1. Rationale
The Bachelor of Theology program at the United Methodist University of Zambia (UMUZ) aims to provide holistic theological education rooted in the values of ecumenism, justice, peace, environmental stewardship, and community transformation. It prepares students to be reflective and transformative leaders in church and society, equipped to respond to contemporary challenges including climate change, poverty, conflict, and religious pluralism.
2. Aims
The program specifically aims to:
- Equip students with a solid foundation in theological knowledge and critical inquiry, preparing them for ministry, scholarship, and social engagement.
- Develop theologically grounded leaders who are self-reflective, ethically responsible, and capable of applying faith principles in practical and transformative ways in their communities.
- Foster ecumenical and interfaith sensitivity, encouraging dialogue and cooperation across denominational and religious boundaries to promote peace, unity, and mutual respect.
- Promote professional and ethical leadership by equipping students with practical skills—including entrepreneurship, management, legal awareness, and digital literacy—while fostering a lifelong commitment to learning, research, spiritual growth, and social responsibility.
- Integrate environmental theology, climate change awareness, and sustainable agricultural practices into theological education, encouraging students to be stewards of creation and agents of ecological justice.
3. Objectives
Upon successful completion of the program, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of Christian theology, biblical studies, church history, systematic theology and practical theology within a contextual and ecumenical framework.
- Analyze and interpret the Christian faith in light of historical, social, cultural, and ecological realities, promoting holistic and transformative ministry.
- Engage meaningfully in ecumenical and interfaith dialogue, embodying the values of peace, unity, justice, and shared humanity.
- Address environmental and agricultural challenges from a theological perspective, advocating for climate justice, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and engaging in the care of creation as a faith-based responsibility.
- Apply leadership, entrepreneurial, and management skills in church and community contexts, advancing ethical and socially responsive ministry.
- Use critical thinking, research methodologies, and problem-solving skills to contribute to theological scholarship and respond to contemporary issues facing the church and society.
- Model ethical, spiritual, and community leadership that reflects Christian values in diverse social and professional settings.
4. Courses — Full Curriculum
🎓 Year One: Semester One (60 Credits)
| SN | Code | Course Title | Credits | Learning Hours |
|---|
| 1 | BTOT 111 | Survey of the Old Testament | 10 | 100 |
| 2 | BTNT 112 | Survey of the New Testament | 10 | 100 |
| 3 | BTTT 113 | Theological Thinking | 10 | 100 |
| 4 | BTCE 114 | Christian Ethics | 10 | 100 |
| 5 | BTAW 115 | Academic Writings I | 10 | 100 |
📘 BTOT 111 Survey of the Old Testament
Introduces literature, theology, history of Israel. Covers major books, themes, scholarly theories. Aim: foundational understanding for academic/pastoral contexts. Learning outcomes: identify literary forms, analyze content, apply texts, develop papers.
📘 BTNT 112 Survey of the New Testament
Historical, cultural, religious context; canon formation, authorship, theological themes. Outcomes: articulate NT background, list 27 books, explain canon, situate texts in first-century world.
📘 BTTT 113 Theological Thinking
Key theological landmarks from church history to modern period. Aim: sources & methods for theological reflection. Outcomes: explain landmarks, construct local theologies (African context), discuss impact on church.
📘 BTCE 114 Introduction to Christian Ethics
Ethical theories, moral issues, personal & social responsibilities. Focus: corruption, sexuality, democracy. Outcomes: identify moral issues, evaluate theories, apply Christian ethics, develop framework.
📘 BTAW 115 Introduction to Academic Writing I
Basic academic writing, reference tools, assembling arguments. Outcomes: use reference tools, correct research techniques, present argument in research paper.
🎓 Year One: Semester Two (60 Credits)
| SN | Code | Course Title | Credits | Hours |
|---|
| 6 | BTPM 121 | Pastoral Ministry | 10 | 100 |
| 7 | BTPC 122 | Pastoral Care and Counseling | 10 | 100 |
| 8 | BTWR 123 | World Religions | 10 | 100 |
| 9 | BTHC 124 | History of Christianity I | 10 | 100 |
| 10 | BTAW 125 | Academic Writings II | 10 | 100 |
📘 BTPM 121 Pastoral Ministry
Theory and practice of ministries; church government, roles of ordained minister. Outcomes: appreciate historical forms, understand ministries, role of ordained leader.
📘 BTPC 122 Pastoral Care and Counseling
Theology of pastoral care, family therapy, grief, addiction, African contexts. Outcomes: explain foundations, identify psychosocial issues, apply approaches, manage records.
📘 BTWR 123 World Religions
Phenomenology of religion, primal religions, living faiths in Africa. Outcomes: apply phenomenological method, evaluate usefulness for theology, integrate into ministerial training.
📘 BTCH 124 History of Christianity I
Early church, medieval, Reformation. Expansion, doctrine, political power. Outcomes: outline key figures, describe doctrinal trends, analyze Reformation causes.
📘 BTAW 125 Academic Writing II
Advanced academic writing, bibliography, quotations, argumentation. Outcomes: use reference tools, correct techniques, present argument in research paper.
📖 Year Two: Semester One (60 Credits)
| SN | Code | Course Title | Credits | Hours |
|---|
| 11 | BTOT 211 | Old Testament Theology | 10 | 100 |
| 12 | BTGA 212 | Gospels and Acts | 10 | 100 |
| 13 | BTHC 213 | Church History II (Modern and Africa) | 10 | 100 |
| 14 | BTRM 214 | Research Methods | 10 | 100 |
📘 BTOT 211 Old Testament Theology
Theological study of Law, Prophets, Writings; themes: covenant, justice, suffering. Apply to African contexts. Outcomes: analyze major themes, preach from OT, integrate with NT, address injustice.
📘 BTGA 212 Gospels and Acts
Life of Jesus, synoptic problem, early church, Holy Spirit. Outcomes: four-dimensional understanding of Jesus, structure of each Gospel, theological emphases.
📘 BTCH 213 History of Christianity II
1700–present, focus Africa & Zambia, ecumenism, colonialism, independence. Outcomes: describe development in Africa, analyze ecumenical movement, evaluate African contributions.
📘 BTRM 214 Research Methods
Principles of social/theological research, African context, qualitative/quantitative, ethical frameworks. Outcomes: formulate research problems, design projects, apply ecumenical ethics, academic writing.
📖 Year Two: Semester Two (60 Credits)
| SN | Code | Course Title | Credits | Hours |
|---|
| 15 | BTNT 221 | New Testament Theology | 10 | 100 |
| 16 | BTBH 222 | Biblical Hermeneutics | 10 | 100 |
| 17 | BTCE 223 | Christian Education | 10 | 100 |
| 18 | BTPL 224 | Prophetic Literature | 10 | 100 |
📘 BTNT 221 New Testament Theology
Themes, message of Kingdom, original contexts. Outcomes: analyze major theological themes, interpret/apply NT, understand OT-NT relationship, develop exegesis.
📘 BTBH 222 Biblical Hermeneutics
Sermon preparation, theology of preaching, clarity & contextual relevance. Outcomes: principles of preaching, sermon types (expository/narrative/topical), prepare/deliver sermons.
📘 BTCE 223 Christian Education
Foundations in pluralistic era, ecumenical sphere, faith as guiding image. Outcomes: discuss developmental foundations, analyze contemporary approaches, differentiate evangelism & Christian Ed.
📘 BTPL 224 Prophetic Literature
Message, theology, function of Hebrew prophets, exegesis, application to Zambian church. Outcomes: historical contexts, exegetical skills, articulate theological themes, relevance today.
📖 Year Three: Semester One (60 Credits)
| SN | Code | Course Title | Credits | Hours |
|---|
| 19 | BTBI 311 | Biblical Interpretation | 10 | 100 |
| 20 | BTCT 312 | Contextual Theology | 10 | 100 |
| 21 | BTIP 313 | Introduction to Philosophy | 10 | 100 |
| 22 | BTBG 314 | Biblical Greek I | 10 | 100 |
| 23 | BTPC 315 | Practical Internship | 10 | 100 |
📘 BTBI 311 Biblical Interpretation
Survey of NT interpretation methods, recent scholarly approaches. Outcomes: analytical survey of major trends, discuss methods, contextual interpretation of biblical text.
📘 BTCT 312 Contextual Theology
Christian faith shaped by culture, history; African/Asian/Latin American perspectives. Outcomes: interact with local cultures, combine theology with social sciences, develop culturally engaged theology.
📘 BTIP 313 Introduction to Philosophy
Logic, epistemology, major philosophers, realism/idealism/pragmatism, African Philosophy. Outcomes: explain meaning & history, analyze African philosophy, branches, classical/modern ideas.
📘 BTBG 314 Biblical Greek I
NT Greek grammar, vocabulary, reading & translation. Outcomes: master Greek alphabet, read and translate Greek sentences.
📘 BTPC 315 Practical Internship
Parish work, preaching, counseling, evangelism, UMC organization. Outcomes: appreciate parish organization, use practical skills, develop report, write theological book report.
📖 Year Three: Semester Two (60 Credits)
| SN | Code | Course Title | Credits | Hours |
|---|
| 24 | BTPW 321 | Pentateuch and Writings | 10 | 100 |
| 25 | BTIC 322 | Introduction to Christology | 10 | 100 |
| 26 | BTAT 323 | African Christian Theology | 20 | 200 |
| 27 | BTTM 324 | Theology of Mission | 10 | 100 |
| 28 | BTBG 325 | Biblical Greek II | 10 | 100 |
📘 BTPW 321 Pentateuch and Writings
Theological themes, literary forms, exegesis. Outcomes: explain contents, identify key passages, discuss socio-political issues, scholarly trends.
📘 BTIC 322 Introduction to Christology
Doctrine of Jesus Christ, historical development, christological errors, ecumenical challenges. Outcomes: define Christology, account for development, identify errors, engage pluralism.
📘 BTAT 323 African Christian Theology
Rise & development in Zambia, inculturation, ancestors, health & healing. Outcomes: trace historical development, analyze African spirituality, contextualize doctrine, respond to challenges.
📘 BTTM 324 Theology of Mission
Missio Dei, evangelism, diakonia, ecumenism, African contexts. Outcomes: explain key concepts, compare historical practices, design mission strategies, engage interfaith dialogue.
📘 BTBG 325 Biblical Greek II
Greek syntax, reading, translating, parsing, exegetical tools. Outcomes: read NT with fluency, translate, identify grammatical constructions, use lexicons.
🎓 Year Four: Semester One (60 Credits)
| SN | Code | Course Title | Credits | Hours |
|---|
| 29 | BTDC 411 | Doctrine of the Church | 10 | 100 |
| 30 | BTIE 412 | Introduction to Eschatology | 10 | 100 |
| 31 | BTAR 413 | African Traditional Religions | 20 | 200 |
| 32 | BTPP 414 | Research Proposal Writing I | 10 | 100 |
| 33 | BTBH 415 | Biblical Hebrew | 10 | 100 |
📘 BTDC 411 Doctrine of the Church
Holy Spirit, Church, sanctification, Trinity, ecumenical perspectives. Outcomes: explain doctrines, identify similarities/differences, role of Holy Spirit in unity, African spirituality contributions.
📘 BTIE 412 Introduction to Eschatology
Last things: Second Coming, millennium, final judgment. Outcomes: understand eschatological passages, analyze redemptive plan, compare premillennialism, postmillennialism, amillennialism.
📘 BTAR 413 African Traditional Religion
Beliefs, practices, ancestors, spirits, African worldview, interfaith dialogue. Outcomes: define core beliefs, analyze role in cultural identity, evaluate interaction with Christianity.
📘 BTPP 414 Proposal Writing I
Research proposal components, literature review, ethical data collection, contextual African issues. Outcomes: conceptualize proposal, develop formal theological proposal, apply ethical principles.
📘 BTBH 415 Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew alphabet, vowels, grammar, vocabulary, basic reading. Outcomes: read/write consonants, use vowel system, foundational vocabulary, translate simple phrases.
🎓 Year Four: Semester Two (60 Credits)
| SN | Code | Course Title | Credits | Learning Hours |
|---|
| 34 | BTIP 421 | Introduction to Pneumatology | 10 | 100 |
| 35 | BTIE 422 | Introduction to Entrepreneurship | 10 | 100 |
| 36 | BTPW 423 | Research Proposal Writing II | 20 | 200 |
📘 BTIP 421 Introduction to Pneumatology
Person & work of Holy Spirit, Trinitarian nature, Filioque, Pentecostal movements. Outcomes: examine historical development, explore personhood/deity, connect to gifts & sanctification, engage charismatic movements.
📘 BTIE 422 Introduction to Entrepreneurship
Church & community ventures, project planning, monitoring, ethical entrepreneurship in Africa. Outcomes: demonstrate entrepreneurial skills, identify viable opportunities, develop proposals, integrate Christian values.
📘 BTPW 423 Research Proposal Writing II
Guided independent research, formal theological research report, supervision. Outcomes: produce scholarly work, demonstrate competence in methodology, apply findings to ministry, follow academic standards.
📌 Program summary: The Bachelor of Theology at UMUZ comprises 4 years (8 semesters), totaling 480 credits (each semester 60 credits). Integrates ecumenical perspectives, contextual theology, environmental ethics, and practical ministry skills. Graduates emerge as transformative leaders for church and society.