What conscious and unconscious rules do we use when reading the Bible? How does the overall story hold together? How can we guard against choosing a page at random and making it say what we want it to say? This unit draws our attention to the different ‘lenses’ through which we approach Scripture. We learn and practise skills using a ‘microscope’: paying attention to the finer details of a passage. We rehearse the importance of the ‘telescope’: seeing where our passage fits into the big picture of God’s mission. We explore other lenses that different interpreters try – and, of course, we are concerned with how we can responsibly apply Scripture to our contemporary lives and churches.

From Adam and Eve to Abraham, Moses, King David and everyone in between, this subject encourages us with the faithfulness of God throughout history. We see how, in the midst of a fallen world, God created a people for himself and restored the ideals of creation through a tiny, insignificant nation and, eventually, through the royal line of David. We see the depths of Israel’s sin, their horrific acts of idolatry and apostasy; but we see also the heights of God’s love, the strength of his saving arm and his faithfulness to his promises. This subject provides a helpful overview of the first part of the Old Testament up until 2 Kings, with a focus on the Old Testament covenants and key themes that develop from Genesis to Kings. Along the way, we have the chance to think further about some of the difficult parts of the Old Testament, such as the topics of creation and Canaanite genocide, that arise in everyday conversation.

In this unit you will explore the significance of culture for communication and the process of contextualisation. You will study theories and models of cross-cultural communication, world views and their significance for cross-cultural communication, and the influence of social and power structures on communication. You will also look at the impact of language, body language and para-language; behavioural patterns, cultural norms and values such as honour/shame; the role of gender, media , space, time, para-language, artefacts and the environment.

This unit gives students practical experience preparing and delivering sermons, but more than that, it gives them the opportunity to learn how to make the Bible come alive to people. In this unit, you will explore the nature and purpose of preaching, the identity and calling of the preacher, theological and pastoral issues in preaching, as well as the methods and techniques of public speaking.

What does it mean to defend the Christian faith in a 21st-century postmodern world? How do Christians respond to the challenges of a context where knowledge is seen to be the domain of science while religion is seen to be merely about belief or values? How do Christians respond to the ‘New Atheists’, people such as Richard Dawkins who says that religion poisons your mind? What is a distinctive Christian theological and apologetic response to climate change? What is the role of reason and argument in these conversations? How do Christians promote a substantial view of truth and the uniqueness of Christ when prominent philosophers claim that truth is no more than what your peers will let you get away with saying? How does apologetics contribute to preaching in the local church? This unit will examine questions such as these with a special focus on the so-called New Atheism and the relationship between science and faith. Be prepared for an intellectually stimulating ride.