BC-104: DOCTRINAL FOUNDATIONS (SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY)

About this course

In this course, we’ll be studying the doctrines foundational for our faith in a systematic way. Hence, this course is also called Systematic Theology. Systematic theology is the study that answers the question: ‘What does the whole Bible teach us today about any given topic?’

After regularly reading the Bible, a Christian may make a statement like, “The Bible says that everyone who believes in Jesus Christ will be saved.” That’s a true summary of a major biblical teaching. Every time a Christian says something about what the whole Bible says, he or she is in a sense doing “systematic theology.” But in academia, systematic theology may elaborate on what it means to “believe in Jesus Christ,” and what it means to “be saved,” carefully considering the implications of each term.

Hence, Systematic theology is the study which involves collecting and understanding all the relevant passages in the Bible on various doctrines and then summarizing their teachings clearly so that we know what to believe about each topic.

The study of various doctrines will help us know the truth and the truth will set us free. It will also equip us to teach and guide others in the truth in God's Word. This course will increase your understanding and knowledge of the various doctrines in God's Word. The understanding gained will help you have a firm foundation upon which to build your life and ministry. It will also help you to be more confident in explaining your faith to others.

This is an instructor-led course. Recordings of classroom lectures will be released weekly. Complete the objective type questions, quizzes and other assignments that are given as you progress through the course. It is recommended that you keep up with the lectures and assignment on a weekly basis. This course starts the week of Monday January 10, 2022 and will complete on or before Friday April 29, 2022.

Requirements

No prerequisites for this course.

What you will learn

Some of the main themes we cover in this course include:

The Doctrine of the Word of God
The Doctrine of God
The Doctrine of the Trinity
The Doctrine of Man
The Doctrine of Salvation
The Doctrine of Redemption, Justification and Sanctification
The Doctrine of Christ and the Holy Spirit
The Doctrine of the Church
The Doctrine of Angels
The Doctrine of End Times

Get your certificate

This course is part of the first year Bible College curriculum. Completing this course is a requirement to work towards your one-year, two-year or three-year degree. Once you complete this course successfully you will immediately receive a digital copy of a Certificate of Completion. Churches and Christian Ministries may use this Certificate of Completion to ensure that their staff and volunteers have the required training for specific roles in ministry.

Meet your instructor

Selina Macwana

Associate Minister – Teaching and curriculum development, APCWO, Bangalore

Selina Dorothy Macwana holds a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Union Biblical Seminary, Pune. She worked as chaplain in a school, and also worked as an editor where she complied and edited a book on the leadership traits of Old Testament characters.

For 5 years she ministered with an organization where she initiated a project which equips teenagers in schools in Bangalore and in India with Godly values.

At APC, she Pastored the School Outreach Ministry, Catalyst. She wrote the curriculum, introduced the project in schools in Bangalore, trained Catalyst volunteers and staff and taught the curriculum in schools. Selina has a passion to share the gospel with children in schools, so they will have a personal relationship with Jesus their Saviour. In 2010 she also took on the role as Pastor of the Children’s Church.

Presently she continues to develop new, fresh and relevant curriculum for children/teens for Children’s Church and for Catalyst.

Credentials

April 2000 – Bachelors degree in Divinity

Course evaluation

This is an instructor-led course. Course lecture videos will be released on Wednesday and Friday, each week, by 5pm Indian Time.

Students will be given three graded assessments during the course of the Semester. Each of these assessments will be in reference to all content covered till that point in the course. These will contribute towards the final grade as shown below:

First Assessment       30%
Second Assessment      30%
Third Assessment      40%

Course will be graded as follows:
91% - 100%   Grade A+
76% - 90%     Grade A
51% - 75%     Grade B
35% - 50%     Grade C
Below 35%    Grade F (Fail)

Course cost/tuition waiver

All courses offered by APC Bible College are offered FREE via this E-Learning platform. The regular cost per course on the E-Learning platform is Indian Rupees 500/- (US$ 7/-). E-Learning students desiring to pay for their courses may do so using the information available at apcbiblecollege.org. Students completing their degree requirements on the E-Learning platform receive the same degree as online and on-campus students.

Free learning resources

In addition to course materials provided by instructors, students are encouraged to make use of APC’s free learning resources: free APC books, free teaching sermons series, and other material available in the Resources section of our church website. Video recordings of course lectures are also available at APC Bible College YouTube channel.

Weekly mentoring and supernatural hour

During the semester (between January10-April 29, 2022), all students are invited to connect online on Thursdays, 8am-8:50am, Indian Time, for the weekly mentoring hour. This is an informal time of questions and answers, discussion and interaction between students and faculty. Fridays, 8am-8:50am, Indian Time, is our weekly supernatural hour, a time of worship, prayer, listening to God and ministering as the Spirit leads. All current APC Bible College students, and alumni, are welcome to attend. Login to your Google account. Go to https://classroom.google.com. Join the Google Classroom 'MAIN AUDI' using the class code: iujurru . You will find a post with the link to Google Meet for that day's mentoring or supernatural hour.

Frequently asked questions

What web browser should I use?

The Open edX platform works best with current versions of Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Internet Explorer, or Safari.

Can I view the course offline?

No. To view the course content, you need an active internet connection.

Can I pause in between a lesson, log out, and continue at a later time?

Yes. You can pause in between a lesson and log out. When you log back in the next time Open edX will take you right back to where you left and you can continue your lesson.

What is the difference between "Self-paced" and "Instructor-led" courses?

In self-paced courses, all the course content is available as soon as a course is released. They do not have a fixed schedule for assignments, so you can complete the course at your own pace. In instructor-led courses, the course content is released at specific intervals as the course progresses. They have a fixed schedule. The course team sets specific due dates for assignments and exams, and you complete the course within a defined time frame.

Will I be able to ask my questions and clear any doubts I have, while doing this course?

Yes. There is a discussion board where you can post questions. You can also view questions asked by other students and engage in discussions. APC Staff will respond to your questions.

Can I do some courses ON-CAMPUS, some ONLINE and some via E-LEARNING?

Regardless of the learning option you choose (ON-CAMPUS, ONLINE or E-LEARNING) once you enroll, you are considered a student at APC Bible College and receive the same certificate/degree on completion of the program requirements. We also offer you the flexibility of completing some courses ON-CAMPUS, some courses ONLINE and others via the E-LEARNING platform. Your student Id remains the same. Please enroll in a course only in one learning option at a time (Example: Please do BC-101 either in Online classes or in E-learning during a particular semester. If you fail to complete BC-101 while doing it in Online Classes, in a future semester you can repeat BC-101 in E-learning).

Can I take courses in any order or should I follow the order specified by the college?

We strongly recommend that you follow the sequence of courses outlined by the college, semester by semester, year by year. However, at your discretion you are welcome to take courses in any order and sequence. Kindly ensure you successfully complete all courses required for a particular program (C.Th., Dip.Th., or B.Th.) in order to receive that certificate.

Are the requirements to pass a course exactly the same in all three learning options?

Not exactly. The course content remains the same in all three learning options (ON-CAMPUS, ONLINE or E-LEARNING). To successfully complete a course for ON-CAMPUS and ONLINE classes you must have both (A) minimum 85% attendance and (B) obtain a passing grade 35% marks or higher (grade C or better). For the E-LEARNING option, you must (A) watch all the lecture videos and (B) obtain a passing grade 35% marks or higher (grade C or better). The course assignments for ON-CAMPUS, ONLINE and E-LEARNING students may differ, and is left to the discretion of the Course Instructor.

Do you offer transfer credit for completing a certificate program?

We offer a certificate, diploma or bachelors degree from APC Bible College. We do not offer transfer credit for completing a course(s) or certificate program. Recognition of APC Bible College can vary based on the church/ Christian ministry/ institution/ organization/ agency that is reviewing your credentials and the country/region of their location and is the sole determination of the receiving church/ Christian ministry/ institution/ organization/ agency. Governmental agencies can also vary in their recognition of APC Bible College. At their discretion, the receiving organization may choose to give you transfer credit for the course(s) and certificate you have received from APC Bible College.

Will Christian organizations offer employment based on course(s) or certificate programs from APC Bible College?

This is the sole determination of the receiving church/ Christian ministry/ institution/ organization/ agency. Many APC Bible College graduates are successfully and fruitfully engaged in Christian ministry, some working independently and some working with Christian and other organizations.

Which version of the Bible should I use?

While you are welcome to use the version you are most comfortable reading, we recommend using the New King James Version of the Bible.

Course Number
BC-104
Classes Start
Classes End
Course Length
Estimated Effort
Level
Price
Free
Language
English
Video Transcript
English
Course Type
Instructor-led