Bachelor of theology

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The Bachelor of Theology Program (BTH) is an academic theology degree that offers an integrative insight and approach to doing Theology. It is also a professional degree that offers the opportunity for theological reflection on the ministry that the church and its clergy offer.
The intention is to equip candidates and students with the necessary tools needed to apply academic theology to practice. That is, students will learn how to theologize by applying academic knowledge to practical and contextual matters. It will encourage students to apply knowledge derived from other aspects of theology to contemporary issues through rigorous academic theological reflection that is grounded in and informed by the Bible, Tradition and Reason (and in certain context, relevant religious experiences)
It is only through critical analytical approach to theology that one can achieve a more effective and relevant theo-praxis that is rooted in knowledge and Christian theology. In this programme, knowledge gained from biblical tradition and doctrine will be applied to liturgical practice in order to enable sound practical theology that is truly born out of religious and historical traditions.

The theology degree shall consist of 4 sections. Namely,
1. Biblical Traditions
2. Systematic Theology
3. Liturgical and Practical Theology
4. Religious and Historical Tradition

Requirements

BASIC ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
1. Five credits including English and Christian Religious knowledge at a sitting and six credits in the same order at not more than two sittings, previous and higher degree may be added advantage for waiver on some details for admission.
2. AGE LIMIT:  Applicant must not be older than 40 years of age as at September of the enrolling academic year.
3. Involvement in Church ministry and experience will be required.
4. Applicant from the Anglican church shall be recommended by his Diocesan Bishop.
5. DURATION: 4 Academic Sessions of 2 Semesters.
6. PERIOD: September – May ending.

Courses

First Year

Formation Period of Israelite History

The history of Israel from the call of Abraham to her period of servitude in Egypt, the period of the Exodus and the final settlement in the land of Canaan, paying particular attention to the role of Judges as leaders, as well as the nature of the religious community in Canaan, in the context of Christianity and African Culture.

Unit: 2

Introduction to Christian Theology

The course will undertake a general introduction to Christian Theology, its nature and its relationship to philosophy and the method of theology.

Unit: 3

General Introduction to the Study of Religion

Etymology, definition and theories of the origin of religion; approaches to the study, its purposes and difficulties.

Unit: 2

Church Music 1

This course tends to explore the meaning, origin and importance of music to the life of the church and the community as a whole.

Unit: 2

Christian Ethics and Moral Philosophy

Definition of Religious Ethics, its features, theories, Agents, Agencies and methods of articulating religious in Nigerian Society.

Unit: 2

Introduction to Christian Philosophy

This is the study of the main divisions of philosophical theology, the nature of philosophy of religion, attempts to prove or disprove the reality of God; religion and morality. Special philosophical problems such as miracle, magic, superstition, etc will be studied.

Unit: 2

Use of English I

This is an Intensive English Language course specifically designed to help new students to develop correct and appropriate usage of the language. This course is aimed at developing in the students, the listening language skills as well as refining the structure of English appropriately. The different aspects of the grammar of English, such as parts of speech, phrases, clauses, concord, voice, direct and indirect speech, as well as tense, mood and aspects are taught.

Unit: 2

General Studies II: Use of Library

Computer and Information Tech.

This course aims at acquainting students with the various technological innovations and how it affects theological studies.

Unit: 2

Reproductive Health, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus (HIV)

The aim of this course is to provide students with knowledge and critical understanding of reproductive health, human sexuality and sexual health, including epidemiology, prevention and control of sexually transmitted diseases with emphasis on HIV

Unit: 2

Philosophy, Logic Critical Thinking and Writing

This course is meant to introduce students to the meaning and significance of philosophy to human existence as well as the crucial place of critical thinking in any human endeavor.

Unit: 2

Science, Industry and Mankind

This course aimed at explaining why science is a tool for industrial growth and human welfare, putting appropriate behavior and perform brilliantly in a dynamic world and applying simple principles of science to solve day-to-day problems.

Unit: 2

New Testament Greek I

The Greek Alphabets; The basic grammar and syntax with intensive exercises in grammar and translation to Greek sentences

Unit: 2

Introduction to the Literature and Theology of the Synoptic Gospels

The birth of the Synoptic Gospels, the nature of their history, the relatedness to John’s Gospel, the synoptic problem and the current proposed solutions and the place of the synoptic in New Testament studies.

Unit: 2

Preaching and Homiletics

The aims of this course is to introduce systematic preaching. It would consider types of sermons e.g. Expository, textual, topical and biographical sermons. Students will go through the sermon and its structure. The course will teach some principles that should guide types of sermon selection. The course also explores into the qualification of the preacher. The course then proceeds with the homiletic habit. It examines things that a preacher should watch if he is to be the best for God.

Unit: 2

Second Year

Biblical Hebrew I

A brief survey of the nature of the Hebrew Language. The Hebrew alphabet, vowels and elementary sentence construction; translation of selected Biblical materials from Hebrew into English

Unit: 2

Early Church History

The beginning of the Church, the life of the Church up to 600AD. The Government of the Church, the Christian in his community, persecution in the Roman Empire (Lawful and unlawful Religion, the causes of persecution, the extent of persecution) Emperor Constantine and the Church, Early Church Heresies, the role of early Christian Centres in Africa in the development of Christian thoughts, as well as the effects of the controversies on African Christianity.

Unit: 2

Biblical Hermeneutics and Exegesis I

The course is intended to introduce the subject of hermeneutics including its meaning, history, methods and aim of interpretation with special focus on interpreting some genres of the Bible such as Old Testament Prophecy and the New Testament book of Revelation. The aim is to equip the students with some basic tools and appropriate skills needed to rightly interpret the Bible.  To broader issues such as unity and differences within scripture, the relationship of O.T. and N.T. studies, the interaction of biblical and theological studies, and the place of scripture in Nigerian practical ministries.

 

Methods of scientifically deriving theological import from Biblical Corpus through exegetical principles of the hermeneutical circle and parameters for drawing a teaching from the Scriptures enunciated with Biblical exemplars.

Unit: 2

Psychology of Christian Education

This course deals with the psychology of education as well as child and adolescent psychology, dynamics and methods in Christian education.

Unit: 2

Anglican Communion Studies – History and Heritage of the Church of Nigeria

The course is designed to make the students have an indepth knowledge of what Anglicanism means and stand for by making them to formalize themselves to the history and heritage of Anglican Communion studies, books of common prayer, catechism – the number of provinces in the Anglican Communion worldwide, they will equally be made to be well grounded in the growth of the Church of Nigeria.

Unit: 2

Christian Worship

What is worship, characteristics of a true Biblical worship, principles concerning the conduct of public worship, the personality of the leader of a public worship, symbols in public worship, the study of Church building, pillars of Christian worship, strategy of standard worship, worship and mission, the importance of team ministry to worship, motivations to worship, formal and informal worship, the compilation of the Book of Common Prayer, the background to the Liturgical changes, the contents of the Books of Common Prayer, the study of the Book of Common Prayer of the Church of Nigeria.

Unit: 3

Church Music 2

This course tends to explore the meaning, origin and importance of music to the life of the church and the community as a whole.

Unit: 2

Evangelism and Church Planting

The needs, objectives and methods of evangelism are examined in this course. It identifies the strength and weaknesses of each method. The procedures of personal and parish evangelism are emphasized.

Unit: 2

Use of English II

This is a practical-oriented course that builds on the knowledge of grammar acquired in in GNS 101. It teaches students the speaking, reading and especially, writing skills. It dives into vocabulary development along different registers, including literary appreciation and figures of speech of speech.

Unit: 2

Critical Introduction to the Old Testament

Bible as a unique document; the nature of the Old Testament History and the critical problems unsolved in the study of the Old Testament and some of the proposed solutions; the types of literatures contained in the Old Testament.

Unit: 2

Critical Introduction to the New Testament

The formation of the New Testament, the types of literature contained in the New Testament, its Canon, some of the critical issues in the New Testament Studies, as well as theological insight into the New interpretation.

 

Biblical Greek II (Grammar and Syntax)

Review of the Greek Grammar, Morphology through the various Declensions, with Extensive Translation from New Testament Greek to English and vice-versa. Prescribed Text: Gospel According to St. Mark.

Unit: 3

Church Doctrine and Sacraments

The course will present an overview of basic doctrines (creation, God, trinity, Salvation, Sin, etc) and theology of the sacraments; the public and liturgical prayer of the Church, as well as discussion of the two sacr4aments in Evangelical Anglican faith within the context of their roles in the lives of the faithful.

Unit: 3

History of Christian Missions in Nigeria

This course examines the theological foundations and historical development of Christian Mission and history of Christian Mission and Indigenous Churches in West African

The rise and expansion of indigenous churches in West Africa from the late nineteenth century; also how these churches have both influence and enriched Christianity with their own peculiarities.

Unit: 2

Christian Encounter with Islam

This is a study of the foundations of Islam with particular reference to life of the Prophet Mohammed; the basic principles of Islam, the five pillars of Islam, Muslim law, theology and mysticism.

Unit: 2

Dogmatic Theology

A study of selected topics from the decrees of ecumenical councils formulated to correct heretical teachings. The creed of Nicene and the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion are studied in detail. The ways of making the Christian faith meaningful to contemporary Nigerians while avoiding common theology pitfalls are exposed.

Unit: 2

Pastoral Care and Counselling I

The course focuses on the definition, the modern methods and the roles it can play in solving the problems of social, psychological, political and economic factors facing our communities, the church and the world at large.

Unit: 2

Information Communication Technology II

This course aims at acquainting students with the various technological innovations and how it affects theological studies.

Unit: 2

third Year

Hebrew Grammar and Syntax

The various Hebrew conjugations, grammar and syntax, translation of selected prose and poetry materials from Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia

Unit: 3

The Religion of Israel and Judah

The rise of the monarchy in its historical context, paying particular attention to north-south divisions of the states of Israel; the history down to exile and the role of the prophets in Israel with particular reference to Amos, Isaiah, Micah and Hosea.

Unit: 3

Exegesis of St. John

The Origin, literature and theology of St. John’s Gospel’ the exegesis and textual criticism of the gospel, with prescribed texts in Greek and English, the importance of St. John for contemporary Society in Africa

Unit: 3

African Church Fathers

The history of African Church Fathers; their impact on selected doctrines of the Church, the examination of their writings from the period of Clement of Alexandria to Augustine of Hippo

Unit: 3

Christian Ethics in Contemporary Society

This course is meant to expound the ethical teachings of the Old and New Testaments, as well as the contemporary ethical responses to the texts in the scripture. It will also explore modern thoughts, actions and decisions by inquisitive humankind that are having ethical implication for human life and the survival of the planet.

Unit: 3

Religious Research Methods

A study of empirical and non-empirical methods of research and documentations in the study of discipline in religious studies while attention is paid to peculiarities in the Ethics of Research in religious studies.

Unit: 2

Hermeneutics and Exegesis II

Unit: 2

The Reformation

The history of the reformation; the factors which gave rise to it, the reformation in Europe, the counter-reformation and the response of the Church of Africa.

Unit: 3

Introduction to Entrepreneurial Skills

The course aims at re-orientating students towards a job-creation mindset rather than the fixed attitude of job-seeking. It is meant to equip students with the skills required in establishing businesses or making them add value to existing systems, if employed in organizations.

Unit: 2

Development of African Christian Theology

Major themes in Christian Theology from African perspective, such as God, atonement, creation, salvation and eschatology as found in the writings of contemporary theologians in Africa.

Unit: 2

Church Administration and management

This course aims to explain the meaning of administration and management, and its importance as well as exploring the various qualities of a good leader/Manager. Writing of formal letters.

Unit: 2

Pastoralia

This course tends to expose students to the various meanings of pastoralia and the origin of Christian ministry.

Unit: 2

Theology of Ordination

An examination of the theology of ordination, working at the three different theologies of priesthood. It shall review the history of priesthood in the Levitical and New Testament context, while underlining the reformed Anglican position.

Unit: 2

Dialogue among people of different religious persuasion in Nigeria

The concept of interaction; purpose guidelines and problems; consequences of interaction of religions such as coexistence, conflict, adaptation, compromise ,cross-fertilization, syncretism, etc. concrete examples of interaction among adherents of African Indigenous Religion, Christianity and Islam will be examined, as well as the prospect of religious interaction in Nigeria.

Unit: 2

Fourth Year

Theology of the Old Testament

The theology of the Old Testament, with particular attention to themes of theological interest e.g. covenant, salvation, remnant, council of Yahweh, holiness, king, Messiah and Election.

Unit: 2

Christian Encounter with Cults and New

Age Religions

This  course will expose students to an overview of New Age religions in relation with theological perspective.

Unit: 2

Pastoral Care and Counseling II

The theory and practice of Christian Counselling; concept of the whole man; societal problems arising from adolescence, marriages, HIV and AIDS, psychiatry, drug addiction; children and adult delinquency, occultism and poverty in Africa.

Unit: 2

New Testament Theology

Major themes in New Testament Theology, and their relevance to contemporary life in Africa

Unit: 3

Practical Worship

It examines the development of liturgy of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion. This course also involves the practice of certain occasional services; marriage, naming, churching, burial, harvest and thanksgiving.

Unit: 2

History of Indigenous Churches in West Africa

The rise and expansion of indigenous churches in West Africa from the late nineteenth century; also how these churches have both influence and enriched Christianity with their own peculiarities

Unit: 2

Systematic Theology

The nature, sources, scope and functions of Christian theology. The theoretical framework for doing theology will be illustrated with themes from systematic theology

Unit: 3

Ecclesiology

This course is designed to expose the students to the understanding of the term Ecclesiology. To have an in-depth knowledge of the Church as the body of Christ and the various names used by Herbert Lockyer for the Church; to be able to understand the three systems of government in the Church

Unit: 3

Research Dissertation (LONG ESSAY)

Students demonstrate their research and writing skills in the approved topics.

Unit: 6

Service Clinic

Practical

Unit: 4

Christian Apologetics

This course is designed to introduce students to the field of Christian apologetics. Attention will be given to the rationale for apologetics and its place in contemporary society. Students will be introduced to different methodologies in defence of the faith and there will be attention to the central issues in apologetics are addressed; the existence of God, the problem of pain, the authority of the Bible, the supremacy of Christ, creation evolution and other religious. Students are also introduced to the impact of post-modernism in our culture.

Unit: 2

Anglican Polity

Attention is given to the traditional methods of Anglican Church Administration. Examination of the canon law, Church of Nigeria/Diocesan constitutions, vestry meeting etc. Emphasy is laid on record and account keeping.

Unit: 2