DTh | Christ Seminary Concordia

The objectives of the program for the DIPLOMA IN THEOLOGY (DTh) are:.

1. To provide integrated theological education for holistic ministry.

2. To train those deemed suitable for ministry by their bishops or Church leaders to faithfully serve in the preaching and teaching of the Word ministry.

3. To help students to be grounded in biblical principles and doctrines.

4. To prepare students to effectively communicate the Word of God in congregational and missiological environments.

5. To gain practical financial management skills to equip servants of the Church with the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary for church ministry and management.

COURSE LISTINGS

GENERAL PREPARATION

Course: GP-100 Expository Writing. 1 credit. 1 hour per week.

Purpose: The purpose of this course is to develop students' proficiency in the English language and enhance their academic writing skills. The course is designed to equip students with the necessary tools and strategies to express themselves effectively in written English, both academically and professionally. Through a comprehensive study of grammar, vocabulary, sentence construction, organization of ideas, composition techniques, academic arguments, and proper citation for academic contexts, students will learn to produce well-structured and coherent written pieces appropriate for academic contexts.

Course: GP-101 Research Paper. 1 credit. 1 hour per week.

Purpose: The purpose of this course is to further develop students' proficiency in academic research and writing. The course is designed to equip students with the necessary tools and strategies to prepare a research paper academically and professionally. Students will learn to produce well-researched, -structured and -written pieces appropriate for academic contexts.

Course: GP-200 Speech Training. 1 credit. 1 hour per week.

Purpose: The Speech Training course is designed to enhance students' verbal, nonverbal, and written communication abilities. The course aims to develop effective interpersonal communication skills, public speaking skills, and professional writing skills. Students will learn various techniques and strategies to express themselves confidently, engage in meaningful interactions, and convey information accurately and persuasively.

Course: GP-201 Public Speaking and Teaching. 1 credit. 1 hour per week.

Purpose: The purpose of this course is to provide students with a foundational understanding of the principles and practices of effective preaching and teaching in a Christian ministry context. The course aims to equip students with the skills necessary to communicate biblical truth in a clear, engaging, and transformative manner. Through studying the art of preaching and teaching, students will develop their ability to craft and deliver impactful sermons and lessons, rooted in sound hermeneutical principles and relevant to the needs of their audience.

Course: GP-300 Financial Stewardship (Financial Management and Bookkeeping). 1 credit. 1 hour per week.

Purpose: The purpose of this course is to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage financial resources in a responsible and ethical manner. The course aims to equip students with a solid foundation in financial management principles, budgeting, and bookkeeping practices. It seeks to empower students to be wise stewards of financial resources, both personally and within a professional or organizational context.

Course: GP-301 Introduction to Administration 1 credit. 1 hour per week.

Purpose: This course prepares students to be able to carry out clerical, administrative, supervisory, and managerial tasks in the church. It also equips the student with a range of office management skills including organizing, managing, and coordinating the office in the workplace environment.

EXEGETICAL THEOLOGY

BIBLICAL LANGUAGES

Course: EXT-103/5 Biblical Hebrew I & II. 4 credits. 4 hours per week.

Purpose: The purpose of this course is to provide an introduction to Biblical Greek, the original language of the Old Testament, so that the students have insights into the nuances of meanings and grammar of the Old Testament.

Course: EXT-204/6 Biblical Greek I & II. 4 credits. 4 hours per week.

Purpose: The purpose of this course is to provide an introduction to Koine Greek, the original language of the New Testament, so that the students have insights into the nuances of meanings and grammar of the New Testament authors.

ISAGOGICS

Course: EXT-100 Old Testament Isagogics (Survey) I. 4 credits per. 4 hours per week.

Purpose: A general and special introduction to the books of the Old Testament through an intensive examination of their content, historical and cultural context, theological themes, development of criticism, and structure of each book of the Old Testament. Designed to study the contents of the Biblical books to insure proper acquaintance with the trend of divine revelation. Part I of the course covers the Pentateuch and Former Prophets (Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings). This course assumes students have read and are familiar with the entire Old Testament.

Course: EXT-101 Old Testament Isagogics (Survey) II. 4 credits per. 4 hours per week.

Purpose: A general and special introduction to the books of the Old Testament through an intensive examination of their content, historical and cultural context, theological themes, development of criticism, and structure of each book of the Old Testament. Isagogics II covers the remaining books of the Old Testament. This course assumes students have read and are familiar with the entire Old Testament.

Course: EXT-200 New Testament Isagogics (Survey) I. 4 credits per. 4 hours per week.

Purpose: A general and condensed introduction to the books of the New Testament through an intensive examination of their content, historical and cultural context, theological themes, development of criticism, and structure of each book of the New Testament. Designed to study the contents of the Biblical books to insure proper acquaintance with the trend of divine revelation. This course assumes students have read and are familiar with the entire New Testament.

Course: EXT-200 New Testament Isagogics (Survey) II. 4 credits per. 4 hours per week.

Purpose: A general and condensed introduction to the books of the New Testament through an intensive examination of their content, historical and cultural context, theological themes, development of criticism, and structure of each book of the New Testament. This course assumes students have read and are familiar with the entire New Testament.

EXEGESIS

Course: EXT-105 Hermeneutics (Principles of Bible Interpretation). 3 credits. 3 hours per week.

Purpose: A foundation course for all subsequent courses in biblical study. The focus is on those principles, techniques, and tools governing genuinely Christian interpretation of the Scriptures in their original languages. It includes units on textual criticism, the history of interpretation, historical context, linguistics, and theological principles. (N.B.: In the first semester, only some of the most essential rules of interpretation are noted in connection with Exegesis, while both the theory and the history of Hermeneutics are discussed thoroughly during the second semester. Two lectures per week.).

Course: EXT-301 Pentateuch. 4 credits. 4 hours per week.

Purpose: The purpose of this course is to equip the student with the content, background, and major theological themes in Pentateuch, emphasizing on the general content, geography and historical context and its relevance to ministry in contemporary contexts.

Course: EXT-303 Historical Books. 4 credits. 4 hours per week.

Purpose: An overview of the biblical historical books from Joshua to the return from the Babylonian Captivity. The focus is on the major themes, theological content, key figures, and the historical out-workings of the plan of redemption. Correlation with the wisdom and prophetic books augments the textual examination of this major component of the Old Testament revelation. The timeless nature of God’s principles in the historical books is shown in contemporary church and society settings.

Course: EXT-501 Poetic / Wisdom Books. 4 credits. 4 hours per week.

Purpose: A study of the Writings that treats isagogical, hermeneutical, and theological questions, including the historical character of the Scriptural witness; each book’s text, authorship, date, historical situation, literary style, and critical issues; and focusses on the Old Testament’s Messianic character. The course includes exegesis of selected periscopes on the basis of the Hebrew text, emphasizing historical context, Christo-centricity, doctrine, and relevance. In addition, the inter-testamental period and the Apocrypha will be briefly surveyed.

Course: EXT-503 Prophetic Books. 4 credits. 4 hours per week.

Purpose: A study of the former and latter Prophets that treats isagogical, hermeneutical, and theological questions, including the historical character of the Scriptural witness; each book’s text, authorship, date, historical situation, literary style, and critical issues; and focusses on the Old Testament’s Messianic character. The course includes exegesis of selected pericopes on the basis of the Hebrew text, emphasizing historical context, Christocentricity, doctrine, and relevance.

Course: EXT-300 The Gospels. 4 credits. 4 hours per week.

Purpose: A survey of the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, as witnessed by the canonical Gospels, with special attention offered to the Gospel of St. John followed by advanced exploration of the Synoptic Gospels. The course includes exegesis and Bible and sermon preparation of selected pericopes on the basis of the Greek text, emphasizing historical context, Christocentricity, doctrine and an interpretation of key events and discourses and their practical application.

Course: EXT-302 Acts & the Pauline Epistles. 4 credits. 4 hours per week.

Course: EXT-400 General Epistles (Hebrews to Jude) and Revelation. 4 credits. 4 hours per week.

Purpose: The course exposes the learner to General Epistles (Hebrews to Jude) and Revelation and enables him/her to relate the biblical teaching to life situations.

SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY

Course: SD-100 Christian Doctrine I (Doctrines of God, Christ, Man). 4 credits. 4 hours per week.

Purpose: Dogmatics I provides a comprehensive study of the foundational doctrines of Theology (God), Christology (Christ Jesus), and Anthropology (man). Students will explore the nature and attributes of God, the person and work of Christ, and the creation and nature of humanity. The course seeks to deepen students' theological knowledge and understanding, fostering their ability to articulate and defend these doctrines. Students will explore biblical, historical, and theological perspectives on these doctrines and develop a comprehensive understanding of their implications for Christian faith and practice.

Course: ST-200 Christian Doctrine II (Doctrines of Pneumatology (the Holy Spirit), Soteriology, and Eschatology). 4 credits. 4 hours per week.

Purpose: Dogmatics II focuses on the fundamental doctrines of Pneumatology (the Holy Spirit), Soteriology (salvation), and Eschatology (end times). Building upon the foundation laid in Dogmatic I, this course aims to deepen students' understanding of the person and work of the Holy Spirit in the life of believers, the theological significance of salvation, and the Biblical teaching on the end times. Students will explore biblical, historical, and theological perspectives on these doctrines and develop a comprehensive understanding of their implications for Christian faith and practice.

HISTORICAL THEOLOGY

Course: HT-100 World Religions (Christianity And Symbiotics, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, African Cults/Spirituality). 3 credits. 3 hours per week.

Purpose: The course introduces the learner to the history, central beliefs and practices of the major religions and cults around the world. It will also offer an appropriate Christian response in word and action.

Course: HT-200 Church History (Early Church History). 3 credits. 3 hours per week.

Purpose: This course covers the history of the early Church, from after the time of the Apostles, until the mid-14th Century. It examines the corruption of the Medieval Church and Luther’s Reformation. It is intended to guide students to understand especially the main controversies and theologians of the Early Church whose writings still guide the Church today to remain faithful to the teaching of the Apostles. Students will learn how Church History and the writings of the Church Fathers remain relevant for the Church today.

Course: HT201 Church History II (After Luther’s Reformation). 3 credits. 3 hours per week.

Purpose: An overview of the history of church, doctrine, and theology from the onset of the Middle Ages to the emergence and implementation of the six patterns of sixteenth-century reformation and their impact on present times. It examines the counter reformation, which sought to undo Luther’s Reformation of the Church back to fidelity to the teaching of the Apostles.

Course: HT-203 Church History III (Africa and the Christian Church). 3 credits. 3 hours per week.

Purpose: The course examines the role of African prelates, from the Early Church down to the present day. It explores the history of Christianity within Africa, and the role of African prelates in the development of Christian doctrine.

PRACTICAL THEOLOGY

Course: PT-100 Christian Ethics. 2 credits. 2 hours per week.

Purpose: An exploration of the possibility, foundation, parameters, and content of Christian ethics, with a special focus on our contemporary cultural context.

Course: PT-200 Homiletics I. 2 credits. 2 hours per week.

Purpose: This course aims to acquaint the student with the basic principles of sermon construction and development. At the same time, an overview of the theological character, goals, and methods of Christian proclamation in a congregational setting, giving particular attention to issues of hermeneutics, delivery, and relationship with the Church’s liturgy and mission. The course requires the writing of two sermons on texts that have been studied by the entire class. After review by the instructor, the students are encouraged to preach these sermons in public, to the class and then at church with the permission of their supervising pastor. Students can expect the delivery of their sermons to be critiqued by classmates. Students can expect to deliver a sermon for the course examination.

Course: PT-300 Liturgics 1. 2 credits. 2 hours per week.

Purpose: The course will examine the history of the forms of worship in the Christian Church and a critical examination of their value. It will study the Divine Service, and give detailed attention to the church year, the daily office, hymnody and church music, vestments, and church architecture. It will critically assess historical liturgical practices in the local context. Students can expect discussion of some hymns and their melodies.

Course: PT-301 Liturgics II. 2 credits. 2 hours per week.

Purpose: An advanced course in the study of Christian worship, reviewing the theology of worship, then concentrating on a detailed analysis of the Divine Service of the church. Practice sessions highlight the conduct of the Communion rite. In addition, the course addresses the role of pastors and pastoral services (Baptism, Confession/Absolution, funerals, etc.), including the use of the Agenda and Pastoral Care Companion, service planning, and contemporary issues. Field experience activities within the context of seminary life and in co-operation with a local pastor in an assigned parish are an integral part of the course.

Course: PT-400 Christian Outreach (Evangelism, Discipleship & Missions). 2 credits. 2 hours per week.

Purpose: To ground the learner in the practice of the chief methods of evangelism and the basic biblical principles of discipleship. Through exploring the theological foundations and practical applications of evangelism, discipleship, and missions, the course seeks to equip students to effectively share the Gospel, make disciples, and engage in mission work.

PASTORAL THEOLOGY

Course: PT-500 Pastoral Ministry I (Church Leadership and Administration). 3 credits. 3 hours per week.

Purpose: To study the requirements for pastoral work, the features church activity, and the relations of the pastor to his parish and to the Church at large. The course aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for effective church leadership and administration. The course provides a solid understanding of the principles and practices involved in leading and managing a church or ministry organization. Students will learn how to lead teams, make strategic decisions, handle administrative tasks, understand church organizational structure, and promote organizational growth and health.

Course: PT-501 Pastoral Ministry II (Pastoral Counseling). 3 credits. 3 hours per week.

Purpose: To provide students with an introduction to Pastoral Ministry while focusing on the biblical foundation for counseling and an understanding of various counseling philosophies. It equips students to apply Christian counseling principles and techniques in addressing personal, spiritual, and crisis-related issues. The course aims to prepare students to effectively provide pastoral counseling within the context of lay Christian counseling work by utilizing all the historical tools of the Christian Church.

Course: PT-502 Pastoral Ministry III (Pastor’s Devotional Life). 3 credits. 3 hours per week.

Purpose: This course aims to nurture the personal spiritual life of pastors and equip them with practical tools and principles for cultivating a vibrant devotional life. It focuses on deepening their relationship with God, fostering spiritual disciplines, and exploring various methods of personal and corporate worship. The course seeks to inspire and sustain the spiritual vitality and emotional well-being of pastors, enabling them to effectively serve their congregations.

Course: PT-503 Catechetics (Principles of Teaching & Facilitation). 3 credits. 3 hours per week.

Purpose: The Principles of Teaching & Facilitation course is designed to equip students with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for effective teaching and facilitation in Christian ministry contexts. The course aims to develop students' understanding of teaching principles, learning theories, and facilitation techniques that promote transformative and engaging learning experiences, especially in teaching the Small Catechism to children, youth, and adults. Students will learn how to create lesson plans, deliver effective presentations, facilitate group discussions, and assess learning outcomes within a Christian ministry framework. Each student is required to prepare and present two catechizations on assigned subjects from the Catechism and from Bible History.

Course: PT-504 Apologetics. 3 credits. 3 hours per week.

Purpose: Focuses on how biblical Christianity can be defined and defended in a secular age by considering the role of apologetics in Scripture and the early church, by looking at their development and use in church history, by showing the validity and the importance of the natural knowledge of God and the reliability and historicity of Scripture, by establishing the relationship between facts, faith, and proof and between apologetics, theology, and Christian confession.

Course: PT-600 Vicarage. 6 credits. Time is set by the supervising pastor.

Purpose: Upon successful completion of a student’s fourth semester, pastoral candidates are assigned a 5-month paid vicarage (internship) under the supervision of an experienced pastor that completes prior to Year 3. The assignment is made in coordination with the Director and the student’s bishop/ecclesiastical supervisor. The student is assessed by his supervisor by a final report on his performance and development. Details on evaluation procedures will be provided to the supervisory pastor.