BTh Bachelor in Theology

Subjects to choose from:
 

BIBLICAL STUDIES

Biblical Studies examines the New and Old Testament, both through exegesis and hermeneutics.  You are taught how to examine a book in the Bible in depth and also how to explore a theme by examining the whole Bible.  The focus is on how to read the Bible in more depth and to gain insights that will help students become more insightful leaders in their Christian communities, with a particular emphasis on the Church in Africa.  This exciting course opens up new ways of reading and experiencing the Bible to students and tackles relevant questions like poverty and wealth – what is the Christian answer to human suffering and how do we use the Bible to draw closer to God or to create our own ideologies?

BIBS101 BIBLICAL STUDIES IA: INTRODUCTION TO THE SYNOPTIC AND PAULINE LITERATURE

The module considers the Gospel of Mark and Paul’s Letter to Philemon as follows: The Gospel of Mark. The purpose of the module is to introduce students to the problems and relationships among the Synoptic Gospels, to focus in some detail on the literary and theological features of the gospel of Mark and to equip them with exegetical skills by requiring exegesis and contextualization of key passages.

Paul's Letter to Philemon. The module explores the way Paul applies his letter to the daily lives of his audiences and to equip them with the exegetical skills necessary for them to articulate and apply in their personal and communal contexts their own understanding of Paul’s letter.

The content of the module will consist of an overview of the Synoptic problem, an introduction to narrative criticism, including historical-critical skills appropriate to biblical studies, followed by an analysis of the plot of the gospel of Mark and detailed exegesis of key passages. With regard to Philemon, the module will introduce students to the New Testament letter as a literary form, and apply this knowledge to a detailed analysis of the letter to Philemon.

BIBS102 BIBLICAL STUDIES IB: INTRODUCTION TO THE PENTATEUCHAL AND WISDOM LITERATURE OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

The purpose of the module is to introduce students to the narrative and historical-critical dimensions of Israel’s founding story, as well as to introduce them to the presentation and subversion of Wisdom in the Book of Job.

The content of the module covers the plot of the Pentateuch, as well as relevant historical-critical issues and will offer students the challenge of engaging with key texts presenting Israel’s founding experience of God and the consequent formulation of the Law. Students will be introduced to Old Testament Wisdom literature, which will be followed by an analysis of Job, with a particular focus on the way this book both upholds and subverts Wisdom.

BIBS201 BIBLICAL STUDIES IIA: TEXT AND CONTEXT

The purpose of the module is as follows: Firstly, the Deuteronomistic History aims to provide an understanding of the way in which context and theology interact, with particular reference to the formulation of Israel’s Deuteronomistic history, and to introduce students to ways of interpreting this history in the light of their own personal and community contexts. Secondly, the Influence of context on biblical interpretation aims to show how knowledge of the geographical, historical, cultural and religious contexts of biblical writing can influence exegesis; to develop students’ ability to identify their own personal and community contexts; to relate selected biblical texts to these contexts and to issues in contemporary society.

The content of the module covers the historical and religious environment of ancient Israel at the time of the compilation of the Deuteronomistic history, the influence of these factors on perspectives in the text, the contextual reading of the text at the personal and community levels; the geographical, historical, cultural and religious framework of the Bible, using one of the following texts as a case study: Lev 18.22-20.13, 1 Tim 2.8-15, John 1; methods of identifying personal, communal and social issues and of interpreting the selected biblical text in the light of these issues.

BIBS202 BIBLICAL STUDIES IIB: GOSPEL OF JOHN AND WEALTH AND POVERTY IN THE BIBLE

The purpose of the module is as follows: Firstly, the Gospel of John: to show how John’s Gospel was shaped by its context; to exegete key passages with attention to John’s narrative/discourse literary structure; to analyse John’s christology and compare it with christologies found in the synoptics; to enable students to develop their own christologies in the light of their personal and community contexts. Secondly, the Wealth and Poverty in the Bible: to evaluate critically selected passages from both Old and New Testaments, dealing with wealth, poverty and related economic issues; to examine the distribution of wealth in contemporary South African society, and to critique this through the lens of biblical teaching; to develop a Christian response to the issue.

The content of the module covers the structure and literary style of the Gospel of John; exegesis of selected passages from chapters 2, 4, 6, 9, 13 and 18-20; the nature of christology; christology in John and in the synoptic gospels; exegesis of selected passages from the Old and New Testaments that deal with economic issues; social analysis of contemporary South Africa in relation to the distribution of wealth; critical evaluation of the findings of this analysis in the light of biblical understandings about the right use of wealth.

BIBS301 BIBLICAL STUDIES IIIA: LANGUAGE OF RESISTANCE IN PROPHECY AND APOCALYPSE

The purpose of the module is to enable the students to grapple with the biblical understanding of God operating in their context, as well as to introduce them to the present use of the biblical images as they are used today in different communities.

The content of the module covers some of the Major and Minor Prophetic books and passages, as well as the Apocalyptic books and passages in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. Examples from modern writings films and videos will be analysed. Finally, the student will be required to draw out the relationships between the biblical and contemporary understandings of prophecy and apocalyptic writings.

BIBS302 BIBLICAL STUDIES IIIB: THE WORSHIP OF ISRAEL AND THE RESPONSES TO JESUS THE CHRIST IN THE EARLY CHURCH

Part 1: The Worship of Israel: the purpose of this part of the module is to enable the students to grapple with the biblical understandings of worship in the Old Testament, with particular reference to the Psalms and to apply these insights to worship as it is practised in the church today. The content of this part of the module covers an analysis of some of the relevant Psalms and other examples of worship in Israel will be presented, with particular reference to the temple. Then these insights will be applied to contemporary worship, with particular reference to churches that use written liturgies.

Part 2: The responses to Jesus the Christ in the Early Church: the New Testament reflects a multiple of Christologies. Examples that are found in the Johannine, Pauline as well as the Synoptics will be presented. The purpose is to expose the student to these multiple and sometimes conflicting models and then enable them to track the development of the Christologies until the Council of Chalcedon. The content of this part of the module presents a systematic analysis of the Christologies in the four gospels. This will be followed by further reflection on the Pauline and non-Pauline writings of the New Testament. Then a brief overview of the historical development will be presented. (Most of the work should have been covered in Church History and Systematic Theology. The aim is to indicate how the church grappled with its developing canon of scripture.)

CHRISTIAN ETHICS

Christian Ethics looks at how to answer the big questions of life from a Christian and ethical point of view. We explore questions of the body, abortion, euthanasia, war, violence, genocide and business ethics. In the first year, you are introduced to the broad questions of Christian Ethics and how to formulate an ethical argument. In the next two years of study, the focus is on applied ethics and the churches teaching on particular ethical issues. We examine the body and Christian ethical questions around abortion, euthanasia, contraception and sexuality. Next, we explore business ethics and ask what would it mean to run a company or business along Christian ethical lines. Is this possible? In the third year of study, the modules focus on the contemporary literature around ethical issues which churches are dealing with today, examining issues of migrant labour, just war, poverty and the Church’s role in contemporary society.

CETH101 CHRISTIAN ETHICS IA: INTRODUCTION TO ETHICS

The purpose of this module is to give learners a broad understanding of the roots of Ethics in Judeo-Christian ethical discourse, its sources, history and methods. Historical, Philosophical and Theological aspects are integrated into the module, to show how religious and secular ethical theory is closely related. The module is designed to help learners to begin to reason ethically.

CETH102 CHRISTIAN ETHICS IB: FOUNDATIONS OF ETHICS

Building on the historical sources of the first module, learners will deepen their understanding of the development of philosophical and theological ethics, including gaining insight into ethics of world religions and African ethics (ubuntu). Skills at applying religious and philosophical traditions will be applied to address personal and social moral questions, and learners will start to integrate ethical theory, context and personal spiritualities.

CHURCH HISTORY

Church History explores the history of the church from the Early Church and Desert Fathers through the Medieval Period, the Reformation and Colonialism to the Modern Church. In the first year, we cover this whole sweep of 2000 years focusing on how these events shaped our contemporary context. In the second, we explore the Early and Medieval church in more detail trying to appreciate the multiple social, political, theological and economic events that shape the church over these epochs. In the third year, we examine the contemporary churches in the world today, looking at how they were formed by the Enlightenment, Colonialisation, Industrialism, Consumerism and Globalisation. The courses all look at what these different epochs of the church have to teach us, how these eras shaped the contemporary church and its ideas.

CHIS111 CHURCH HISTORY IC: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE EARLY AND MEDIEVAL CHURCH

The purpose of this module is to introduce learners to the specific method of church history and to give a survey of the history of the Early, Eastern and Medieval Church and of some of the key thinkers within this period. This module aims to introduce learners to the study of church history in a historical context and additionally familiarize them with the main primary sources, specific events in the church and important thinkers who shaped the church during these periods and the images of God people held.

CHIS112 CHURCH HISTORY ID: FROM THE REFORMATION TO THE MODERN CHURCH

The purpose of this module is to introduce learners to the key figures who shaped the reformation and counter-reformation in European Christianity. The module then looks at the long term effect of these changes on the Church through the Voyages of Discovery, Enlightenment, Missionary movements and Colonisation in the modern Church.

PASTORAL THEOLOGY

Pastoral Theology focuses on Spirituality, the Sociology of Religion, Ministry in the Contemporary World and World Religions. In the first year of Pastoral Theology, you explore the basics of spirituality and have a semester module on the religions of the world. In the second year students look at how social groups engage with different religions and what we could learn about conversion, church attendance patterns and how to minister in a multi-cultural world with child headed households and persistent poverty. The first module in the third year gives a detailed exploration in Christian Spirituality. The second module looks at Christian counselling and leadership, and how worldwide events have shaped the churches in Africa.

PAST101 PASTORAL THEOLOGY IA: DYNAMICS OF THE SPIRITUAL JOURNEY

The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the nature of spirituality, how it is expressed in the life of believers and impacts on ministry in the church.

The content includes defining and describing spirituality, underlying theological concepts: Trinity (Holy Spirit), grace, conversion, components of the spiritual journey: the Word of God, prayer, asceticism, discernment/ vocation, community, worship, an integrated life, justice and ecology, the ‘end’ of Christian Spirituality, and themes from the African Tradition: God and community: a) ancestors, b) sacrifice, c) healing.

PAST112 WORLD RELIGIONS

This module introduces learners to five of the main religions practised in the world. It will explore the main religious and theological ideas of each religion, give a general history of each religion and examine the main religious festivals, cultural practices and sacred texts of each religion. This would enable them to engage with the political, religious and social arena of a globalised world and reflect more critically on the factors which shape the world in which they minister. In this module, learners will be introduced to the major festivals, sacred texts, history and key religious ideas of Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, African Religions and Islam.

Learners will gain a comprehensive knowledge of the history of Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism and African Religions. They will be familiar with the basic texts of these religions and the important festivals, their meaning and how they are practised – with a particular reference to their practice in South Africa.

PAST201 PASTORAL THEOLOGY IIA: MINISTRY IN THE CHRISTIAN TRADITION FROM CHRISTIAN ORIGINS TO THE PRESENT

The purpose of the module is to acquaint students with the various dimensions of ministry in the Christian tradition.

The content covers the present context: a new situation of lay ministry (Vatican II, Charismatic movements); the origins of ministry in the work of Jesus and the experiences and ecclesiologies of the first Christian communities; the metamorphoses of ministry through the centuries; ministry and orders; models for a ministering church; sources and spiritualities of ministry.

PAST202 PASTORAL THEOLOGY IIB: SOCIOLOGY OF RELIGION

The purpose of the module is to introduce students to the founders of the sociology of religion and to acquaint them with the contemporary theoretical positions in this field of study, with a particular emphasis on the importance of using these as tools to understand religion in South Africa.

The content of the module includes an introduction to the founders of sociology of religion – Marx, Freud, Weber, Durkheim; an examination of how religion has been understood to impact society in the second half of the twentieth century, according to four main approaches: the functionalist approach, the materialist approach, the symbolic approach, and the social constructionist approach; an exploration of the current key ideas in the sociology of religion: religion as creating meaning, secularization, rational choice theory, the body, religion and power.

PAST301 PASTORAL THEOLOGY IIIA: HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY

The purpose of the module is to acquaint students with the key historical figures and movements of the Christian spiritual tradition. The content includes:

• Roots in the Hebrew Tradition;
  New Testament origins;
  In the early Fathers: East and West;
  The monastic tradition;
  Medieval mysticism;
  Schools of spirituality.
• The Spanish intervention: John, Teresa, Ignatius,
  Reformation Spiritualities;
  Modern developments;
  Contemporary movements with particular reference to Southern Africa:
  Pentecostal-Charismatic, AIC’s, African and Liberation Spiritualities

PAST302 PASTORAL THEOLOGY IIB: MINISTRY IN THE CONTEMPORARY CONTEXT

The purpose of the module is to equip students with an understanding of the various approaches and relations skills necessary for effective ministry. These include:

• Introduction to psychology;
  Pastoral care and counselling;
• Leadership and management;
  Church administration,
  Developing lay leadership,
  Women in Church leadership and ministry,
  Education,
• The prophetic voice of the church:
  The South African Apartheid experience as a case study: DRC, AICs, mainline historical Churches.

SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY

Systematic Theology analyses the overarching theological concepts which make up the Christian faith. Amongst other things, the modules in Systematic Theology unpack the meaning of Creation, the Trinity, Salvation, the Fall, Redemption and different philosophies of God. The modules examine how the Church has systematically built up an understanding of its doctrines and what these different doctrines mean.

SYTH101 SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY IA: INTRODUCTION TO THEOLOGY

The purpose of this module is to introduce the student to the multifaceted collection of theological disciplines; biblical, historical, systematic and pastoral. Furthermore, the module offers some examples, which serve as an introduction to some central issues in fields that will be dealt with at greater depth in the modules that follow.

The content of the module includes theology and its methods; returning to the sources – the Hebrew Bible and, introduction to the study of the New Testament, evolution of doctrine from the Bible to the Fathers and the Creeds; the Christian faith today – faith and reason, revelation, Christology; the symbols of faith and the language of faith; grace; faith and doubt; the stages of faith; sin, suffering, evil and God. A briefer consideration will be given to theological anthropology; moral theology; sacraments and liturgy; Christian spirituality; Christianity and the World Religions.

SYTH102 SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY IB: REVELATION AND FAITH

The purpose of the module is to introduce students to the reality, concepts, and principles of the foundations of Christian faith, understood as the human response to Revelation, and faith as a rational and existential act in response to the self-communication of God. This foundational module will explore the reality and nature of Revelation, the human response of Faith, and the quest for a deepened understanding of this in theological activity. Prior methodological questions will be followed by an analysis of the structure and scope of theology, the grounds for credibility of revelation in the capacity of the receptivity, and the response of the human person in faith, and finally, revelation as the self-communication of God, particularly in Jesus Christ, which will form the primary focus of this module.

SYTH211 SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY IIA2: PHILOSOPHY OF GOD

The module will begin by examining the main intellectual and social reasons for the challenge to theism in the world, and, in particular, it will look at the thought of Darwin, Feuerbach, Marx and Freud. This is the entry point into an exploration of a philosophy of God – in other words, an overview of key philosophical ideas about God from the pre-Socratics to the present. The second part of the module will look at the traditional philosophical arguments for the existence of God and examine how they can deal with the challenge to theism. The third part concludes the module by reflecting on the question of suffering and evil, and how they affect the arguments about the existence of God. The module will enable students to think deeply and critically about the nature of religious belief and to understand the main arguments presented both for and against the notion of the existence and the nature of God.

SYTH202 SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY IIB: GOD, FATHER, SON AND HOLY SPIRIT

The purpose of the module is to familiarise the student with the progression of thought about God, in particular, the Trinity from the Old Testament to the New Testament; through the Apostolic Fathers and philosophers, and to enable the student to engage with current debates about God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in the light of feminist and Muslim perceptions, and in the African context.

The content includes: the God of Israel, and the God of the Church; the God of the Philosophers; Jesus the Christ and issues in Christology – the New Testament, the Fathers, mediaeval and modern Christology, African approaches to Christology, Christ as Sophia and feminist approaches to Christology; the Holy Spirit and the Trinity from the New Testament to the Fathers. Christology and Trinitarian thought, the concept of the Person in Trinitarian theology, Muslim and Christian perceptions of God, African spirituality and the Holy Spirit. The revival of Trinitarian theology, the Trinity and Society, Gender, culture and the divine, God and the world in Trinitarian perspective, the Trinity and ecology.

SYTH301 SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY IIIA: THE CHURCH, ECCLESIOLOGY, SACRAMENTOLOGY, MISSIOLOGY

The purpose of the module is as follows: firstly, Ecclesiology – :”Theology of the Church”: to understand the nature of the Church, its origin and foundations, how it understands itself, how it understands its role in society and culture, its structure as community of faith, and how it strives to fulfil the continuing mission of Christ. To understand the different perspectives and self-understanding of different ecclesial communions, denominations and notions of church other than the mainline communions. Secondly, Sacramentology – “Theology of the Sacraments”: to understand the concepts and principles of Theology of Sacraments in the context of the Church as a community of prayer, worship, and the continuation of the redemptive action of Christ. Thirdly, Missiology – “Theology of Mission”: to understand and explore the Church’s mission of the proclamation of the Gospel, Mission and Evangelisation with a biblical and historical overview. To trace the theological articulation and development in changing paradigms of Missiology.

The content of the module is as follows: This module will undertake a comprehensive study of the central elements, dimensions, and dynamics of the theology of the Church. The synthetic concept around which this will be organised is the Church as immanent (People of God) and transcendent (Mystical body of Christ) communion for mission. This enables an approach to ecclesiology that naturally incorporates Sacramentology and Missiology as integral to an exposition of the Church as the locus and instrument of encounter with the redemptive presence and action of God in the world. The module is arranged in three interrelated sections, with ecclesiology as the determining conceptual framework. In Sacramentology, the New Testament basis of the origin of the sacraments and the historical development of Sacramental Theology, including contemporary developments and notions are studied. Differing confessional understanding of the sacramental economy is studied. In Missiology, historical and contemporary understandings and approaches to Missiology will be dealt with in light of renewed understanding of the Church, and its place and function in society and cultures.

SYTH303 SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY IIIB2: THE SACRAMENTS

The purpose of the module is to understand the nature of every sacrament, their relationship to one another and their celebration in the life of the Church and to understand the Sacraments in the context of an African Religious worldview and their celebration in the African Church.

The content includes: Each sacrament will be approached from the biblical, historical, and theological perspectives and understood within the context of life in a community of faith. The course will present the sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist) as invitation and membership in the Christian family. The sacraments of Healing (Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick) will be dealt with in the context of the Christian struggle with sin and illness. The sacraments of Vocation (Marriage and Orders) will be regarded as the completion and fulfilment of our human call. Attention will be given to apply the theoretical elements of Sacramentology to the pastoral need for their integration and expression in liturgy and spirituality. Responding to the concerns raised in Ecclesia in Africa, investigations will be made in the areas of Initiation Rites, Life in the Spirit, Ritual Meals, and Inculturation of the Faith in the living witness of the Christian family. Other special questions will be explored, such as the ecumenical dimension of mutual recognition of sacraments.

SYTH305 SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY IIIB4: ESCHATOLOGY

The purpose of the module is to come to understand Christian expressions of the principle of hope which goes beyond evidence.

The content includes a study of the theme of eschatology from two historical moments: a traditional development and a renewal since the Second Vatican Council as follows:

• Part A: Traditional Eschatology: The first theme will be the biblical evidence, taken from the Old Testament, regarding eschatology as a developing theme, and from the New Testament, relating the centrality of Jesus Christ in the teachings of Jesus, Paul and John. The following question will be the more philosophical question of a time frame, viz. what is eternity? The students will then ponder “the four last things:” death, judgment, heaven and hell. The theory of the consummation of all things will be considered from the perspective of the meanings of fulfillment, the heavenly banquet and transformed humanity. The question of resurrection from the dead will then be studied, followed by more Eastern themes of recapitulation and anakephalaiosis.
• Part B: Eschatology since Vatican II: The eschatological systems of other religious systems will be studied (for example, the ancestors, reincarnation and Nirvana). Students will then find expressions of hope in the world, giving meaning to the terms: “The Kingdom of God is among you,” “Thy Kingdom come” and “Maranatha, come Lord Jesus.”
  
  Students will then consider the tripartite schema of Love as the beginning and the end (the Father), Love as self-giving (the Son) and Love as communicated (the Spirit). Modern authors and their ideas will then be explored, such as Teilhard de Chardin and his Christ as the “Omega Point”; Moltmann’s Theology of Hope and Mbiti’s Eschatology in an African perspective. Finally, the half-module will study apocalyptic themes such as Chiliasm, Rapture and Millenariarism.

STUDY SKILLS

We like to refer to our Study Skills programme as teaching people how to ‘Communicate the Gospel’. This is a first year course for all students in which you learn how to communicate the gospel more effectively by using modern technology, understanding how to do research on and around the Gospel and how to structure and present an argument effectively.

STUD101 COMMUNICATION AND STUDY SKILLS

The purpose of this module is to equip students with communication and study skills so that students are able to develop and implement strategies to ensure success in their learning activities and Bachelor’s programmes. The module will include such skills as note-taking, revision, referencing, critical evaluation, the development of an academic writing style, time management, group work and conflict resolution. It will lay the foundation for students to successfully develop and implement simple forms of research.

STUD102 BASIC COMPUTING AND INFORMATION SEARCHES

The module is intended to provide students with basic computer skills and research tools that will enable them to:

• Understand the basic concepts and theory of information technology;
• Understand the role and scope of information technology in modern society and in the workplace;
• Acquire a working knowledge of the application of word processing, spreadsheets and presentation management;
• Acquire an understanding of the world wide web (www), and how to use various websites in order to find accurate and appropriate information;
• Understand the basic elements of research design.