This coming term we have two upper level modules both delivered online that are suitable for Continuing Ministerial Development for Baptist Ministers (but please get in contact if you’re an accredited minister in another denomination!)
For those who want to participate in these classes as Continuing Ministerial Development we are offering the opportunity to do so for £50.*
Reading the Old Testament in the Contemporary World: Old Testament Theological Exegesis (OTTE)
The OT can be difficult to preach from and its stories raise ethically challenging questions. What do we do with puzzling books like Song of Songs or Job? The Old Testament Theological Exegesis module will help you to discover the beauty of the OT, its theological sophistication, and to see its coherence in light of the rest of Scripture. A largely discussion-based course, participants will wrestle with questions like why is there suffering?; Does God change? Does God condone practices like slavery?; And does God command violence?
Reading the Old Testament in the Contemporary World will help you recognise the OT as ancient theological literature that is as relevant today as it was when it was written. The module will take place on Tuesday mornings between 10am and 12:30pm.
The Story of God
Doctrines can be difficult and often sound abstract and irrelevant. In the Story of God we look at the development of Christology and trinitarian doctrine and ask in what ways does it apply to Christian practice and faith today? The module begins in the early church meeting a variety of colourful characters before engaging with contemporary thinkers and the debates that continue today. Specifically we think about pastoral approaches to suffering in light of the suffering of Christ; we discuss whether the triune persons are a suitable model for community development; and we consider the missional implications of the divine missions.
Story of God will help you dive deeply into doctrine while not losing sight of its importance for shaping practice today. The module will take place on Thursday mornings between 10am and 12:30pm.
Study commitment
Both classes are discussion-based arising from weekly reading. Usually the reading is a couple of chapters a week. OTTE uses Opening Israel’s Scriptures by Ellen Davis while Story of God uses Stephen Holmes’ The Holy Trinity alongside a variety of sources in the second part of the course. You are advised to buy the relevant book before the class and you will be directed to other reading material as appropriate as the class goes on.
There are 12 classes beginning in the week of January 29th and finishing on week of April 29th (there are no classes week of Feb 26th nor April 1st). Each class is a live and interactive session held over Zoom.
*Please note this is an audit-only opportunity – access is to the class teaching / discussion only. CMD participants will not get access to the online learning portal nor will the class count for credit. Assignments may be submitted but are not compulsory. If you cannot attend every session then please still get in contact – we appreciate you may have prior commitments for some weeks.
To register or for more information please contact Graham Meiklejohn at SBC graham.meiklejohn@uws.ac.uk or speak with Andrew Clarke at BUS (andrew@scottishbaptist.org.uk)