York School of Theology

Short Courses (Flat-pack)

Bite-size courses which can be bolted together to form a comprehensive programme of study.

First Steps to Preaching Skills: four weeks from 24th February 2009, tutor Graham Hutchinson, Pastor of Elim York
Venue: Elim Corner, First Floor, 47 Lawrence Street, York, YO10 3BU: Tuesday nights, 7.30 to 9.30 pm
Cost: £5 per night per person

Certificate Level Courses

Substantial courses, running across 14/15 weeks, which can be taken on their own or used to gain the Certificate in Christian Studies from St John’s College, Nottingham and/or qualifications up to degree level.

Old Testament Introduction: starts Tuesday 10th February at 7.30 pm for fourteen weeks (Cost £100).

Venue: St Cuthbert’s, Peasholme Green, Tuesday nights, 7.30 to 9.30 pm

New Testament Greek: using 1 John to dig deeper into the riches of the New Testament. Course starts on the week beginning 23rd February. For details contact the course tutor, Francis Scott, tel 01904 658659 and FandFScott@aol.com

New Course: FRESH !

FRESH ! Training to lead fresh expressions of church. Ideal for Christian leaders or those training for leadership. The course runs from 13 to 17 July in York. It offers: in depth Bible Study of the book of Acts; input from the national training officer of ‘Fresh Expressions’ and David Goodhew (Cranmer Hall, Durham); visits to exciting new forms of church; input from local leaders such as Roger Simpson (St Michael-le-Belfrey), Graham Hutchinson, (Elim, York), Jeremy Fletcher (York Minster), John Wilson (Gateway Christian Fellowship). Cost £100. Contact YST for more details.

To book and for more information:
www.ystyork.org
Email: office@ystyork.org
York School of Theology, St Cuthbert’s Centre, Peasholme Green, York YO1 7PW
Tel 07804453616

Starts: Spring 2009 for 14 weeks during the daytime. Contact us for details.

Tutor: Francis Scott

Cost: £90

If you didn’t do well at languages at school, don’t let that put you off having a go at New Testament Greek! This course, which has been completely re-written, has been trialled with non-linguists.

It is aimed at students who want to start reading and translating the Greek New Testament quickly. Learning Greek will open up the world of the New Testament revealing shades of meaning which are not obvious from Bible translations. Second, even a limited knowledge of Greek is a great help in using text books and commentaries.

Section 1 starts with an Introduction to Grammar.

Section 2 concentrates on Reading and Analysing the Greek of 1 John.

Section 3 provides plenty of Translation Exercises to practice what has been learned. At each stage the Exercises are designed for revision as well as for developing an understanding of new work.

Whilst the course provides grammatical commentary on the Greek texts relating to the vocabulary and grammar of 1 John in particular, it does not ignore those key grammatical forms found in the Greek New Testament as a whole. By the end of the course you should be able to begin to working through the Greek of another New Testament text.

Assignments: Students are required to complete five assignments to be sent to their tutor. Four are based on the grammar in section One and the final assignment, which carries 25% of the overall mark, is based on 1 John.

God and The World ( B1 )

Starts: Tuesday 19th February 2008 for 14 weeks

Tutor: David Stephens

Cost £90

This Unit deals with the questions of the meaning of life, and the place that we human beings have in the purposes of God. These are far-reaching questions, and it will seldom be possible to give clear-cut answers to many questions that arise. But the aim of the Unit is to explore the issues, to examine the biblical material which seems to offer some Christian answers, and to try to relate the insights gained to a number of current issues in the church and in society.

Section One: The World God Gave Us. This Section looks in detail at Genesis 1-13, and explores its wide-ranging exposition of the relationship between God and the world. Along the way it considers other ‘philosophies of life’ (or ‘world views’) in today’s world.
· Creation and the Sabbath Rest
· The Fall: A New Meaning to Labour
· Ways of Seeing the World
· The Flood: A New Relationship Between God and Humanity
· Abraham and the Blessing

Section Two: A New Humanity. This Section considers in some detail the nature of human beings as created in God’s image, the marring of that image through the Fall, and the restoration of that image by the Spirit of God bestowed on Christians.
· What Sort of Image?
· How the Fall Affects the Image
· Jesus, the New Image
· How the Spirit Renews Humanity
· Fulfilment and Final Glory

Section Three: Working Out God’s Purposes.
· Creative Management of God’s World
· Community
· Power and Justice
· Our Responsibility in Changing the World
· A Stronger Humanism?

Assignments: There are eight written assignments (totalling about 8000 words) to be submitted to the tutor.

Old Testament Introduction ( A1 )

Starts: Monday 8th February 2010 for 15 weeks

Tutor: Derek Wooldridge

Cost: £100

Many Christians feel guilty about the Old Testament. It is part of the Bible and we hear it read in church Sunday by Sunday. We probably learnt stories from it in Sunday School. We may know some of the Psalms and a few bits from the prophets. But the Old Testament as a whole is literally a closed book to us. We don’t know how to get into it (don’t start at Genesis and try to read straight through - you will probably give up in despair by Leviticus!), we don’t know our way around it, and it all seems very strange. Yet we feel we ought to read it and find the Word of God in it.

The aim of this Unit is to help you enter the world of the Old Testament, find your way around it, and discover that God can speak to you through it.

In Section One, The Story of Israel, we look at the history of the Israelite people. Israel’s history is often called ‘salvation history’, because God was the guiding force behind it. But Israel’s history is also influenced by their ideas about God. We cannot fully understand the Bible unless we have a basic knowledge of what happened to Israel.
· The Exodus - Our Starting-point
· Old Testament History
· The Promised Land
· The Kings of Israel
· Exile and Restoration

In Section Two, The Word of God, we see how the relationship between God and the Israelite people was worked out in practical daily life. The ideal was enshrined in the Law. The reality was all too often failure and disobedience, and God repeatedly tried to draw his people back to the ideal through the work of the prophets. In this Section we also look at how the text of the Bible was put together.
· The Law
· Prophecy
· The Pre-Exilic Prophets
· The Exilic Prophets
· The Post-Exilic Prophets; The Text of the Bible

In Section Three, The Human Response, we look at some of the different ways in which Israel responded to God’s dealings with them. These responses are concerned with human behaviour, questioning the state of the world, the celebration of creation and sexuality, and formal worship. As we study these varied responses, we also think about the theology of the Old Testament.

Finally, we look at the best ways of using the Old Testament today.
· Stories with the Human Touch
· Where Did I Come From?
· Wisdom
· Worship in the Old Testament
· Using the Old Testament

Assignments: There are eight assignments (in total about 7500 words) to be submitted to the tutor. In Section Three there is a choice of assignments.

New Testament Introduction ( A2 )

Starts: Monday 12th October 2009 for 15 weeks

Tutors: Derek Wooldridge, Brunel James and Anna Burr
Cost: £100

New Testament Introduction was our most popular Unit in our first year. It is a good starting point for those aiming for the Certificate as most Christians know the New Testament reasonably well both in structure and in content, without even realising it.

Section One: The Story Behind the New Testament gives the context in which to understand the story of Jesus, and surveys some of the religious and political issues which form the background of Jesus’ life. It then goes on to study the life and message of Jesus.

· The World of the New Testament

· The Jews in a Hostile World

· Jesus’ Birth and Early Ministry

· Jesus’ Message About the Kingdom

· Who was Jesus?

· The Death and Resurrection of Jesus

Section Two moves on to look at The Churches of the New Testament. Most of the NT books are letters, and students spend most of this Section studying them. The Section examines the development of the early church during the first century AD, and helps students to understand the situations and needs within the churches to which the letters of the NT were addressed, and to see how the authors applied theological truths to those situations. The relevance of all this to the life of our own churches is also considered.

· Confronting the Ancient World

· Paul, Apostle to the Gentiles

· Paul Builds the Church in Europe

· Letters from Prison

· Varieties of NT Faith and Experience

Section Three is on The Message of the Evangelists, concentrating on the Four Gospels. It considers questions such as: Why are there four Gospels? Do they all teach the same message? How are we to understand the difference between them? How did they come to be written?

· The Making of the Synoptic Gospels

· The Purpose of the Synoptic Evangelists

· Can We Trust the Gospels?

· The Gospel According to John

· Ways of Reading the New Testament

Assignments: There are seven assignments varying in length from 500 - 1500 words, to be submitted to the tutor.

What the students say………….

‘It really opened my eyes to the Bible and the time it was written and now has really come to life.’ R.G. Beaumont

‘like the approach taken - balance of study with what it means for what we believe’ Claire Beech

‘really grateful for the commitment of the leaders of the course and their encouragement’ Liz Gibson

‘I feel I have a much better overview of the New Testament, particularly cultural context. Very useful…Very patient leaders. Really enjoyed covering this material…I would recommend this course’ Lindsay Schuman

Certificated Course: Ministry and Mission in the Local Church

Tuesdays starting on 24th April ‘07, 7.30 to 9.30 pm at Heslington Church for 10 weeks.

This course starts with how the New Testament sees Christian ministry and mission. Then, after looking at contemporary culture, you will explore evangelism, pastoral care, worship leading, preaching and other aspects of ministry and mission in the local church. You will also look at your own gifting within the church.

The course is tutored by Joan Sergeant, Pastoral Coordinator at the Spurriergate Centre, York and David Goodhew, Vicar of St Oswald’s, Fulford, York.

Joan and David have wide-ranging experience of Christian ministry and mission - from Afghanistan to Oxbridge Colleges.

“This is a newly rewritten course. It will be uplifting, challenging - and a lot of fun.”

This course can be studied on its own, or as part of the Certificate in Christian Studies, from St John’s College, Nottingham.

Certificate Courses

During the year 2007/2008 we shall be offering 5 Certificated courses:

New Testament Introduction,

Old Testament Introduction,

The Holy Spirit,

God and the World and

New Testament Greek.

Details of these courses are found on the following pages:

New Testament Introduction ( A2 )

 Starts: Tuesday 16 October 2007 for 15 weeks

Tutor: Francis Scott and Gary Patchen

Cost: £90

New Testament Introduction was our most popular Unit in our first year. It is a good starting point for those aiming for the Certificate as most Christians know the New Testament reasonably well both in structure and in content, without even realising it.

Section One: The Story Behind the New Testament gives the context in which to understand the story of Jesus, and surveys some of the religious and political issues which form the background of Jesus’ life. It then goes on to study the life and message of Jesus.

·     The World of the New Testament

·     The Jews in a Hostile World

·     Jesus’ Birth and Early Ministry

·     Jesus’ Message About the Kingdom

·     Who was Jesus?

·     The Death and Resurrection of Jesus

Section Two moves on to look at The Churches of the New Testament. Most of the NT books are letters, and students spend most of this Section studying them. The Section examines the development of the early church during the first century AD, and helps students to understand the situations and needs within the churches to which the letters of the NT were addressed, and to see how the authors applied theological truths to those situations. The relevance of all this to the life of our own churches is also considered.

·     Confronting the Ancient World

·     Paul, Apostle to the Gentiles

·     Paul Builds the Church in Europe

·     Letters from Prison

·     Varieties of NT Faith and Experience

Section Three is on The Message of the Evangelists, concentrating on the Four Gospels. It considers questions such as: Why are there four Gospels? Do they all teach the same message? How are we to understand the difference between them? How did they come to be written?

·     The Making of the Synoptic Gospels

·     The Purpose of the Synoptic Evangelists

·     Can We Trust the Gospels?

·     The Gospel According to John

·           Ways of Reading the New Testament

Assignments: There are seven assignments varying in length from 500 - 1500 words, to be submitted to the tutor.

What the students say………….

‘It really opened my eyes to the Bible and the time it was written and now has really come to life.’ R.G. Beaumont

‘like the approach taken – balance of study with what it means for what we believe’ Claire Beech

‘really grateful for the commitment of the leaders of the course and their encouragement’ Liz Gibson

‘I feel I have a much better overview of the New Testament, particularly cultural context. Very useful…Very patient leaders. Really enjoyed covering this material…I would recommend this course’ Lindsay Schuman

Old Testament Introduction ( A1 )

                                                                                                                                         Starts: Tuesday 19^th February 2008 for 14 weeks

Tutor: Derek Wooldridge

Cost: £90

Many Christians feel guilty about the Old Testament. It is part of the Bible and we hear it read in church Sunday by Sunday. We probably learnt stories from it in Sunday School. We may know some of the Psalms and a few bits from the prophets. But the Old Testament as a whole is literally a closed book to us. We don’t know how to get into it (don’t start at Genesis and try to read straight through - you will probably give up in despair by Leviticus!), we don’t know our way around it, and it all seems very strange. Yet we feel we ought to read it and find the Word of God in it.

The aim of this Unit is to help you enter the world of the Old Testament, find your way around it, and discover that God can speak to you through it.

In Section One, The Story of Israel, we look at the history of the Israelite people. Israel’s history is often called ‘salvation history’, because God was the guiding force behind it. But Israel’s history is also influenced by their ideas about God. We cannot fully understand the Bible unless we have a basic knowledge of what happened to Israel.

·     The Exodus – Our Starting-point

·     Old Testament History

·     The Promised Land

·     The Kings of Israel

·     Exile and Restoration

In Section Two, The Word of God, we see how the relationship between God and the Israelite people was worked out in practical daily life. The ideal was enshrined in the Law. The reality was all too often failure and disobedience, and God repeatedly tried to draw his people back to the ideal through the work of the prophets. In this Section we also look at how the text of the Bible was put together.

·     The Law

·     Prophecy

·     The Pre-Exilic Prophets

·     The Exilic Prophets

·     The Post-Exilic Prophets; The Text of the Bible

In Section Three, The Human Response, we look at some of the different ways in which Israel responded to God’s dealings with them. These responses are concerned with human behaviour, questioning the state of the world, the celebration of creation and sexuality, and formal worship. As we study these varied responses, we also think about the theology of the Old Testament. Finally, we look at the best ways of using the Old Testament today.

·     Stories with the Human Touch

·     Where Did I Come From?

·     Wisdom

·     Worship in the Old Testament

·     Using the Old Testament

Assignments: There are eight assignments (in total about 7500 words) to be submitted to the tutor. In Section Three there is a choice of assignments.

The Holy Spirit  

Starts: Monday October 17^th 2007 for 15 weeks.

Tutors: Mike Askew and Jim Roberts

Cost: £90

The very title of this Unit will automatically conjure up different ideas in the minds of different students: some will come to it expecting rather ‘dry’ theology; others will come to the material wanting to understand their personal experience of the Spirit better; still others will have the expectation that after ‘meeting’ with the Holy Spirit on the course, they will be the more prepared for ministry.

Section One: The Spirit of God begins where students are, by giving them an opportunity to look at their experience of the Holy Spirit. It then moves on to examine the experience of the first Christians – and neither of these things, of course, can be done without focusing on Jesus as the unique bearer and giver of the Spirit. The Section then looks at the background of the Spirit in the Old Testament, the ‘personhood’ of the Spirit, and the place of the Spirit in the Trinity.

·     Where the Spirit Moves

·     Jesus and the Spirit

·     The Spirit in the Old Testament

·     The Spirit in Person

·     Father, Son and Holy Spirit

Section Two: The Spirit Within Us focuses on the role of the Spirit in the individual – at how he is involved in the task of making people more like Jesus; at the characteristics of ‘life in the Spirit’ and at the place of the Spirit in assurance and growth. It also spends time looking at the Spirit’s baptism in its many facets.

·     Into His Likeness

·     The Spirit’s Baptism

·     Life in the Spirit

·     The Holy Spirit and Christian Growth

·     The Seal of the Spirit

Section Three: The Spirit in the Church. There surely must be something in this section to interest everybody.

·     The Spirit and the Body of Christ

·     The Spirit and Worship

·     The Gifts of the Holy Spirit

·     The Spirit and Mission

·     The Charismatic Movement

Assignments: Students are required to do seven written assignments to be submitted to their tutor.

God and The World

Starts: Tuesday 19^th February 2008 for 14 weeks

Tutor: David Stephens

Cost £90

This Unit deals with the questions of the meaning of life, and the place that we human beings have in the purposes of God. These are far-reaching questions, and it will seldom be possible to give clear-cut answers to many questions that arise. But the aim of the Unit is to explore the issues, to examine the biblical material which seems to offer some Christian answers, and to try to relate the insights gained to a number of current issues in the church and in society.

Section One: The World God Gave Us. This Section looks in detail at Genesis 1-13, and explores its wide-ranging exposition of the relationship between God and the world. Along the way it considers other ‘philosophies of life’ (or ‘world views’) in today’s world.

·     Creation and the Sabbath Rest

·     The Fall: A New Meaning to Labour

·     Ways of Seeing the World

·     The Flood: A New Relationship Between God and Humanity

·     Abraham and the Blessing

Section Two: A New Humanity. This Section considers in some detail the nature of human beings as created in God’s image, the marring of that image through the Fall, and the restoration of that image by the Spirit of God bestowed on Christians.

·     What Sort of Image?

·     How the Fall Affects the Image

·     Jesus, the New Image

·     How the Spirit Renews Humanity

·     Fulfilment and Final Glory

Section Three: Working Out God’s Purposes.

·     Creative Management of God’s World

·     Community

·     Power and Justice

·     Our Responsibility in Changing the World

·     A Stronger Humanism?

Assignments: There are eight written assignments (totalling about 8000 words) to be submitted to the tutor.

  New Testament Greek

Starts: Spring 2008 for 14 weeks during the daytime.

Tutor: Francis Scott

Cost: £90

If you didn’t do well at languages at school, don’t let that put you off having a go at New Testament Greek! This course, which has been completely re-written, has been trialed with non-linguists.

It is aimed at students who want to start reading and translating the Greek New Testament quickly. Learning Greek will open up the world of the New Testament revealing shades of meaning which are not obvious from Bible translations. Second, even a limited knowledge of Greek is a great help in using text books and commentaries.

The course starts with an Introduction to Grammar in Section One.

Section Two concentrates on Reading and Analyzing the Greek of 1 John.

Section 3 provides plenty of Translation Exercises to practice what has been learned. At each stage the Exercises are designed for revision as well as for developing an understanding of new work.

Whilst the course provides grammatical commentary on the Greek texts relating to the vocabulary and grammar of 1 John in particular, it does not ignore those key grammatical forms found in the Greek New Testament as a whole. By the end of the course you should be able to begin to working through the Greek of another New Testament text.

Assignments: Students are required to complete five assignments to be sent to their tutor. Four are based on the grammar in section One and the final assignment, which carries 25% of the overall mark, is based on 1 John.