West Africa Theological Seminary

Prospectus

Biblical Studies

General

BI 503 – Topics in Biblical Theology. A study of several selected biblical themes, with an eye to gaining abilities and learning to use tools for proper thematic study and homiletical presentation. 3 Credit Hours.

BI 601 – Biblical History and Criticism I. An introduction to historical and critical issues in Old Testament and New Testament studies, including the history of biblical criticism since the Eighteenth Century. 3 Credit Hours.

BI 602 – Biblical History and Criticism II. A continuation of Biblical History and Criticism I, with a primary emphasis on the history of biblical criticism and contemporary issues in this area, particularly as reflected in Africa. 3 Credit Hours.

BI 603 – Biblical Hermeneutics. Explores methods and principles of Bible interpretation, especially studying the history of and procedures involved in interpreting doctrine, parables, types, prophecy, narrative and devotional scripture. 3 Credit Hours.

BI 613 – Biblical Archaeology. An introduction to the history, techniques and major accomplishments in the field of biblical archeology, with a primary eye to its impact on our understanding of the biblical cultures and the biblical message. 3 Credit Hours.

New Testament

NT 510 – New Testament Introduction. This course builds on thorough under-graduate knowledge of the New Testament. A study of all sections and books of the NT with a special focus on the historical and cultural background and on introduction matters, including authorship, date, purpose and instinctive characteristics. Special attention will be given to problem passages. Students will be required to master the contents of each book of the New Testament. 3 Credit Hours.

NT 601 – History and Background of the New Testament. A study of the history of the making of the NT. Starting with the inter-testamental period, the course includes the study of the New Testament canon, manuscript, copies and versions. 3 Credit Hours.

NT 602 – NT Theology. Reviews the principles and the history of Biblical Theology with special focus on the themes of the New Testament books and emphasis on the person and the work of Jesus Christ and the redemption events in the NT. 3 Credits Hours.

NT 605 – Mastering Biblical Greek. This course builds on the foundational knowledge of Koine Greek that the student has gained at the undergraduate level. Those who are deficient in background may be required to undergo special tutoring before taking this course. The course solidifies the student’s grasp of essential Greek grammar and vocabulary necessary to read and interpret the Greek New Testament. 3 Credit Hours.

NT 606 – Greek Syntax and Grammar. A continuation of the Mastering Biblical Greek course. 3 Credit Hours.

NT 607 – Greek Exegesis. This course builds on the foundational knowledge of Greek Grammar and syntax learnt in NT605 and NT 606. It introduces the students to the application of syntactical and grammatical principles to a selected New Testament book. Grammatical constructions are studied and their interpretative and theological significance are discussed. The course aims at sharpening the exegetical and hermeneutical skills of the student and providing him with the ability to use exegetical tools in order to bring out the original intent of the New Testament writers. 2 Credit Hours.

NT 611 – Synoptic Gospels. A Study of the first three Gospels with a particular view to understand a harmonized perspective of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Exegetical study presumes the student’s reasonable prior grasp of the Greek language. 3 Credit Hours.

NT 612 – Pauline Epistles. A study of Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians emphasizing the study of book as wholes. There is a special focus on the initial survey of books as wholes, interpretation of parts of books in the context of the book as a whole and the synthesis of the book. Exegetical study presumes the student’s reasonable prior grasp of the Greek language. 3 Credit Hours.

NT 615 – Romans. A careful analysis of chapters 1-8 of Paul’s major treatise, including their theological implications. Special attention is given to the methodology of studying discursive literature. Exegetical study presumes the student’s reasonable prior grasp of the Greek language. 3 Credit Hours.

Old Testament

OT 509 – Old Testament Introduction. This course builds on a thorough undergraduate knowledge of the Old Testament. A study of all sections and books of the OT with a special focus on the historical and cultural background and on introduction matters, including authorship, date, purpose and distinctive characteristics. Special attention will be given to problem passages. Students will be required to master the contents of each book of the Old Testament. 3 Credit Hours.

OT 602 – OT Theology. An advanced study of the principles of biblical theology, including the history and the development of biblical theology. Special focus is on OT biblical themes with as eye to understanding the Old Testament interpretation of the divine redemption. 3 Credit Hours.

OT 605 – Mastering Hebrew. This course builds on the foundational knowledge of Hebrew that the student has gained at the undergraduate level. Those who are deficient in background may be required to undergo special tutoring before taking this course. The course solidifies the student’s grasp of essential Hebrew grammar and vocabulary necessary to read and interpret the Hebrew Old Testament. 3 Credit Hours.

OT 606 – Hebrew Syntax and Grammar. A continuation of the Mastering Hebrew course. 3 Credit Hours.

OT 607 – Hebrew Exegesis. Building on the foundational knowledge of Hebrew Grammar and Syntax learnt in OT 605 and OT 606, the course introduces the student to the application of syntactical and grammatical constructions to a selected Old Testament book. Grammatical constructions are studied and their interpretative and theological significance are discussed. The course aims at sharpening exegetical skills of the student and providing him with the ability to use exegetical tools in order to bring out the original intent of the Old Testament writers. 3 Credit Hours.

OT 612 – History of Israel. Focuses on the geographical and historical birth and development of the nation of Israel, as recorded in the Pentateuch and the historical books. Emphasizes God’s redemptive work through the nation of Israel. 3 Credit Hours.

OT 613 – Isaiah. An inductive study of the book as a whole and each of the major divisions. Careful attention is given to the structure and the theological content. Emphasis is placed on the hermeneutical principles and procedures related to prophetic literature. Exegetical study presumes the student’s reasonable prior grasp of the Hebrew language. 3 Credit Hours.

OT 614 – OT Prophets. An advanced study of the books written by the Old Testament prophets providing a look at their historical and cultural context, doctrine and prophecy. Emphasis is given to their structure, theological content and the interpretation of their message. 3 Credit Hours.

Theological Studies

History

HT 505 – Survey of Church History. A survey of the historical and doctrinal development of the church from the apostolic age to the present day. The course looks carefully at church /state relationships, the internal organization of the Church, the Roman Primacy, people domination and doctrinal controversies within the early and medieval periods. Issues covered include topics such as Reformation and Counter-Reformation evangelical awakening, missionary expansion and the era of modern denomination. 3 Credit Hours.

HT 506 – Topics in the History of the Church. An advanced study of selected topics from the history of the Christian Church, including a special focus on the early Church fathers and the struggle between truth and error in the Patristic Era. 3 Credit Hours.

Spiritual Formation

SF 502 – The Spiritual Life of the Minister. A survey of essential elements to nurture spiritual disciplines for the church minister, including an introduction to necessary tools and practices of spiritual formation and Christian holiness. 3 Credit Hours.

SF 504 – Wesley and Discipleship. A study of Wesley’s pastoral theology and doctrine of the church, with special attention to the class/band meetings as the structure in early Methodism for spiritual formation and discipleship of believers. 3 Credit Hours.

SF 611 – History of Christian Spirituality. Traces the history of scriptural holiness from the Patristic period to the present. Students read and discuss selected primary material and develop personal research projects. 3 Credit Hours.

Systematic Theology

TH 503 – Doing Theology in Modern Africa. An analysis of theological themes most relevant to Africa, including concepts of God, salvation and the spirit world and how to distinguish between biblical and unbiblical teaching in today’s African Christian churches. 3 Credit Hours.

TH 501 – Systematic Theology 1. An advanced study of the sources and method of theology including the inspiration of scripture and the existence, nature and attributes of God. The study includes also the trinity and cosmology. 3 Credit Hours.

TH 502 – Systematic Theology II. A continuation of TH 501 with emphasis on the doctrines regarding Christ, man and salvation, the Church and eschatology. 3 Credit Hours.

TH 506 – Holiness and Revival. A study of the scriptural doctrine of holiness, an analysis of holiness as expounded by John Wesley and the holiness movement, and the relationship of holiness to the history of evangelical awakenings. 3 Credit Hours.

TH 611 – Theology of the Holy Spirit. A study of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit and its relationship to holiness as well as its pertinence to contemporary Africa, including a focus on the place of spiritual gifts and scriptural power encounter. 3 Credit Hours.

TH 612 – African Traditional Religion. A critical study of the nature of African Traditional Religion belief, worship, rites and practices with the aim of enabling African Christian ministers to be better equipped in presenting the gospel to meet the need of the adherents of ATR. 2 Credit Hours.

Practical Theology

Pastoral Ministry

MI 504 – Principles of Evangelism. A study of principles and methods of evangelism in the New Testament and a critical look at methods of evangelism that have proved to be effective in historical periods. The course aims at practical application for the contemporary society. 2 Credit Hours.

ED 503 – Educational Ministry of the Church. A critical discussion of a biblical perspective of education and the church’s biblical ministry of reaching and teaching all ages. Current methods and approaches are critically discussed and practical aspects including curriculum, material, organization and administration are presented. 2 Credit Hours.

MN 601 – Expository Preaching. An advanced course in effective pulpit communication, including a primary focus on the preparation and delivery of expository sermons within the African setting. 3 Credit Hours.

MN 602 – Pastoral Theology. An advanced study of the call, qualifications, and work of the minister, including special attention to the pastor as a person of discipline, development, and dedication. The servant/leader model of pastoring is applied to visitation, counseling, preaching, teaching, and administration. Study is given to worship leadership, the ordinances, funerals, weddings and communication. 3 Credit Hours.

MN 606 – Pastoral Counseling. Understanding and applying sound principles of biblical counseling within the African pastoral setting, including a study of problems peculiar to Africa and theories and techniques of cross- cultural counseling. 3 Credit Hours.

MN 603 – Christian Ethics. An advanced study of the duties of the church in relationship to contemporary society. Drawing on cultural and ethical principles derived from the Bible, a model of Christian morality is presented.

MN 604 – Christian Leadership and Church Administration. A study of principles and practices of effective Christian leadership within the African setting and an in-depth analysis of proper principles and procedures of church administration. 3 Credit Hours.

MN 605 – Growing a Purpose-Driven Church. An analysis of principles of church growth through conversions rather than transfer, with practical application or modifications for the African setting. 3 Credit Hours.

MN 690 – Internship. A three-month internship must be completed in which the student is attached to an approved church and where he seeks to apply principles and practices absorbed in the program. Students with a strong interest in missions may alternatively choose a three-month Springboard missionary assignment, or a three-month assignment working with a church in the area of missionary awareness/leadership. The student will write a 60-80-page paper interpreting his studies with the internship assignment. 6 Credit Hours.

Family Life

MN 501 – Church and State. A critical survey of the various kind of relationships that exist between the church and civic authorities and the matters that affect the church in the Nigerian Constitution including issues related to the church and partisan politics and organizing Christians for political service. 2 Credit Hours.

MN 503 – Christian Family Life. Considers critically the biblical and historical foundations of the family and discusses practical issues affecting the welfare of the family such as relationship development, parenting and child discipline and family finances. 2 Credit Hours.

World Missions

MI 505 – World Christian Movement. A perspective on what God is currently doing in the growth of Christianity worldwide, including theology of missions, cultural aspects of missions, and current strategies of cross-cultural missions. 3 Credit Hours.

MI 611 – Issues in Global Missions. A study of contemporary issues in global missions, aimed at effective application and implementation in African Churches and Mission Fields. 3 Credit Hours.

MI 612 – Cultural Anthropology. An analysis of culture, personality, socialization, status, roles and the social institutions of family, education, religion, government and economy – particularly as applied to cross-cultural missions.

MI 613 – Effective cross-cultural Missions in Africa. A study of the peculiar theories and techniques of effective Cross-Cultural missions within Africa, including ministry to animists, to nominal Christians and to Muslims. 3 Credit Hours.

HI 601 – Aspects of Nigerian Church History. Investigates the progress of the church’s contribution to the socio-economic and political development of Nigeria since the advent of sustained Christian presence in 1842 with guidance on how to meet the challenges of the future. Similar parallels in other African countries will be addressed.

RC 690 – Thesis. Research and data collections are to be undertaken simultaneously with the completion of the final course modules (i.e., over a three-month period). The writing of the thesis should require a minimum of two months. The MA thesis is to be a minimum of 80 and a maximum of 125 pages, on an approved topic. The thesis will be evaluated on the basis of competence of research, originality, critical skills and effective communication. 6 Credit Hours.

Research and Communication

RC 508 – Research Methods. A study of the theory and techniques of research, including library research, and the use of the Bible as a research tool. Includes a special focus on techniques for excellent inductive study of the Bible. 3 Credit Hours.

Education

RC 604 – Tertiary Teaching Methods. A comprehensive study of learning and teaching styles best suited to teaching religious studies in Bible Colleges, seminaries and universities, particularly within the Africa setting. 3 Credit Hours.

RC 612 – Christian Writing. An advanced course in the development and practice of writing skills particularly as directed toward the writing of Christian literature. 3 Credit Hours.

RC 613 – Advanced Studies in Christian Literature. An advanced course in Christian literature, including an examination of the place of Christian writing within Africa. 3 Credit Hours.