Bachelor of Theology (BTh)

Accreditation status

Auckland Park Theological Seminary’s Bachelor of Theology is accredited by the Council on Higher Education (CHE) and South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), and registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).

SAQA registration number: 111234
HEQSF Aligned, NQF Level 7, 360-Credits: Distance Mode
Entry level NQF Level 7 and exit level NQF Level 8

---

---

Overview of the Bachelor of Theology

The Bachelor of Theology undergraduate degree comprises of the six theological disciplines plus one of the two Biblical languages, Hebrew or Greek. Students can take both the languages if they so wish.

The six theological disciplines are:

• Church history
• Dogmatics and Ethics
• Missiology
• New Testament
• Old Testament
• Practical Theology

Each discipline is divided into first and second semester modules and from 1st to 3rd year for a total of 36 modules.

The Biblical language (Hebrew or Greek) is taught on a first year level only. The biblical language needs to be started during a 1st semester since Greek/Hebrew 711 (1st semester) is a prerequisite for Greek/Hebrew 712 (2nd semester). The student may however register for the biblical language during any year of their studies.

ATS enrols new students bi-annual, in January and in June.

Students who enrol for the first time in January will start with first semester modules. Students who enrol for the first time in June will start with second semester modules (refer to module codes).

---

Why study the Bachelor of Theology?

Watch the video below for compelling reasons to consider studying the Bachelor of Theology (BTh) degree for full-time or marketplace ministry: from developing your cognitive ability, learning people skills, becoming more prepared for the end-times, and more….

Then learn how ATS has compiled its BTh curriculum in order to best equip people for God’s calling for their lives?

---

Minimum admission requirements

The minimum admission requirement is at least one of the following:

• A National Senior Certificate (NSC) as certified by Umalusi with an achievement rating of 4 (Adequate Achievement, 50-59%) or better in four subjects chosen from the recognised 20-credit NSC subjects.
• A tertiary qualification on NQF 5 (Higher Certificate).
• A theological related Higher Certificate (RPL for credits may apply)
• A theological related Diploma (RPL for credits may apply).
• If the applicant is older than 23 years and have matriculation exemption from the Matriculation Board.

---

Recognition of prior learning (RPL)

RPL is the process through which the prior knowledge, skills and experience of an applicant/student are made visible and assessed for the purposes of gaining access to a qualification programme, or exemption from modules of a particular qualification.

In order for the Academic Board to assess an applicant’s application for RPL, you’ll need to upload a portfolio of evidence in the form of supporting documentation. The more complete your documentation, the better your RPL application can be assessed by ATS.

For previous studies, you’ll need to provide:

• certified copies of transcripts or academic results (for foreign qualifications upload SAQA evaluation certificate), and
• documentation stating the objectives, learning outcomes, content and credits of the completed modules (The training institution should be able to provide you with such).

For knowledge and skills gained in practices (e.g. having been an ordained pastor for 15 years) outside Higher Education in terms of their value for the envisaged course of study, you’ll need to provide:

• your comprehensive curriculum vitae (CV),
• certified certificate of ordination (if applicable), and
• reference letters detailing the work you have been involved with.
• a short motivation letter describing:
  • why you are applying for RPL, and
  • what you value about your learning, work experience and your specific competencies.

---

Credits

A qualification is awarded certain minimum credits. The BTh is made up of a total of 360 credits. Each subject in the specific qualification carries a specific amount of credits. Credits are, in accordance with the DHET (Department: Higher Education and Training) regulation calculated according to the following formula: 1 credit equals 10 study hours.

---

International Students

The minimum requirements for international students will be a final school year certificate bearing the same value as the South African National Senior Certificate.

This qualification of the applicant must be assessed by SAQA and the original SAQA assessment certificate as well as the SAQA Evaluation Certificate must be submitted to ATS. Review detailed information for international students.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more about how your studies will work.

Here we explain among other things how the Application and Registration processes work, ATS’ Online Learning system, how to submit your assignments, and the requirements for your invigilator for tests and exams.

---

Study fees for the Bachelor of Theology (2025)

R2,100 per module (which includes deposit fee).

The deposit fee per module is R735.00 (35%) and is payable on the date of registration.

The remaining amount needs to be paid in 3 equal installments by latest end of April (1st semester) or September (2nd semester).

Unlike other institutions, Auckland Park Theological Seminary does NOT charge extra fees for your Application or Registration every semester.

This qualification is priced 15-20% lower than comparable programmes, and 85% of the prescribed study materials are included in the module fees and provided to the student, making Auckland Park Theological Seminary’s Bachelor of Theology even more affordable. Students have a minimal number of additional prescribed books to purchase during their years of study.

A handling and dispatching fee for additional prescribed books and study material is payable if you do not collect your material from ATS. Estimated R200.

---

Further study opportunities

Successful completion of this Bachelor of Theology (BTh) degree will allow the student access into a Bachelor of Theology Honours degree at NQF Level 8.

---

BTh Bridge

If you have previously completed your Diploma at ATS you can “upgrade” your Diploma to the Bachelor of Theology (BTh) degree by enrolling and completing the BTh Bridge course.

The BTh Bridge is a minimum one-year course and consists of 1 biblical language (Hebrew or Greek) on first year level (2 modules) and 7 assignments (an assignment in each of the 6 different theological disciplines plus 1 additional assignment).

On successful completion of the BTh Bridge you will be required to submit your original certificate obtained for your ATS Diploma. It will be replaced with a BTh certificate.

The cost for 2025 for the BTh Bridge is R11,640 (excl. your biblical language) or R15,840 (incl. your biblical language).

Apply now for the BTh Bridge →

---

---

Student loans

These financial institutions in South Africa offer student loans.

---

Bachelor of Theology Module Content

Module codes

• The module codes are descriptive of the discipline, year and semester, for example: CH712
• CH - Church History
  
• 712 - the second number represents the year, in this case the first year;
• the third number indicates the semester, in this case the second semester.
• The code CH712 therefore refers to the module Church History, first year second semester.

The module content for each subject in the Bachelor of Theology is as follows:

CHURCH HISTORY (48 credits)

CH711 (7 credits)

• The basics of historiography
• Cultural history
• The history of early Christianity
• The history of the sub-apostolic age of the church
• The church in the second century Roman Empire
• Heresies and schisms in the second century

CH712 (7 credits)

• The Church in the Christian Empire
• The formation of the Creed
• The Church Fathers
• The Middle Ages
• Christendom: the foundations of a society
• Christendom: expansion, Challenge and Defence

CH721 (8 credits)

• Why study church history?
• Music in the church
• Divine healing
• Theological developments
• The history of the Bible
• Church, State and apartheid

CH722 (8 credits)

• South African church history
• Modern church history
• Martin Luther
• The Renaissance to the Reformation
• The Pentecostal movement in America
• Pentecostal theology

CH731 (9 credits)

• Pentecostal movements
• Charismatic movements
• The American Holiness schism
• A theological analysis of the Pentecostal movement

CH732 (9 credits)

• The Azusa street revival
• John G Lake
• Pentecost in Africa
• Christian resistance to apartheid

DOGMATICS AND ETHICS (60 credits)

DG711 (9 credits)

• The quest for truth
• Man’s reply to God’s voice
• Dogmatics
• Origin of the Bible
• Inspiration and the Word of God
• Understanding God’s Word
• Interpreting the Bible
• Knowledge regarding God
• The concept of God
• The virtues of God

DG712 (9 credits)

• Jesus as God-Man
• Revelation of the incarnate Word
• Christ’s way of salvation
• Man as image of God
• Spirit, soul and body
• Doctrine concerning man

DG721 (10 credits)

• The doctrine of sin
• The covenant
• The election
• Salvation
• Calling
• Faith
• Repentance
• Regeneration, justification and adoption
• Divorce and remarriage

DG722 (10 credits)

• The Kingdom of God
• Ecclesiology
• Sacraments and baptism
• Holy Communion
• Cohabitation

DG731 (11 credits)

• Doctrine of creation
• Events in creation
• Science and the purpose of creation
• Angelology
• Demonology
• Marriage

DG732 (11 credits)

• Baptism in the Holy Spirit
• God’s miraculous deeds
• Spiritual gifts
• Ministries
• Sanctification
• Cloning

MISSIOLOGY (48 credits)

MS711 (7 credits)

• Evangelism
• Biblical foundation for evangelism
• Salvation as doctrine and experience
• Christian missions
• Missiology as a science and as a mission
• Old and New Testament missions theology
• Historical and contemporary mission models
• God’s nature and missions
• A wider crisis in missions
• A pluriverse of missiology
• The development of demonology in Jewish thought
• The Bible and missions
• Jesus and missions
• Success of the early Christian mission
• Failures of the early Christian mission

MS712 (7 credits)

• Missionary pioneers
• The Apostolic Faith Mission of SA
• The African concept of God
• African primal religions
• Evangelism

MS721 (8 credits)

• The great commission
• A constructive understanding of evangelism
• Practising forgiveness and solidarity with the poor
• Mission in Kingdom perspective
• Creation stewardship
• The spirit-world
• The African spirit-world
• The role of the Holy Spirit in missions
• A holistic approach to missions

MS722 (8 credits)

• Salvation: a missionary paradigm in Luke and Acts
• Paul’s missionary paradigm and strategy
• The Church as an eschatological community
• Different models for evangelism
• Church planting models
• A holistic evangelism strategy
• The Judea Harvest strategy
• Engaging the spirit-world in evangelism
• The challenges of a missionary

MS731 (9 credits)

• Missions in a post-modern world
• Developments in missions
• Evangelicalism
• Congregational mega trends
• An ecumenical missionary paradigm
• Globalisation of missions

MS732 (9 credits)

• Missions and Charles Villa-Vic
• God and culture
• Christianity and culture
• The spirit world: before and during the New Testament
• The spirit-world: the African context
• Other religions:
• Hinduism
• Islam
• The New Age Movement
• Zoroastrianism
• African Independent Churches
• Missions as contextualisation and enculturation

NEW TESTAMENT THEOLOGY (50 credits)

NT711 (8 credits)

INTRODUCTION TO THE CONTEXT AND WORLD OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

• What is the New Testament?
• The many worlds of the New Testament
• The intertestamental period
• Greek Philosophy
• Mystery religions
• Jewish sects
• Dead Sea scroll
• The Roman government

CRITICAL ISSUES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

• The synoptic problem
• The Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke

NEW TESTAMENT THEOLOGY

• Basic structures and content
• The conceptual setting of the new testament
• Jesus in the Synoptic Gospels
• Jesus in the Gospel of John

HERMENEUTICS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Introduction to hermeneutics
• General hermeneutics

NT712 (8 credits)

CRITICAL ISSUES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

• The preparation of Christ
• The acts of the Apostles and the content of Acts
• Paul and his world
• Letters in the New Testament
• The letters to Galatians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians and 1 & 2 Corinthians

THEOLOGY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

• The gospel according to Paul
• Surprised by hope
• Who is Jesus in the New Testament?
• Salvation
• The importance of growth
• How should believers live?

HERMENEUTICS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Textual criticism
• The Canon of the New Testament

NT721 (8 credits)

CRITICAL ISSUES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Colossians
• Philemon
• Philippians
• Ephesians
• 1 & 2 Timothy
• Titus

NEW TESTAMENT THEOLOGY

• Sanctification
• The Christian life
• What is the Church?
• The corporate life of the believer
• The mission, tasks and activities of the Church
• The Church’s relationship to society
• Paradise
• Myths about God’s existence

HERMENEUTICS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

• New Testament word analysis
• Sociology and the New Testament

NT722 (8 credits)

CRITICAL ISSUES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Hebrews
• James
• 1 & 2 Peter

THEOLOGY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

• The general Epistles
• Hebrews, James and 1 & 2 Peter
• The story of Easter
• What the world is waiting for
• Jesus, heaven and the new creation
• When He appears

HERMENEUTICS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Myths about God and science
• The function of the Old Testament in the New Testament

NT731 (9 credits)

CRITICAL ISSUES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

• The Johannine Epistles ( 1, 2 & 3 John, and Jude)
• Revelation

NEW TESTAMENT THEOLOGY

• The letters of John
• The letter of Jude
• The Revelation of John
• The Apocalyptic reader
• The end
• Myths about angels

NT732 ( 9 credits)

CRITICAL ISSUES IN TE NEW TESTAMENT

• The phases of early Christianity: AD 30-70
• The phases of early Christianity: AD 70-95
• Emerging Christian Orthodoxy
• The Gnostic Empire
• New Age: The return of ancient Gnosticism

THEOLOGY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

• The New Testament and God

HERMENEUTICS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

• The theory of interpreting the New Testament
• New Testament exegesis: theory and practise
• New Testament Greek grammatical analysis
• Principles of exegesis
• Exegesis of Pauline texts

OLD TESTAMENT THEOLOGY (50 credits)

OT711 (8 credits)

• What is the Bible? How to understand what you read
• The authority of the Old Testament
• The inspiration of the Old Testament
• The stories of the Old Testament
• The Bible books: Genesis to Esther
• The wisdom literature

OT712 (8 credits)

• The Bible books: Song of Songs to Malachi

OT721 (8 credits)

• The need for Old Testament hermeneutics
• Rules for hermeneutics: Prose
• Rules for hermeneutics: Poetry
• Genre analysis: Narrative
• Genre analysis: Poetry
• Genre analysis: Wisdom
• Genre analysis: Prophecy
• Genre analysis: Apocalyptic
• How to read the Bible: Sentences
• How to read the Bible: Paragraphs
• How to read the Bible: Discourses
• What we bring to the text
• The historical-cultural context
• The literary context
• Levels of meaning
• Current Pentecostal hermeneutical concerns
• A contemporary Pentecostal hermeneutical strategy

OT722 (8 credits)

• The transmission of the Hebrew text
• The Samaritan and the Aramaic witnesses to the Old Testament
• The Greek, Syrian, Latin and other ancient witnesses to the Old Testament
• The Patriarchal period
• The Monarchy period
• The father and the mother
• The host, the stranger and the virgin
• The priest and the slave
• The means of existence: farming, animal-husbandry and water
• The means of existence: fats, crafts, travel, transport and trade
• Culture and the expressive life
• Religious institutions

OT731 (9 credits)

• Preaching the Old Testament
• The value of Hebrew for preaching the Old Testament
• Hebrew: tools of the trade for preaching the Old Testament
• Preaching from the Law and Prophets
• Preaching Old Testament narratives
• Characterisation
• Environmental issues
• The big idea
• Shaping the sermon
• The art of shaping a narrative sermon
• Approaching and interpreting the Psalms
• Preaching the Psalms
• Preaching lament and praise poetry
• Preaching wisdom literature and the Song of Songs
• Preaching apocalyptic texts
• Preaching difficult texts
• Preaching hard texts of the Old Testament

OT732 (9 credits)

• Approaches to Old Testament theology
• Israel’s practise of testimony
• Testimony in verbal sentences
• Testimony in adjectives
• Testimony in nouns
• YAWEH fully uttered
• Cross-examining Israel’s core testimony
• The hiddenness of YAWEH
• YAWEH and negativity
• The theological angle to Old Testament ethics
• The economic angle to Old Testament ethics
• The social angle to Old Testament ethics

PRACTICAL THEOLOGY (90 credits)

PT711 (16 credits)

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY (1 credit)

• Introduction to research methodology
• Referencing techniques
• Report writing

INTRODUCTION TO PRACTICAL THEOLOGY (3 credits)

• What is theology?
• What is practical theology?
• Theory and praxis
• Practical theology as a science
• The actions of communications
• A theory for congregational functioning
• Empirical evaluation

HOMILETICS (3 credits)

• The importance of preaching
• Biblical terms for preaching
• The preacher and the message
• The composition of the sermon
• A Pentecostal approach to preaching

LITURGY (3 credits)

• Historical developments Liturgical principles

PASTORAL CARE AND COUNSELLING (5 credits)

• Pastoral care
• Introduction to pastoral counselling
• Theology of counselling
• The counsellor
• The counselling process
• Morals, values and ethics in counselling

SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT (1 credit)

• Spiritual disciplines

PT712 (14 credits)

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION: FAMILY MINISTRY (4 credits)

• Building faith at home
• Defining perspectives
• Innovative ways to build an effective family
• Supporting and encouraging parents

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION: YOUTH MINISTRY (4 credits)

• The developmental stages of the young person
• The philosophies behind youth and youth ministry
• The purpose of the Church and youth movements
• Church and youth ministry
• Methods in youth ministry
• Youth leader and leadership development
• Management skills
• Team building
• Group dynamics

ENTREPRENEURSHIP (4 credits)

• Who and what is an entrepreneur
• Self-exploration
• Vision, mission and value statements
• Freedom, responsibility and accountability
• Time management

CHURCH LEADERSHIP (2 credits)

• Leading by serving
• Humility
• Waiting on God
• Being a follower
• Seeking greatness
• Taking risks
• Power through serving
• Equipping others for service
• Team building and serving

PT721 (14 credits)

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY (2 credits)

• Community research
• Ethnography
• Writing skills
• Research method for practical theology
• Research project

HOMILETICS (4 credits)

• Historical-grammatical exegesis
• Preaching: a Pentecostal approach
• Preaching with purpose

LITURGY (4 credits)

• Preaching and celebration as therapeutic events
• Liturgical elements
• The “Our Father” prayer

PASTORAL CARE AND COUNSELLING (4 credits)

• Counselling skills
• Marital counselling issues
• Family counselling issues
• The elderly
• Multi-cultural counselling

PT722 (16 credits)

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (4 credits)

• The local church as a primary development agent
• Community development initiatives and poverty reduction
• Principles and practices of transformational development
• Envisioning, equipping and mobilising churches

CHURCH LEADERSHIP (2 credits)

• Leadership
• Servanthood
• Leadership qualities

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION: YOUTH MINISTRY (4 credits)

• Youth ministry: infancy to adolescence
• Understanding the youth culture
• Singing and movement
• Building cross-cultural relationships
• Ecumenical and inter-denominational co-operation

ENTREPRENEURSHIP (4 credits)

• Social entrepreneurship
• Relationships
• Focussing on people and clients
• Social involvement
• Sustainable social development

CHURCH GOVERNANCE (2 credits)

• For AFM of SA ministry candidates:
• The Constitution of the AFM of SA
• The National Financial Policy of the AFM of SA
• Administration of justice within the AFM of SA
• For non-AFM of SA ministry candidates
• Employment issues
• Taxation
• Non-profit organisations
• Marriage officers
• Promotion of Access to the Information Act
• Protecting your organisation

PT731 (14 credits)

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY (2 credits)

• The research project
• Research script

COMMUNITY MINISTRIES: ORPHANS AND VULNERABLE

CHILDREN (5 credits)

• Orphans and vulnerable children
• Supporting older care givers
• Education
• Health and nutrition
• Psychological support
• Social inclusion
• Economic strength
• The Church and HIV/AIDS

CHURCH LEADERSHIP (3 credits)

• Vision
• Spiritual leadership
• Personal leadership

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION: YOUTH MINISTRY (4 credits)

• Personal issues and youth ministry
• Adolescence
• Young adulthood

PT732 (16 credits)

HOMILETICS (3 credits)

• The preaching ministry
• Narrative preaching
• Post-modern preaching
• Preaching: a Pentecostal approach

LITURGY (3 credits)

• Conducting various Church services
• Baptism
• Communion
• Healing and deliverance services
• Liturgical perspectives on the approach to God

PASTORAL CARE AND COUNSELLING (6 credits)

• Child abuse
• Marriage counselling

ENTREPRENEURSHIP (4 credits)

• Business ethics
• Identifying business opportunities
• Taking a business opportunity to a bullet-proof idea
• A business plan

BIBLICAL LANGUAGES

To qualify for the degree, a student must complete ONE of the two biblical languages. The two languages are one year courses, and students must, therefor, register for both the first and the second semester.

A student may enrol for both the languages if they so wish.

GREEK

GR711 (1st semester) needs to be completed successfully before registering for GR712 (2nd semester).

GR711 (7 credits)

• Write and pronounce the Greek alphabet and Greek words
• Greek grammar
• Greek vocabulary
• Translation from and to Greek

GR712 (7 credits)

• Greek grammar
• Greek vocabulary
• Translations from and to Greek

HEBREW

HB711 (1st semester) needs to be completed successfully before registering for HB712 (2nd semester).

HEB711 (7 credits)

• The Hebrew alphabet
• Scribal practise
• Hebrew grammar
• Hebrew vocabulary
• Translations from and to Hebrew

HEB712 (7 credits)

• Hebrew grammar
• Hebrew vocabulary
• Translations from and to Hebrew