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As the title suggests, these are only "essays" for theology courses
I am undertaking, and I claim no special expertise in the area. But I hope some
readers might find some useful ideas or references in them.
YEAR ONE
Old Testament
The
Exodus is such a significant event in Israel’s history, it serves as more than
an account of wandering in the desert; it is rather a paradigm, a pattern of how
God deals with his people, signifying formation of a relationship
What are Ezekiel’s special
emphases in his prophecy? Select three of these and explain how the modern
church would benefit from taking these on board
A friend tells you he is put
off the Old Testament by its violence. How would you go about creating a more
positive evaluation of this aspect of the Old Testament?
“Any group or individual who
does the work of the Lord can be a servant”. To what extent is this a correct
statement about the servant in Isaiah 40-55
New Testament
What is the significance of the miracles in relation to the teaching of
Jesus? Are there any principles that can guide our attitude to miracles today?
What teaching do we find in Paul's letters about life after death and the
second coming of Christ?
What reference is made in the general letters and Revelation to perseverence
in suffering and how do the various writers encourage their readers?
What do you consider to be the main points in the sermons and speeches of
Acts 1-15?
Jesus frequently referred to himself as "the Son of Man", though
the title is never used for him outside the Gospels. Why did he use this title
and how should we understand it?
Christian Ethics "The
culture of Israel is so far removed from our 21st Century culture that it has
nothing to say to us in the realm of Christian conduct." How would you
argue for and against such a statement?
Outline
the biblical teaching on the relationship between the sexes
How far do you
think that biblical teaching is relevant to modern ecological problems and
concerns?
How
would you explain the principles of a “just war” as applied to the recent
conflict in Iraq?
"All of us should
expect to remain workers all our lives, so that even after we have retired, we
may spend whatever energy we have left in some form of service" (John
Stott). Discuss
Christian Doctrine
"Our
attitude to Scripture should be the same as Jesus' attitude to it." What
was Jesus' attitude to Scripture? To what extent can we adopt this as our own
doctrine of Scripture?
Were
the New Testament writers simply refusing to ‘resolve the issue’ of
Christ’s dual nature or were they struggling to portray their experience of
the divine Jesus?
Outline
the Biblical teaching on the role of the Holy Spirit in the conversion and life
of the believer.
“The
fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is
understanding” (Proverbs 9:10). What aspects of God’s character would be an
essential part of such fear and knowledge?
Church
history
Outline
and evaluate the contribution and impact of Augustine of Hippo for the Church
What
were the main factors that led to the Continental Reformation? Would you say
that the Reformation was inevitable given the circumstances?
“The
Church of the Twenty First Century will be the Church of the Third World.”
Discuss this statement by evaluating the increasing importance of the
Non-Western Church in the Twentieth Century. Religion
and Religions
Religion
is an almost universal phenomenon. Examine critically some of the suggestions
that have been made as to how and why religions exist.
Christians confess “I believe in One God”, Jews quote
the Old Testament, “Hear, O Israel, the Lord Our God is One Lord”,
Muslims confess “There is no God but God”. Give at least two
arguments for saying that the three must all refer to the same God, and at least
two arguments for saying that they are not the same God
‘Unlike the
religions of Middle Eastern origin, the idea of an Almighty God does not play
any part in Buddhism. Not God or gods but man is the object of Buddhist
thought’ (Schumann) how then does Buddhism deal with the problems of
humankind?
What
do you think could be the basis of a dialogue between a Christian and a Jew?
Explain and justify your reasons
Why
does the Bible appear to present a consistently negative view of other
religions? Is this a sufficient reason for a similar attitude to other religions
today?
YEAR TWO
Old
Testament
Reading Atrahasis Tablet 3 and Gilgamesh Tablet
XI alongside the Genesis flood story is a valuable exercise in the study of
genre, methodology and biblical theology. Comment. Old
Testament exegetical project - Hosea 11:1-11 Theology
of Ministry
"Stumble
alone or fly in God's strength" (Sermon outline for Isaiah 40) "Unfettered
preaching" (Sermon outline, Philippians 1:12-28) Evaluate
the Baptist denomination's approach to ministry in the light of the New
Testament Pastoral
issues involved in implementing an ongoing Alpha programme in a local church. Missiology "What
is evangelical exclusivism - is it tenable in a world of religious
plurality?" To
what extent does Roland Allen accurately represent New Testament Mission and
offer us a model for mission today? Ethics "In
our response to poverty, what is the connection between justice and
charity?" Exam
revision
notes Christian
Doctrine Christology New
Testament YEAR THREE
Sociology
of Religion
"What relevance might Weber’s views of the
Routinization of Charisma have for contemporary Christian churches and
organisations? Use specific examples" "What
has caused Europe to be the “exceptional case” regarding secularisation?" Rational
choice theory perspectives on the developing congregation of Pembury Baptist
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