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Whichever BA course and location you choose, there are two vital subject areas you’ll explore throughout the duration of your studies.

“A deep understanding of God’s Word is the proper foundation for all ministry.”
– Alistair McKitterick, lecturer.

Core modules

There are two vital subject areas you’ll explore throughout the duration of your studies.

Theological Studies: The study of God

Theology means the study of God. It is hard to think of a more exciting and inspiring topic of study than who God is and what he’s done.

Underlying all of our teaching is a commitment to theological reflection on what the Bible teaches, and how Christians have understood that teaching over the centuries.

Theological Studies allow us to interact with and apply this body of knowledge to our own lives and ministry. We explore questions such as “Who is God?”, “What is the Trinity?”, “How can Jesus be both a finite man and Almighty God?”, “What happened when Jesus died on the cross?”, and “Can a Christian lose their salvation?”. Whilst such questions generate plenty of controversy among Christians, we establish a clearly-evangelical worldview in which to engage them.

Biblical Studies: The Word of God

Biblical Studies gives you the opportunity to delve into the world of the Old and New Testaments, and to see how the biblical authors reveal who our God is and how we relate to him.

The foundation of any Christian college must be Scripture, as it is only through studying the Word of God that we begin to understand ourselves, our faith and the world within the mind of Christ.

Biblical Studies takes you on a journey of discovery; you are introduced to the archaeology, culture and political landscape of the changing fortunes of Israel—leading up to a focus on what life was like in first century Judea, and beyond. The Gospels describe a world where God’s people were looking for God to act powerfully to fulfil his promises. What did it mean for a first-century believer to expect the arrival of the Kingdom of God? In what way did the Lord Jesus fulfil these expectations, and how does the Church faithfully continue the work that Jesus began?

We teach a diverse and compelling range of modules, to equip you with sound theological understanding of contemporary issues and to prepare you for impacting the Church and the world.

BA (Hons) Applied Theology: Core modules (Years 1–3)

Theological Studies: The Study of God

  • Christian Doctrine 1 B121
    A basic introduction to Christian beliefs and doctrine, with discussion on the possibility of knowing God.
  • Contexts of Faith B123
    An overview of the contexts in which Christianity is located today, covering Christianity’s historical development, other religious traditions, and contemporary British multi-cultural society.
  • Church and Community B132
    An introduction to the theology and practice of the Church’s mission, focusing on the concepts, language and principles of community involvement.
  • Christian Doctrine 2 B221
    The next stage in understanding Christian doctrine; including creation, humanity, salvation and eschatology.
  • Frameworks for Applied Theology B231
    An understanding of the development of discipline, covering various models of theological reflection and consideration of the social sciences.
  • Leadership and Management B356
    A critical evaluation of current trends in the field of management and leadership development, focusing on a critical evaluation of a practitioner and theological reflection on management and leadership issues.

Biblical Studies: The Word of God

  • New Testament 1 B111
    An introduction to the social world of the New Testament era, covering the cultural and religious background to the ministry of Jesus and Paul.
  • Old Testament 1 B112
    An overview of the Old Testament, focusing on its historical and geographical background.
  • Hermeneutics B115
    An introduction to biblical interpretation and the idea of reading a text in its literal, social and historical-cultural context.
  • New Testament 2 B211
    Further exegetical interaction with a variety of New Testament texts, and an exploration of key theologies contained within them.
  • Old Testament 2 B212
    A consideration of key themes in Old Testament theology, such as the Torah and how to interpret it from a variety of perspectives.
  • Biblical Theology B311
    An engagement with the discipline and methodology of biblical theology, exploring major theological beliefs within a canonical context.

    Optional modules (years 1–3)

    • New Testament Greek 1 B117
      Christchurch campus-based only
      An introduction to New Testament Greek as a tool for New Testament exegesis.
    • Biblical Hebrew B216
      Christchurch campus-based only
      An understanding of the grammar, syntax, and vocabulary of biblical Hebrew.
    • New Testament Greek 2 B217
      Christchurch campus-based only
      An equipping for the translation and interpretation of Greek and New Testament texts, enhancing skills in grammar and vocabulary.
    • Church Leadership B261
      A biblical and theological understanding of Christian leadership in the context of the local congregation, exploring issues such as servant leadership, pastoral care and preaching.
    • Preaching and Communication B262
      An understanding of preaching and how to continue to develop the ability to communicate biblical truth. The module explores the biblical basis for preaching and examines the skillset required for effective teaching of God’s Word.
    • Exploring the Mission of God B263
      An exploration of the mission of God, including the roles of evangelism and church planting and how it can be applied in a variety of cultural contexts.
    • Working Cross-culturally B267
      A preparation for students to work cross-culturally by developing an empathetic understanding of culture, religious beliefs and practices.
    • Missional Youth Work B271
      South West Regional Centre only
      An introduction to the professional study of missional youth work, focusing on essential concepts of informal education, spiritual development and developmental theories.
    • Intergenerational Ministry and Community Development B273
      An in-depth consideration of working across the generations in communities, looking particularly at transitions and interventions when working with children, young people and families.
    • Old Testament Exegesis—Hebrew Texts B316
      Christchurch campus-based only
      An opportunity to apply an understanding of Hebrew language through the reading and exegesis of different genres of the Hebrew text.
    • New Testament Theology—Greek Texts B317
      Christchurch campus-based only
      An opportunity to further understand New Testament theology through interaction with the Greek text, majoring on important ethical and theological passages.
    • Biblical Backgrounds B318
      An equipping to enrich appreciations of the historical and cultural background of written biblical texts.
    • Reformation Theology B322
      A dialogue with some of the major personalities of the protestant reformation, exploring its contemporary application.
    • Christian Spirituality B324
      An exploration of spirituality through primary texts, and to evaluate other Christian traditions through study and experience of at least one such tradition.
    • Family Development and Interventions B362
      A critical examination of the place of theology in—and its interface with—family development, ministry and crisis intervention.
    • Apologetics and Contemporary Culture B364
      An introduction to worldview and philosophical trends that have shaped contemporary thinking, equipping students to understand and respond to common challenges to the Christian faith.
    • Pastoral Care B366
      An equipping to help improve people-care skills, and an understanding of pastoral practice with biblical and theological material.
    • Worship B367
      A critical overview of the biblical perspectives on worship provides the foundation for engaging with contemporary approaches.

        Professional Studies options (year 3)

        • Cross-cultural Professional Studies B331
          Excl. South West Regional Centre
          An equipping for students to engage in cross-cultural Christian work to a professional standard, focusing on theologies of the purpose and methods of mission, other religions, strategies for mission and practical issues of living, communicating and working in cross-cultural environments.
        • Missional Leadership Professional Studies B332
          What does it mean to engage with the mission of God in the 21st century? This module looks at the character and gifting of effective missional leaders. Areas to be explored include evangelism, church planting, personal resilience, discipleship and growing healthy churches.
        • Missional Children, Families and Community Work Professional Studies B335
          An enabling for students called to this field of ministry to confidently engage with family work and ministry; in the context of theological reflection on ministry and vision, the welfare system, and early years intervention.
        • Professional Studies in Missional Youth Work B338
          South West Regional Centre only
          Students master a level of understanding of social policy through study of debates around issues of truth, justice and love. The module is grounded by ethical considerations and seeks to enable students to own their position as a professional youth and children’s work practitioner. Student-led seminars make an essential contribution towards this.

            Practice modules 1A–3B

            A practice module is a crucial part of your BA studies every year. A placement, in which you participate regularly, provides a grounding in practice for the learning of the module. The module provides key communication skills and core competences for practice in both church and non-church settings, ultimately helping you to become a more effective practitioner.

                  BA (Hons) Applied Theology (Youth and Community Work)

                  Excl. South West Regional Centre

                  Covering the core Theological Studies and core Biblical Studies modules mentioned above, plus a choice of some optional modules, this course also includes the following:

                        Core Youth and Community Work modules (years 1–3)

                        • Youth and Society B133
                          An introduction to the theology and practice of the Church’s mission and work with young people and communities.
                        • Working with Young People and Informal Education B264
                          An introduction to the professional and theological study of youth work and ministry. The module frames youth work theologically with essential concepts of informal education, equalities and developmental theories.
                        • Youth and Community Work Professional Studies B334
                          A double module enabling students to master a level of understanding of professional issues through study of debates around issues of truth, justice and love. The module engages with a diverse range of developmental contexts of young people, such as digital spaces, residential work, the political arena, social policy and entrepreneurial youth work.

                              Youth Work Practice modules 1A–3B

                              As part of your studies, you’ll take a practice module each year. A placement, in which you participate regularly, provides a grounding in practice for the learning of the module. The module provides key communication skills and core competences central to the professional formation of youth and community work practitioners in both church and non-church settings.

                                    It opened the doors of a totally new world…” 
                                    – 
                                    Hulya, studying the New Testament 1 module.