Diploma of Theology - 2008 Subject List
Within ACOM there are CORE subjects and Elective subjects.
- A CORE
subject is a subject that must be completed in order to graduate
- An Elective
is a subject that a student chooses from a range of subjects which help
the student to meet the above requirements.
Core Subjects in Diploma of Theology are:
School of Bible
BD100C
- Introduction to Biblical Studies
Discovering the
message of the Bible in its context, and what it reveals of the nature and
missional activity of God from Creation to Revelation.
School of Theology, Mission and Culture
MD186C
- Cross-Cultural Ministry
Explores the impact of culture on our life, society and sense of meaning, and the significance of this impact for the church that seeks to be missional. This subject also examines strategies to engage the religious consciousness of Australian ethnic sub-cultures in order to share faith.
TD189C
- Introduction to Theology
This subject discusses sources of theological knowledge, basic themes of Christian belief, and why and how the Bible can be trusted. This subjects provides tools that missional leaders
need to engage in sound and thorough theological reflection in today's culture.
School of Leadership
PD234C
- Becoming a Missional Leader
This subject lays a firm foundation for spiritual leadership through a deep experience of God's love. This subject also examines what motivates people as a key to transitioning individuals and whole churches towards more effective engagement with the world.
School of Spirituality
PD172C
- Personal Formation 1
This subject provides support and care in the context of intentional Character and Spiritual Formation processes that develop personal maturity and emotional health, and assists students to develop sustainable habits for long-term ministry.
Elective Subjects in Diploma of Theology are:
School of Bible
BD202C
- The Meaning of Scripture
The nature,
history and role of the Bible, and its interpretation and application in a
Postmodern world. This subject will
also familiarise students with resources available for appreciating the
original languages of the Bible.
Encountering
God's love and purpose as He takes the initiative in human history to reveal
Himself and His grace. This subject also provides a guide as how to
understand and apply biblical narrative today.
BD231C
- Prophetic Literature
Encountering God's unshakeable plan for humanity, which provides hope in even the most hopeless of situations. This subject also provides an understanding of God's purposes and actions in and beyond judgment.
BD266C
- Studies in Acts and Romans
Ascertains how the early church became a global missional movement, impacting a whole generation and changing the world that followed. This subject also surveys the communal and theological character of the early church.
BD264C
- The Pauline Literature
Surveys the books of 1 Corinthians, Ephesians and Timothy, to understand the nature and theology of church and how it should function in the world. This subject also explores what the church should be doing to become missionally effective in the 21st century.
BD229C
- Wisdom Literature
Encountering God's faithfulness in the midst of suffering. This subject also explores how to discover and respond to God in our darkest moments.
BD269C
- General Epistles & Revelation
This subject surveys the books of James, Peter, 1 John and Revelation to understand how we are to live faithfully in light of an eternal future that is guaranteed, but not yet here.
School of Theology, Mission and Culture
HD285C
- The Restoration Movement
An exploration of the background and development of the Restoration Movement. Compares and contrasts the Restoration Movement with denominations and other movements.
MD260C
- Reaching Aussies with the Gospel
Explores uniquely Australian responses to church, religion and spirituality. This subject also provides a framework for assessing the effectiveness of missional approaches in use today.
Searching the Gospels to discover how Jesus lived and who He was. This subject explores the story of God's identification with human suffering and sin and His Mission to rescue us from ourselves.
TD235C
- The Spirit in the Church and World
Surveys the biblical teaching about the Spirit's work and nature, including understanding spiritual gifts, spiritual power, the fruit of the Spirit and walking in the Spirit. A critique of various views of the role of experience in the Christian life.
TD244C
- A Loving God in a Suffering World
Explores the biblical concept of God and Creation. Seeks to understand how we experience a loving God in a suffering world, by asking if He is really there, and how He interacts with our world.
ED210C
- Biblical Answers for Life's Questions
Surveys ethical frameworks provided in the Bible, and examines tensions and unity in biblical ethical teachings. Seeks to provide missional leaders with a foundation to make and model appropriate ethical choices in a complex world.
School of Leadership
This subject provides students with the necessary skills and understandings to "grab" and hold an audience's attention. This subject also systematically examines the characteristics of effective public speakers and their approaches to communication.
This subject extends the communication and preaching compentence and effectiveness of the student and aims to build a greater awareness of the contexts of preaching, in particular in post-modern settings.
PD146C
- Foundations for Pastoral Care
Providing the
theological, legal, and practical frameworks necessary for leading and caring for a Christian
community, regardless of its size, shape or distinctives. This subject also develops important proficiencies needed to lead and care for Christian communities today.
PD261C
- Principles of Christian Leadership
This subject introduces the topic of contemporary Christian leadership, looking at key biblical leaders, principles (such as shepherding and servanthood) and models. This subject assists students to develop and practise Christ-like leadership in their own context.
PD263C
- Mastering Change
A multi-disciplinary experience that examines change. Drawing on psychology, sociology, theology, leadership and management theory, this subject identifies and explores key processes driving personal and institutional change.
School of Spirituality
SD102C
- Foundations of Christian Spiritual Formation
This subject examines ways of growing our intimacy with God, including prayer beyond the beginnings, meditation, contemplation, spiritual disciplines, spiritual friendship, spiritual direction, Sabbath, retreats and spiritual journaling.
PD272C
- Personal Formation 2
This subject provides support and care in the context of intentional
Character and Spiritual Formation processes that develop personal
maturity and emotional health, and assists students to develop
sustainable habits for long-term ministry.
SD207C
- Soul Care: Spiritual Maturity in Pastor and People
This subject identifies the centre of pastoral ministry as "soul-care". It examines how leaders can maintain a growing, vibrant, spiritual maturity as the foundation for their ministry, and for fostering spiritual maturity within their faith community.
Specialty - Youth Ministry (Youth Vision)
PD216C
- Foundations for Youth Ministry
Foundational principles for identifying a personal call to youth ministry, building a philosophy of Youth Ministry, and developing basic skills necessary to establish a youth ministry.
PD215C
- Developing a Youth Ministry
Provides guidelines for discipleship, mentoring and training of young people and youth leaders, with emphasis on building effective student leaders.
PD218C
- Culture and Context of Youth Ministry
This subject is offered as a Youth Ministry Internship in conjunction with a second subject "Youth Ministry: Ministry and Personal Growth" (18 credit points in total).
Hands-on experience in researching and implementing resources applicable to the culture and context of youth ministry. This subject also focuses on developing a holistic, healthy foundation out of which the youth minister can operate for long-term ministry.
PD214C
- Youth Ministry: Ministry and Personal Growth
This subject is offered as a Youth Ministry Internship in conjunction
with a second subject "Culture and Context of Youth Ministry"
(18 credit points in total).
Hands-on experience in researching and implementing resources
applicable to the culture and context of youth ministry. This subject
also focuses on developing a holistic, healthy foundation out of which
the youth minister can operate for long-term ministry.
Specialty - Emerging & New Church Leadership
PD228C
- Planting and Growing Healthy Churches
This subject provides an understanding of the methodology and strategies required for church planting, highlighting the skills necessary to plant a church, including leadership and pastoral care. The subject facilitates the development of a plan for planting a contemporary church.
Specialty - Social Justice & Community Work (TEAR)
MD275C
- Engaging Global Injustice: Christian Aid and Development
This subject explores the history of the Non-Government Aid and Development Agency (NGO) phenomenon, giving particular emphasis to the distinctiveness of Christian NGOs. The subject will also examine changing understandings of how best to achieve sustainable community development.
MD276C
- Doing Community Development: Christlike Community Work
This subject introduces students to the biblical, ethical and social-science foundations of faith-based community development work. The subject conceptualises a significant part of the mission of the church in the world to be an agent of social transformation and community development.
MD288C
- Becoming a Prophet's Apprentice: Faith Based Internships
This subject provides students with placement opportunities to explore integral mission in practice. Internships focus on action and reflection whilst working with disadvantaged groups, both in Australia or overseas.
MD273C
- The Micah Mandate: Integral Mission, Advocacy and Action
This subject explores the implications of biblical teaching on poverty, wealth, justice and compassion for a Christian response to the needs of the global poor. The subject will also explore an integrated Christian response to poverty resulting in social and cultural transformation.
