John Rietveldt, the subject writer, states:

'Ecclesiology is the place where theology meets culture, is the context from within which corporate worship is experienced, and church and/or denominational traditions are shaped. In a postmodern church “supermarket” age, it is timely to explore Scripture and the rise of the church, to explore the twists and turns in the trail of the church through church history, and to survey the contemporary horizon of churches and their practices in Australia today. Students will be stretched in each of these areas, before being asked to articulate the core of what ecclesiology ought to be and look like today.

'The subject comprises of three main parts: the formation of the church from the book of Acts – especially following Paul the church-planter; as well as an overview of the Pauline epistles and the values, words, descriptors and calling he attributes to the various churches to whom he writes.

The second section has to do with a journey through church-history, which is a limited but focussed look at key, nodal moments in the church’s development. It includes the church before and after Constantine ; some of the ecumenical creedal development and its contexts; one of the key fountain-heads of both Catholicism and Protestantism in the person of Augustine; the reformation and some of the key groups that contributed to it: scholarship, politicians, the Catholic Church, the reformers, and the radical reformers. The journey includes a bird’s eye view of Luther and his 95 theses that set the world aflame, as well as John Calvin; and concludes with a finely written essay of the current church scene.

The third section, and by far the major section of the unit, is pre-eminently practical. Students are asked to interview pastors or leaders from 5 different churches (other than their own), two of which must be church-plants. They are to research the history, the structure and organisation, as well as the mission and purpose of the churches they visit and compile a report. Then, using their findings, apply the same process to their own local church, before drafting a theoretical report of what church should be all about. '

Knowing God is divided into four modules. The first looks at contemporary ‘god’ concepts, and at the biblical God in his holiness, trinity and eternity. The second module looks at God as Creator and Sovereign, and asks challenging questions arising from the concept of sovereignty. In the third module God is seen as both the Judge and the Saviour. The fourth module looks at the person of the Holy Spirit; here God the Holy Spirit is studied as he draws near to man in revelation, salvation and sanctification.

This highly impactive and disturbing subject investigates a range of contemporary ethical questions from a Biblical perspective. 

Subject outline

Issues of the sanctity of human life

The Biblical view of Man

Abortion

Euthanasia and suicide

Bioethical issues

Sexual and family issues

Biblical Foundations

Sexual issues in contemporary society

Marriage, divorce and remarriage

Family issues

Issues of social concern

Developing a Christian view of suffering

Global poverty

Addictions

Racism and discrimination

Issues of personal concern

The Christian, politics, war, and the environment

The Christian, the media and entertainment

The Christian work ethic

The Christian and alternative therapies

Each module is followed by a session for presentation and discussion of research projects.  

The Major Ministry Project provides the participants with hands on training in developing and leading effective ministry programs in the ministry area of their choice, determined and supported by the Christian community. The leadership role will include recruiting, training and coordinating volunteers for the ministry program, providing direction and promotion of the ministry programs, processes and outcomes, and influencing effective Christian ministry practice, in or on behalf of the Christian community.

Mentoring for Life and Ministry trains and equips the participant to mentor others in the context of Christian life or ministry. For the practical component of this module, participants may select from mentoring new believers; [mentoring believers in Christian discipleship, or mentoring those working in a specific Christian ministry or mission role.

John Rietveldt, the subject writer, states:

'Students investigate the role and shaping of missions through the book of Acts, then trace the history of missions from that period through to the modern day. Students will examine the missional practice of their own local church, and discuss and evaluate the strengths and contexts of differing traditions through the history of the church.'

New Testament Studies 2 provides a comprehensive, challenging and life-changing study of the Letter to the Romans.

This subject includes:

Paul’s summary of the gospel

Why a ‘righteousness from God’ is necessary

Justification by faith: the gift/grace nature of gospel righteousness

Justification by faith: the work of Jesus Christ on the cross

Justification by faith: how it impacts our view of ourselves

Justification by faith: what about Abraham?

Justification by faith: its radical and liberating implications

Where do you see yourself? – in Adam, or in Christ?

Questions Paul confronts provoke a deeper explanation of the gospel.

The Christian survival mindset in the presence of suffering and sin

Paul returns to his question about the Jews

Applying the gospel mindset to our daily choices

Theology in Action uses the Lord’s Prayer as a foundation from which to define Christian theology.

From each phrase of the Lord’s Prayer you will learn what it means for a human sinner to live - to pray and worship - in the presence of the holy, majestic, sovereign God who calls himself ‘our Father’.

From each phrase of this prayer you will come to understand what it means for you to live as a child of this powerful and passionate Father in the midst of the lost and suffering world.

It breaks down into ten topics:

God is our Father

Our God is 'in heaven'

Seeking God's honour

Commitment to God's kingdom

Passionate about God's will

Attitudes of dependence and trust

Sinners in the presence of the holy God

Prayer, worship and service in the context of pressure

Boundaries

Contemporary perceptions