Basic Theology Course

Lesson 1 • Theology, Philosophy, and Science

Clarifies the boundaries and overlaps between theology, philosophy, and natural science. Prepares students to engage interdisciplinary questions without confusion.

Lesson 2 • Sources and Norms of Theology

Introduces Scripture, tradition, reason, and experience as primary theological sources. Students learn how these sources interact and are weighted in theological method.

Lesson 3 • Major Branches of Theological Inquiry

Surveys biblical, systematic, historical, and practical theology as distinct yet related fields. Shows how each branch contributes to a comprehensive understanding of God.

Lesson 1 • Inspiration and Authority of the Bible

Examines classical and contemporary theories of biblical inspiration and their implications for authority. Connects inspiration doctrine to how Scripture functions in theology.

Lesson 2 • Scripture in Theological Argument

Demonstrates how theologians cite, exegete, and apply biblical texts to doctrinal questions. Students practise moving from text to theological conclusion responsibly.

Lesson 3 • Principles of Biblical Hermeneutics

Introduces core rules for interpreting Scripture accurately, including genre, context, and authorial intent. Equips students to avoid common interpretive errors.

Lesson 1 • Classical Theism and Its Foundations

Presents the traditional philosophical and biblical case for God's existence and essential nature. Establishes the baseline doctrine against which alternatives are measured.

Lesson 2 • Contemporary Challenges to Classical Theism

Surveys open theism, process theology, and feminist critiques of classical God-language. Prepares students to engage modern theological debates with informed responses.

Lesson 3 • Communicable and Incommunicable Attributes

Distinguishes attributes unique to God from those shared analogically with humans. Students map divine attributes onto a coherent theological portrait.

Lesson 1 • Theology of Creation

Covers creation ex nihilo, the goodness of creation, and God's ongoing providential care. Connects creation doctrine to ecological and ethical responsibilities.

Lesson 2 • Human Nature: Image of God

Analyses the imago Dei concept across structural, functional, and relational interpretations. Students articulate what it means to be human in theological terms.

Lesson 3 • Sin: Types, Effects, and Consequences

Categorises personal, social, and structural sin and their spiritual and relational consequences. Bridges the Fall narrative to the need for divine redemption.

Lesson 1 • Resurrection, Ascension, and Return

Establishes the bodily resurrection as the foundation of Christian hope and theological identity. Covers ascension and the second coming as completing Christ's redemptive work.

Lesson 2 • The Incarnation: God Becomes Human

Examines the theological meaning of the Word becoming flesh and the hypostatic union. Students understand how full divinity and full humanity coexist in one person.

Lesson 3 • The Atonement: Theories and Meaning

Presents major atonement theories including substitution, moral influence, and Christus Victor. Students evaluate each theory's biblical support and theological strengths.

Lesson 1 • The Spirit in Salvation and Sanctification

Covers the Spirit's roles in conviction, regeneration, indwelling, and progressive sanctification. Prepares students for the soteriology chapter by grounding Spirit-work in salvation.

Lesson 2 • Spiritual Gifts and the Church

Surveys the biblical lists of spiritual gifts and their purpose in building up the body of Christ. Addresses cessationist and continuationist positions fairly.

Lesson 3 • The Spirit in Creation and Revelation

Traces the Spirit's activity in creation, inspiration of Scripture, and general revelation. Connects pneumatology to earlier chapters on creation and Scripture.

Lesson 1 • Sanctification and Glorification

Covers progressive sanctification, entire sanctification debates, and the final glorification of believers. Completes the salvation arc from new birth to eternal life.

Lesson 2 • Justification by Faith

Defines justification as God's forensic declaration of righteousness and its basis in Christ's work. Distinguishes Protestant and Catholic understandings of justification.

Lesson 3 • Regeneration, Conversion, and Repentance

Distinguishes the Spirit's regenerating work from the human responses of faith and repentance. Clarifies the sequence and relationship of these salvation elements.

Lesson 1 • Church Government and Ministry

Surveys episcopal, presbyterian, and congregational polity models and their theological rationale. Covers ordained ministry and the priesthood of all believers.

Lesson 2 • Eschatology: Last Things

Covers death, judgment, resurrection, and the final state in light of Christ's return. Surveys millennial views and the nature of heaven and hell.

Lesson 3 • Sacraments and Ordinances

Examines baptism and the Lord's Supper across Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant traditions. Students understand how sacramental theology reflects broader doctrinal commitments.