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Study Theology at Otago

Explore faith, yourself and the world.

To study Theology is to engage with the deepest questions of life. What can we say about God? Who is Jesus? What does it mean to be human? How should we live in this world? Where do we find meaning and identity? Theology will equip you to think through these questions – and many others like them – in ways that are consistent and coherent.

We offer a nurturing environment in which you can explore answers in light of the biblical writings, the rich history of the Christian faith, the thinking of past and living theologians, and contemporary practice – gaining the skills and knowledge you need to address the questions that really matter.

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Why study Theology?

Christianity has been a major force in the development of western civilization, helping to shape the world in which we live today, and it is increasingly a global presence. So there is enormous value in coming to an informed understanding of the Christian faith, and that is the main task of Theology.

Of course, many students undertake theological study to inquire further into their own faith. They find that it can enrich their understanding of the Gospel and open new horizons, even as it follows ancient paths. There is always more to learn about such essential matters as the nature of God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – the place of the Bible, the story of Christianity across two millennia, the practice of contemporary ministry and the responsibility to live ethically in a world that is increasingly socially aware.

We assume no particular denominational or theological perspective in this inquiry. The learning process includes a proper methodology and a detailed exploration of the ways in which complex questions have been addressed by others, pointing out what are sometimes provocative possibilities. All this will equip you to formulate Theology and to think these questions through for yourself in ways that are aware of the community of other thinkers – past and present – and alert to the realities of our contemporary society.

Theology is about more than just vocational training. It is about life, meaning, belief and identity at the deepest level. We carry these with us wherever we go, whatever we do. There is, then, no end to the value gained from a few papers or a whole degree in Theology.

Career opportunities

Theology graduates go places. Our students regularly find employment in areas such as teaching, social work, journalism and media work, administration, and the public services. Because Theology involves you in intellectual discovery, sound thinking and writing, and creative discovery, you will develop skills that are foundational to any number of careers. While many Theology graduates enter some form of Christian ministry after their studies, this is by no means true of all. You will find Otago Theology graduates in widely varying occupations all over the world!

Theology at Otago

Drawing on a rich heritage of more than sixty years the Theology Programme is well regarded both nationally and internationally. Its courses are taught by committed staff who are accomplished teachers and scholars. The programme offers a vibrant and friendly community known for its good relationship between staff and students. You will enjoy a positive and healthy environment in which to learn.

The discipline of Theology is divided into three main areas:

Biblical Studies (BIBS) is devoted to the study of the Jewish and Christian Scriptures, looking at the origins of the biblical writings and the history of their interpretation. Biblical Studies papers cover both the Old Testament (the Hebrew Bible) and the New Testament. Students can also study the biblical languages, namely classical Hebrew and New Testament Greek, to an advanced level. Some study of these languages is required for those who are accepted for the BTheol(Hons) degree

Christian Thought and History (CHTH) is a subject area which includes both Church History and Systematic Theology. Church History is concerned with the growth and development of the Church from the first century to modern times. It includes the study of major Christian controversies and their effect on the Christian and world communities.

Systematic Theology offers a critical exposition and analysis of Christian thought from both a historical and a philosophical perspective. Some papers in Systematic Theology deal with the history and nature of Christian ethical thought and with current ethical controversies.

Pastoral Studies (PAST) is particularly designed for students entering some form of church ministry. Papers in Pastoral Theology offer a multidisciplinary study of church life, offering students the opportunity to reflect on the practice of Christian ministry.

You will engage with the breadth of these areas at the same time as going deeper in one of them.

How will you study?

It is possible for students to take up to five papers outside their Major in most degrees within the University, so if you are studying a different subject you can still include some interest papers in Theology.

Theology can also be done as either a Bachelor of Theology or a Bachelor of Arts degree. Both of these take three years full-time. A Bachelor of Theology is the normal choice if you are pursuing a vocation in ministry or aiming at further study in Theology. You can have your Bachelor of Theology endorsed in any of the three areas of Biblical Studies, Christian Thought and History, or Pastoral Studies. A Bachelor of Arts Major can be taken in either Biblical Studies or Christian Thought and History.

You can also complete your Bachelor of Theology by distance study. We have an excellent distance programme that connects with students living from one end of the country to the other. Such teaching is based on course books and is delivered by videoconferences and a teaching day, or in a week-long intensive format.

If you already have a degree in another subject and you would like to deepen your understanding of Theology, the subject is part of the University of Otago's Diploma for Graduates programme, which involves a shorter and more intense course of study in Theology.

We also have a very strong postgraduate programme with high student numbers. See the list of qualifications below for what's on offer.

Background required

All you need to study Theology is a sense of curiosity about the world and human experience. You do not need to have a faith of your own to find compelling the issues raised by Theology. Students of all or no religious persuasions are welcome.

Requirements

Theology as a minor subject for a BA, MusB, BPA, BSc, BCom, BEntr, BHealSc, BACom, BASc or BComSc degree

Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Arts and Science (BComSc) degree

PapersPoints

Five BIBS, CHTH or HEBR papers, at least three of which must be above 100-level, including at least one above 200-level.

90

Note: This minor subject is not available for students enrolled in the Bachelor of Theology (BTheol).

PAST papers

Paper Code Year Title Points Teaching period
PAST216 2024, 2025 Current Perspectives on Pastoral Care 18 points Semester 1, Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
PAST219 2024, 2025 Christian Witness in a Secular World 18 points Not offered in 2024, Semester 1
PAST225 2024, 2025 Special Topic 18 points Semester 2
PAST307 2024, 2025 Special Topic 18 points Not offered in 2024, expected to be offered in 2026, 1st Non standard period (27 January 2025 - 18 June 2025)
PAST311 2024, 2025 Preaching and Communication in a Contemporary Context 18 points Not offered in 2024, expected to be offered in 2026, Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
PAST314 2024, 2025 Cultures, Migration and Faith 18 points Not offered in 2024, Semester 2
PAST316 2024, 2025 Current Perspectives on Pastoral Care (Advanced) 18 points Semester 1, Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
PAST318 2024, 2025 Pastoral Care in Dying, Grief and Loss 18 points Semester 2, Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
PAST319 2024, 2025 Christian Witness in a Secular World 18 points Not offered in 2024, Semester 1
PAST320 2024, 2025 Church in Mission: Theology in Changing Cultures 18 points Not offered in 2024, expected to be offered in 2026, Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
PAST321 2024, 2025 Missional God, Missional People 18 points Not offered in 2024, expected to be offered in 2026, Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
PAST322 2024, 2025 Christian Theology and the Arts 18 points Not offered in 2024, Semester 2
PAST323 2024, 2025 Christian ministry in te ao Māori (the Māori World) 18 points Summer School, Not offered in 2025
PAST324 2024, 2025 The Chaplain as Ceremonial Leader 18 points Semester 1, Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
PAST325 2024, 2025 Special Topic 18 points Semester 2
PAST490 2024, 2025 Dissertation 60 points Full Year, 2nd Non standard period (11 July 2025 - 3 July 2026), 3rd Non standard period (11 July 2025 - 3 July 2026)

MINS papers

Paper Code Year Title Points Teaching period
MINS405 2024, 2025 Special Topic 20 points Not offered in 2024, expected to be offered in 2026, 1st Non standard period (27 January 2025 - 18 June 2025)
MINS406 2024, 2025 Theological Perspectives on Leadership 20 points Not offered in 2024, Semester 2
MINS407 2024, 2025 Preaching and Communication in a Contemporary Context 20 points Not offered in 2024, expected to be offered in 2026, Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
MINS408 2024, 2025 Cultures, Migration and Faith 20 points Not offered in 2024, Semester 2
MINS410 2024, 2025 Pastoral Care in Dying, Grief and Loss 20 points Semester 2, Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
MINS411 2024, 2025 Chaplaincy in Diverse Contexts 20 points Not offered in 2024, Semester 1
MINS412 2024, 2025 Church in Mission: Theology in Changing Cultures (Advanced) 20 points Not offered in 2024, expected to be offered in 2026, Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
MINS413 2024, 2025 Missional God, Missional People (Advanced) 20 points Not offered in 2024, expected to be offered in 2026, Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
MINS414 2024, 2025 Christian Theology and the Arts (Advanced) 20 points Not offered in 2024, Semester 2
MINS415 2024, 2025 Christian ministry in te ao Māori (the Māori World) (Advanced) 20 points Summer School, Not offered in 2025
MINS424 2024, 2025 The Chaplain as Ceremonial Leader (Advanced) 20 points Semester 1, Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
MINS590 2024, 2025 Research Project 60 points Full Year, 1st Non standard period (1 March 2024 - 21 February 2025), 2nd Non standard period (12 July 2024 - 4 July 2025), Full
MINS592 2024, 2025 Research Project 15 points Semester 1, Semester 2

HEBR papers

Paper Code Year Title Points Teaching period
HEBR131 2024, 2025 Introductory Biblical Hebrew 1 18 points Semester 1
HEBR132 2024, 2025 Introductory Biblical Hebrew 2 18 points Semester 2

CHTH papers

Paper Code Year Title Points Teaching period
CHTH102 2024, 2025 The History of Christianity 18 points Semester 1
CHTH111 2024, 2025 Doing Theology 18 points Semester 2
CHTH131 2024, 2025 God and Ethics in the Modern World 18 points Semester 2
CHTH206 2024, 2025 The Reformation 18 points Not offered in 2024, expected to be offered in 2026, Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
CHTH212 2024, 2025 Spirit, Church and Sacraments 18 points Not offered in 2024, expected to be offered in 2026, Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
CHTH213 2024, 2025 The Trinity 18 points Not offered in 2024, Semester 1
CHTH217 2024, 2025 Special Topic 18 points 1st Non standard period (11 November 2024 - 14 December 2024), Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
CHTH218 2024, 2025 The Person and Work of Christ 18 points Semester 1, Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
CHTH224 2024, 2025 Theology and the Environment 18 points Not offered in 2024, Semester 2
CHTH231 2024, 2025 Christianity, War and Violence 18 points Not offered in 2024, 1st Non standard period (10 November 2025 - 13 December 2025)
CHTH233 2024, 2025 Public Theology: Faith in the Public Square 18 points Semester 1, Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
CHTH235 2024, 2025 Special Topic 18 points Not offered in 2024, expected to be offered in 2026, Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
CHTH236 2024, 2025 Māori Theology and Religion 18 points Semester 2
CHTH237 2024, 2025 Special Topic 18 points Semester 1 (11 February 2024 - 31 May 2024), Semester 1, 1st Non standard period (9 February 2025 - 18 June 2025)
CHTH305 2024, 2025 The Roots of Public Theology 18 points Not offered in 2024, Semester 1
CHTH306 2024, 2025 The Reformation (Advanced) 18 points Not offered in 2024, expected to be offered in 2026, Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
CHTH312 2024, 2025 Spirit, Church and Sacraments (Advanced) 18 points Not offered in 2024, expected to be offered in 2026, Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
CHTH313 2024, 2025 The Trinity (Advanced) 18 points Not offered in 2024, Semester 1
CHTH314 2024, 2025 The Theology of Søren Kierkegaard 18 points Not offered in 2024, expected to be offered in 2026, Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
CHTH317 2024, 2025 Special Topic 18 points 1st Non standard period (11 November 2024 - 14 December 2024), Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
CHTH318 2024, 2025 The Person and Work of Christ (Advanced) 18 points Semester 1, Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
CHTH319 2024, 2025 Reconciliation, Christian Ethics and Public Theology 18 points Not offered in 2024, Semester 1
CHTH320 2024, 2025 Public Theology and Social Justice 18 points Semester 1, Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
CHTH322 2024, 2025 Citizenship, Democracy and Discipleship 18 points Not offered in 2024, expected to be offered in 2026, Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
CHTH323 2024, 2025 Theology and Human Well-being 18 points Not offered in 2024, Semester 2
CHTH324 2024, 2025 Theology and the Environment (Advanced) 18 points Not offered in 2024, Semester 2
CHTH331 2024, 2025 Christianity, War and Violence (Advanced) 18 points Not offered in 2024, 1st Non standard period (10 November 2025 - 13 December 2025)
CHTH333 2024, 2025 Public Theology: Faith in the Public Square (Advanced) 18 points Semester 1, Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
CHTH335 2024, 2025 Special Topic 18 points Not offered in 2024, expected to be offered in 2026, Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
CHTH336 2024, 2025 Māori Theology and Religion (Advanced) 18 points Semester 2
CHTH337 2024, 2025 Special Topic 18 points Semester 1 (11 February 2024 - 31 May 2024), Semester 1, 1st Non standard period (9 February 2025 - 18 June 2025)
CHTH403 2024, 2025 The Puritans: Working out the English Reformation 20 points Not offered in 2024, expected to be offered in 2026, Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
CHTH405 2024, 2025 The Roots of Public Theology 20 points Not offered in 2024, Semester 1
CHTH414 2024, 2025 The Theology of Søren Kierkegaard (Advanced) 20 points Not offered in 2024, expected to be offered in 2026, Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
CHTH415 2024, 2025 Reconciliation, Christian Ethics and Public Theology (Advanced) 20 points Not offered in 2024, Semester 1
CHTH416 2024, 2025 The Theology of Bonhoeffer 20 points Semester 2, Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
CHTH420 2024, 2025 Public Theology and Social Justice (Advanced) 20 points Semester 1, Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
CHTH422 2024 Citizenship, Democracy and Discipleship (Advanced) 20 points Not offered in 2024, expected to be offered in 2026
CHTH423 2024, 2025 Theology and Human Well-being (Advanced) 20 points Not offered in 2024, Semester 2
CHTH490 2024, 2025 Dissertation 60 points Full Year, 1st Non standard period (1 July 2024 - 21 June 2025), 1st Non standard period (28 February 2025 - 20 February 2025), 1st Non standard period (28 February 2025

BIBS papers

Paper Code Year Title Points Teaching period
BIBS112 2024, 2025 Interpreting the Old Testament 18 points Semester 1
BIBS121 2024, 2025 Interpreting the New Testament 18 points Semester 1, Semester 2
BIBS131 2024, 2025 Introductory New Testament Greek Language 1 18 points Semester 1
BIBS132 2024, 2025 Introductory New Testament Greek Language 2 18 points Semester 2
BIBS211 2024, 2025 God, Land and Exile in the Hebrew Prophets 18 points Semester 2, Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
BIBS213 2024, 2025 Hebrew Old Testament Exegesis 2 18 points Full Year
BIBS215 2024, 2025 Special Topic 18 points Not offered in 2024, expected to be offered in 2026, Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
BIBS218 2024, 2025 Judaism in the Time of Jesus 18 points Not offered in 2024, Semester 1
BIBS221 2024, 2025 The Gospels 18 points Not offered in 2024, Semester 2
BIBS223 2024, 2025 Greek New Testament Exegesis 2 18 points Full Year
BIBS224 2024, 2025 Special Topic 18 points Not offered in 2024, expected to be offered in 2026, Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
BIBS225 2024, 2025 Special Topic 18 points Not offered in 2024, expected to be offered in 2026, Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
BIBS226 2024, 2025 Jesus in the New Testament 18 points Semester 2, Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
BIBS227 2024, 2025 Mātauranga Māori and the Bible 18 points Not offered in 2024, Semester 2
BIBS311 2024, 2025 God, Land and Exile in the Hebrew Prophets (Advanced) 18 points Semester 2, Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
BIBS313 2024, 2025 Hebrew Old Testament Exegesis 3 18 points Full Year
BIBS315 2024, 2025 Special Topic 18 points Not offered in 2024, expected to be offered in 2026, Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
BIBS317 2024, 2025 God, Suffering and Justice 18 points Semester 1, Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
BIBS318 2024, 2025 Judaism in the Time of Jesus (Advanced) 18 points Not offered in 2024, Semester 1
BIBS321 2024, 2025 The Gospels (Advanced) 18 points Not offered in 2024, Semester 2
BIBS322 2024, 2025 The New Testament Epistles 18 points Not offered in 2024, Semester 1
BIBS323 2024, 2025 Greek New Testament Exegesis 3 18 points Full Year
BIBS324 2024, 2025 Special Topic 18 points Not offered in 2024, expected to be offered in 2026, Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
BIBS325 2024, 2025 Special Topic 18 points Not offered in 2024, expected to be offered in 2026, Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
BIBS326 2024, 2025 Jesus in the New Testament (Advanced) 18 points Semester 2, Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
BIBS327 2024, 2025 Mātauranga Māori and the Bible (Advanced) 18 points Not offered in 2024, Semester 2
BIBS411 2024, 2025 Hebrew Old Testament Exegesis (Advanced) 20 points Full Year
BIBS412 2024, 2025 Special Topic 20 points Not offered in 2024, Semester 2
BIBS413 2024, 2025 God, Suffering and Justice (Advanced) 20 points Semester 1, Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
BIBS421 2024, 2025 Greek New Testament Exegesis (Advanced) 20 points Full Year
BIBS423 2024, 2025 Special Topic 20 points Not offered in 2024, Semester 1
BIBS490 2024, 2025 Dissertation 60 points Not offered in 2024, Full Year, 1st Non standard period (28 February 2025 - 20 February 2026), 2nd Non standard period (11 July 2025 - 3 July 2026), 2nd Non standard period (11 July

More information

Contact us

For general queries, please contact theology@otago.ac.nz

For queries about studying Theology on campus or by Distance Learning, please contact The Revd Associate Professor James Harding.

For further information, see our home page at otago.ac.nz/theology

Studying at Otago

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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2024 Calendar and supplementary material.

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