The Diploma in Christian Studies (Theology) (Level 5) courses is open to anyone who wishes to undertake study (part-time or full-time) and by distance learning.
Please note: *For Non-Salvation Army Students the learning outcomes apply to their own denominational faith communities.
155.515 – Interpreting the Bible for Mission and Ministry
This course is designed to introduce students to the processes of accurate textual analysis of the Bible. The course will equip students with the basic skills for reading the Biblical text as it was written and intended for its original audience, as well as accurate application in a contemporary setting.
101.515 – Introduction to Biblical Theology
This course is an introduction to Biblical Theology. It introduces learners to the biblical metanarrative as the structure of biblical theology and explores the unity, diversity and central themes of the Bible, focusing especially on centrality of the Gospel story. In doing so, it introduces learners to critical discussions concerning the relationship of theology to the Bible. Finally, it assists learners to begin making sense of the relationship between the Bible, theology and all of life.
150.515 – Exploring the New Testament
This course is designed to enhance the reading of the New Testament story and to demonstrate its contemporary relevance by examining its origins, historical and social setting, significant people, places, events, issues, and major themes, including a close study of three representative documents – a gospel (John) and two letters (Romans and Corinthians).
250.515 – Introduction to Systematic Theology
An introduction to theology that answers the question: What do Christians believe and why? The course examines the sources of theological authority; theological method based on those sources; the content of Christian belief; and how theology relates to individual, communal and global life. The learners are also introduced to the eleven Salvationist statements of faith and in particular to the theological distinctives which have emerged as part of The Salvation Army’s engagement with society and the wider church.
550.515 – Preaching for Mission and Ministry
This course covers the challenges of Christian communication; the development of expository preaching; the journey from Biblical passage to sermon outline; introductions, illustrations and conclusions; sermon forms; sermon delivery; and planning a preaching programme. It also
covers ethical and culturally acceptable practice in preaching and thinking about the context that a preacher is working in.
Please note: 155.515 Interpreting the Bible or equivalent knowledge is a prerequisite for this course. 155.515 can be completed concurrently.
501.515 – Foundation of Pastoral Practice
This course is designed to enable students to explore the pastoral practice of the local church (Salvation Army Corps), to reflect on the theological thinking that underpins it and to consider how pastoral care of various kinds may be delivered. The term ‘pastoral practice’ rather than
‘pastoral care’ is used as a key concept for the course of study in recognition that the Church’s pastoral task is set in the broader context of its mission. This draws attention to the fact that the pastoral practice of the local Church is not limited to the care and nurture of the worshipping
community and of individuals in crisis. Pastoral practice includes the care of those with whom Christians live and work, of the communities in which each church or corps is set, and the care of society at large.
601.515 – Mission in Community
The Salvation Army has always expressed its Christian ministry through a balance of spiritual and practical social work. Its stated mission is ‘Caring for people, transforming lives and reforming society’. This course aims to put some theological and historical context around that statement
and to involve students in service in the Upper Hutt community. Booth College of Mission has a long-standing relationship with Upper Hutt Primary School and this course draws on this relationship in ways that are mutually beneficial. The course gives a brief introduction to The Salvation Army’s mission imperative. It also recognizes that Christian mission in Aotearoa New Zealand requires an understanding and commitment to our nation’s bicultural nature. With this in mind, students learn about Te Tiriti o Waitangi, tikanga Māori, cultural intelligence in ministry and are introduced to Te Reo Māori. Students receive teaching about prison, school ministry and chaplaincy and are given internship experiences in classroom teaching, retirement village chapel services and other expressions of ministry within the community.
Cadets are to participate in school ministry and one other Christian ministry expression. Students are to participate in at least two approved Christian ministry expressions.
801.515 – Spiritual Formation
This course examines spiritual formation as the basis of Christian life and ministry. It presents a range of historical and contemporary models of personal and corporate spiritual formation and offers the student opportunities to experience and participate in a variety of spiritual disciplines with the aim of integrating them into a personal quest for Christlikeness. Historical and contemporary examples of how God guided people and how they discerned that guidance are explored, as are ways of engaging in the leadership of spiritual formation in a local Salvation Army corps.
Students are taught to enrich their own personal spiritual growth and to assess areas for development. Students are required to seek a mentoring relationship with a suitably qualified staff member. With their support each student prepares and enacts a Personal Growth and Development Plan, and, takes part in a service project of their own design in order to reinforce the notion that well-formed spiritual formation always finds expression in practical Christian service.
A significant component of this is the required participation of each student in the 12 Steps Retreat under the tutorage of trained facilitators at BCM.