Carey Courses
Carey provides a wide variety of courses within our different programmes. Use the descriptions below to help choose which courses you might like to take.
Not all courses are offered every year. Please check the Course Schedule to see which years these courses are avaiable and in which programmes. You can also check the current Timetable for confirmed courses being offered in any given year.
Prerequisites must be completed before students may enrol for a course.
Co-requisites must be taken in conjunction with each other. Credit for one will not be granted until the other is completed.
Restrictions are courses that cover similar material and which therefore cannot be taken for credit in addition to the first course.
In exceptional circumstances the Academic Committee may vary requirements for entry into a course.
Undergraduate Courses
Postgraduate Courses
Undergraduate: Biblical Studies
This course provides a broad overview of the Bible as God’s ongoing story of creation and humanity. It will introduce students to key people and events from both the Old and New Testament, while providing a framework for understanding recurring themes (theological, ethical, and literary). It will consider how the Bible continues to influence and inspire individuals and communities in the present day.
15 CREDITS
MB531 INTRODUCTION TO THE OLD TESTAMENT
This course dives into the wild, exciting, bewildering world of the Old Testament. While Christians often neglect this portion of their Bibles, the Old Testament was Jesus’s Bible and the Bible of the early church. The Spirit still speaks through these ancient texts, inviting us to grapple more deeply with God’s mission to the world, and helping us understand more fully the story that comes to its climax in Jesus. In this course, students will gain a better sense of what’s in the Old Testament, as well as specific skills, practices, and dispositions for interpreting the Old Testament. We will also consider some of the implications of the OT for Christian ministry and practice today.
15 CREDITS
This course aims to introduce reading and interpreting the New Testament, to enhance knowledge and understanding of one’s faith, and ways in which New Testament Scriptures can influence personal and community faith, and the use of New Testament theology in ministry contexts.
15 CREDITS
MB631 PROPHETS: A CANONICAL READING
This course will introduce students to key themes and texts in the prophetic books of the Old Testament. We will set the scene by introducing the historical, cultural, literary, and theological contexts of these texts in ancient Israel before moving to explore in more depth their theological message in the light of the whole of Scripture. Our primary focus will be on what these books, in their finished form, contribute to our understanding of God and his relationship with his people and the world. Thus, we will see themes and theological questions that are raised and answered in different ways in different books and how these are in dialogue with each other within the canon. The ultimate goal will be to understand how to hear and respond to these texts as God’s address for us today.
15 CREDITS
PREREQUISITES: MB531, MB532 (waived for Gradute Diploma)
RESTRICTION: MB731
MB632 PENTATEUCH
The Pentateuch is the explosive beginning and foundation of Christian Scripture. In this course, we will explore these remarkable books, gaining both a sense of their overarching themes and content, as well as interpretive strategies for digging deeply into their stories, laws, rituals, and poetry (the world in the text). We will see how understanding the ancient Near Eastern context can illumine our understanding of these ancient texts (the world behind the text) and imagine what it would mean for these texts to shape us as participants in God’s mission individually, in our churches, and in the world (the world in front of the text).
15 CREDITS
PREREQUISITES: MB531, MB532 (waived for Gradute Diploma)
RESTRICTION: MB732
MB633 WORSHIP AND WISDOM
This course examines two areas of Old Testament literature: the Psalms and the so-called Wisdom books (Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes). The Psalms serve as scripts for prayer and song intended to shape our lived theology of life with God. The wisdom books invite us to explore what the wise, flourishing, God-fearing life looks like practically, both in the humdrum of “everyday” life, as well as in the crucible of physical, social, and existential suffering. All four books offer God’s people an essential, irreplaceable, yet often neglected resource for contemporary discipleship oriented towards life with God.
15 CREDITS
PREREQUISITES: MB531, MB532 (waived for Gradute Diploma)
RESTRICTION: MB733
MB635 GOSPELS: LUKE
In this course we will get beneath the surface of one of the four Gospels (Luke). We will consider why Luke has constructed his account in this particular way. What are the Gospel’s distinctive emphases? What does it contribute to our understanding of Jesus and the church’s faith, and how does it speak to our own day?
Skills will be developed in exegesis, analysis of texts, research, and presentation; theological awareness and interpretive competencies will be cultivated.
15 CREDITS
PREREQUISITES: MB531, MB532 (waived for Gradute Diploma)
RESTRICTION: MB735
MB636 GOSPELS: JOHN
In this course we get beneath the surface of John’s gospel. Why was it written in that particular way? What are its distinctive emphases? How has John structured his narrative? What does it contribute to our understanding of Jesus and the church’s faith, and how does it speak to our own day? Skills will be developed in exegesis, analysis of texts, and theological awareness. This course will enable students to acquire a thorough knowledge of the content of this Gospel; recognise its genre and literary structure; identify some of its distinctive characteristics, emphases and theological themes; become aware of major issues of current scholarship in relation to its nature and interpretation, and make use of the results of their study of this gospel in considering issues of contemporary significance.
15 CREDITS
PREREQUISITES: MB531, MB532 (waived for Gradute Diploma)
RESTRICTION: MB736
MB637 ROMANS
Paul’s letter to the Romans has been one of the most influential documents in the history of the church. In this course we attempt to hear its message. We shall explore its historical, social and religious context, follow its argument carefully and consider what its original purpose might have been and what it could say to the church today.
Skills will be developed in exegesis, analysis of texts, research and presentation and theological awareness and interpretative competencies will be cultivated.
15 CREDITS
PREREQUISITES: MB531, MB532 (waived for Gradute Diploma)
RESTRICTION: MB737
MB638 REVELATION AND THE JUSTICE OF GOD
This course explores the original meaning and significance of the Book of Revelation with a special focus on its message of God’s justice. In exegeting the text, this course considers the importance of genre, interpretative method, historical background, context, and theology for understanding Revelation’s message of hope and justice for those living in an unjust world.
15 CREDITS
PREREQUISITES: MB531, MB532 (waived for Gradute Diploma)
RESTRICTION: MB738
MB640 ACTS: A MISSIONAL READING
The book of Acts is unique among the New Testament writings, connecting the story of Jesus in Luke’s Gospel to the continuing narrative of Jesus’ followers as they took their witness from the geographical centre of Jewish faith in Jerusalem across political, ethnic and cultural boundaries into the heart of the Roman Empire and its capital city. It is a book about mission produced in the context of early Christian mission. In this course we read it in relation to the understanding and practice of mission today, utilizing tools of Biblical study and of missiological reflection as we engage both the text and our contemporary mission contexts.
15 CREDITS
PREREQUISITES: MB531, MB532 (waived for Gradute Diploma)
RESTRICTION: MB740
MB644 1 CORINTHIANS
Paul’s correspondence with the church in Corinth permits us to glimpse some of the realities and challenges of life in the early Christian communities in the Greco-Roman world. In this course we shall explore the historical, social and religious context of 1 Corinthians, follow Paul’s response to theological issues, ethical questions, and practical problems that had arisen, and consider what this letter might say to the church today and to Christian leaders. Key learning areas for this course are cruciformity, leadership, Paul and women, sexual ethics, charismatic gifts, and the centrality of the bodily resurrection of Jesus.
15 CREDITS
PREREQUISITES: MB531, MB532 (waived for Gradute Diploma)
RESTRICTION: MB744
MB648 BIBLICAL NARRATIVE (OLD TESTAMENT)
Stories are central to the way humans understand themselves, their world, and God. This course explores Old Testament narratives (stories) and how to interpret them. It focuses especially on the skill of reading Old Testament stories with literary sensitivity and skill. In the course, we will learn some of the specifics of how biblical authors make their points through the narrator’s comments, characters, plot, dialogue, etc. To accomplish this, we will explore 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, and Esther in detail. Learning to read these biblical narratives well will help us imagine how they might shape and inspire the theological imagination and action of contemporary faith communities.
15 CREDITS
PREREQUISITES: MB531, MB532, 15 credits in Biblical Studies at level 6 or above (waived for Graduate Diploma)
RESTRICTION: MB647 if the same topic has been completed.
MB731 PROPHETS: A CANONICAL READING
This course will introduce students to key themes and texts in the prophetic books of the Old Testament. We will set the scene by introducing the historical, cultural, literary, and theological contexts of these texts in ancient Israel before moving to explore in more depth their theological message in the light of the whole of Scripture. Our primary focus will be on what these books, in their finished form, contribute to our understanding of God and his relationship with his people and the world. Thus we will see themes and theological questions that are raised and answered in different ways in different books and how these are in dialogue with each other within the canon. The ultimate goal will be to understand how to hear and respond to these texts as God’s address for us today.
15 CREDITS
PREREQUISITES: MB531, MB532, 15 credits in Biblical Studies at level 6 or above. (waived for Graduate Diploma)
RESTRICTION: MB631
MB732 PENTATEUCH
The Pentateuch is the explosive beginning and foundation of Christian Scripture. In this course, we will explore these remarkable books, gaining both a sense of their overarching themes and content, as well as interpretive strategies for digging deeply into their stories, laws, rituals, and poetry (the world in the text). We will see how understanding the ancient Near Eastern context can illumine our understanding of these ancient texts (the world behind the text), and imagine what it would mean for these texts to shape us as participants in God’s mission individually, in our churches, and in the world (the world in front of the text).
15 CREDITS
PREREQUISITE: MB531, MB532, 15 credits in Biblical Studies at level 6 or above. (waived for Graduate Diploma)
RESTRICTION: MB632
MB732 PENTATEUCH
The Pentateuch is the explosive beginning and foundation of Christian Scripture. In this course, we will explore these remarkable books, gaining both a sense of their overarching themes and content, as well as interpretive strategies for digging deeply into their stories, laws, rituals, and poetry (the world in the text). We will see how understanding the ancient Near Eastern context can illumine our understanding of these ancient texts (the world behind the text), and imagine what it would mean for these texts to shape us as participants in God’s mission individually, in our churches, and in the world (the world in front of the text).
15 CREDITS
PREREQUISITE: MB531, MB532, 15 credits in Biblical Studies at level 6 or above. (waived for Graduate Diploma)
RESTRICTION: MB632
This course examines two areas of Old Testament literature: the Psalms and the so-called Wisdom books (Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes). The Psalms serve as scripts for prayer and song intended to shape our lived theology of life with God. The wisdom books invite us to explore what the wise, flourishing, God-fearing life looks like practically, both in the humdrum of “everyday” life, as well as in the crucible of physical, social, and existential suffering. All four books offer God’s people an essential, irreplaceable, yet often neglected resource for contemporary discipleship oriented towards life with God.
15 CREDITS
PREREQUISITES: MB531, MB532, 15 credits in Biblical Studies al level 6 or above. (waived for Graduate Diploma)
RESTRICTION: MB633
In this course we will get beneath the surface of one of the four Gospels (Luke). Why was it written in this particular way? What are its distinctive emphases? What does it contribute to our understanding of Jesus and the church’s faith, and how does it speak to our own day?
Skills will be developed in exegesis, analysis of texts, research and presentation; theological awareness and interpretive competencies will be cultivated.
15 CREDITS
PREREQUISITES: MB531, MB532, 15 credits in Biblical Studies at level 6 or above. (waived for Graduate Diploma)
RESTRICTION: MB635
In this course we get beneath the surface of John’s gospel. Why was it written in that particular way? What are its distinctive emphases? How has john structured his narrative? What does it contribute to our understanding of Jesus and the church’s faith, and how does it speak to our own day? Skills will be developed in exegesis, analysis of texts, and theological awareness. This course will enable students to acquire a thorough knowledge of the content of this Gospel; recognise its genre and literary structure; identify some of its distinctive characteristics, emphases and theological themes; become aware of major issues of current scholarship in relation to its nature and interpretation, and make use of the results of their study of this gospel in considering issues of contemporary significance.
15 CREDITS
PREREQUISITES: MB531, MB532, 15 credits in Biblical Studies at level 6 or above. (waived for Graduate Diploma)
RESTRICTION: MB636
Paul’s letter to the Romans has been one of the most influential documents in the history of the church. In this course we attempt to hear its message. We shall explore its historical, social and religious context, follow its argument carefully and consider what its original purpose might have been and what it could say to the church today.
Skills will be developed in exegesis, analysis of texts, research and presentation and theological awareness and interpretative competencies will be cultivated.
15 CREDITS
PREREQUISITES: MB531, MB532, 15 credits in Biblical Studies at level 6 or above. (waived for Graduate Diploma)
RESTRICTION: MB637
This course explores the original meaning and significance of the Book of Revelation with a special focus on its message of God’s justice. In exegeting the text, this course considers the importance of genre, interpretative method, historical background, context, and theology for understanding Revelation’s message of hope and justice for those living in an unjust world.
15 CREDITS
PREREQUISITES: MB531, MB532, 15 credits in Biblical Studies at level 6 or above. (waived for Graduate Diploma)
RESTRICTION: MB638
MB740 ACTS: A MISSIONAL READING
The book of Acts is unique among the New Testament writings, connecting the story of Jesus in Luke’s Gospel to the continuing narrative of Jesus’ followers as they took their witness from the geographical centre of Jewish faith in Jerusalem across political, ethnic and cultural boundaries into the heart of the Roman Empire and its capital city. It is a book about mission produced in the context of early Christian mission. In this course we read it in relation to the understanding and practice of mission today, utilizing tools of Biblical study and of missiological reflection as we engage both the text and our contemporary mission contexts.
15 CREDITS
PREREQUISITES: MB531, MB532, 15 credits in Biblical Studies at level 6 or above. (waived for Graduate Diploma)
RESTRICTION: MB640
Paul’s correspondence with the church in Corinth permits us to glimpse some of the realities and challenges of life in the early Christian communities in the Greco-Roman world. In this course we shall explore the historical, social and religious context of 1 Corinthians, follow Paul’s response to theological issues, ethical questions, and practical problems that had arisen, and consider what this letter might say to the church today and to Christian leaders. Key learning areas for this course are cruciformity, leadership, Paul and women, sexual ethics, charismatic gifts, and the centrality of the bodily resurrection of Jesus.
15 CREDITS
PREREQUISITES: MB531, MB532, 15 credits in Biblical Studies at level 6 or above. (waived for Graduate Diploma)
RESTRICTION: MB644
Stories are central to the way humans understand themselves, their world, and God. This course explores Old Testament narratives (stories) and how to interpret them. It focuses especially on the skill of reading Old Testament stories with literary sensitivity and skill. In the course, we will learn some of the specifics of how biblical authors make their points through the narrator’s comments, characters, plot, dialogue, etc. To accomplish this, we will explore 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, and Esther in detail. Learning to read these biblical narratives well will help us imagine how they might shape and inspire the theological imagination and action of contemporary faith communities.
15 CREDITS
PREREQUISITES: MB531, MB532, 15 credits in Biblical Studies at level 6 or above. (waived for Graduate Diploma)
RESTRICTION: MB648 if the same topic has been completed
Undergraduate: Theology
This course will explore the concept of worldview as a foundation for what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ in a complex world, enabling students to articulate a Christian perspective on the world. The course will investigate the multiple ‘stories’, or worldviews, in which New Zealand Christians must operate and, using this, students will examine various aspects of life in order to help them effectively interact and engage with the wider community.
15 CREDITS
In this course we introduce students to the study of the Christian faith and how to apply theological methodology to key doctrines. We will define what theology is, how it has been practised in the past, and how recent developments are affecting the discipline. We shall spend some time investigating the various resources for the theological task including Scripture, tradition, reason, and experience. This will involve an examination of the concept of revelation and authority.
15 CREDITS
This course will consider the identity and mission of Jesus the Christ, both as he has been understood in church history and as he has been considered in the light of contemporary questions of meaning. The goal is not only to become familiar with classic texts and controversies, but also to equip students to consider and articulate the enduring and universal relevance of Jesus to a postmodern cultural situation. Specific emphases will be directed toward the scriptural basis for Christology, the meaning of conciliar Christological definitions, the dynamics of soteriology, and the nature of salvation.
15 CREDITS
PREREQUISITES: MB521 (waived for Graduate Diploma)
RESTRICTION: MB720
In this course we attempt to equip students to analyse and evaluate Christian understandings of the doctrine of Trinity, with special focus on the person and work of the Holy Spirit. Deep engagement with Scripture, especially from Paul’s theology, will provide students a basis for understanding the development of the doctrine of the Trinity in the early church. Various aspects of Trinitarian grammar will also be examined, with the aim of bringing those insights into dialogue with contemporary issues.
15 CREDITS
PREREQUISITES: MB521
RESTRICTION: MB722
What does it mean to be the body of Christ? This course explores ideas of the Church, ministry and the sacraments from a biblical, historical and theological perspective. Particular attention will be paid to a trinitarian theology of Church and the impact of these concepts on other Christian doctrines.
15 CREDITS
PREREQUISITES: MB521 (waived for Graduate Diploma)
RESTRICTION: MB723
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to theological anthropology as this has been revealed in Scripture, in Christ, and developed in light of eschatology. As we come to these revelations, we will also recognise that we are cultural beings, and thus our understanding of anthropology cannot be divorced from the particularity of individual persons or whole societies. Students will thus be equipped to engage questions of who and what we are, while also doing this as embodied and encultured learners. These questions necessarily lead to the further question of how we are meant to be in the world, both in this age and in the one to come.
15 CREDITS
PREREQUISITES: MB521 (waived for Graduate Diploma)
RESTRICTION: MB724
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the theology of culture and develop basic skills for understanding and interpreting culture from a theological perspective. In so doing, it seeks to demonstrate how culture has a profound impact on the ways in which we view ourselves, others, our own contexts, and the gospel.
15 CREDITS
PREREQUISITES: MB531. MB532 (waived for Graduate Diploma)
1 Peter 3:15 “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” We all have questions, both non-believers and believers. Doubt and questions are part of honestly seeking truth for non-believers and a faith seeking understanding. In contemporary New Zealand society, Christianity is now often seen by many as weird, incomprehensible and stupid, but is that true? This course helps equip the student with the essentials of a holistic contemporary apologetic, which shows why Christians have good reasons to believe what we say we believe. This is holistic because those reasons are of the head and the heart, embracing the human condition, human experience, and basic intuitions as well as history, science and logic, which all point to the truth of essential Christian beliefs. The student will be equipped to confidently (but not arrogantly!), listen better, ask better questions, share better answers and have better conversations, all with gentleness and respect. This course will provide an overview of all the key areas in contemporary apologetics, while giving the opportunity to look at an area of personal interest in more depth. It will also look at how apologetics is relevant in the current post Christian cultural context.
15 CREDITS
PREREQUISITES: MB521 (waived for Graduate Diploma)
RESTRICTION: MB743
MB720 CHRISTOLOGY
This course will consider the identity and mission of Jesus the Christ, both as he has been understood in church history and as he has been considered in the light of contemporary questions of meaning. The goal is not only to become familiar with classic texts and controversies, but also to equip students to consider and articulate the enduring and universal relevance of Jesus to a postmodern cultural situation. Specific emphases will be directed toward the scriptural basis for Christology, the meaning of conciliar Christological definitions, the dynamics of soteriology, and the nature of salvation.
15 CREDITS
PREREQUISITES: MB521, 15 credits in Theology at level 6 or above (waived for Graduate Diploma)
RESTRICTION: MB620
MB722 SPIRIT AND TRINITY
In this course we attempt to equip students to analyse and evaluate Christian understandings of the doctrine of Trinity, with special focus on the person and work of the Holy Spirit. Deep engagement with Scripture, especially from Paul’s theology, will provide students a basis for understanding the development of the doctrine of the Trinity in the early church. Various aspects of Trinitarian grammar will also be examined, with the aim of bringing those insights into dialogue with contemporary issues.
15 CREDITS
PREREQUISITES: MB521, 15 credits in Theology at level 6 or above (waived for Graduate Diploma)
RESTRICTION: MB622
MB723 SPIRIT AND CHURCH
What does it mean to be the body of Christ? This course explores ideas of the Church, ministry and the sacraments from a biblical, historical and theological perspective. Particular attention will be paid to a trinitarian theology of Church and the impact of these concepts on other Christian doctrines.
15 CREDITS
PREREQUISITES: MB521, 15 credits in Theology at level 6 or above (waived for Graduate Diploma)
RESTRICTION: MB623
MB724 HUMANITY AND HOPE
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to theological anthropology as this has been revealed in Scripture, in Christ, and developed in light of eschatology. As we come to these revelations, we will also recognise that we are cultural beings, and thus our understanding of anthropology cannot be divorced from the particularity of individual persons or whole societies. Students will thus be equipped to engage questions of who and what we are, while also doing this as embodied and encultured learners. These questions necessarily lead to the further question of how we are meant to be in the world, both in this age and in the one to come.
15 CREDITS
PREREQUISITES: MB521, 15 credits in Theology at level 6 or above (waived for Graduate Diploma)
RESTRICTION: MB624
MB743 APOLOGETICS
1 Peter 3:15 “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” We all have questions, both non-believers and believers. Doubt and questions are part of honestly seeking truth for non-believers and a faith seeking understanding. In contemporary New Zealand society, Christianity is now often seen by many as weird, incomprehensible and stupid, but is that true? This course helps equip the student with the essentials of a holistic contemporary apologetic, which shows why Christians have good reasons to believe what we say we believe. This is holistic because those reasons are of the head and the heart, embracing the human condition, human experience, and basic intuitions as well as history, science and logic, which all point to the truth of essential Christian beliefs. The student will be equipped to confidently (but not arrogantly!), listen better, ask better questions, share better answers and have better conversations, all with gentleness and respect. This course will provide an overview of all the key areas in contemporary apologetics, while giving the opportunity to look at an area of personal interest in more depth. It will also look at how apologetics is relevant in the current post Christian cultural context.
15 CREDITS
PREREQUISITES: MB521, 15 credits in Theology at level6 or above (waived for Graduate Diploma)
RESTRICTION: MB643
Undergraduate: Church History and Christian Thought
This course provides an introduction to the history of the Christian Church between 1500AD and 2000AD. Students will explore key personalities, topics and themes drawn from the Reformation era, the modern church movement (c.1700’s to 1900’s), and mission history.
Learners will reflect upon and critically evaluate the significance of these selected personalities, topics and themes for the historic development of Christianity and their ongoing influence on Christian life and leadership today.
15 CREDITS
An exploration of the contexts and convictions of Baptist churches as they developed in England, America and New Zealand. This course integrates these contexts and convictions with contemporary issues in Baptist ministry and mission.
15 CREDITS
PREREQUISITE: MB526 (waived for Graduate Diploma)
RESTRICTION: MB726
This course explores the story of Christianity in Aotearoa New Zealand from 1814 through to the present day. It examines how the message of the gospel has shaped church and society over the last two hundred years. It illuminates the historical dimensions to many contemporary issues facing the New Zealand church. And it highlights how an understanding of the history of Christianity in Aotearoa is crucial to effective gospel ministry and mission in this country today.
15 CREDITS
PREREQUISITE: MB526 (waived for Graduate Diploma)
RESTRICTION: MB728
MB726 BAPTIST CHURCHES
An exploration of the contexts and convictions of Baptist churches as they developed in England, America and New Zealand. This course integrates these contexts and convictions with contemporary issues in Baptist ministry and mission.
15 CREDITS
PREREQUISITE: MB526, 30 credits in Bible and Theology at level 6 or above (waived for Graduate Diploma)
RESTRICTION: MB626
MB728 A HISTORY OF THE GOSPEL IN AOTEAROA
This course explores the story of Christianity in Aotearoa New Zealand from 1814 through to the present day. It examines how the message of the gospel has shaped church and society over the last two hundred years. It illuminates the historical dimensions to many contemporary issues facing the New Zealand church. And it highlights how an understanding of the history of Christianity in Aotearoa is crucial to effective gospel ministry and mission in this country today.
15 CREDITS
PREREQUISITE: MB526, 30 credits in Bible and Theology at level 6 or above (waived for Graduate Diploma)
RESTRICTION: MB628
Undergraduate: Reflective Field Education
This course aims to introduce biblical and theological reflection, as well as tools for personal growth, to assist learners to reflect within their practical Christian Ministry placement, and integrate this knowledge into their praxis.
15 CREDITS
MF601 REFLECTIVE FIELD EDUCATION 2
This course aims to allow students to reflectively use in-depth biblical and theological knowledge within practical Christian ministry experience.
15 CREDITS
PREREQUISITE: This course is restricted to those achieving merit or excellence in MF501 Reflective Field Education 1
This course aims to allow students to reflectively use in-depth biblical and theological knowledge within practical Christian ministry experience.
15 CREDITS
PREREQUISITE: This course is restricted to those achieving merit or excellence in MF601 Reflective Field Education 2
Undergraduate: Contextual Theological Praxis (Internship)
MF505 CONTEXTUAL THEOLOGICAL PRAXIS I
This course allows the student to receive accreditation for a supervised ministry internship undertaken within an appropriate context. Over the year the student will perform 200 hours of practical ministry internship and will reflect upon this with a Supervisor, in an online peer group, and in assignments.
30 CREDITS (full year only)
RESTRICTION: This course is available only by arrangement with the Programme Lead of Field Education prior to enrolment.
This course allows the student to receive accreditation for a supervised ministry internship undertaken within an appropriate context. Over the year the student will perform 200 hours of practical ministry internship and will reflect upon this with a Supervisor, in an online peer group, and in assignments.
30 CREDITS (full year only)
RESTRICTION: This course is available only by arrangement with the Programme Lead of Field Education prior to enrolment.
PREREQUISITE: A merit or Excellence in MF905 Contextual Theological Praxis 2 is usually required.
Undergraduate: Mission, Ministry and Formation
This course for Intermission students will examine various facets of life that students will encounter during their Intermission year. Students will explore through both biblical and theological approaches how they might interact with, and respond to these facets effectively as young Christians. This course will explore and probe a range of life facets, including: identity, social action, character, spirituality, discipline and sexuality – and consider implications for personal growth and group discipleship.
15 CREDITS
This course will help students practice the process of theological reflection in regards to various social issues they may confront as they seek to live out their faith. Students will also learn valuable participatory development skills for engaging with various social issues, such as the environment, war, poverty, gender, race, sexuality, etc.
15 CREDITS
This course is focused on developing the student’s personal formation and self-awareness for ministry and follows a model of Reflective Practice. It also allows the student to receive accreditation for supervised participation within a number of appropriate ministry contexts. Over the year the student will participate in 240 hours of practical ministry and will reflect upon this with the coordinator, a mentor, in a peer group, in a reflective essay and in a personal journal project.
30 CREDITS
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the theory and practice of pastoral care in a Christian framework. This will involve an exploration of the biblical, theological, and historical underpinnings of pastoral care. We will also explore the role that self-awareness and self-care plays in the lives of pastoral care givers. We will examine a range of listening skills and pastoral care processes that are foundational to effective pastoral care. And we will delve into several issues that are frequently encountered in pastoral care such as crises, grief, cancer, and questions on listening to God.
15 CREDITS
The course will strive to integrate both the practical and theological application of worship design and leadership in order to foster meaningful, contextual and biblically grounded response to God as His gathered community. It will explore the narrative nature of worship and liturgy and its formative potential. Students will be exposed to various worship experiences and worship leading guests throughout this course in order to explore the actual practice of worship leadership and the careful theological planning of creative, experiential, participatory, interactive, and connective worship experiences.
15 CREDITS
This course examines the nature and spirituality of children in light of biblical, theological, and developmental perspectives. It analyses current ministry practices, considering cultural trends, as well as addressing transformational teaching practices for children. Practical approaches that respond to the spiritual needs of children and nurture their growth as whole persons are included.
15 CREDITS
This course aims to introduce students to ideas and practices that are fundamental to youth ministry in Aotearoa New Zealand. It will encourage students to begin the journey of thinking theologically, sociologically, and philosophically about youth ministry. Students will develop practical skills for ministry with youth as well as engaging with a range of recent scholarship that highlights various approaches to, and ethos of youth ministry.
15 CREDITS
The mission of God is the outworking of God’s gracious love to redeem and restore all of creation, ultimately revealed to us in the work of Christ. Remarkably, it also includes an invitation to God’s people to participate in this ongoing work of reconciliation and renewal in the power of the Spirit. In this course we explore the biblical story and trace God’s mission and the formation of God’s people in the narrative. We evaluate examples of how God’s mission has been, and is being interpreted and carried out, and consider what this means for our participation today. Various strands of learning in Bible, theology, spirituality, history, culture and society, and the practice of ministry and mission are introduced with a common orientation towards knowing and serving God within the community of God’s people as participants in God’s mission. The mission of God course serves as a gateway into Carey’s Applied Theology programme. Various strands of learning and Bible, theology, spirituality, history, culture and society, and the practice of ministry and mission are introduced with a common orientation towards knowing and serving God within the community of God’s people as participants in God’s mission.
15 CREDITS
This Level Six course builds on the foundation laid in Introduction to Pastoral Care. It introduces students to the philosophy and basic skills involved in pastoral counselling. In so doing, it seeks to demonstrate how these principles and skills apply in the personal, relational, and spiritual experiences of persons that seek pastoral counselling.
15 CREDITS
PREREQUISITES: MM561 (waived for Graduate Diploma)
This course provides students with an introduction to the theology and practice of Christian preaching. Using the Apostle Paul’s philosophy of preaching (1 Corinthians 1.18-2.5) as a starting point, the course demonstrates how the preparation of effective sermons journeys through ‘five corners’: starting with the written word, then moving on to the listener, the society and the preacher, before finding a destination in the living Word. As this journey develops, students are equipped with a sound methodology for preparing and delivering sermons that are faithful, clear, relevant and engaging. The course introduces students to different types of sermons, as well as to the basic principles of effective oral communication. This is an interactive course, with sessions on Zoom supplementing the block course to enable a focus on practicing skills and evaluating sermons.
15 CREDITS
PREREQUISITES: 30 credits in Bible and Theology or permission of Academic Director. (waived for Graduate Diploma)
This course explores a biblical understanding of Christian leadership for our present mission context that is changing, dynamic, and often chaotic. Students will be introduced to models of leadership from differing biblical contexts, drawing from these models principles and practices of leadership for today and tomorrow’s church and mission organisational life. They will learn a variety of skills for leading themselves, teams, churches and organisations. Students will learn how to think theologically about the practices of leadership they and others utilise in Christian organisations. The course will address a range of practical topics related to leadership, and students will learn to develop creative, culturally nuanced, and faithful forms of leadership.
15 CREDITS
PREREQUISITES: 30 credits in Bible and Theology or permission of Academic Director.
MM668 ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT AND SPIRITUALITY
This course will explore the process of adolescent development and its complexities and consider how a growing sense of spirituality might be nurtured during adolescent years. Students will learn about adolescent development, including biological and sociological perspectives, as well as some difficulties within the field of adolescent research. Spiritual formation in adolescents will also be explored, including theories of formation, research on the effectiveness of current models of faith formation, and key practices that contribute to spiritual formation in young people. Discussion and evaluation of the course concepts will occur in light of the students’ own faith stories and experience in congregations.
15 CREDITS
PREREQUISITES: 15 credits in Mission, Ministry and Formation. (waived for Graduate Diploma)
RESTRICTIONS: MM768
MM669 GOSPEL AND YOUTH
This course explores the nature of both the gospel and salvation through the lens of ministering to youth in New Zealand. It will also evaluate the presentation of the gospel in the context of the unique qualities of youth culture and the adolescent experience, making note of various ethnic differences in the New Zealand context. The course will help the student to think through the challenges for youth of living out the gospel in the 21st century, as well as developing ministry solutions, at both an individual and group level.
15 CREDITS
RESTRICTIONS: MM769
MM677 FAMILY AND NEW ZEALAND SOCIETY
All of us are part of a family of one sort or another. How do we make sense of family in today’s complex world? How do social and cultural changes influence family trends and our understanding of what families should be like, including marriage, gender roles, and parenting? This course examines the family, and family life, in contemporary New Zealand from theological and sociological perspectives. Students will be challenged to think through the implications of such perspectives and family trends in NZ for church life and ministry. This course has been developed to support the needs of students engaged in ministry particularly to children, young people, and families.
15 CREDITS
RESTRICTIONS: MM777
MM694 POVERTY, TRANSFORMATION AND THE GOSPEL
In this course we consider the challenges that issues such as poverty and injustice pose to Christian faith and action. Current development theory and practice will be introduced and considered in relation to Biblical and theological perspectives on such themes as the gospel, the kingdom and the mission of God. The course will resource participants to evaluate various development approaches and construct proposals for Christian practice in Aotearoa New Zealand or overseas.
15 CREDITS
PREREQUISITES: 30 credits in Bible and Theology or permission from Academic Director (waived for Graduate Diploma)
RESTRICTIONS: MM794
This course will explore the process of adolescent development and its complexities and consider how a growing sense of spirituality might be nurtured during adolescent years. Students will learn about adolescent development, including biological and sociological perspectives, as well as some difficulties within the field of adolescent research. Spiritual formation in adolescents will also be explored, including theories of formation, research on the effectiveness of current models of faith formation, and key practices that contribute to spiritual formation in young people. Discussion and evaluation of the course concepts will occur in light of the students’ own faith stories and experience in congregations.
15 CREDITS
PREREQUISITES: 30 credits in Mission, Ministry and Formation. (waived for Graduate Diploma)
RESTRICTIONS: MM668
MM769 GOSPEL AND YOUTH
This course explores the nature of both the gospel and salvation through the lens of ministering to youth in New Zealand. It will also evaluate the presentation of the gospel in the context of the unique qualities of youth culture and the adolescent experience, making note of various ethnic differences in the New Zealand context. The course will help the student to think through the challenges for youth of living out the gospel in the 21st century, as well as developing ministry solutions, at both an individual and group level.
15 CREDITS
RESTRICTIONS: MM669
MM777 FAMILY AND NEW ZEALAND SOCIETY
All of us are part of a family of one sort or another. How do we make sense of family in today’s complex world? How do social and cultural changes influence family trends and our understanding of what families should be like, including marriage, gender roles, and parenting? This course examines the family, and family life, in contemporary New Zealand from theological and sociological perspectives. Students will be challenged to think through the implications of such perspectives and family trends in NZ for church life and ministry. This course has been developed to support the needs of students engaged in ministry particularly to children, young people, and families.
15 CREDITS
RESTRICTIONS: MM677
MM794 POVERTY, TRANSFORMATION AND THE GOSPEL
In this course we consider the challenges that issues such as poverty and injustice pose to Christian faith and action. Current development theory and practice will be introduced and considered in relation to Biblical and theological perspectives on such themes as the gospel, the kingdom and the mission of God. The course will resource participants to evaluate various development approaches and construct proposals for Christian practice in Aotearoa New Zealand or overseas.
15 CREDITS
PREREQUISITES: 30 credits in Bible and Theology or permission from Academic Director (waived for Graduate Diploma)
RESTRICTIONS: MM694
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the Māori world in order to inform Christian life and ministry in Aotearoa New Zealand.
15 CREDITS
This course introduces and explores Christian spirituality. It equips students to comprehend and cultivate authentic Christian spiritualty and critique various approaches to spirituality. We construct a biblical theology for Christian spiritualty and trace various spiritual themes and dynamics through Christian history, highlighting key people, movements, practices and writings. We examine the principles and practices of spiritual formation and spiritual disciplines. Students engage with spiritual practice and reflect on their own spiritual journey. Christian spirituality is not only personal, but also public, so we consider its implications for Christian community, leadership, and select global issues.
15 CREDITS
RESTRICTION: MS705
MS705 CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY
This course introduces and explores Christian spirituality. It equips students to comprehend and cultivate authentic Christian spiritualty and critique various approaches to spirituality. We construct a biblical theology for Christian spiritualty and trace various spiritual themes and dynamics through Christian history, highlighting key people, movements, practices and writings. We examine the principles and practices of spiritual formation and spiritual disciplines. Students engage with spiritual practice and reflect on their own spiritual journey. Christian spirituality is not only personal, but also public, so we consider its implications for Christian community, leadership, and select global issues.
15 CREDITS
RESTRICTION: MS605
Undergraduate: Integrative Project
The Integrative Project is typically undertaken in the final year of the Bachelor of Applied Theology programme. It is an opportunity for students to draw on their learning across the Integrative Theology curriculum to resource understanding and faithful action in relation to an issue at the intersection of their faith, context, and practice. Utilizing the integrative framework of Word, World, and Work students will make use of a range of sources of knowledge and approaches to bring their faith, contexts, understanding, and examples of practice into conversation with each other. Having considered the topic and questions that arise in relation to it from within each of those areas, students will develop a Christian response to the issue that demonstrates attentiveness to faith, context, and practice.
15 CREDITS
PREREQUISITES: MB630
RESTRICTION: only available to Bachelor of Applied Theology students
Postgraduate: Courses
What is “Applied Theological Research” as understood within Carey’s whanaungatanga ethos and how could we go about it? What kinds of topics and questions could it explore, and what methods might be employed? This course considers the philosophical, epistemological, methodological and personal issues involved in researching at the intersection of faith, contexts and practice. A range of research methods will be introduced and examples of recent and current research evaluated. Attention will also be given to the motives for undertaking research, the communities within and for whom the research is to be done, and the spiritual life and personal care of the researcher.
Through the course students will follow a process of identifying an area of research that is of interest to them and shaping a research project directed towards answering a specific focal question, engaging relevant fields of study and utilizing appropriate research methods. Through the process the student cohort will be a supportive community engaging with each other’s areas of interest and contributing to their development as emerging researchers. By the end of the course each student will have designed a research project such as would be suitable for a postgraduate research essay or thesis and presented this as a full Research Proposal.
30 CREDITS
God epitomizes the flourishing life within Godself. Further, God creates the cosmos out of the sheer abundance of God’s goodness and plenitude, not because God needs to create, but in some sense, God wants to create. In creating, God orders the creation toward its full flourishing. While, that flourishing has also been thwarted, God has still provided means for this to be restored and even deepened. This course will focus especially on human flourishing, assuming this is what God intends for humankind. To inform what is meant by flourishing, we will look at biblical, theological, and psychological perspectives on the flourishing life. This will entail looking back to understand that which impedes us from flourishing and looking forward as we envisage what flourishing may look like in the future.
30 CREDITS
The Research Essay provides students with an opportunity to undertake an in-depth study of a topic or issue in Applied Theology under the guidance of a supervisor. The topic will normally be in an area that the student wishes to explore but is outside the scope of available courses in the academic programme. The student will acquire specialist knowledge of a specific field of Applied Theological study and develop skills in research, the evaluation of evidence and the articulation of ideas.
The Research Essay is a maximum length of 12,000 words including footnotes and excluding bibliography.
30 CREDITS
This course explores the question: what does it mean to live as disciples in our political lives? Our primary focus will be exploring political dynamics in specific biblical texts, both in light of their ancient political contexts and in dialogue with their contemporary theological and ethical significance. We will examine both the political nature of the people of God and the diverse ways Scripture envisions that people engaging politically with the nations and places within which they find themselves. Having glimpsed something of the exegetical diversity of the Bible’s political witness, we will then explore some of the diverse ways Christian theology and praxis has sought to understand and respond to that Scriptural witness. Readings and Zoom discussions will give students an opportunity to engage examples of political exegesis, theology, and praxis.
30 CREDITS
The magnification of the #blacklivesmatter movement and protests about systemic racism around the world raise important issues for theology and the church, not least because of the church’s entanglement in the construction of the modern racial condition. This course examines historical and contemporary misappropriations of theology in the development of current racial issues and explores the biblical and theological possibilities for a gospel centred account of the church’s antiracial witness to God’s kingdom. The aim is to understand the church’s historic and contemporary relationship to racism and examine biblical and theological possibilities for anti-racist discipleship.
30 CREDITS
Gospel and Discipleship: Interpreting Mark in Today’s Contexts. This course seeks to address the question, what is the good news of Jesus and how does it teach us to live? The Gospel of Mark has two central themes, the identity and work of Jesus Christ – the Gospel’s central character, and the nature and cost of answering Jesus’ call to discipleship. This course will begin with detailed critical exegesis of Mark, setting the book in its historical context with attention to Jewish, scriptural, and Graeco-Roman backgrounds and with close attention to its theological and narrative design. The goal of this paper will be to bring such historically informed exegesis into robust and meaningful integrative conversations with the pressing issues of today.
30 CREDITS
This course examines the way the discipline of public theology seeks to enable the people of God to engage biblically and theologically with public issues in church and society. We will consider the contested nature of public theology as a discipline, as well as the role of biblical studies, systematic theology, historical studies, and practical theology within public theology. Readings and Zoom discussions will give students an opportunity to engage contemporary examples of public theology, while the final assessment will invite students to consider the role of public theology in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic (or a topic negotiated with the lecturers).
30 CREDITS
MA901 THESIS (90 CREDITS)
The thesis is a scholarly piece of written work that reports on the findings of theoretical, practical, or empirical investigation into a defined area of applied theology conducted by the student under supervision. Undertaking a thesis provides students with an opportunity to do original in-depth research at Masters level. Students will engage in a supervised investigation of a topic of their interest. Students are expected to be self-directed in their studies and to produce an account of their research which equates to internationally recognized standards.
90 CREDITS
PREREQUISITES: A student must have achieved an average of at least “B” over three courses in the Postgraduate Diploma in Theology, or equivalent, including MA801 Research Methods in Applied Theology.
The thesis is a scholarly piece of written work that reports on the findings of theoretical, practical, or empirical investigation into a defined area of applied theology conducted by the student under supervision. Undertaking a thesis provides students with an opportunity to do original in-depth research at Masters level. Students will engage in a supervised investigation of a topic of their interest. Students are expected to be self-directed in their studies and to produce an account of their research which equates to internationally recognized standards.
120 CREDITS
PREREQUISITES: A student must have achieved an average of at least “B” over three courses in the Postgraduate Diploma in Theology, or equivalent, including MA801 Research Methods in Applied Theology.