacher or professor
- Church leaders like pastors and ministers
- Chaplains
- Social justice advocates, community outreach workers, and other nonprofit workers
- Author
- Religious advocate
Indeed, a graduate degree in Biblical Studies will not only strengthen your spiritual enlightenment and feed your intellectual curiosity but also lead to rewarding jobs.
A Career in Biblical Studies is for you if:
- You’re passionate about the Scripture and spreading the Gospel.
- You love scholarly work, research, and making discoveries.
- You are keen on religious diversity.
A Career in Biblical Studies is not a great fit if you:
- You’re uncomfortable with religion-based discussions and debates.
- You prefer more practical work with less of a spiritual dimension.
- You’re shy during public speaking.
What Does a Biblical Archaeologist Do?
Nowadays, biblical archaeologists adopt a more scientific approach in the study of the archaeological remains of the biblical past, including its peoples, places, and periods. This wasn’t always so in the past because of its emphasis on ideology and theology. Contemporary biblical archaeologists provide society with a more balanced perspective of these aspects of the Bible and its archaeology-related aspects.
Their common roles and responsibilities include:
- Lead excavations of places mentioned in the Bible and other relevant texts
- Use technology, such as GIS, carbon dating, and remote sensing, in their tasks, such as site identification and artifact analysis.
- Coordinate with the local communities and authorities as well as investors and stakeholders to ensure the best possible outcomes of the excavation and other activities.
- Perform scientific analysis of the archaeological remains from the biblical past, including pottery, scrolls, and inscriptions, among other physical remains.
- Interpret the findings that will expand the body of knowledge and challenge the current knowledge about the people, places, and events mentioned in the Bible.
- Collaborate with anthropologists, linguists, and historians, among other experts, in the analysis, interpretation, and evaluation of the physical remains.
- Publish their scholarly works, including research findings, and present them at conferences.
- Provide guidance, support, and expert opinions regarding matters related to biblical archaeology and studies.
- Teach and mentor students interested in the discipline.
- Coordinate with local authorities, museums, and other stakeholders in the protection and preservation of biblical sites and artifacts.
William F. Albright, Kathleen Kenyon, and Israel Finkelstein are among the most notable biblical archaeologists whose works have been crucial in the field’s development.
The best biblical archaeologists possess technical knowledge and skills that facilitate excellent performance of their roles and responsibilities. If you want to be one, you must be proficient in excavation techniques, artifact analysis, survey methods (e.g., LIDAR), and laboratory techniques.
You should also be proficient in ancient languages, such as Aramaic, Greek, and Hebrew, as well as in the use of GIS, database management, and archaeological conservation.
As for soft skills, critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills are a must. You should also possess cultural awareness and sensitivity, be adaptable to changing conditions, and act with ethics in mind.
Biblical Archaeologist Education and Career Paths
If you want to establish a successful career as a biblical archaeologist, you can start by earning a Bachelor’s in Archaeology, Anthropology, or History, among other fields. You should also learn the relevant foreign languages, perhaps starting with Hebrew and Greek.
There are no licensing, certification, or registration requirements for biblical archaeologists. But if you want to enjoy career advancement and industry recognition, you should earn a Master’s in Biblical Archaeology and, if you desire, a doctorate.
Boston University, Cornell University, and the University of Arizona have master’s degree programs, while the University of California Los Angeles, University of Washington, and the University of Missouri offer PhD programs.
If you become a biblical archaeologist, you can also choose a specialization. You can, for example, focus on Near Eastern biblical cultures or Israel’s development during the Iron Age.
As for career paths, the most popular for biblical archaeologists include:
- Teacher or professor
- Museum researchers or curators
- Cultural resource managers
- Archaeological preservation specialist
- Author
Biblical archaeologists can also join professional organizations, such as the Society of Biblical Literature, American Schools of Oriental Research, and the Archaeological Institute of America.
A Career in Biblical Archaeology is for you if:
- You’re passionate about Biblical Studies and archaeology, perhaps with a keen interest in the study of ancient civilizations.
- You love being outdoors and getting your hands in on the action.
- You possess the soft skills required of biblical archaeologists.
A Career in Biblical Archaeology is not a great fit if you:
- You’re more interested in pastoral ministry, chaplaincy, or theology.
- You cannot participate in the fieldwork, particularly in excavations, due to physical limitations.
- You don’t like getting your hands dirty.
In the end, both Biblical Studies And Biblical Archaeology are excellent choices as a career. While Biblical Studies tends to be more abstract, Biblical Archaeology has a more concrete approach—and that should be part of your consideration.
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