Christian Foundations Course Descriptions

Semester 1

Academic Literacy

This course develops the student’s ability to study, read and write in academic and non-academic settings. In addition, it is designed to develop and enrich the student’s understanding of advanced skills in academic literacy and to further their knowledge and understanding of computer and information literacy. Effective Christian ministry requires skill in reading and competency in clear written communication, which this course seeks to develop.

Missions, Evangelism and Discipleship

This course is designed to teach the student to understand the church’s evangelistic mission throughout church history and in the world. It will challenge students to think biblically about the theology and practice of Christ-centred witness, missions and discipleship as they investigate the full range of what it means to reach the unreached, both locally in Africa and globally, and how to properly disciple converts to the Christian faith.

Christian Education

This course equips the student to educate children, adolescents and adults holistically. This course teaches educational strategies with a strong emphasis on the biblical foundations for Christian education in theology and family dynamics. Students learn to lead effective church-based ministries and develop introductory skills in the traditional classroom setting.

Hermeneutics

This course is an introduction to hermeneutics – the interpretation of the Bible. It is designed to give students a general understanding of the Bible, its books, and the different types of literature used in it, while developing the skills to interpret the Bible effectively. It includes an historical survey of past methods and mistakes underlining the importance of the historical-grammatical approach.

Theology 1: Scripture

This course is an introduction to the discipline of theology and the doctrine of Scripture, or Bibliology. Topics include revelation, inerrancy, inspiration, the development of the canon of Scripture, illumination, and characteristics of Scripture.

Semester 2

Early and Medieval Church History

This course is an introductory survey of the history of the Church from the Apostolic Period beginning at Pentecost (AD 30) to the start of the Protestant Reformation (AD 1517). Key political, cultural, and theological factors will be investigated both in the early centuries of the Christian faith and through the Medieval period.

New Testament Studies 1: Synoptic Gospels

This course is an introduction to the Synoptic Gospels and their message in the historical, cultural, and religious contexts of the first century. This course will address the various issues involved in the interpretation of these Gospels. It will provide an overview of the ministry and teaching of Jesus, and the purpose and theology of each of the Synoptic Gospels. There will be a particular focus on Mark’s Gospel in this course.

Old Testament Studies 1: Pentateuch

This course builds upon the foundations that are laid in Old Testament Studies 1: Introduction and applies them to the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The specific canonics of each book are examined with a view to understanding the primary theological issues and trajectories they describe within redemptive history. Additionally, the student will be introduced to various issues surrounding the origin of the earth within a biblical framework.

Theological Ethics 1

This course examines the questions of right and wrong from a biblical perspective. Alternative ethical options are briefly mentioned, while the principles involved in making Christian ethical decisions are examined from both Old and New Testaments. Contemporary social ethical problems are presented by student research and discussed by all. Global and local issues are also covered.