Masters of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies

Gain advanced knowledge in biblical, theological, and historical studies.

The Master of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies (MABTS) assists theologians, pastors and other ministry workers to develop expertise at the master’s level in biblical studies, theology, and church history. With the challenges of local and global changes, ministry in all its areas now requires specialized training.

The programme is designed to offer students with the opportunity to: increase knowledge in biblical, theological, and historical studies, develop skills in research, qualify to teach religion, and prepare for future doctoral studies.

Proficient in subject area
Committed disciple of Jesus Christ
Critical and creative thinker
Lifelong learner and researcher
Effective communicator

Old Testament
New Testament
Systematic Theology
Church History
Biblical Languages

Full Time – Two Years
Part-Time – Three Years

Admission Requirements

Have a bachelor’s degree in Theology/Religion with a minimum CGPA of 3.00 on a 4-point scale or its equivalent grade of 60%. Applicants with a CGPA of 2.5 to 2.99 or 55% to 59% may be accepted on probation.
Have two Recommendations: One from the local Church Board and one from your previous university or from the employing organization if employed. Submit your name, email address, and designation of your referees, and AUA admissions will email the link for completing the online recommendation form. The applicant should seek the consent of the referee before submitting their details.
Must demonstrate proficiency in English.

Core Courses

GSEM 608
Advanced Methods of Teaching Bible
3 Credits
This course is designed to broaden the instructional repertoire of Bible teachers interested in improving the teaching/learning process by combining in-depth knowledge of the subject matter, an understanding of learning processes, decision-making abilities, human relations skills, and appropriate communication techniques into a unified act, resulting in enhanced learning for students. The course incorporates a workshop approach in which the power and usefulness of a variety of teaching models are examined and allows the application of specific teaching/learning strategies in a supportive environment.

NTST/OTST 612
Biblical Hermeneutics
3 Credits
The purpose of this course is to develop sound (biblically-based; the sola Scriptura approach) principles of hermeneutics in interpreting Scripture by tracing the history and development of biblical interpretation within the Judeo-Christian tradition including modern and postmodern methods of interpretation and their presuppositions. It also emphasizes the practical application of biblical hermeneutical principles for personal spiritual experience and for preaching.

OTST 558
Readings in Hebrew Old Testament
3 Credits
This course is a prerequisite to OTST 626 Advanced Biblical Hebrew. Hebrew Readings in the Hebrew Old Testament is designed to continue developing practical, working knowledge of biblical Hebrew so that the student can accurately interpret the Old Testament in its original language. As with any language, the interpretation of texts is a complex process integrating several categories of knowledge and skills, e.g. morphology, syntax, and lexicography. This includes vocabulary knowledge of Hebrew words used 100 times or more in the Hebrew Bible.
Prerequisites: OTST 550 Beginning Biblical Hebrew, OTST 552 Intermediate Biblical Hebrew or their equivalent.

NTST 558
Readings in Greek New Testament
3 Credits
This course is a prerequisite to NTST 626 Advanced Biblical Greek. Given the significant role the New Testament writings have played and continue to play in the life of the Christian Church and in the wider Western society, mastery of the language in which they are written is a valuable tool in studying those scriptures and the Septuagint. The Greek Readings course aims to equip the students with adequate knowledge of Greek morphology and syntax to enhance their ability to engage in a more profound and extensive exegetical and hermeneutical study of scriptural extra-canonical texts. This course assumes a working knowledge of the NTST 550 Beginning Biblical Greek. It is designed to follow the beginning Greek course or any other course in which the fundamentals of the language’s rudiments are taught.

Research Courses

GSEM 605
Documentary Research and Writing
3 Credits
This course is a study of the philosophy, methods, tools and techniques of documentary research, especially geared at developing a thesis or dissertation in academic programmes such as MABTS and PhD programmes. It also focuses on the techniques of developing a ministry project in Applied Theology areas such as Chaplaincy, Master of Divinity, Mission and Pastoral Theology programmes.

OTST/NTST/THST/CHIS 661
Research Proposal Seminar
3 Credits
This seminar course prepares students for the process of researching a thesis topic, writing a thesis proposal, forming a thesis committee, and defending the thesis proposal. Students will in peer-review format support each other with productive critique and feedback about the development process.

OTST/NTST/ THST/CHIS 696
Master of Arts Thesis
6 Credits
A Master’s Thesis is an essay resulting in substantive research that involves the original collection or treatment of data and/or results in an area of the New Testament. The length of this work is between 65-90 pages.

Specialization Courses: New Testament

NTST 629
New Testament Backgrounds
3 Credits
New Testament Backgrounds offers students an overview of the historical, political, cultural and religious milieu of the time immediately prior to and during the New Testament Era.

NTST 636
Principles and Methods of New Testament Exegesis
3 Credits
A formal introduction to the principles and tools for an accurate exegesis of the Greek New Testament, including the study of text criticism, practice in the exegesis of selected New Testament passages or books, and the writing of an exegesis paper.

NTST 660
Gospels
3 Credits
The purpose of this course is to enable students to understand the historical and critical issues in the study of the Gospels and to know the overall structure and interrelations of the four Gospels while being able to identify the unique theologies of and accurately interpret passages within the Gospels. Furthermore, the course prepares students to share the Gospels with others.

NTST 664
Studies in Romans and Galatians
3 Credits
This course is intended to familiarize the students closely with the epistles of Romans and Galatians. Besides introductory issues, the students will participate in a chapter-by-chapter exegetical study, interpretation and theological implication of the message of both epistles.

NTST 666
Studies in Hebrew
3 Credits
Epistle to the Hebrews course is an in-depth study of the theological message of the epistle at hand, with the use of historical, exegetical, and contextual methods.

NTST 670
The Book of Revelation
3 Credits
This course offers an in-depth study of the Book of Revelation. Although general apagogical issues such as literary genre, structure, schools and principles of interpretations are outlined. The course focuses on a textual study with the view of preparing students for an exposition of Revelation in both preaching and teaching.

NTST 682
Theology of the New Testament
3 Credits
This course aims at surveying New Testament theological themes within the framework of the various New Testament books as well as across the entire New Testament. A special focus is rendered to such themes as the unity and the authority of the New Testament, and the methodologies for doing New Testament theology.

Specialization Courses: Old Testament

OTST 620
Old Testament Backgrounds
3 Credits
This course provides a survey of the history, culture, literature, and religion of the ancient Near East from the earliest times until the close of the Old Testament, with special attention to points of contact with the Old Testament.

OTST 621
Theology of the Old Testament
3 Credits
Theology of the Old Testament Studies major theological themes of the OT in the light of the literary, cultural, and historical contexts of ancient Israel. Tracing the birth and development of such concepts as God, humankind, covenant, sin, sacrifice, etc., and the implications these had on Christian theology is the primary purpose of this course.

OTST 636
Principles and Methods of Old Testament Exegesis
3 Credits
A formal introduction to the steps and tools for the exegesis of the Hebrew text, including practice in the exegesis of selected passages of the Hebrew Bible and the writing of an exegesis paper.

OTST 665
The Pentateuch
3 Credits
The Pentateuch represents the heritage of the three major religions in the world: Judaism, Islam and Christianity. Its narratives introduce us to God and His theocracy, to a nation and its understanding of the world, and most of all, to the interaction between God and his peoples as it is portrayed through the covenant agreement and the Low codes. This course is an in-depth study of the Pentateuch, emphasizing the social-historical context, the message of the narratives, theological themes, and their implications for Christianity.

OTST 672
The Book of Daniel
3 Credits
This course is an in-depth study of the book of Daniel. Special attention is given to the historical, political, social and literary contexts. Issues regarding apocalyptic literature are addressed, and selected passages are studied vis-a-vis the course of history.

OTST 663
Poetic Literature
3 Credits
The theological study of the Psalms, Song of Songs, and Lamentations including structure, genre, and the characteristics of biblical poetry and liturgy, as well as the exegetical study of selected texts.

OTST 667
Pre-Exilic Prophets
3 Credits
This course explores the nature, function and message of the pre-exilic prophets such as Amos, Hosea (Northern Kingdom), Isaiah, Jeremiah, Micah, Nahum, Zephaniah, and Habakkuk (Judah). Key texts are studied considering their literary context and the social, political, and historical frame. Close attention is given to prophetical message and their fulfilment in history as proof of their inspiration.

Specialization Courses: Systematic Theology

CHPH 515
Principles of Christian Ethics
3 Credits
This course aims at studying the process of contemporary ethical (personal, social, and professional) decision-making based on biblical study, but also taking into consideration historical, theological, and philosophical aspects of ethics.

THST 603
Seminar in Selected Theological Issues
3 Credits
Supervised group study in a specified area of theology. Repeatable

CHIS 604
Methods in Church History, Historical and Systematic Theology
3 Credits
An orientation of theological tradition, movement and doctrine throughout the history of Christianity.

THST 622
Doctrine of Salvation
3 Credits
A study of the Christian experience of salvation, focusing on the nature and consequences of sin, the meaning and means of salvation, and the relationship between law and grace, justification and sanctification.

CHIS 674
Development of SDA Theology and Lifestyle
3 Credits
The course traces the origin, and progressive modification of characteristic Seventh-day Adventist doctrine in such areas as the Sabbath, sanctuary, covenant, creation, typology eschatology, atonement and, righteousness by faith.

THST 610
Revelation, Inspiration, and Hermeneutics
3 Credits
This course discusses the biblical, historical, and theological aspects of the Christian doctrine of revelation and inspiration, focusing on their relation to knowledge and interpretation of truth. It also sets an epistemological ground for the way of doing theology.

THST 618
The Doctrine of Christ
3 Credits
A study of the unique person of Christ: His pre-existence and incarnation through the virgin birth; His divinity and humanity and the relationship between them; the meaning and implications of His life, death, and resurrection; His role in human salvation; and the Christian experience of salvation, focusing on the relationship between justification and sanctification.

Specialization Courses: Church History

CHIS 602
Seminar in Selected Topics of Church History
3 Credits
This course furnishes the student to research special topics in Christian history from the Early Church period through post-Reformation times.

CHIS 604
Methods in Church History, Historical and Systematic Theology
3 Credits
An orientation of theological tradition, movement and doctrine throughout the history of Christianity.

CHIS 678
History of Seventh-day Adventist Church in Africa
3 Credits
An investigation of the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s history in Africa emphasises its establishment, development, challenges, and prospects.

THST 674
Development of SDA Theology and Lifestyle
3 Credits
The course traces the origin, and progressive modification of characteristic Seventh-day Adventist doctrine in such areas as the Sabbath, sanctuary, covenant, creation, typology eschatology, atonement and, righteousness by faith.

CHIS 610
History of the Early and Medieval Church
3 Credits
This course overviews the development of the Christian Church from the apostolic times to the end of the Middle Ages. Special attention is offered to the development of the Church’s self-understanding of its nature and mission, structure, persecution, relation with the state and the world, theology and liturgy. A particular focus will be given to the development of the Church in Africa.

CHIS 613
History of the Reformation and Modern Church
3 Credits
An overview of the Christian Church from the Reformation to present times, including the Reformation and Counter-Reformation, the development of denominationalism, the Enlightenment and its influence upon Christian thought, and the influence of changing worldviews upon theology. Emphasis is given especially to factors, which influenced the rise and development of the SDA Church.

Specialization Courses: Biblical Languages

OTST 626
Advanced Biblical Hebrew
3 Credits
This course provides a survey of the history, culture, literature, and religion of the ancient Near East from the earliest times until the close of the Old Testament, with special attention to points of contact with the Old Testament.

NTST 626
Advanced Biblical Greek
3 Credits
This course guides students in developing advanced Greek grammar and syntax skills as they inform New Testament exegesis with particular reference to standard grammar and contemporary linguistic discussion.

OTST 636
Old Testament Exegesis
3 Credits
A formal introduction to the steps and tools for the exegesis of the Hebrew text, including practice in the exegesis of selected passages of the Hebrew Bible and the writing of an exegesis
paper.

NTST 636
New Testament Exegesis
3 Credits
A formal introduction to the principles and tools for an accurate exegesis of the Greek New Testament, including the study of text criticism, practice in the exegesis of selected New Testament passages or books, and the writing of an exegesis paper.

OTST 651
Biblical Aramaic
3 Credits
The purpose of this course is to guide the student into developing knowledge and skills in the grammar and syntax of Biblical Aramaic as an exegetical tool for portions of the Old Testament Scriptures that are written in this language.

Melak Tsegaw, PhD

Senior Lecturer, Old Testament Studies

Education

PhD in Religion, Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (2017)

Areas of Expertise

The Book of Psalms, Discipleship in the Old Testament, and Biblical Hebrew.

Biography
Melak has taught at the Adventist University of Africa Theological seminary in the Department of Biblical Studies since 2018. His specialization is Old Testament studies and he has a great passion for Biblical Hebrew. His research interest includes Biblical Hebrew, Psalm studies, Old Testament Exegesis, and Discipleship.

Melak Tsegaw, PhD

Senior Lecturer, Old Testament Studies

Obed Djaline Moss

Cameroon, Class of 2019

There are three important aspects of my experience at AUA that I want to highlight. One of the key moments in my learning can be distilled down to one session in which one of the professors invited students discuss the effects of the pandemic with us. That discussion challenged my thinking and provided me with a platform from which to to evaluate my beliefs through the lens of critical thought. Today, I still consider that one of the most important turning points in my life.

Adventist University of Africa

Adventist University of Africa

About the Programme

What You May Become?

Specializations

Duration of the Programme

Admission Requirements

Curriculum

Core Courses

Research Courses

Specialization Courses: New Testament

Specialization Courses: Old Testament

Specialization Courses: Systematic Theology

Specialization Courses: Church History

Specialization Courses: Biblical Languages

Programme Coordinator

Melak Tsegaw, PhD

Senior Lecturer, Old Testament Studies

Melak Tsegaw, PhD

Senior Lecturer, Old Testament Studies

Featured Alumni

Obed Djaline Moss

Cameroon, Class of 2019

Obed Djaline Moss

Cameroon, Class of 2019

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