Bachelor of Theology

In this qualification, students are exposed to the six traditional disciplines of Christian Theology: Old Testament, New Testament, Systematic Theology, Practical Theology, Church History, and Missiology. The programme also includes modules on Introduction to the Study of Theology, Academic Writing Skills, Bible Languages and Cultures and Principles of Leadership. In addition to this, the two biblical languages, Hebrew and Greek, are also offered, as well as Philosophy and Christian Spirituality modules, as electives.

Studying the Old and New Testaments will provide the student with integrated and applicable knowledge of the contents and message of every biblical book, as well as challenges related to the study, interpretation and responsible application of the Bible. As the sacred text of Christianity, this knowledge is indispensable. In addition, students will also gain an understanding of the social, cultural, historical and political contexts of the biblical world. Students will also be equipped with the necessary skills in hermeneutics and exegesis to interpret the Bible responsibly and relevantly in a modern South African context. The subjects of Biblical Languages and Cultures, Greek and Hebrew, support this course’s critical and in-depth study of the Bible.

The study of Systematic Theology will expose the student to pertinent doctrinal and ethical issues, the church’s dogmas and the development thereof. Applying and evaluating such doctrines and morals in church and society undergird the approach to Systematic Theology to this degree. Adding the elective subject Philosophy further deepens and enriches Systematic Theology by engaging students with vital philosophical texts and concepts directly relevant to society, such as ethics, storytelling, race and ethnicity, and gender.

In Practical Theology, students will be equipped to perform, evaluate, design and develop the full spectrum of ministry skills necessary for the church’s work, including all preaching, teaching and pastoral work. Practical Theology aims to integrate knowledge and praxis of theology in a broad and deep approach. This is further supported by the addition of the THS stream of modules, which provides students with an integrated and interconnected framework for studying theology as a multidisciplinary endeavour. The THS stream of modules is supported by adding a subject related to critical Academic Writing Skills, which provides the student with the support, tools and skills to develop and eventually demonstrate graduateness in theological studies.

In Church History, students will gain valuable knowledge concerning the history of the Christian church worldwide and in South Africa. The issue offers a detailed historical account of the church. It aims to equip the student with the necessary historiographical and conceptual skills to dynamically engage and apply history in the student’s present. In Missiology, students will be provided to responsibly and respectfully perform the church’s missionary mandate, especially in social upliftment and development in complex cultural and communicative settings. As an elective, the further addition of Christian Spirituality also represents a sensitivity to and valuation of the so-called “spiritual turn” in the study of theology and Christian religious practices, which this degree programme recognises as relevant.

Students will thus be equipped to function in all fields of Christian theology and practice in both South African and international contexts. As the main overarching aim of the programme, the student will be able to demonstrate an integrated scope of knowledge of the central areas of theology. The degree programme will enable the study to apply and evaluate the critical theological and religious terms, concepts, facts, propositions, principles, rules and theories. In sum, the student will be able to display a detailed knowledge of the theory and practice of theology, with specialised and critical knowledge in the sub-disciplines of Biblical Studies, Systematic and Practical Theology, Church History and Missiology, along with some of the supporting subjects for these main sub-disciplines.