Harvest Bible College - Theology Units

THEOLOGY UNITS

Eschatology and the Theology of the Future

Previous title: The Theology of the Future

This unit examines the basics of core biblical teaching about eschatology and different interpretations and approaches to the future.  Major schools of thought pertaining to the Kingdom of God, end-time events, and life after death are critically evaluated.  Biblical prophecy and revelation from both the Old and New Testaments will be discussed, giving students the opportunity to compare and discuss how these may translate into understandings of eschatological beliefs and consequent pastoral practices.

Healing and Power in Ministry

This is an introductory study of the power of the Holy Spirit in Christian ministry with special attention to the ministry of healing.  Elements of an integrated Christian theology of healing and spiritual power, and the biblical material that that provokes revelation and confrontation, will be considered.  This unit will also compare different Christian approaches to, and models of, healing and power in ministry; not neglecting the cultural factors affecting interpretation of spiritual power, and the implications of this in practice.

Introduction to Theology

This unit introduces and overviews the content and dynamics of Christian theology, examining how we know and understand the Persons of the triune God and His revelation in Scripture.  An examination is made of God’s creation and the redemption of humanity, with a particular focus on the Person and work of Jesus Christ and of the Holy Spirit.  The nature and mission of the Church and perspectives on the future will be briefly overviewed also.

Issues in Apologetics

As well as examining arguments in favour of, and against, the Christian faith, this unit explains the apologetic issues relevant to different religious or cultural groups.  Students will learn how to evaluate an opportunity for apologetics and develop apologetic strategies applicable in the 21st century.

New Testament Theology

With careful attention to definitions and methodologies, this unit delves into the concept of New Testament Theology, reviewing its relationship to the Old Testament and then to systematic theology.  Contexts and themes of the theology of the Gospels, Paul and other New Testament books will be studied, while methods and intentions of their authors are analysed.  Students will begin to synthesize this theology, discussing application of New Testament Theology to their lives, faith, vocation and ministry, and that of those around them.

Person and Work of Christ

This unit familiarises the student with the biblical teachings on the person and work of Jesus Christ, including the various theories of the atonement, free will, and predestination.

Person and Work of the Holy Spirit

This unit discusses of the historical development and biblical foundations of the Christian doctrine of the Holy Spirit. Elemental differences between Pentecostal and other Christian views will be compared. There will also be regular “clinics” to practice prayer and the exercise of spiritual gifts.

Theology of Church

This unit builds on the introductory material on ecclesiology from Introduction to Theology by considering the theological issues of church in greater depth.  This unit describes the nature of the church and its mission in the world, and will equip students with theological principles of church leadership and governance, worship, ministry, pastoral care and mission.  The unit is an adventure into the radical possibilities of the missional church. It aims to introduce the student to the paradigm shifts required to recast the church in a genuinely missional stance in western cultural contexts.

Theology of Mission

Observing key trends and issues arising from contemporary missiology, this unit traces mission back to the historical development of mission themes and principles in the Bible.  From this study, students will be equipped to apply their understanding of theology of mission and explore opportunities where this can be outworked in their personal lives.

Supervised Reading – Theology

This reading unit is intended extend the student’s understanding of a specialised field within Theology that is not catered for in any existing unit or regularly scheduled classes.