Students are required to choose one of the New Testament units and one of the Old Testament units.
Core Units
Interpreting the Bible (HE501, HE801)
How does God communicate through the Bible?
How do we apply the Bible today?
What does this passage mean?
How should I approach the Bible?
These are common questions for anyone who reads God’s Word. This unit helps to answer these questions and provides a foundation for all biblical study. It equips students to analyse and interpret the Bible responsibly and creatively by bridging the gap between the world of the Bible and our modern world.
In this unit, we look at different approaches to Scripture, the background of Scripture, how we as interpreters are involved in the process of constructing meaning, and how we can effectively apply the message of an ancient book to our world and lives today.
This unit lies at the heart of all biblical and systematic theological studies. Thus, it integrates with all New Testament, Old Testament and Systematic theological subjects.
Introduction to New Testament A – Gospels & Acts (NT501,NT801)
This New Testament unit is exciting because it provides an opportunity to seriously engage with the biblical text. Students will gain an insight into the background, purpose and overall message of the Gospels and Acts, introducing us to the person of Jesus, the kingdom of God and the mission of the church.
This is a core unit. For any person involved in ministry it is important to know the Bible and its overall message well. But this cannot be done unless we understand the story of Jesus, both in the light of the meta-narrative of Scripture and in the historical context out of which the story unfolds. Students will discover that this narrative is not only objective, but also intersects their personal lives, as the reality of a risen Saviour calls them to be participants in the continuation of a story that brings life and hope. Not only will students grow in confidence by coming to grips with God’s bigger picture, but this unit will also provide an open door for further in-depth studies.
Introduction to New Testament B – Letters (NT502,NT802)
Introduction to New Testament B (Letters) is an exciting unit because it provides an opportunity for students to seriously engage with the biblical text. Students will gain insight into the background, purpose, structure and themes of the New Testament letters, and understand various methodologies of studying these books.
For any person involved in Christian ministry, it is important to know the New Testament well because it is based on the authority of the Scriptures. This unit will have a life-changing impact on the students. They will be exposed to the teaching of Paul and other Apostles within the story of the Gospel reaching various parts of the world in the context of internal church problems and external persecutions.
An overview of the New Testament letters also opens the door for further in-depth study. Students will grow in their faith and understanding as they are exposed to topics that stir their interest for additional research.
Introduction to Old Testament A – Narrative (OT501, OT801)
Although most of the Old Testament is written as a narrative, it is seldom read as such. The purpose of this unit is, therefore, to examine how Genesis to Nehemiah should be read as a narrative.
We will start off by looking at what narrative is, how it functions and how it should be read. With this as a basis, we will be looking at the meta-narrative (‘big picture’ narrative) of the Old Testament and subsequently consider the building blocks that make up the narrative.
With the author as our guide, we will enter the world of the narrative. Through the author’s eyes, we will meet different characters and experience another world. We will also look at the interaction between the characters and, in the process, learn to know the main character better – who He is and what He is like. Furthermore, we will also inquire how the author, through His narratives, draws His audience into His story-world and changes their worldview.
Having engaged with the characters in the story and experienced another world, we will hopefully leave the narrative-world with a different perspective on the characters of the narrative, especially the main character, ourselves and the world we live in. The hope is that the narrative would have fulfilled its purpose in changing our worldview.
Introduction to Old Testament B – Poets and Prophets (OT502, OT802)
In OT502, we look at the story of God’s people. In this unit, we will be looking at life in God’s presence. What does it mean to live as God’s people in every aspect of our lives?
Ancient Israel expressed her life before God predominantly in the form of poetry. In the prophetic literature, we hear God’s admonishing and comforting voice. In the Psalms, we hear the voice of God’s people in their heartache, suffering, pain, hope, joy, worship and celebration. In the wisdom literature, the sages of old give direction as to how God’s people should live wisely in this world.
Studying these books of the Bible gives us, as God’s people, the opportunity to hear his voice anew. It also gives us a voice to express ourselves in all our needs and joys.
Introduction to Theology (TH501, TH801)
Introduction to Theology provides the student with the big picture of God’s involvement with humanity and the world and an opportunity to carefully consider their faith’s foundation. We will consider important questions such as:
• What is truth, and how can we understand and know God?
• Who is God, and how are we designed in his image?
• What is the effect of sin on God’s design for creation?
• Who was Jesus, and how do his life and work affect us today?
• Who is the Holy Spirit, and how is he involved with us now?
• What is the church’s charter in the world today, and what is our unique role within it?
• How will this world end, and what lies beyond?
This subject takes a person’s Biblical knowledge which is often compartmentalised and places it in a broad theological framework. This allows students to think more clearly and wider on all sorts of issues that present in ministry and everyday life.
The subject doesn’t only detail and describe the foundations of the Christian faith but places the major theological themes of the Bible into the living drama of a gracious covenantal God. This provides the student with a more precise perspective of God’s involvement with them in everyday life.
