Diploma in Biblical Studies units
There are 16 subjects offered which are divided into 2 groups:
CORE SUBJECTS -
Biblical Theology
Old Testament 1
Old Testament 2
New Testament 1S (Synoptic Gospels)
New Testament 2E (Epistles)
Doctrine 1
Doctrine 2
Church History 1
OPTIONAL SUBJECTS -
Old Testament 3
Church History 2
Apologetics
Christian Worship
Ethics
John's Gospel
Romans
Ministry
To complete the Course at PASS LEVEL a student must pass 10 subjects including 8 core subjects. Students who commenced the course prior to 1997 should read the Change in Regulations section.
To complete the Course at HONOURS LEVEL a student must pass all 16 subjects. Students who average more than 75% are eligible for First Class Honours and those who average more than 65% are eligible for 2nd Class Honours.
CORE SUBJECTS
1. BIBLICAL THEOLOGY
The aim of the course is not to expound the contents of the Bible per se, but to show how the diversity of biblical revelation is to be integrated and interpreted, and to help you develop hermeneutical skills.
Syllabus:
1. The Bible and its message
2. Interpreting the Bible 1
3. Interpreting the Bible 2
4. From creation to new creation: Genesis 1-11
5. Covenant: Genesis12-Deuteronomy
6. Land: Deuteronomy-1 Samuel
7. Kingdom: 2 Samuel-2 Kings
8. Exile: Isaiah-Malachi
9. Jesus, the fulfilment of God's plan: Luke
10. Jesus as the key to biblical interpretation
11. The gospel for Israel and the gentiles: Acts 1-12
12. Paul: Acts 13-28; Pauline epistles
13. Awaiting the new creation: Revelation
Recommended books:
Moore College Th.C study notes, Introduction to the Bible
G. Goldsworthy, Gospel and Kingdom, in The Goldsworthy Trilogy (Paternoster Press, 2000)
G. Goldsworthy, According to Plan (Leicester: IVP, 1991)
I.H. Marshall, Acts (Tyndale; IVP, 1980)
2. OLD TESTAMENT 1
This subject is designed to develop an understanding of the literary and theological shape of the Pentateuch with a particular focus on the book of Exodus.
Syllabus:
1. Introduction to the Pentateuch
2. Genesis 1-11
3. Genesis 12-50
4. Exodus 1-4
5. Exodus 5-10
6. Exodus 11-15
7. Exodus 16-18
8. Exodus 19-24
9. Exodus 25-31
10. Exodus 32-34
11. Exodus 35-40
12. Leviticus
13. Numbers
14. Deuteronomy
Recommended books:
Moore College Th.C study notes, Old Testament 1
W.J. Dumbrell, The Faith of Israel (second edition, Baker, 2002)
P. Enns, Exodus (NIVAC, Zondervan, 2000)
P.R. Williamson, Sealed with an Oath (NSBT 23; Nottingham: Apollos, 2007)
3. OLD TESTAMENT 2
This subject covers the history of God's people in the exile and the restoration with detailed reference to some of the prophets.
Syllabus:
1. An introduction to the 8th century prophets
2. The history, geography and culture of the exilic period
3. An introduction to the books of the Major Prophets: Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Isaiah
4. The Book of Daniel
5. The Minor Prophets (including a detailed exegesis of one book)
6. Ezra and Nehemiah and the return from exile
7. The Intertestamental Period (including an introduction to the Apochrypha)
Recommended books:
Moore College Th.C study notes Old Testament 3.
Lasor, Hubbard & Bush, Old Testament Survey (Eerdmans, 1996)
A commentary on the set book chosen by the lecturer.
4. NEW TESTAMENT 1 (SYNOPTIC GOSPELS)
An introduction to the work and words of Jesus as set out in the first three Gospels.
Syllabus:
1. The social, historical and political background to the Gospels
2. An Introduction to the Synoptic Problem
3. An Introduction to Matthew's Gospel
4. An Introduction to Mark's Gospel
5. An Introduction to Luke's Gospel
6. Thematic studies including:the parables, the miracles, the kingdom of God, the resurrection, Jesus and the poor, discipleship
Recommended books:
D. Carson & D. Moo, An Introduction to the New Testament (new ed.; Zondervan, 2005)
P.W. Barnett, Jesus & the Rise of Early Christianity (IVP, 1999)
W.L. Lane, Mark (NICNT: Eerdmans, 1974)
5. NEW TESTAMENT 2 (EPISTLES)
An introduction to and overview of the New Testament epistles.
Syllabus
1. Pauline Epistles
1 & 2 Corinthians
Galatians
Thessalonians
The Prison Epistles
The Pastoral Epistles
The discussion of each epistle will also include reference to the relevant sections of Acts.
2. General Epistles
Hebrews
James,
1 & 2 Peter
1, 2 and 3 John
Jude
Recommended books:
Moore College Th.C study notes, New Testament 4
F.F. Bruce, Paul: Apostle of the Free Spirit (Exeter: Paternoster, 1980)
F. Gabelein (ed.), Expositor's Bible Commentary Vol. 12, (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1995)
G.F. Hawthorne, R.P Martin and D.G. Reid, Dictionary of Paul and his letters (Downers Grove: IVP, 1993)
6. DOCTRINE 1
This subject examines the doctrines of God and His creation, revelation, man and his sin and the person and work of Christ.
Syllabus:
1. The question of Authority
2. Types of Revelation
3. The Authority and Reliability of Scripture
4. The doctrine of God: Creation, Attributes, Trinity, Providence
5. The doctrine of Man: his creation and purpose, relationships, sin
6. The Person and Work of Christ: His humanity, His divinity, His ministry, His saving work
Recommended books:
Moore College Th.C study notes, Doctrine 1
B. Milne, Know the Truth (Leicester: IVP, 1982)
D.B. Knox, Selected Works, Vol 1, ed. T. Payne (Kingsford:Matthias Press, 2001)
7. DOCTRINE 2
Syllabus:
1. The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit:
The Spirit in the Old Testament,
The Spirit in the Ministry of Jesus,
The Spirit in Acts,
The teaching of the Epistles,
The Spirit in the life of the believer
2. Christian Beginnings:
Atonement (revision from Doctrine 1),
Regeneration,
Conversion,
New Birth,
Adoption,
Justification by faith
3. Christian Growth:
Sanctification,
Assurance,
Perseverance,
Prayer,
Bible reading,
Fellowship
4. The Church:
Biblical images,
Characteristics,
Government and leadership,
Worship,
Sacraments,
Ministry,
Evangelism
5. The Last Things:
The Kingdom of God,
The Second Coming,
Judgement,
Heaven and Hell
Practical applications of the doctrine
Recommended books:
B. Milne, Know The Truth (Leicester: IVP,1982)
D. B. Knox, Justification by Faith, Moore College External Studies
D. B. Knox, Selected Works Vols 1 & 2, ed. T. Payne and K. Birkett (Kingsford: Matthias Press 2001 and 2003)
8. CHURCH HISTORY 1
A brief overview of the history of the church taking up issues which help us to understand how our religious heritage has influenced the church today.
Syllabus:
1. Introduction and overview
2. The First and Second Centuries
3. Creeds, Councils and Controversies
4. The Expansion of Christianity
5. Through the "Dark Ages"
6. Luther
7. Calvin
8. Other Reformers
9. The British Reformation
10. England 1601 - 1750
11. The Evangelical Revival
12. The Oxford & Liberal Movements
13. The Missionary Movement
14. The Modern Church
Recommended books:
Moore College Th.C study notes, Early Church History
Moore College Th.C study notes, Reformation Church History
I.J. Davidson, The Birth of the Church (The monarch history of the church; Monarch 2004)
I.J. Davidson, A Public Faith (The monarch history of the church; Monarch 2005)
R.W. Heinze, Reform and Conflict (The monarch history of the church; Monarch )
T. Dowley, Lion Handbook of the History of Christianity, (Lion, 1990)
OPTIONAL SUBJECTS
9. CHURCH HISTORY 2 (THE CHURCH IN AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY)
This subject is designed to assist students to understand the role of the church in Australian society by looking at its historical development and discussing issues facing Christians today. Issues discussed will include education, the rise of eastern religions, the women's movement, the charismatic movement, immigration etc.
Syllabus:
1. Australia: the first one hundred years - an overview
2. Where we came from - the church in Britain in the 18th century and the role of religion in life
3. Beginnings in the new colony
4. Denominational rivalries
5. Coping with expansion and change 1835 - 1880
6. Religion and education 1788 - 1988
7. Responding to crises of faith and social problems
8. Divisive secular issues
9. New Roles, new faiths, moves for reunion
10. Effects of social change on Christian self concept
11. Internal restructuring of religion
12. Future directions for Christianity
Recommended books:
I. Breward, A History of the Australian Churches, (St Leonards: Allen & Unwin, 1993)
Prior to the course students who have done no Australian history will find it helpful to read a general history such as M. Clark, A Short History of Australia, (Ringwood: Penguin, 1995)
10. JOHN'S GOSPEL
A study of the major themes in the Gospel of John.
Recommended books:
F.F. Bruce, The Gospel of John, (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans,1985)
D.A. Carson, John (Pillar; Eerdmans, 1991)
11. ROMANS
Paul's letter to the Romans is an excellent statement of the Gospel and as such is studied in detail.
Recommended books:
Moore College Th.C study notes, Romans
F.F. Bruce, Romans (Tyndale; Leicester: IVP, 1985)
D.J. Moo, Romans (NICNT; Eerdmans, 1996)
12. CHRISTIAN WORSHIP
A study of the Biblical principles which should govern our worship and of how Christians have understood the worship of God in history. Reference is made to the great liturgies of the Church, including the Anglican Prayer Book.
Syllabus:
1. Worship in the Old Testament (1)
2. Worship in the New Testament (1)
3. Congregational meetings in the New Testament (1)
4. The Lord's Supper (1)
5. The development of liturgies including the Roman mass (1)
6. Continental Reformation liturgies (2)
7. British Reformation liturgies with special reference to BCP (3)
8. Modern liturgical developments in England and Australia (2)
9. Effective Church services (1 - biblical preaching, 1 - music)(Note: Figures in brackets indicate the number of lecture hours to be spent on each topic)
Recommended books:
Moore College Th.C study notes, Christian Worship
D.B. Knox, The Christian and His Worship, Moore Books
D.G. Peterson, Engaging with God (Leicester: Apollos, 1992)
13. APOLOGETICS
How do defend the Christian faith when people ask different questions about it? This unit looks at answers to questions like "how do you know there is a God?", "is the Bible true?", "if God is good why do people suffer?" etc
Syllabus:
1. What is Apologetics?
2. Varieties of Approaches: Presuppositionalism, Evidentialism, Experientialism
3. Concepts of Truth: Correspondence Theory, Coherence Theory, Personal Theory, Biblical notion of truth
4. Faith and Reason
5. The Theology We Defend
6. A Personal/Relational Method
7. A Biblical Paradigm - Acts 17
8. Some Traditional Arguments
9. Basic Questions People AskRecommended books:
Moore College Th.C study notes, Apologetics
P.E. Little, Know Why You Believe (Victor books, 2003)
A. McGrath, Bridge-Building (Leicester: IVP, 1992)
13. ETHICS
This unit looks at the biblical principles on which ethical decisions ought to be based and focuses on the application of these principles in selected areas of concern for modern Christians.
Syllabus:
1. What is Ethics
2. Approaches to Ethics
3. Biblical Theology and Ethics
4. A Biblical Theory of Ethics
5. Examination of Contemporary Issues
Recommended books:
G. Goldsworthy, Gospel and Kingdom in The Goldsworthy Trilogy (Paternoster Press, 2000)
M. Hill, How and Why of Love (Matthias Media, 2002)
A.F. Holmes, Ethics (Leicester: Downers IVP, 1984)
J. Stott, New Issues Facing Christians Today (Zondervan, 1999)
14. OLD TESTAMENT 3
This unit is designed to introduce students to the wisdom literature of the Old Testament.
Syllabus:
1. An Introduction to Old Testament Wisdom
2. Creation and the Fear of God in Wisdom Literature
3. The book of Proverbs
4.The book of Ecclesiastes
5. A Detailed Study of the book of Job
6. Wisdom in OverviewRecommended books:
Moore College Th.C study notes, Old Testament 4
G. Goldsworthy, Gospel and Wisdom, in The Goldsworthy Trilogy (Paternoster Press, 2000)
F.I. Anderson, Job (Tyndale; Leicester: IVP, 1976)
B. Webb, Five Festal Garments (NSBT 10; Apollos, 2000)
15. MINISTRY
In this unit the focus is on understanding ministry and its practical implications from a theological perspective.
Syllabus:
1. Foundations
: Biblical theology
2. God and ministry
: Trinity and definition of ministry
3. Patterns for Ministry
: Jesus, Paul and Peter
4. Keys to Ministry
: faith, growth and encouragement
5. Relationships in Ministry
: new creatures in Christ, evangelism and fellowship
6. Church life and Ministry
: nature of church, gifts and edification
7. Ministry Today
: leadership, structures, training and sacrificial serviceRecommended books:
D.B. Knox, Selected Works, Vol 2, ed. K. Birkett (Kingsford: Matthias Media, 2003)
P. Bolt, Mission Minded (Kingsford: St Matthias Press, 1992)
J. Chapman, Know and Tell the Gospel (Rydalmere: Hodder & Stoughton, 1994)
D.G. Peterson, Engaging with God (Leicester, Apollos, 1992)
