Higher Certificate in Biblical Studies

Purpose

This Higher Certificate: Biblical Studies aims to equip qualifying learners with a knowledge and understanding of the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures and of the relationship between scripture, theology and liturgy. It also aims to guide and foster personal formation in and commitment to Christian ministry and develop those fundamental competencies required for learners to engage in Biblical ministry in a range of pastoral settings such as Bible study groups, school retreats and prayer groups.

Learners will be capable of

• Developing wide-ranging scholastic skills in theology.
• Demonstrating a broad knowledge base of scripture and its interpretation.
• Functioning effectively in a variety of religious contexts under general supervision.
• Planning, selecting, and presenting information, methods or resources in biblical studies.

Rationale

The Higher Certificate: Biblical Studies meets a strongly felt need for biblical studies in the Church, expressed both in official documents at the national and international level of church governance and in statements made by both clergy and laity at the Diocesan level in South Africa and elsewhere. This need is also experienced in other Christian communities.

Because it promotes strong Christian ethical values the qualification has the potential to make a significant contribution to the moral regeneration of society, to lowering the level of discrimination and prejudice in society and to promoting respect for the rights and dignity of all people.

It is assumed that the learner is

• Competent in the language of instruction.
• Able to demonstrate the applied competence which typically leads to the award of a qualification at NQF Level 5.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning is given to relevant practical and theoretical experience in the field and subfield relevant to this qualification and is assessed by Senate in conjunction with the rules of access. The relevance is assessed by Senate which decides whether it suffices to allow admission to the programme. Structured means for the assessment of individual learning against entrance requirements and against exit outcomes are devised on a case-by-case basis. These procedures may be assessed by independent moderators.

This Recognition of Prior Learning may

• Grant access to learners who do not meet the minimum requirements for admission.
• Grant learners credits towards modules contained in this qualification.

Access to the Qualification

Formal prior learning

• A National Senior Certificate.
• A Senior Certificate issued prior to 2008.

Non-formal and informal prior experiential learning

• Learners who register for the programme leading to the award of the qualification may have the formal/non-formal/informal prior learning which learners bring to the learning situation recognised through the submission of portfolios of evidence.

Learners are required to obtain 120 Credits at NQF Level 5, comprising seven compulsory modules, totalling 105 credits, and one optional module, totalling 15 credits.

Compulsory Modules

• The Bible and Biblical Ministry, 15 Credits.
• Old Testament and Beginnings, 15 Credits.
• Patriarchs and Latter Prophets 1, 15 Credits.
• New Testament and Gospel of Mark, 15 Credits.
• Passion and Resurrection Stories and Gospel of John, 15 Credits.
• Acts of the Apostles and Paul's Letters, 15 Credits.
• Biblical Foundations of Faith and Life, 15 Credits.

Optional Modules - (Choose One - 15 Credits)

• Psalms and Parables in the Synoptics, 15 Credits.
• Writings and Sermon on the Mount, 15 Credits.

1. Develop wide-ranging scholastic skills in theology.
2. Demonstrate a broad knowledge base of scripture and its interpretation.
3. Function effectively in a variety of religious contexts under general supervision.
4. Plan, select, and present information, methods or resources in biblical studies.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

This qualification aims to address all the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Outline the structure of the Bible and its major themes.
• Explain how the historical critical method and the documentary hypothesis are useful tools in biblical studies.
• Explain the significance of the Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph stories.
• Understand political, social, cultural and religious aspects of the first century Mediterranean world that helped shape the writings of the New Testament.
• Explain the symbolic language and theological understandings in the passion stories in the synoptic Gospels.
• Describe the life of the first Christian communities and the beginning of the Christian mission as presented in Acts of the Apostles.
• Understand the task of Theology in relation to Biblical Studies.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Articulate the main principles for interpreting the Bible in the Church.
• Demonstrate knowledge of different genres in the literature of the Old Testament and show how the various cultures and traditions of the Ancient Near East influenced the writing of the Old Testament.
• Draw inferences from their interpretations of the text that are relevant for their own lives and today's world.
• Explain the formation of the Gospels from oral traditions, to written records and documents, to their final form.
• Explain the symbolic language and theological understandings in the Resurrection stories in the synoptic Gospels.
• Describe ways in which Paul worked to spread the Christian faith to the ends of the earth as presented in the book of Acts.
• Demonstrate understanding of Jesus as Saviour, Redeemer and Messiah.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Facilitate bible study and discussion groups with a range of age groups.
• Recognise the stories in the first eleven chapters of Genesis as myths written to deal with questions of the origin of all things, the nature of God, relationships and the human condition.
• Explain the function of prophecy as a call for transformation, and prediction of future blessing or disaster as conditional on the audience/people's response.
• Understand that according to Mark, Jesus is a doer of deeds, one who acts rather than just teaches.
• Recognise and interpret the role of narrative and discourse in John's Gospel.
• Know and understand the problems Paul addressed in his letters.
• Explore themes of redemption and justification, and the call to continuous repentance and conversion.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Plan and implement bible-based prayer, worship and retreat experiences.
• Explain the relationship between the biblical creation stories and the findings of modern science.
• Describe the character and influence in ancient Israel of six prophets.

> Range: Six prophets include Amos, Hosea, Isaiah of Jerusalem, Micah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel.

• Describe the centrality of the Kingdom of God and discipleship in the Gospel according to Mark.
• Interpret key stories in the Gospel of John and explain their relevance for Christian living.
• Read and interpret Paul's letters with due regard for the context in which they were written.
• Discuss the notion of God's Spirit in the Scriptures and in the Christian life.

Integrated Assessment

The student's achievement is assessed by means of one short assignment and a portfolio of four short statements of personal reflection for each Module and a final open-book two-hour examination.

Integrated Assessment is aimed at evaluating foundational, reflexive and practical competence of the learner.

Overall competence is shown when there is evidence that the learner is able to

• Demonstrate understanding of the concepts, principles and practices of biblical interpretation.
• Demonstrate the ability to participate with confidence in culturally diverse, ecumenical and interfaith groups.
• Produce assignments that are well focussed, carefully structured and presented in suitable format.
• Take responsibility for own cultural, religious and intellectual position while remaining sensitive to the positions of others.
• Contribute to debate on local, regional or national issues by applying ethically informed perspectives, concepts, principles and methods.
• Demonstrate systematic knowledge of various approaches to biblical interpretation.
• Provide leadership within the field of biblical interpretation at the level of various community groups through the development of careful, critical, ethical and responsible thinking.