A SERIES OF SHORT THEOLOGICAL COURSES AT TRINITY CHELTENHAM Equipping the church to change the world
TWO NEW TRACKS FOR 2014/15
AT TRINITY, WE ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION THAT INFORMS, INSPIRES AND EQUIPS THE CHURCH FOR THE MISSION OF GOD WHICH IS WHY I BELIEVE THE ‘SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY’ IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ST. PAULS THEOLOGICAL CENTRE, IS A MUST FOR ANYONE WANTING TO FULFIL THEIR CALL AS A FOLLOWER OF JESUS.’ REV CANON MARK BAILEY
LEADER TRINITY CHELTENHAM AND NATIONAL LEADER NEW WINE
WELCOME Welcome to SPTC School of Theology at Trinity Cheltenham. The School of Theology offers a series of short theological courses for anyone who wants to study the Bible. In our next academic year, we are delighted to welcome guest lecturers who are experts in their field of theological study. Our courses are spread across two terms of eight weeks and are open to anyone who wants to grow in their understanding of God and the Bible, and who want to put what they have learnt into faith expressing itself in the world in which we live today. This year in addition to our existing modules Bible Track 1 and 2, we are introducing two new modules: Life Track 1; which seeks to answer some of the big questions people ask relating to the Christian faith and Bible Track 3; which looks into the person of God the Holy Spirit in scripture. I hope you will take the time to read our prospectus and decide to study with us this year. It is our prayer that as we grow in our understanding of God and faith in Him, that we will engage with the world around us for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
GARETH DICKINSON
Director of Studies for SPTC at Trinity Cheltenham
THE TRACKS Students can sign up to attend one track of lectures from the Autumn Term and one track of lectures from the Spring Term. You can choose to do any one of the three tracks in term one and any one of the three tracks in term two.
Bible Track 1 - Introduction to the Bible
Bible Track 1 provides a thorough introduction to the Bible, and is particularly helpful for students who want a general overview of the Bible.
Bible Track 2 - Books of the Bible
Bible Track 2 offers a more in depth look at individual books from both the Old Testament and the New Testament. It is a natural next stage for those students who have completed Bible Track 1.
Life Track 1 - Big Questions (Apologetics)
Life Track 1 seeks to answer some of the big questions that people are asking in relation to the Christian faith. This track of apologetics is particularly helpful to students who want to engage in dialogue with their friends, family and colleagues who are not yet followers of Jesus.
Bible Track 3 - The Word and the Spirit
Bible Track 3 is a theological study on the Holy Spirit in the Bible and also seeks to draw out particular themes from the Word of God that relate to our culture and the local Church. This Track will be helpful to Christians old and new, and will provide a fresh perspective on the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.
WHEN DO THE COURSES RUN? The School of Theology runs on a Monday evening over two short terms, with a short break for half-term. Autumn Term — 6 October - 1 December, half-term 27 October Spring Term — 26 January - 23 March, half-term 16 February
A TYPICAL EVENING 7:30pm Worship together 7:45pm Lecture 8:45pm Coffee Break 9:00pm Group discussion 9:30pm Feedback, questions & prayer 9:45pm Evening ends
HOW DO I REGISTER FOR A COURSE? Please visit the Trinity Cheltenham website to book your place: trinitycheltenham.com/schooloftheology If you have any enquiries regarding registration please email: theology@trinitycheltenham.com
“STUDYING THE WORD OF GOD TOGETHER BREATHES THE VERY LIFE OF GOD BY THE HOLY SPIRIT INTO BOTH THE INDIVIDUAL AND THE CHURCH COMMUNITY. THAT LIFE LIVED OUT IS NECESSARY FOR THE HEALING, RECONCILIATION AND TRANSFORMATION THAT OUR HURTING WORLD NEEDS TODAY.” REV GARETH DICKINSON
DIRECTOR OF STUDIES FOR SPTC SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY AT TRINITY CHELTENHAM
2014-15 CURRICULUM Students can sign up for one term at a time. They can also mix and match the tracks, for example, taking BibleTrack 1 in term one and Bible Track 2 or 3 in term two. The tracks will run as follows:
AUTUMN TERM PROGRAMME Date
Bible Track 1 - Introduction to the Bible
Bible Track 2 - Books of th
06/10/14
Bible Overview
Mike Fuller
Genesis
13/10/14
The Pentateuch*
Andrew Emerton
Deuteronomy
20/10/14
The Prophets
Brian Howell
Job
27/10/14
HALF TERM
03/11/14
Wisdom Literature
Brian Howell
Psalms
10/11/14
Paul’s Letters
Jeremy Duff
John
17/11/14
The Gospels
Dave Allen
Romans
24/11/14
New Creation*
N. T. Wright
Hebrews
01/12/14
New Creation*
N. T. Wright
Colossians
HALF TERM
SPRING TERM PROGRAMME Date
Bible Track 1 - Introduction to the Bible
Bible Track 2 - Books of th
26/01/15
Bible Overview
Mike Fuller
Genesis
02/02/15
The Pentateuch
Mike Fuller
Deuteronomy
09/02/15
The Prophets
Brian Howell
Job
16/02/15
HALF TERM
23/02/15
Wisdom Literature
Brian Howell
Psalms
02/03/15
The Gospels
Dave Allen
John
09/03/15
Paul’s Letters
Jeremy Duff
Hebrews
16/03/15
New Creation*
N. T. Wright
Romans
23/03/15
New Creation*
N. T. Wright
Colossians
*This lecture will be delivered by DVD
HALF TERM
“One of the things I found really helpful is that we have been studying together in the context of worship.” Josie “Studying at School of Theology has made the Bible exciting again!” Rita
he Bible
Life Track 1 - Big Questions (Apologetics)
Matt Lynch
Is the Bible reliable?
Michelle Tepper
Mike Fuller
Has science disproved God?
Sharon Dirckx
Stephen Torr
The nature of truth
Lara Buchanan
HALF TERM Gordon Wenham
What is the minimum you have to believe?
Mike Fuller
David Wenham
What is the evidence for the resurrection?
Simon Edwards
Andrew Lincoln
How might we understand the character of God?
John Valentine
Dave Allen
Where did evil and suffering come from?
Daniel Hames
Andrew Lincoln
Stimulating spiritual conversations
Paul Griffiths
he Bible
Bible Track 3 - The Word and the Spirit
Brian Howell
The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament
Daniel Hames
Gordon McConville
The Holy Spirit in the New Testament
Daniel Hames
Stephen Torr
The Holy Spirit in the Early Church
Nigel Scotland
HALF TERM Gordon Wenham
The Holy Spirit and Trinity
Graham Tomlin
David Wenham
The Word on Sexuality
Sean Doherty
Dave Allen
The Holy Spirit and Revelation
Jenny Campbell
Andrew Lincoln
The Word on Worship
Neil Bennetts
Andrew Lincoln
The Holy Spirit and Mission
John Inge
SPEAKERS DR DAVID ALLEN
Dr David Allen teaches biblical studies and New Testament Greek at Queens Foundation in Birmingham. He has a particular interest in the letters at the end of the New Testament, notably the Epistle to the Hebrews. He is currently working on the portrayal of Jesus in the later NT. He’s a member of the Society of Biblical Literature, the Society of Pentecostal Studies, and the Tyndale Fellowship.
LARA BUCHANAN
Lara Buchanan leads the School of Ministry – an internship programme in theology, evangelism and discipleship - at St. Aldates Church, Oxford. Lara is also a graduate from the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics, before that earning a degree in English Literature and History, and has served evangelistically in a variety of contexts.
DR SHARON DIRCKX
Sharon Dirckx is an Academic Tutor at the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics. Originally from a scientific background she has a Ph.D. in brain imaging from the University of Cambridge and has held research positions at the University of Oxford and in the USA. Her topics of interest include the interface between science and faith, and suffering.
NEIL BENNETTS
Neil is the National Leader of New Wine Worship. He has led worship in the local church for over 20yrs and has just completed his MA in Theology with Westminster Theological Centre. Neil is also part of the leadership of Trinity Cheltenham.
JENNY CAMPBELL
Jenny has taught in a number of leading theological institutions in South Africa and England, most recently as lecturer in Doctrine and Method for Westminster Theological Centre, based in Cheltenham, UK. Currently she is a Facilitator for the Bath Leadership Academy, a hub of Springdale College Birmingham.
DR SEAN DOHERTY
Sean did his doctorate on Methodology in Economic Ethics at Oxford University. He has written ‘Foundations for Medical Ethics’ in the Grove series, and is a member of the Grove Ethics group. He is Associate Minister at a church plant in an inner-city housing estate in London. He oversees the LLM training at St Mellitus College, and the College’s assessment processes.
REV DR JEREMY DUFF
Jeremy is vicar of a small but growing church in Widnes, near Liverpool, with an established teaching and ministry, which has included posts at Liverpool Cathedral and within Oxford University. His writings include ‘Meeting Jesus: Human Responses to a Yearning God’ and ‘The Elements of New Testament Greek’. His passion is for connecting the radical truth of the bible with the reality of twenty-first century life, and encouraging the church to keep up with both!
DR ANDREW EMERTON
Andy is Assistant-Dean of St Mellitus College and Director of SPTC. He studied in York, Oxford, Cambridge and London, holding degrees in Maths and Theology, a Masters in Theology & Ministry from Kings College London and a doctorate in Theoretical Physics from Oxford University. He has extensive experience in youth work, was ordained in 2005, and served his curacy at Holy Trinity Brompton.
PAUL GRIFFITHS
Paul Griffiths is a member of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s College of Evangelists. He leads the Ugly Duckling Company, which is a charity committed to creating spaces for those outside the life of the church to engage in meaningful conversation. He is the author of several books and pre-alpha courses.
SIMON EDWARDS
Simon Edwards is an Apologist for RZIM Europe and a graduate of the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics. He holds degrees in law, economics and education and has read Theology at Oxford University. He previously practiced law for a number of years in Australia, both in public and private practice.
MIKE FULLER
After twenty years pastoring Baptist churches and teaching Religious Studies, Philosophy and Ethics, Mike has now retired, and continues a ministry of teaching, writing and encouragement for the wider church. Mike holds a University of Oxford M.A. in Theology and is a consultant tutor in theology at Trinity Cheltenham
DANIEL HAMES
Daniel trained for ministry at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, and ended up in the world of academic theology. He is now working on a PhD in theology at the Free University of Amsterdam, focusing on Jesus being both God and Man. He looks after the theology website www.uniontheology.org and is part of St Aldates, Oxford.
DR BRIAN HOWELL
Brian is the Dean of Studies and Research for Bible Society, serving as the primary liaison to Universities and colleges in the UK. He has taught Old Testament, literary criticism, and Hebrew at Sheffield University, Oak Hill College, the University of Gloucestershire, and Redcliffe College.
PROF ANDREW LINCOLN
Andrew is Professor of New Testament Studies at the University of Gloucestershire, having occupied the Portland Chair here from 1999 to 2013. His previous posts include a professorial chair at Wycliffe College, University of Toronto and a Senior Lectureship in the University of Sheffield. Andrew has written many publications and is particularly well-known for three major commentaries; including Colossians in the New Interpreter’s Bible Vol. XI.
PROF GORDON McCONVILLE
Gordon is Professor of Old Testament Theology at the University of Gloucestershire. He is the author or co-author of thirteen books, many articles, and other edited volumes. His special interests are in Deuteronomy, the Prophets, and Old Testament theology and spirituality. His main current project is a volume on an Old Testament theology of the human being.
BISHOP JOHN INGE
Bishop John is the 113th Bishop of Worcester whose first priority is mission. In the past he attended Kent College in Canterbury then undertook a BSc in Chemistry at St. Chads College, Durham. He has served as Chaplain at Harrow School, a vicar in the heart of inner cityTyneside and Canon Missioner of Ely Cathedral. His book ‘A Christian Theology of Place’ was short listed for the Michael Ramsey Prize for Theological Writing.
DR MATT LYNCH
Matt teaches Old Testament and serves as Dean of Studies at Westminster Theological Centre. Matt is particularly interested in helping students grasp the theological and literary contours of the Old Testament, wrestle through its ethical and historical challenges, and understand its ongoing significance.
REV DR NIGEL SCOTLAND
Nigel Scotland taught Church History at the University of Gloucestershire for many years. He has a PhD from the University of Aberdeen. His area of expertise is nineteenth-century British Church History, and especially Evangelicalism, both historical and contemporary.
MICHELLE TEPPER
Michelle Tepper is an itinerant speaker for RZIM Europe and a guest lecturer at the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics. She is an extremely gifted communicator and Christian apologist engaging on a variety of faith issues in various forums. Born and raised in Florida, USA Michelle went to Oxford University to complete her degree in Political Science at New College.
REV DR DAVID WENHAM
David Wenham studied theology in Cambridge University, after which he completed research on the Gospels for his PhD at Manchester University. He moved to Wycliffe Hall in Oxford in 1983, and taught New Testament for 24 years. He joined the Trinity College Bristol faculty in Summer 2007.
PROF N. T. WRIGHT
N.T. Wright is a leading biblical scholar, former Bishop of Durham in the Church of England, and current Research Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity, University of St Andrews. He studied for the ministry at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, and was ordained at Merton College, Oxford. Wright has also written over fifty books, including the multi-volume work Christian Origins and the Question of God.
REV DR GRAHAM TOMLIN
Graham Tomlin is the Principal of St Paul’s Theological Centre and Dean of St Mellitus College. Previously he was the Vice Principal of Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. He is the author of several books on the history of theology and contemporary mission including ‘The Prodigal Spirit’.
PROF GORDON WENHAM
Gordon studied theology at Cambridge University, and went on to do Old Testament research at King’s College London. He spent time at Harvard University and in Jerusalem at the Ecole Biblique and the Hebrew University. He taught Old Testament in the Department of Semitic Studies of Queen’s University in Belfast. He was Professor of Old Testament at the University of Gloucestershire from 1995 to 2005 and now holds the title Professor Emeritus.
REV JOHN VALENTINE
Before ordination, John worked for a spell in the law. After working with churches in Norwich and central London, he joined the staff of Holy Trinity Brompton in 2000 with a view to leading a church plant. He was part of the team that set up the School of Theology at HTB and he is now the Rector of St George’s Holborn. His book on discipleship: ‘Follow Me’ was published recently.
“ST. PAUL’S THEOLOGICAL CENTRE IS DELIGHTED TO BE WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TRINITY CHELTENHAM. THIS VENTURE HAS HUGE POTENTIAL FOR DEEPENING FAITH AND ENRICHING UNDERSTANDING FOR THE LOCAL CHURCH AND BEYOND.” REV DR GRAHAM TOMLIN
PRINCIPAL OF SPTC, DEAN OF ST MELLITUS COLLEGE
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS WHAT IF I DON’T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THEOLOGY?
WHERE DOES IT TAKE PLACE?
You probably know more than you
at the Trinity Cheltenham campus
think. In any case, we don’t assume that students have studied any theology before, After all, you have to start somewhere.
The School of Theology will be taught on Portland Street, Cheltenham, GL52 2NX. Parking is available in the Portland Street car park opposite Trinity Cheltenham church.
WILL I HAVE TO DO HOMEWORK AND ESSAYS?
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
The courses are not assessed so
advance. There is an early bird ticket
you will not be asked to write essays, though some suggested background reading is always helpful.
Each term costs £120, payable in price of £100 if booked by 31st August. We also offer a discounted rate of £60 for OAPs and Students and full bursaries may be available for
DO I HAVE TO BELONG TO TRINITY CHELTENHAM TO TAKE A COURSE? Absolutely not. People from other churches and denominations are very welcome to attend the School of Theology.
WHO WILL TEACH IT? The teaching will be delivered in the form of lectures from visiting speakers who are specialists in their field of theology. Please see the speakers section for details of who we have joining us. In some streams, some lectures may be delivered through DVD teaching.
those who cannot afford the course fees. Please get in touch for more information.