The
BTh units begin with a 3 or 4.
The GradDip and MDiv units begin with a 5 or 6.
The content and description of the units are the same whether taken at bachelor or graduate level. However the expectations for depth of studies and assessment requirements are different. Please check the ACTh website.
First Year Units
This unit gives students a basic grasp of the grammar and vocabulary of NT Greek. It will show you how to use Greek dictionaries and other reference tools that will help you to interpret the NT more accurately.
This is a two semester unit that provides a solid grasp of the grammar and vocabulary of New Testament Greek. It also includes translating some four chapters of the Greek New Testament. It lays the foundations for further study. Students should have completed up to Chapter 14 of the text, J W Wenham, The Element of New Testament Greek. Cambridge University Press 1965, available at College Reception for $20 prior to orientation beginning on 27th January 2009.
This unit gives an introduction to the major events, issues, and people in church history from the 2nd to the 16th Centuries, especially those with a significant influence on Christians today.
A continuation of CH301/501—though stands alone—that introduces the major events, issues, and people in church history from the 16th century to our own time.
This unit along with OT302/502 forms the foundation upon which further study of the Old Testament builds. The primary aim is to enable students to read and understand Old Testament texts for themselves, with an awareness of their canonical, historical, archaeological, and theological contexts. This first unit covers texts from Genesis to 2 Chronicles, focusing on law and narrative. Topics of study include creation, Israel’s ancestors, exodus, covenant, settlement in the promised land, rise of the monarchy, David and Solomon, divided kingdom, origins of the prophetic movement.
This unit continues the survey of the canonical shape, historical framework, archaeological background, and theological teaching of the Old Testament. It covers texts from Ezra to Malachi, focusing on prophecy and poetry. Topics of study include eighth-century prophets, seventh-century prophets, exile, post-exilic restoration, psalms, wisdom literature, Daniel and apocalyptic literature.
This is a double unit that provides an overview of the historical framework and theological themes of the New Testament, focussing on the ministry of Jesus, the message of Acts and the New Testament letters.
This preparatory unit examines the importance of systematic theology, takes a bird’s eye view of Christian doctrine and outlines skills on how to do theology. This non-ACTh unit provides an essential preparation for study in the Theology units offered in the second and third year of our courses. This will be offered in second semester 2009.
This Trinity non accredited unit is offered to students as it introduces the structure of the biblical revelation to provide a framework for biblical interpretation and teaching. It concentrates on the progressive revelation of God in history as revealed in the Bible.
Second/Third Year Units
This unit will give you a solid grasp of OT Hebrew grammar and vocabulary and is a good preparation for later exegesis units. You will also learn to read and understand Genesis 1-3.
A study of selected key texts from Genesis, Exodus, and Deuteronomy and the theology of the Pentateuch. The texts are studied in English for OT420, and a smaller selection of texts studied in Hebrew for OT630.
A study of selected psalms in English, and an introduction to their form and meaning, as well as methods to enable their interpretation and application.
A study of selected texts from Isaiah in English, within an overview of the whole book, as well as introduction to the theological content and historical context of the book.
Exegesis of the English text of Amos, and Isaiah 1-12, as well as theological themes of the Eighth-Century Prophets.
A study of selected texts from Matthew within an overview of the whole book and its theology within recent interpretation.
A study of selected texts from 1 Corinthians within an overview of the whole book and its theology within recent interpretation.
This detailed study of the Gospel of John and its theology and context aims to give you a clear grasp of its message and importance.
This detailed study of selected texts, in addition to the examination of the whole book is intended to give students a firm grasp on this controversial central text of the New Testament and Christianity.
This detailed study of James, 1 Peter and 1 John aims to give you a clear grasp of their message in its original context. In doing so, it will also develop your ability to interpret the Bible accurately, to respond to its message faithfully, and to communicate that message effectively.
An exploration of God’s work as Revealer, as Creator, and as Ruler of nature and history as understood from Scripture and the history of interpretation and theology with implications for today.
A study of the Godhead and the saving work of Christ, entailing a thorough examination of the biblical foundations and historical development of these doctrines.
How the redemption that Christ has accomplished on the cross is applied to the Christian; how the future has invaded the present in Christ’s work; and what the main future events will look like.
An examination of the nature and purpose of the Christian gathering, sacraments and leadership in the light of Scripture and the history of the church.
This unit explores the doctrine of the church and sacraments with an emphasis on the development of these doctrines throughout Christian history. The major statements concerning the church will be examined and evaluated.
A detailed study of the people, events, and issues in one of the most important periods in the history of the Church. It will also help you to assess the significance of the Reformation for Christian life and service today.
Communicating the Gospel to our world is a crucial part of our Christian calling. This unit explores the Biblical foundations, and considers a variety of evangelistic contexts, models, and methods of evangelism. Practical component forms the heart of the unit.
This unit seeks to foster an understanding of the nature of culture from a Biblical perspective, the character and development of the Australian culture and its multicultural dimensions, cross-cultural communication, contextualisation and the implications of this for ministry, including a study of different models of dealing with ethnic and cultural diversity in Australia and overseas.
A study of the theme of mission throughout Scripture along with its implications.
In this unit we will be looking at what the scriptures teach about the spiritual life lived in obedience to God, and at how this has been put into practice in a number of Christian traditions.
This introduction to pastoral care examines its biblical basis and characteristics, considers its social dimensions, explores appropriate ways of caring in the major areas of human need, and helps develop skills for effective pastoral care.
This unit provides an investigation of the biblical, theoretical, and practical aspects of Christian leadership with a view to laying foundations for those who will enter pastoral, parachurch, or missionary ministries.
This unit will equip you to be effective as a Christian public speaker or preacher. It examines the relevant biblical principles, and introduces you to important methods, resources, and skills. It also gives you supervised opportunities for “learning by doing”.
This unit seeks to introduce and facilitate an understanding of the skills involved in practical ministry in particular ministry settings. The unit will provide the opportunity for students to examine principles and reflect on and integrate thinking with respect to philosophical issues, including cross-cultural education, pluralism and ethnicity and the exercise of informed critical judgement on programs of education within the church or nation. It will also encourage students to examine these principles in the light of biblical perspectives and contemporary theological understanding.
This unit will have two elements
1. Theoretical Study and
2. Field Work. The field work will involve either not less than 200 hours experience (with supervision) in a local congregation OR a period of continuous residence (with supervision) of not less than six weeks duration in a local congregation.
In both cases the expectation is that approx 120 hours will be spent in actual ministry, 60 hours will be spent in preparation and writing up verbatim for supervisors and 20 hours of reflection upon practical experience.
Projects will be undertaken by all Master of Divinity students in their final year. The ACTh requires candidates to have completed 8 credit points of advanced level subjects in the field of study in which they wish to undertake their project. The project needs to be on a topic that includes substantial exegesis of Old and/or New Testament texts in their original language. Student projects can be in Old Testament, New Testament, Theology, Pastoral Ministry, or Language. Please see the Dean of Studies for specific options to ensure you have enough pre-requisites.
It is the student’s responsibility to organise a meeting with their supervisor
before March 3rd (first semester) or August 3rd (second semester).