BACHELOR OF THEOLOGY

Bachelor of Theology – 3 ½ Years

Target Group

Pastors, missionaries, evangelists, professionals any Christian workers, laity and working people interested in theological studies.

Entry requirements:

+2 or its equivalent or mature candidates with a minimum of 10 years ministry experience with SSC or its equivalent. Mature candidates (above the age of 25) should write three qualifying exams to prove their competency to do B. Th.

Academic Requirements

B.Th. – 36 Courses

– A student after registration into the program will complete the 20 hours of lectures for each course. The lectures are recorded. Students can access at their own free time.

– For each lecture, there will be a follow up assignment and that need to be submitted.

– Syllabus, reading materials and assignments would be provided to the students as a follow up to do the course.

– The total hour of study per subject is 120 for M. Div. and 90 for B. Th. The course would include reading, writing papers, assignments and each subject will have some ministry components.

– The exam will be Open Book Exam pattern. Those who fail to acquire 40 percent (pass) will have to retake the exam. Those who fail in retake must redo the course.

– Each student should find a mentor (living nearby) with M.Div. qualification (if possible M.Th.) to discuss the subject matters and ministry/spiritual formation. A qualified and experienced pastor would be more than sufficient with needed theological qualification.

– Student should complete all the course requirements such as assignments, field reports and exams to complete the course.

Admission Process

COTRTS-GO accepts students of all race, color, nationality, ethnic origin, gender, denomination and status without any discrimination.
In keeping with the above philosophy, we give due regard to the following:
● The applicant must be a born again and baptized Christian and a member in good standing with his/her church with a commitment to discipleship.
● The applicant feel the call to God’s service wherever they are placed in the full time ministry or secular/market place.
● The candidate must be able to do his/her studies in the English.

Documents Required for Admission

The duly filled application must be uploaded along with the followings:
● Self – attested copies of all academic records.
● A one full-page (A4 size) testimony in English, in candidates own handwriting.
● Financial undertaking form.

Admission of Transfer Students

Following criteria will be observed in admitting transfer students:
● Required academic qualifications pertaining to the course applied.
● Official transcript of the academic performance from the previous institution.
● Recommendation, and Confidential reports, from the Pastor of the local church.
● A special character certificate and “No Objection Certificate” from the head of the institution last studied.

Uniqueness

– This program is to encourage pastors, professionals, Christian workers and interested laities by equipping them with a substantiate, academic as well as mission-oriented courses so that it will help them to engage within the Indian Church more effectively.
– This is not a correspondence course, rather equivalent to regular, recognized, and academic degrees.
– Students will be provided with a compendium (compiled materials from books and articles) and textbooks for each subject that can be downloaded from COTRTS- GO web site
– Academic activities and the courses are inbuilt with special emphasis on Spiritual formation, ministry skill development, practical dimension and mission focus.

COURSES OFFERED TO BACHELOR OF THEOLOGY

OLD TESTAMENT

OTC111 - OLD TESTAMENT SURVEY

This course surveys the historical settings, themes, content and purpose of the books of the Old Testament. The course is designed to articulate the overall theme and aim of each book.

OTC122 - PENTATEUCH

This course introduces the background, formation and theological content of the first five books of the Bible.

OTC133 - OLD TESTAMENT PROPHETS

This course introduces the prophets and their role, the nature of prophecy in the Old Testament, prophetic institution, theology and their relevance to the church in India.

OTE114 - HISTORY OF ISRAEL

This course introduces the origin, development and major events of the nation of Israel until the birth of Jesus Christ. A careful description of the history of Israel and an in-depth study method is used to bring the events recorded in the Bible to relate with the present and fulfill the need of the society by understanding the responsibility of the chosen generation.

OTE125 - POETICAL BOOKS AND WISDOM LITERATURE

This course introduces the nature of Hebrew Poetry, wisdom tradition and theological content of Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastical, Song of Solomon and Lamentations. It can be a guideline to get into the deeper understanding of wisdom books and the right usage of the teaching when applied.

OTE126 - HISTORICAL BOOKS

This course introduces the background of formation, settlement, kings, division, captivity and return of the nation of Israel. The course also highlights the relation between God and Israel and how Gods plan unfolded in the history of Israel.

NEW TESTAMENT

NTC211 - NEW TESTAMENT SURVEY

This course surveys the historical setting, theme, content and purpose of the books of the New Testament. Specific application from each book is made relevant to the student’s own spiritual life.

NTC212 - LIFE AND TEACHINGS OF JESUS CHRIST

This course is designed to introduce the learner to the life and teaching of Jesus Christ. The course deals with the life and ministry of Jesus portrayed by the evangelists.

NTC223 - PAULINE EPISTLES – I

This course surveys all the Epistles of Paul except the Pastoral Epistles, It introduces their background, issues and theological content. It also involves textual study on selected passages. Specific application from each epistle is made relevant to the student’s own spiritual life, as well as to the use of these epistles in various ministry situations.

NTE224 - PRELIMINARY GREEK

This course is an introduction to NT Greek vocabulary, grammatical forms, and sentence structure that would the students to read, write and exegete Biblical passages to determine the original meaning

NTE225 - SYNOPTIC GOSPELS

This course introduces the development of the formation, literary types, structure, textual problems and contents of Mathew, Mark, and Luke. It will also include the detailed study of its major themes, forms and structure, issues and textual problems of the gospels.

NTE236 - PAULINE EPISTLES – II

This course will specially deal in detail with Romans and Galatians with special emphasis on the theological themes addressed within. It will also deal with the Pastoral epistles in consideration of the pastoral guidelines addressed in tune with the Indian context.

NTE217 - ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

This course introduces the historical and theological themes in the book of Acts. It covers the background, development and the ministry of the apostles and the early church.

DEPARTMENT OF THEOLOGY AND ETHICS 

TEC321 - SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY-I

This course is designed to introduce basic Christian doctrines. It deals with Scripture, God, Creation, Angels and Human beings.

TEC332 - SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY-II

This course is an introductory study of the major themes of Christian theology such as Human beings, Holy Spirit and salvation from the Philosophical and contemporary perspectives.

TEC333 - CHRISTIAN ETHICS

This course examines moral codes, divine commandments and legal prescriptions, which explores the theological vision of the Christian community which expresses itself in specific intentions, practices, values and how Christian communities can grow in moral discernment.

TEC343 - BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION

This course introduces the basic principles, methods and models of Biblical interpretation to determine the message of the text and apply it to the present context.

TEE335 - SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY – III

This course is designed to introduce basic Christian doctrines. It deals with doctrines of the Holy Spirit and Eschatology.

TEE336 - APOLOGETICS

This course is an introductory study of the rational defense of the Christian faith-commitments and response to various objections. This course helps the students to analyze the challenges to Christian faith and reasons which led to growth of apologetic literatures.

DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY

HC411 - HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY – I

This course is an introduction to the History of Christianity from its inception to the medieval period. It covers the major events, councils and movements. It helps the students to analyze how the events affected the course of church history.

HC422 - HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY IN INDIA

This course is an advanced study of the History of Christianity in India from its emergence and development within the socio-political and cultural context. The course aims to highlight the genesis of Christianity in India and in the latter stages how Christianity and Colonization went hand-in- hand.

HCE433 - HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY – II

This course is a basic study of the History of Christianity from the Great Schism 1054 to the Present. It also aims to study the development of faith and witness of Church through her interaction with different cultures and traditions. It covers the major events, reformation, Evangelical movements, ecumenical councils and modern developments.

DEPARTMENT OF  CHRISTIAN MINISTRY

CMC511 - EDUCATIONAL MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH

This is a foundational course examining the meaning, role and function of Educational ministry of the church. The goal, objectives and the foundational disciplines, which contribute to the formation of Christian education theory and practice, will be studied with the aim of equipping the students with the necessary resources to design a relevant and balanced Education ministry of the church.

CMC522 - PREACHING AND WORSHIP

This course is to learn the theology and practice of the preaching ministry. The approach will emphasize both the art of sermon preparation and the place of preaching in the ministry .It also covers the skills of preparing and conducting worship in the church.

CMC533 - LEADERSHIP AND CHURCH ADMINISTRATION

This Course covers the basic subjects related to the church administration and leadership, its government function and its different realm of ministry with special reference to the Indian context. Students are to evaluate their own leadership potential by identifying personal strength and weaknesses. Interpersonal dynamics inherent to leadership such as communication conflict management, problem solving, and delegation and motivating are discussed.

CMC534 - PASTORAL CARE AND COUNSELING

This course provides pastoral formation and introduces ministries of pastoral care. Emphasis placed upon the minister’s healing role with the people in crisis and the biblical and theological foundation of pastoral care, a definition of counseling and counseling theory and practice, and counselor’s relationship to the counselee and various counseling skills will be considered.

CME535 - PASOTRAL THEOLOGY

This course is an introduction to the theology of pastoral ministry from a biblical perspective. This course covers the major essentials of pastoral ministry with reference to its office, function and responsibilities.

DEPARTMENT OF MISSION

MIC611 - INTRODUCTION TO MISSION AND EVANGELISM

This course gives the student an introduction to mission and evangelism in the life of the Church. Special attention will be given to practical application and to creative approaches to mission and evangelism that will effectively relate with the context.

MIC622 - PRINCIPLES OF CHURCH PLANTING AND DEVELOPMENT

It is an analytical study of the biblical and cultural principles involved in the church planting and Church growth, combined with theological convictions, sociological principles and spiritual insights for the expansion and the development of the church.

DEPARTMENT OF RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY

RPC721- MAJOR RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD

This course is a study of the origin, development, beliefs and practices of the major religions in the world. This course helps the students to witness Jesus Christ in the religious pluralistic context of India.

RPC732 - CONTEMPORARY INDIAN MOVEMENTS

This course focuses on the major religious, social, cultural and secular movements in India and their development during the 19th to 21st centuries. This course enables the students to effectively do the mission in the Indian society.

GENERAL DEPARTMENT

GDC811 - SPIRITUAL FORMATION

This Course introduces the learner to the Biblical understanding of spirituality. It covers basic Christian convictions, discipleship, moral principles, character formation, and mannerisms.

GDC812 - STUDY METHODS

This course introduces the methods and teachings involved in reading, understanding, writing and researching academic papers. This course offers the opportunity to have a practical understanding about the academic exercises as a whole.

GDC819 - ENGLISH

This Course is designed to enhance the student’s skills to think, read and write and communicate effectively with others.

GDE825 - INTRODUCTION TO PENTECOSTALISM

This course is brief study of the History, expansion, theology, contribution and challenges of the Pentecostal movement with special focus on India.

GDE828 - INDIAN CULTURE AND SOCIETY

This course introduces the students to the understanding of Indian culture and social structures. It exposes them to the awareness of their rights and responsibilities as citizens and leaders of the church.

GDE833 - BIBLICALARCHAEOLOGY

This course introduces the archeological findings in the Bible lands, in relation to the times, people, culture and customs to supplement biblical truths. This course is designed in such a way that the students will be able to have an intellectual quest to learn and develop the skill to explain the bible according to its basic settings and make it more relevant to their society and community.

GDE834 - DANIEL AND REVELATION

This course introduces the background and content of the books of Daniel and Revelation and their relevance to the church in the 21st century by employing the comparative study method.

GDE837 - MARRIAGE FAMILY AND MINISTRY

This course introduces Christian understanding of marriage, family life and its implications to the ministry. It deals with the biblical understanding of marriage and ministry which is purely based on biblical foundation and above the cultural and social set up of various communities in the world. This also gives teachings which will clear difficult questions and transform the society with high moral components of biblical ethics.

B. Th

M.A.

M. Div

M.Th Missiology / Church History/Old Testament

M.Th. O.T