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A study and practical application of research methods for the purpose of writing a research paper. This will include the following: Covering some important aspects of English grammar, topic choice and limitation, gathering materials, organising the material along with transitions, doing correct referencing, putting together a bibliography, and writing the various parts of a paper.
Introduction to Philosophy and Logic:The origins and historic background of certain philosophical systems will be covered alongside a consideration of various forms of reasoning and the general laws of thought. This course is designed to introduce the student to the world of thought and to aid in clear thinking, accurate reasoning, and correct conclusions.
Psychology:The study of human growth and development, emotion, motivation, learning, personality, and other related topics, designed to provide an understanding of behaviour and its relationship to Christian principles of life.
Sociology:This course is in introduction to the science of sociology and its usefulness in understanding how societies work and cultures develop. It will elaborate on such elements as family, religion, economy, tradition, culture, values, mythology, demographics, cultural dynamics, and social structure, and how these define a society. Special attention will be given to how culture impacts the church, and how sociological skills may be used by Christians to effectively connect with the society around them.
An introduction primarily to the inductive method of Bible study in which the background, context, words, grammatical structure, interpretive problems and application of a given passage are considered. The various reference tools available for Bible study are introduced to the student. The book of James is used significantly in this course. (**This course is a prerequisite to all biblical and theological subjects taught at HTC.)
Didactic Literature/1 Corinthians:An expositional study of 1 Corinthians reinforcing the inductive Bible study method used at Harare Theological College, and examining relevant issues from the book particularly as they relate to the Zimbabwean context.
New Testament Epistle -- Romans:A detailed study of the epistle to the Romans based on the English text utilising the inductive Bible study method taught at Harare Theological College with application focusing on Christian living in Africa today.
Introduction to Hermeneutics/Romans:This course introduces the student to the area of study known as hermeneutics and some key issues covered under this topic. The practice of doing hermeneutics will be applied in an expositional study of the Epistle to the Romans whereby the student is acquainted with the overall argument and content of the book as well as the theology of this important epistle. The student will also be given further opportunity to practice the skills learned in Bible Study Methods taught at HTC.
Old Testament Literary Genres:A study of how to interpret the various literary forms found in the Old Testament including law, prophecy, poetry, wisdom, and narrative. The course discusses examples, examines significant interpretive issues, and reinforces the inductive study method taught at Harare Theological College.
New Testament Literary Genres:A study of how to interpret the various literary forms found in the New Testament, including epistles, gospels, history, and apocalyptic. The course discusses examples, examines significant interpretive issues, and reinforces the inductive study method taught at Harare Theological College.
Hermeneutics: Narrative Literature:An introduction to correctly interpreting narrative literature is given and then the book of Acts is studied to give the student opportunity to develop exegetical skills in the area of narrative literature. Selected Old Testament passages are also looked at so as to provide models for properly interpreting narrative literature.
Hermeneutics: Poetic and Wisdom Literature:The principles for accurately interpreting and applying poetic and wisdom sections in Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiates, Song of Solomon, are taught bearing in mind the specific nature of Hebraic form and expression in these books.
Hermeneutics: Prophetic Literature:The principles for accurately interpreting and applying a passage within one of the prophetic books of the Bible are taught. As apocalyptic literature is contained in many prophetic books, this genre's unique features are considered.
Hermeneutics: Gospels & Parables:The principles for accurately interpreting and applying a passage within one of the gospels is taught. This course includes a study of the religious and political situation of Palestine at the time, an overview of Jesus life and ministry, as well as the "synoptic" nature of the first three Gospels. Parables are treated as a somewhat separate genre because of their unique features which need to be grasped.
The Pentateuch:An examination of Genesis to Deuteronomy with emphasis on the historical, hermeneutical and theological questions of Genesis 1-11; the law-grace question and the Ten Commandments; the entire law and its implications (if any) for today; sacrifices, atonement, and the forgiveness of sins; and the covenant forms used in these books.
New Testament Greek Grammar I - III:A study of the elements of New Testament Greek giving special attention to learning the alphabet, vocabulary, morphology, and syntax. These courses are a prerequisite to New Testament Greek Exegesis courses.
New Testament Greek Exegesis 1 - II:Translation work, vocabulary building and an intensive exegetical study using the Greek text are done in these courses.
New Testament Survey:The course begins with an introduction to the New Testament and then the general background, theme, purpose and over-all plan of each book of the New Testament is studied along with its relationship to the rest of Scripture. The student is also briefly introduced to the type(s) of literature and the theology contained in each of the New Testament books.
Old Testament Survey I:This course begins with an introduction to the Old Testament and then the general background, theme, purpose and over-all plan of each book of the Old Testament from Genesis to Esther is studied along with its relationship to the rest of Scripture. The student is also briefly introduced to the type(s) of literature and the theology contained in each of these Old Testament books.
Old Testament Survey II:The general background, theme, purpose and development of the Old Testament books from Job to Malachi are studied along with its relationship to the rest of scripture. The student is also briefly introduced to the type(s) of literature and theology contained in each of these Old Testament books.
Introduction to Hebrew Grammar:A introductory study of the elements of Old Testament Hebrew with emphasis on learning the Hebrew alphabet, and then some morphology, syntax and vocabulary so as to enable the student to use Hebrew Bible study tools.
Pastoral Epistles:The expositional study of the pastoral epistles with application to pastoral ministry in Africa.
Petrine Literature:The expositional study of Peter’s epistles with application to pastoral ministry in Africa where the development of a theology of suffering is so needed and important.
An overview of the expansion and impact of the church in Africa with special emphasis on how colonialism has impacted the course of Christianity in Africa in the past, and how various indigenous expressions of Christianity have developed.
African Traditional Religion:An overview of traditional African Religious beliefs, designed to help provide the student with an understanding of current practices within the traditional community from which they come, and how Christianity has and should continue to affect these beliefs and practices.
Apologetics:An overview of apologetics, introducing the student to the need for a reasoned defense of the Christian faith, and dealing with the specific approaches and problems to answering objections made by non-Christians of an African and Western background.
Evangelism:A study of the nature of the gospel, and a discussion of techniques for presenting the gospel in various contexts.
Christian Ethics:A basic approach to Christian ethics is derived by examining biblical principles in the Old and New Testaments. Various schools of thought concerning ways of making decisions in day to day life and exceptional circumstances are examined in the light of biblical principles and are then applied to specific circumstances faced here in the African context.
History of Christianity I:An overview of the history of Christianity from the first century AD. to the end of the first major phase of the Reformation (50 AD. - 1560 AD.) is given so as to help the student understand those key events, issues and people who helped shape the present universal church.
History of Christianity II:A continuation of the study of the expansion of Christianity from the middle of the Reformation to the present era (1560 AD. - Present) with emphasis on the major characters, events and theological developments that have shaped the universal church today.
Contemporary Theology:The various methods and influences in doing theology in Africa today are examined, taking note of the positive and negative contributions made by these various ways of doing theology.
Survey of Christian Doctrines I:A basic study and discussion of significant issues in the following areas of systematic theology: General and special revelation, the person and work of God, the doctrine of man and sin.
Survey of Christian Doctrines II:A basic study and discussion of significant issues in the following areas of systematic theology: The person and work of Christ, the Holy Spirit, Salvation, the Church, and Last things.
Survey of Theology:A basic, synthetic look at the general areas of Systematic Theology dealt with at Harare Theological College relating them to an African context: namely, epistemology, bibliology, trinitarianism, angelology, African Traditional Religion, ecclesiology, and eschatology.
Systematic Theology (S.T.):The major doctrines of the Bible are studied in such a way that the student is encouraged to formulate biblical convictions concerning the various doctrines of the Bible, and to see the practical application of these doctrines in their lives and society. The major doctrines to be studied include the following:
This course covers God's particular revelation of the Bible. How we got the Bible in its present form along with the associated issues of inspiration (the preservation of revelation), inerrancy (the dependability of God's Word), and the authority of God's Word are looked at.
In this course the student is introduced to what theology is and the necessity of doing theology; the method of doing theology; the issues surrounding contemporising theology; how God can be known; God's attributes; the nature and unity of the Trinity; what God does in this world; and the special problem of evil in a world created by God.
Here the student is introduced to the Christian view of man; the origin of humanity; the image of God in man; the views concerning the constitution of man; and the nature, source and results of human sinfulness.
Jesus Christ as the second person of the Trinity is viewed in terms of both his person and work. This means the student will look at the biblical teaching concerning Christ's deity, His humanity, and the unity of the two natures in the One Person. The associated issue of Christ's virgin birth will be studied. Then the student will look at Christ's work with particular emphasis upon his atonement.
The student will become familiar with the biblical teaching concerning good and evil angels and will evaluate the importance of the doctrine of angels in view of traditional beliefs in this society where the spirit world is a primary point of reference.
The third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, is the object of study in this course. The Holy Spirit's nature, His work in the Old Testament and New Testament and His work in the life of the Christian is studied. The associated issue of the miraculous gifts today is thought through.
Such matters as the various conceptions of salvation, predestination, conversion, regeneration, union with Christ, justification, sanctification, and glorification will be explained and the associated issues dealt with.
The nature of the Church, the role of the Church in society, the government of the church, and the ordinances of the church will all be looked at with various views and implications considered
What ought to be our focus and motivation as Christians as we look forward to the Second coming of Christ are the primary topics of consideration in this course. What happens to the individual immediately after death and the final state of the righteous and the wicked are also studied from a biblical perspective.
A survey of the major World Religions and sects, and the particular methods and problems associated with reaching these people for Christ. The teachings of Islam are given special attention because of the spread of Islam in Africa today, and the major sects in Zimbabwe also receive special attention.
This course will seek to give an understanding of the theology of Christian education as it relates to the Church’s ministry. Reference will be made to individuals through the course of history whose ideas in the secular field have contributed to where we are today. The student will be introduced to the principles and dynamics of the teaching/learning process. They will be taught by the very methods and techniques that it is hoped they will be able to use to bring Christian truth alive to others.
Christian Education II:The mental, physical, emotional and social aspects of the spiritual growth and needs of children, youth, and adults will be studied along with a study of the church's programmes in relation to children, youth and adults including principles, methods and materials for work amongst these different age groups.
Drama:The theory and use of drama as a means of enriching the local church programme of worship, education, and evangelism. The techniques of preparation and presentation are applied in actual dramatical performance.
Church Music:A biblical, theological and practical study of music and worship in the context of church life. The course will include the organization and administration of a church music programme, hymnody, the graded choir programme, conducting techniques, the use of instruments in the service, and congregational singing.
A study encouraging self-assessment and the measuring of gifts for careers in ministry and covering the personal disciplines of piety, and of interpersonal relationships in the light of biblical materials designed to focus on the leading of an exemplary Christian life midst the pressures of college and church life.
Christian Marriage and Home:A practical course designed to prepare the student to be able to deal with the issues surrounding courtship, marriage and home life from a Christian perspective.
Christian Leadership:An introduction to issues of Christian leadership particularly as they relate to the challenges of one being a leader in a local church or a Christian organisation.
Expository Preaching I:This course is designed to help the student begin mastering the various skills needed to be an effective communicator of God's Word in all its fullness. Selected passages of Scripture from the epistles will be thoroughly investigated and the ways of communicating the truth in those passages will be explored. The student will be given opportunity to practically implement what he/she has been taught by preaching a sermon.
Expository Preaching II:As a continuation of Expository Preaching I, this course gives the student opportunity to further develop his/her skills in communicating God’s Word. How to preach other types of biblical literature other than the epistles will be taught.
Integration of Preaching and Biblical Studies:This course is designed to enable the student to be able to think through the issues involved in preaching different kinds of biblical literature apart from didactic literature which was covered in the introductory preaching class. Preaching Christ from the Old Testament is a particular focus of this course.
Missions and Church Planting:A study of the history, biblical basis, objectives, motives, and methods of mission work, with an emphasis on principles of cross-cultural ministry. This course also teaches the how of starting a new church and how to get believers established as a congregation. Issues regarding indigenisation and contextualisation in church planting will be investigated along with case studies.
Church Life and Ministry:A study of the task of the pastor/elders and congregation as both a community of believers and an influence in society. Various aspects of church life, leadership, and involvement in the community in the Zimbabwean context will be examined.
Contextualization:An analysis of contextualization in biblical perspective, and principles for its application in Africa.
Counseling I:An introduction to the principles, techniques and theories of counseling with emphasis on counselor characteristics, helping skills, the various types of counseling, the most common counseling problems, and the uniqueness of Christian counseling.
Counseling II:A course in which the practical skills of counseling are further developed and other specific issues facing the counselor such as marriage counseling, crisis counseling, addictions, and counseling problems unique to the Zimbabwean context are dealt with in depth.
Psychology of Religion:A discussion of religious experience which begins with the biblical account of Jesus' religious experience and includes conversion, glossolalia, prophecy, guidance, conviction, demonology, etc. Both psychological and biblical perspectives will be considered.