PS-5003 Orientation to Theological Studies

Every Christian is a theologian, say Grenz and Olson. Learn what that calling involves and gain the basic tools for theological study, interpretation, preaching and research.

This first course of the Master of Arts follows six books and two chapters of a seventh. It lays the ground for the whole programme.

What you will study

• What theology is, who does it, and why good theology matters
• The tasks and tools of theology in its cultural setting
• The global church and its mission, joining word and deed
• Interpreting the Bible: what a text meant then, and what it says now
• A method of exegesis for preaching and teaching
• Expository, Christ-centred preaching
• How Jesus and Paul formed people for ministry
• Research thinking and writing, and the shape of a thesis

Course materials

• Who Needs Theology? (Stanley J. Grenz and Roger E. Olson), a textbook you obtain
• The New Global Mission (Samuel Escobar), a textbook you obtain
• How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth (Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart), a textbook you obtain
• Toward an Exegetical Theology (Walter C. Kaiser Jr.), a textbook you obtain
• Christ-Centered Preaching (Bryan Chapell), a textbook you obtain
• Reenvisioning Theological Education (Robert Banks), chapters 3–4, a textbook you obtain
• Quality Research Papers (Nancy Jean Vyhmeister), a textbook you obtain
• The Bible