Bachelor of Theology: CourseOutcomes

BTh 1

GEN1121 Theological Research and Writing

 

THE1121 Christian Foundations

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Explain the plan of salvation from Ephesians 2:8-10.

• Evaluate and embrace the biblical description of God's purpose for you.

• Demonstrate basic knowledge of the person and work of the Holy Spirit.

• Recognise the importance of regular Bible reading and private prayer.

• Apply helpful guidelines to enrich your private times with God.

• Appreciate the importance of belonging to a good church.

• Prioritise building influential relationships with Spirit-filled believers.

• Embrace the importance of witnessing in word and deed.

• Share your testimony in the ‘before … how … since' method.

• Share the message of salvation with unsaved people.

• Worship God by giving generously to his kingdom.

• Manage your finances in a way that is both responsible and godly.

 

BIB1121 Essential Bible Study Principles

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Discuss cogently the main divisions, the text and the world of the New Testament.

• Define ‘the synoptic problem' and describe the most popular current solution.

• Demonstrate basic knowledge of each book of the New Testament.

• Use the four-step method of devotional Bible study described in the textbook.

• Conduct an expository Bible study, applying sound principles of interpretation.

 

THE1122 Biblical Worldview

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Demonstrate understanding of how a Biblical Christian answers the key questions of life.

• On selected issues, compare and contrast a Biblical worldview with other selected worldviews.

• Appreciate the relationship between Biblical thinking and godly living.

 

BIB1123 The Words and Works of the Lord Jesus Christ

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Reconstruct the life of Christ, harmonising the four gospel accounts and placing events in approximate chronological order.

• Demonstrate good general knowledge of the content of the four gospels.

• Correctly interpret specific teachings and events in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.

• Explain the differences between similar passages in different gospels.

 

PRA1122 Introduction to Youth and Children's Ministry

The outcomes of this course are as follows:

• Understand the biblical basis of children's ministry

• Understand basic contexts and processes in children's ministry

• Evaluate the ministry needs and opportunities of children in a specific situation

• Accurately define the life stage ‘youth'.

• Demonstrate understanding current youth culture.

• Define the youth cultures/sub-cultures in their area.

• Relate youth culture to ministry of youth.

• Influence the integration of youth into the local church.

• Understand western influence on African youth.

 

PRA1121 Christian Relationships

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Apply biblical principles of worship and prayer in your relationship with God, both privately and corporately.

• Implement biblical principles of family life in your relationships with your own family.

• Use biblical principles of family life in your ministry to others experiencing family problems.

CYM1126 Connecting with Children

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

•  Demonstrate appreciation for positive relationships as the basis of all interaction with children. Children – like all of us – are relational beings. If we want to have a positive impact on their lives, this will have to be done on the basis of positive relationships. The purpose of the first unit is to help you understand why relationships are so important.

•  Listen and talk to children. It is possible that we view children primarily as juniors and as learners. While there is an element of truth in that, they are much more. They are important to God and have a unique contribution to make. Unless we learn to listen and talk to them, we will miss much of what they have to share.

•  Build positive relationships with children through play. Play has been described as the universal language of children. It is also their main occupation – this is what they do most of the time. So if we really want to connect with children, we need to learn to appreciate their play and to join them at play.

•  Share stories with children. Children love stories; in fact most of us do. But few of us feel confident to share stories with children, especially if we do not know them well. Learning basic skills and techniques can help you use this very powerful tool in building relationships with children.

•  Use boundaries in working with children. A kite can fly high up in the sky only if it is connected to a fixed point on the ground. A river can only flow strongly if it is guided along by its banks. Similarly children need the safety of good boundaries if they want to live and grow according to God's design. In this unit you will learn basic skills for effectively using boundaries in your work with children.

 

CYM1127 Walking with Wounded Children

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

•  Demonstrate understanding of the concept of “healing”.

•  Identify trauma and its affect on children.

•  Facilitate the development of a healing relationship.

•  Listen actively.

•  Help a group of children in a crisis.

•  Apply basic play and storytelling skills to facilitate communication in a relationship with a traumatized child.

•  Help a Christian group to walk with wounded children.

THE1123 The Doctrine of Holy Spirit

The outcomes for this course are as follows:

• Explain who the Holy Spirit is.

• Give examples of evidence to show that the Holy Spirit is still active on the earth today.

• Analyse the difference between gifts, ministries, and manifestations.

• Minister effectively in the power of the Holy Spirit both in the local church and beyond.

PRA1123 Leading with Purpose

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Manage oneself for effective leadership to take place.

• Lead through spirituality plays.

• Manage a ministry with clear direction.

• Lead by goal setting and evaluation.

• Lead through a team; understand key people skills needed to lead a team effectively.

• Lead through change.

MIN1121 Practical Ministry 1 [Year Course]

 

BIB2122 The Pentateuch

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Discuss the historical background and composition of the Pentateuch.

• Demonstrate understanding of the literary structure, historical context, major themes, and theological implications of each book of the Pentateuch.

 

BIB2124 Book of Acts

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Identify the major principles presented in the book.

• Have a general understanding of the whole text of the book.

• Determine the meaning of the more difficult passages in the book.

• Originate practical applications for the principles presented in the book at both a church and a personal level.

• Equipped to make the transition from an interactive text methodology to a research-based method of study

PRA2121 Christian Counselling 1

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Demonstrate broad understanding of Christian counselling as a field within pastoral care, including its terminology, basis, goals, and techniques.

• Appreciate the changes that take place in different stages of life, and use this knowledge to enrich your own life as a counsellor.

• Use the Bible appropriately as a counselling tool for people struggling with personal issues such as anxiety, unforgiveness, depression, and illness.

• Help people to cope better with child rearing, violence, abuse, crises, and grief.

 

THE2121 The Doctrine of Church

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Explain core biblical teachings about the nature of the church.

• Evaluate the way churches operate in the light of the Bible's teaching about the purpose of the church.

• Critically evaluate various Christian views reg

arding models of church govern¬ment, leadership offices in the church and the role of women in ministry.

• Express convictions about the meaning of the rites of baptism and the Lord's Supper based critical, biblical evaluation of a variety of Christian views.

• Demonstrate understanding of your local church.

 

 

PRA3123 Christian Leadership

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

•Explore the process of leadership development

•Demonstrate understanding of what Scriptural leadership should look like.

•Explain the process of how to relate more effectively to those above you, around you, or below you on an organizational chart.

•Discuss how godly leadership can grow Christian ministry and advance God’s kingdom.

•Discuss the dangers of poor leadership.

 

BTh 2

BIB2121 Hermeneutics

The outcomes for this course are as follows:

•  Appreciate the necessity of hermeneutics for ministry.

•  Identify the major historical systems of Biblical interpretation.

•  Apply the principles of evangelical hermeneutics.

 

BIB2123 Historical Books

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Demonstrate understanding of how to interpret narrative texts soundly.

• Express informed convictions regarding introductory issues (e.g., author, date, purpose, unity).

• Demonstrate familiarity with the content of each of the historical books.

• Explain the theological purpose and perspective of individual historical books.

 

BIB2125 Paul's Letters

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Interpret Paul and his letters in the light of his historical and cultural milieu.

• Critically evaluate introductory issues with respect to Paul's letters.

• Demonstrate knowledge of the content of Paul's letters.

• Describe Paul's theology and evaluate its implications for contemporary Christian praxis.

• Apply lessons from the study of Paul's letters to contemporary issues in church and society.

 

THE2122 The Doctrine of Man and Sin

The outcomes for this course are as follows:

• Explain the Bible's clear teachings about the creation of man the world.

• Demonstrate confidence in the Biblical account of creation.

• Explain the Biblical doctrine of the image of God.

• Evaluate theories concerning the constituents of man.

• Describe the nature of sin.

• Demonstrate understanding of original sin.

• Appreciate the devastating consequences of sin.

 

MIS2124 Introduction to Missions

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Define key terms in the field of missions.

• Describe the goal and motives of missions.

• Explain the concept of church planting.

• Discuss issues in 21st century missions.

• Describe different priorities for choosing areas of missionary service.

• Explain the Biblical foundation of missions.

• Evaluate alternate missions' strategies.

• Describe ways of partnership in missions

MIS2123 The Historical Perspective on Missions

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Describe the goal and motives of missions history.

• Explain the major eras in missions history.

• Define key strategies of the expansion of the World Christian Movement.

• Identify key players in the history of modern missions.

• Critically evaluate the growth of Christianity.

 

BIB2124 Book of Acts

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Identify the major principles presented in the book.

• Have a general understanding of the whole text of the book.

• Determine the meaning of the more difficult passages in the book.

• Originate practical applications for the principles presented in the book at both a church and a personal level.

• Equipped to make the transition from an interactive text methodology to a research-based method of study

 

THE2123 The Doctrine of Salvation

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Explain the significance of the humanity and deity of Jesus Christ.

• Explain the meaning and significance of the death of Jesus Christ.

• Describe the implications of the resurrection, ascension and session of the Jesus Christ

• Demonstrate understanding of the doctrines of conversion, justification and regeneration

• Apply a Biblical understanding of sanctification in your ministry.

• Evaluate the Biblical basis for the Calvinist and the Arminian views of the doctrine of perseverance.

• Anticipate the glorious consummation of your salvation.

 

PRA2121 Christian Counselling 1

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Demonstrate broad understanding of Christian counselling as a field within pastoral care, including its terminology, basis, goals, and techniques.

• Appreciate the changes that take place in different stages of life, and use this knowledge to enrich your own life as a counsellor.

• Use the Bible appropriately as a counselling tool for people struggling with personal issues such as anxiety, unforgiveness, depression, and illness.

• Help people to cope better with child rearing, violence, abuse, crises, and grief.

 

PRA2122 Pastoral Ministry

The outcomes for this course are as follows:

• Construct a Bible-based model of the work of a pastor.

• Draft procedures for conducting home and hospital visits.

• Formulate procedures for performing weddings, funerals, baptisms, the blessing of children and holy communion.

• Formulate a procedure for integrating visitors into the church.

• Create ongoing opportunities for members to serve God.

• Devise a plan for establishing a new ministry in your church (e.g., cells, youth, children's, women's, outreach, etc.).

• Describe principles of pastoring in a rural context, a multi-cultural context or a cross-cultural context.

• Implement Biblical disciplinary procedures for dealing with sin in the church body.

 

PRA2123 Homiletics

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Demonstrate understanding of the task of expository preaching.

• Discuss different types of expository preaching.

• Formulate the proposition of an expository sermon.

• Construct a purpose statement and sermon structure.

• Develop effective introductions and conclusions.

• Apply the techniques of effective pulpit speech.

• Analyse the unique challenges presented by diverse preaching contexts or methods: (a) ethical/social issues, (b) children, and (c) storytelling.

 

MIS2122 Contemporary Issues in Missions

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Describe contemporary issues in missiology.

• Describe globalisation and its impact on missions.

• Explain migration and its role in the transformation of global Christianity.

• Evaluate selected issues in contemporary missions.

• Research contemporary issues in missions in your area.

 

MIN2121 Practical Ministry 2 [Year Course]

 

BTh 3

THE3123 Apologetics

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Comprehend the context of Christian apologetics

• Identify and describe various models of doing apologetics.

• Apply Jesus' method of doing apologetics to your current ministerial context, including children.

• Analyse various arguments for the existence of God, Jesus Christ and the integrity of the Bible.

• Deconstruct and refute two New Age philosophies in light of Christian Theism.

• Defend against a number of contextual apologetic issues in both the western and African context.

 

THE3124 Christian Ethics

The outcomes for this course are as follows:

Knowledge

• Define the differences between selected ethical theories.

• Explain the similarities and dissimilarities between African ethics and Western ethics.

• Identify ethical theories that are in conflict with the Bible in particular and Christian ethics in general.

Skills

• Appropriate morality (ethics) as defined in the Bible as a way of life both personally and publicly.

• Apply ethical principles to practical scenarios in a ministry and community context.

• Classify and summarize current ethical issues and think critically about existing practices and suggest ways of improving or rectifying the moral dilemma.

• Assess, interpret and write a research paper on a prescribed topic in Christian Ethics.

Attitudes and Values

• Appreciate the role of the Bible in formulating ethical theories.

• Welcome competing ethical views as an aid for contextualising and presenting your own view.

 

THE3125 Church History

The following are the course outcomes.

•  Identify characteristics of the major periods of church history.

•  Discuss the influence of major historic movements and their leaders.

•  Describe the lives and contributions of key figures in church history.

•  Identify the impact of key moments in the history of the church.

•  Explain the origin and distinctives of prominent Christian denominations.

 

BIB3120 Introduction to Biblical Languages

New, compulsory course.

 

THE3120 Contemporary Issues in Theology

Concept at the moment, to serve as a capstone project for BTh graduates.

 

GEN3121 Theological Research and Writing

BIB3121 The Wisdom Books

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Explain the origin of wisdom in ancient Israel.

• Describe the five major books of wisdom literature in the Old Testament.

• Evaluate the major theological aims of the wisdom books.

 

BIB3122 The General Letters

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Explain main theological themes of the general letters.

• Evaluate the authorship, date, and historical occasion of each general letter.

• Outline and describe the literary structure of each general letter.

 

THE3121 The Doctrine of the Kingdom

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Describe the kingdom of God and evaluate its implications for ministry.

• Evaluate Satan's present rights and status.

• Explain the dynamics of extending the kingdom of God in our time.

• Evaluate modern concepts of ‘spiritual warfare' against Biblical and historic patterns.

• Evaluate the main categories of end-time doctrine.

 

THE3122 The Doctrine of Revelation

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

•  Explain the difference between general revelation and special revelation.

•  Explain the concept of Jesus Christ as the locus of revelation.

•  Defend personal convictions regarding the inspiration, inerrancy and authority of Scripture.

•  Evaluate the Bible's sufficiency as a guide for faith, life and ministry.

•  Use three basic principles of interpretation to evaluate exegesis.

•  Explain the role of contemporary revelation and its relationship to the Scriptures.

 

MIS3121 World Religions

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Describe important characteristics of the African people and the differing religious views they hold.

• Identify and explain pertinent aspects of Islam.

• Explain Jewish Messianic expectations and Jesus Christ.

• Explain the origins, worldview, and major points to the belief system of the Hindu people.

• Demonstrate understanding of the foundations and key influences of Buddhism.

 

 

PRA3121 Conflict and Reconciliation

By the end of this course, you should be able to …

•  Glorify God in conflict situations.

•  Grow to be more like Jesus through conflict.

•  Use conflict situations to serve others.

•  Do everything in your power to facilitate reconciliation with an opponent.

 

PRA3122 Church Management

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

•  Interpret the basic accounts of a church.

•  Design policies and systems for the secure management of cash.

•  Establish and maintain basic office routines and procedures.

•  Draft a church constitution.

•  Make decisions regarding the purchasing of the physical resources necessary for your church.

•  Maintain adequate paper and computerised records.

•  Structure and maintain staff and salary records.

•  Comply with income tax requirements for church staff.

•  Employ Biblical principles of church management.

•  Design a functional management structure for a church based on the size of the congregation.

•  Ensure that performance and productivity are kept at a high level.

•  Ensure that committee and business meetings take place.

 

PRA3123 Christian Leadership

 

PRA3124 Christian Counselling 2

By the end of this course, you will be able to

• Demonstrate awareness of issues involved in group, premarital, and marital counselling.

• Counsel a group of young people in selecting a marriage partner.

• Design a premarital counselling course.

• Design a programme outline for marriage enrichment.

• Provide counselling to a single person or a married couple.

• Demonstrate understanding of family counselling.

• Offer biblical counsel for couples struggling with common causes of divorce.

• Offer biblical counsel for Christians seeking remarriage.

 

BIB3126 Biblical View on Sexuality^*

(^*We will try it for one more year to assess the level of interest.)

The outcomes for this course are as follows:

• Demonstrate understanding and explain why God created one person and two sexes, and what disappointment and destruction follows when His creation order is not honoured.

• Write instruction for others in the intentions of God for sex and relationships, based on Song of Solomon.

• Explain a variety of sexual practices that are not helpful, but harmful to our humanity, and to our relationship with others.

 

MIS3124 Church Planting and Church Growth

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

•  Describe the Biblical warrant for church growth and to be able to identify the signs of a healthy church, so that you can be convinced of the necessity for churches to grow and be able to identify when real growth is taking place and when it is not.

•  Identify the principles of church growth and to know how to apply them within the South African situation, so that you can advise your church on the way towards qualitative and quantitative growth.

•  Recognise possible socio-economic and cultural limitations that may affect the growth of a church in South Africa, so that you will be aware of the social dynamics that affect church growth in South Africa, and as a result, will be able to develop a growth strategy within your church's particular cultural or social situation.

•  Know how to collect and evaluate church growth data and how to plan for and lead the church into growth, so that you will be able to develop a plan for the growth of your church.

 

BIB4121 The Prophetic Books

(Although it is a fourth-year course, it is the missing component of our coverage of the OT.)

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Demonstrate understanding of the titles and functions of the Old Testament prophets.

• Evaluate the hermeneutical principles that have served as the foundation for prophetic interpretation.

• Describe the historical and social background of the Old Testament prophets.

• Demonstrate understanding of the message of these prophetic books

• Summarise of the message of (a) Hosea and (b) Amos.

• Outline the theology of (a) Ezekiel and (b) Daniel.

• Accurately interpret a passage from the prophets.

 

THE4121 African Theology

 

MIN3121 Practical Ministry 3 [Year Course]

 

BIB4125 Biblical Greek 1 [Year Course]

Greek 1 is the first part of a two-part course on New Testament Greek. Only by the end of Greek 2 will you know enough grammar to begin to do exegesis on the Greek New Testament. Therefore, Greek 1 must be studied as the precursor to Greek 2. The course outcome for Greek 1 and 2 together is that by the end of Greek 2 you will be able to …

 

•  Do exegesis on the Greek text of the New Testament.

 

BIB4126 Biblical Greek 2 [Year Course]

By the end of Greek 2, you will know enough Greek to begin to do exegesis of the Greek New Testament. The primary course outcome is…

•  Do exegesis on the Greek text of the New Testament.

 

BIB4127 Biblical Hebrew 1 [Year Course]

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

•  Demonstrate knowledge of basic vocabulary of the Old Testament

•  Parse Hebrew Nouns

•  Parse Hebrew Regular Verbs

•  Translate simple phrases into English

 

BIB4128 Biblical Hebrew 2 [Year Course]

• Demonstrate knowledge of basic vocabulary of the Old Testament.

• Parse Hebrew irregular verbs.

• Demonstrate basic knowledge of Biblical Hebrew syntax, semantics, pragmatics and discourse.

• Translate the books of Ruth and Jonah into your mother tongue and into English