Welcome to the Diploma in Theology program at Rhema Theological College. Our comprehensive course is designed to provide students with a deep understanding of theological concepts, practical skills, and a holistic approach to ministry. Below is an overview of the courses offered:
INTRODUCTION TO SCRIPTURES
- What do you mean by the term, “SCRIPTURE?” Is the scripture, Genesis to Revelation?
- APOCRYPHA
- Exploring why the Old Testament is in Hebrew and New Testament in Greek.
- What language Jesus was speaking in the world? Was it Hebrew, Greek, Aramaic or Latin etc
UNDERSTANDING THEOLOGY
- What is theology and why do we do Theology?
- The relationship between Theology, Anthropology and Philosophy
- What are the different types of Theology, eg
- Paterology, biblical theology; historical theology; systematic theology and practical theology. We also have contextual theology
- Understanding Systematic Theology: Christology, Soteriology, Pneumatology, Haematology, Trinitarian Theology, Eschatology, etc
BIBLE SURVEY
- The Brief Overview of the Scripture from Genesis to Revelation. It is divided into 2. Old Testament Survey & The New Testament Survey.
- Old Testament comprises 39 books and the New Testament, 27 books making altogether, 66 books.
- When was the beginning of the Old & New Testament in the bible?
- Why do we have some books removed? And what is the Biblical Canon?
- What are the conditions for biblical Canon?
- Who are the Desert Fathers, the founding fathers and their relationships with the arrangement of the scriptures?
- What is Septuagint and its differences and similarities with the Hebrew Bible?
TORAH
- What is Torah?
- The relationship between law and grace
- Does grace keep us away from keeping the law?
- What are the different types of law?
- What are ritual laws, divine laws etc?
DOCTRINE OF TRINITY
- Understanding the position of The Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
- Their appearances in the Old and New Testament, and their impact in the entirety of the scriptures
- Does God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit share the same essence?
- Why Trinity is a difficult subject to explain.
- Is Trinity the same as Tritheism or Monotheism?
- The position of the Father, Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit in the Trinity.
JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH
- What is faith and is faith and why Hebrews 11:1 refers to faith as “Substance?”
- Is Faith in the Old Testament different/similar from Faith in the New Testament?
- Importance of the Subject of Justification by Faith
- Justification, Sanctification and Glorification
- Faith Works and Law
THE KINGDOM OF GOD
- Understanding the concept of the kingdom of God
- The difference between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Heaven
- Understanding Jesus statement, “The Kingdom of God is within you”
CHURCH HISTORY
- What is “Church” and why study church history?
- Understanding the History of the church from the beginning
- The Theology of the upper room church in Relation to Pentecostalism
- Christianity started from the Jewish soil.
- Persecution of the early Christians, Edict of Milan, Reformation and post-Constantinian era.
ESCHATOLOGY
- The concept of the Rapture of the church
- When will the rapture occur in relation to tribulation?
- The difference between Rapture and Christ’s second coming
- Will children be involved in the rapture?
- Understanding Tribulation
HOMILETICS
- What is homiletics?
- Steps and guides to prepare a good sermon
- Sermon plagiarism
- Different types of sermon
- Sermon and message
CHRISTIAN & PASTORAL COUNSELLING
- The need for counselling
- Christian and Pastoral Counselling
- Handling and overcoming depression, frustration, grief etc
- The place of counselling and prayer
- Counselling and mental health
SAFEGUARDING
- What is Safe Guarding?
- Safe guarding and ministry
- Safe Guarding and ministers
- Safe guarding of Adult, Young adult and children
- Dangers and consequences
- Understanding the laws and regulations.
LEADERSHIP IN MINISTRY
- What is ministry and what ministry is not?
- Conditions for engaging in ministry
- Attributes of a true leader
- The need and value for leadership
- What is leadership
- Becoming the leader
- Principles of leadership
- The art of leading: How to actually do it
- The cost and price of leadership
ETHICS, CHRISTIAN & PASTORAL ETHICS
- Various department of ethics
- Why doing ethics in ministry?
- The presence and problem of evil
- Understanding euthanasia
- How ethics influences the church
CHRISTIAN HOME AND MARRIAGE
- What constitute a Christian home?
- God’s concept of marriage and the church of Christ
- The true concept of divorce
DOCTRINE OF PRAYER
- What is prayer and what prayer is not?
- If God is sovereign why then do we pray?
- If God cannot be influenced by man, why do we pray?
- What is correct posture of prayer
- Does prayer actually produce answers?
- Different types and levels of prayer
- Reasons for prayerlessness
- Hindrances to prayer
- Correlations and connections between prayer and fasting
EVANGELISM
- The need for Evangelism.
- Evangelism in the Old testament compared to the New Testament era
- Failures in evangelism
- Who is an evangelist?
- The message of evangelism
- The process of evangelism
- The un-churched and the de-churched
- Different types of evangelism
FIVE-FOLD MINISTRY
- Definitions of the offices
- Connection between the five-fold office and the church of Christ.
- The misconceptions surrounding the five- fold ministries
KINGDOM MINISTER & MINISTRY
- What is ministry and what ministry is not?
- Conditions for engaging in kingdom ministry
- The theology of the corporate mandate
- Stewardship in ministry
- Different levels of calling; generality and peculiarity
CHAPLAINCY
- Who is a chaplain?
- What constitute a good chaplain?
- Difference between pastors and chaplains.
- Functions of pastors compared to chaplains
- Government involvement
Join us at Rhema Theological College as we embark on this transformative journey, equipping you with the knowledge and skills to serve and lead in various ministry contexts.
Year 1
Semester 1:
- The Origin of Man & Sin: Understanding religious and cultural views on creation and sin.
- Interpersonal Communication and Conflict Management: Mastering the art of communication and relationship management.
- Management by Objectives: Applying management principles in theological settings.
- Incarnation: Delving deep into the Christian belief of God’s human form.
- Hermeneutics: Introduction to spiritual hermeneutics and exegesis vs. eisegesis.
Semester 2:
- African Theology & Religions: Exploring the historical relationship between Africa and Christianity.
- Pneumatology: The Ministry of the Holy Spirit: Understanding the Holy Spirit’s nature, work, and baptism.
- Advanced Church History: A journey through early Christianity and theological development.
- Reformation Pattern: Understanding Martin Luther’s impact and the beginnings of the Protestant Reformation.
- Advanced Leadership and Administration: Grasping the essence and principles of leadership.
Year 2
Semester 1:
- Environmental Analysis and Principles: Applying environmental analysis in theological contexts.
- Ethics: Delving into the core principles of confidentiality, compassion, and integrity.
- Liturgy & Order: Understanding liturgy, faith, and religious practices.
- Youth Ministry: Exploring teachings, worship, and community building for the youth.
- Church and Media: Navigating the digital church and understanding the role of media in ministry.
Semester 2:
- Safeguarding & Ministry: Learning about church safeguarding principles and practices.
- Church and Community Engagement: Engaging with the church and community for spiritual growth.
- Systematic Theology: Introduction to systematic theology and its importance.
- Philosophy: Exploring the relationship between philosophy, religion, and theology.
- Advanced Counselling: Introduction to mental health, relationships, and personal growth in counseling.
Year 3
Semester 1:
- Christian Ministry: Exploring various facets of ministry, from pastoral care to media outreach.
- Hermeneutics (Advanced): Delving deeper into Christocentric and Christotelic interpretations.
- Advanced Church History (Continued): Exploring church councils, and the Reformation and Counter-Reformation periods.
- Reformation Pattern (Advanced): Delving into the spread of the Reformation and the Counter-reformation.
- Advanced Leadership and Administration (Continued): Mastering the art of leading and understanding the costs of leadership.
Semester 2:
- Systematic Theology (Advanced): Deep dive into systematic theology and its various disciplines.
- Philosophy (Advanced): Exploring deeper philosophical concepts related to theology.
- Advanced Counselling (Continued): Delving into emotional intelligence, addiction, and advanced counseling techniques.
- Liturgy & Order (Advanced): Deepening understanding of set order and advanced religious practices.
- Youth Ministry (Advanced): Advanced strategies for youth engagement, worship, and community building.
Entry Requirements for Degree in Theology
1. Academic Qualifications:
- A Levels: A minimum of 2 A-levels with grades C or above, preferably including Religious Studies or a related subject.
- BTEC National Diploma: A Merit or Distinction profile in a relevant subject area.
- Access to Higher Education Diploma: A minimum of 60 credits, of which at least 45 must be at Level 3 and 15 at Level 2. These should be in a relevant subject area.
2. GCSEs:
- A minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade C/4 or above, including English Language. Mathematics is also recommended.
3. Alternative Qualifications:
- International Baccalaureate (IB): A minimum score of 24 points, with at least one humanities subject at Higher Level.
- Scottish Highers: A minimum of 4 Highers at grade C or above, including Religious Studies or a related subject.
- Other recognized qualifications equivalent to the above will also be considered.
4. English Language Proficiency:
- For non-native English speakers, an IELTS score of 6.0 (with no component less than 5.5) or equivalent recognized English language qualification.
5. Personal Statement:
- All applicants should submit a personal statement detailing their interest in theology, any relevant experiences, and reasons for choosing the program at Rhema Theological College.
6. References:
- At least one academic reference is required. If the applicant has been out of education for a significant period, a professional reference may be accepted.
7. Interview:
- Some applicants may be invited for an interview, either in person or via video conference, to further assess their suitability for the program.
8. Additional Considerations:
- Mature students (those over 21) without traditional qualifications are encouraged to apply and will be considered based on relevant work experience, professional qualifications, and life experiences.
- Applicants with a strong background in church or community service, or those with significant experience in religious or theological settings, may be given special consideration.
For a Degree in Theology program, especially one as comprehensive as the one at Rhema Theological College, a range of facilities and resources are essential to ensure a holistic and effective learning experience. Here’s a proposed list:
Facilities:
Lecture Halls: Spacious rooms equipped with modern audio-visual equipment to facilitate lectures and presentations.
Seminar Rooms: Smaller rooms designed for group discussions, seminars, and tutorials.
Library: A well-stocked library with:
- A vast collection of theological books, journals, and periodicals.
- Digital resources, e-books, and online journal subscriptions.
- Quiet study areas and group discussion rooms.
Computer Labs: Equipped with up-to-date software relevant to theological studies and research.
Chapel: A space for worship, reflection, and spiritual growth. It can also serve as a practical space for students studying liturgy or pastoral care.
Counseling Rooms: For students specializing in pastoral care or counseling, offering a private space for mock counseling sessions.
Workshop Spaces: Areas designed for practical sessions, such as liturgical practices or church administration workshops.
Cafeteria/Canteen: Providing meals and refreshments for students and staff.
Student Common Rooms: Spaces for relaxation, interaction, and informal discussions among students.
Accommodation: On-campus housing facilities for students, especially those coming from outside Manchester.
Recreation Facilities: Including green spaces, sports facilities, and areas for relaxation and leisure.
Careers:
Clergy/Pastor/Minister: Leading congregations, providing spiritual guidance, and conducting religious ceremonies.
Youth Minister: Working with young people within a religious context, organizing events, and providing spiritual mentorship.
Chaplain: Providing spiritual support in institutions such as hospitals, prisons, military bases, and schools.
Religious Educator: Teaching theology or religious studies at secondary schools, colleges, or universities.
Missionary: Working domestically or internationally to spread religious teachings and provide humanitarian aid.
Church Administrator: Managing the daily operations, finances, and events of a church or religious organization.
Religious Writer or Journalist: Writing articles, books, or producing content related to theology, spirituality, or religious matters.
Counselor: Offering spiritual or therapeutic guidance, especially in faith-based settings.
Religious Broadcaster: Producing or presenting religious programs for TV, radio, or online platforms.
Church Music Director: Leading and organizing music-related activities and choirs within a religious setting.
Biblical Historian/Archaeologist: Researching historical aspects of religious texts or conducting excavations related to biblical history.
Non-profit/Charity Worker: Working in faith-based NGOs or charities, focusing on humanitarian efforts, community outreach, or advocacy.
Progression Opportunities:
Postgraduate Studies: Pursuing a Master’s or Doctorate in Theology, Biblical Studies, Divinity, or related fields.
Specialized Ministries: Further training in areas like pastoral counseling, biblical languages, or liturgical studies.
Leadership Roles: Progressing to senior leadership positions within religious organizations, such as bishop, archdeacon, or denominational leader.
Interfaith Dialogue: Engaging in programs or courses that promote understanding and dialogue between different religious traditions.
Certifications: Obtaining additional certifications in counseling, spiritual direction, or other specialized areas of ministry.
Research & Academia: Engaging in theological research, publishing papers, or presenting at conferences.
Community Engagement: Taking on roles that focus on community development, social justice, or outreach programs.
Ecumenical Work: Collaborating with other Christian denominations or religious traditions for shared objectives.
Graduates of the Degree in Theology program at Rhema Theological College will be equipped with a solid foundation in theology, as well as practical skills that can be applied in various professional and ministry contexts. The diverse range of courses offered ensures that graduates are well-prepared for a multitude of career paths and further educational opportunities.
Teaching Methods:
Lectures: Traditional classroom-based lectures to introduce and explain core theological concepts.
Seminars: Smaller group discussions where students can delve deeper into specific topics, ask questions, and engage in debates.
Workshops: Practical sessions focusing on skills such as pastoral counseling, liturgical practices, or church administration.
Group Projects: Collaborative tasks where students work together to explore a theological topic or solve a ministry-related challenge.
Guest Speakers: Inviting theologians, pastors, missionaries, or other professionals to share their experiences and insights.
Field Trips: Visits to churches, religious sites, or community organizations to provide real-world context to theoretical learning.
Online Learning Platforms: Utilizing digital resources, video lectures, and online discussion forums to supplement in-person teaching.
Tutorials: One-on-one sessions with instructors to provide personalized guidance and feedback.
Independent Study: Encouraging students to engage in self-directed reading and research.
Practical Placements: Opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience in churches, charities, or other religious organizations.
Assessment Methods:
Written Exams: Traditional exams testing students’ knowledge of core theological concepts.
Essays: In-depth written assignments on specific theological topics, allowing students to demonstrate their understanding and critical thinking skills.
Presentations: Oral presentations on a chosen topic, either individually or as a group.
Portfolio: A collection of students’ work throughout the course, showcasing their progress and achievements.
Dissertation/Research Project: An extended piece of writing on a specific theological topic, typically undertaken in the final year.
Practical Assessments: Evaluating students’ skills in areas such as pastoral counseling, liturgical practices, or church administration.
Group Projects: Assessing collaborative work, focusing on both the final output and the process of teamwork.
Online Quizzes: Utilizing digital platforms to test students’ knowledge in a more interactive manner.
Reflective Journals: Encouraging students to regularly reflect on their learning experiences, challenges, and personal growth.
Feedback Sessions: Providing students with constructive feedback on their performance, helping them identify areas of improvement.
Participation: Assessing students’ engagement in seminars, discussions, and other interactive learning activities.
The combination of diverse teaching and assessment methods ensures a holistic learning experience for students. It caters to different learning styles and provides multiple avenues for students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills. This approach also ensures that students are well-prepared for both academic pursuits and practical ministry roles upon graduation.