Bachelor of Theology Study Programs at MYS-CoTS

 

B.Th. study programs at MYS-CoTS include the following:

• 4-Year Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.) which included Biblical, Systematic/Church History and Practical Theology divisions.
• 4-Year Bachelor of Theology with a Concentration in Christian-Muslim Relations (CMR)
• 4- Year Bachelor of Theology with concentration in Bible Translation and Mission (BTM)
• 4- Year Bachelor of Theology  with a concentration on Children and Youth Ministry
• 5-Year Summer Degree in Theology

Divisions

The division in BTh program usually starts at the beginning of Year III except CMR and BTM which start at Year II. Students who choose the division of Biblical Studies will more focus on Biblical courses including Hebrew II and Greek II in their Year III and four and their BTh Thesis will focus on Biblical issues. Those who choose to work on Systematic/Church History will focus on doctrinal courses and write their final BTh Thesis on doctrinal issues. Those who choose to take Practical Theology will more focus on practical and or pastoral issues and will write their final BTh Thesis on practical issues the church is facing.

 

BTh Program Requirements

The B.Th. degree requires a minimum of 43-44 courses combining for 120-131 credit hours: 36 required courses, 4-8 electives, and 1 final research project called the B.Th. Paper.  The total number of required courses is high in relation to the number of elective courses.  This ratio is intentional.  The B.Th. curriculum intends to ensure that all graduates are adequately trained to meet the diverse demands of Christian ministry.  The extensive list of required courses promotes a well-rounded training.  The shorter list of electives allows students some degree of academic concentration to supplement their more general training.

 

BTh-CMR Program

The B.Th.-CMR Program is a three-year specialization in Christian-Muslim relations.  This two-year B.Th.-CMR program comprises three major components: 1) course study; 2) field education; and 3) a final research project called the B.Th.-CMR Paper.

The B.Th.-CMR Program is integrated into Year Two, Three and four of the B.Th. Program.  Those entering the B.Th.-CMR degree program are required to have satisfactorily completed either 1) One year of degree-level theological training comparable to Year One.

The aim of the B.Th.-CMR Program is to equip church leaders for effective witness among Muslims in Ethiopia and beyond, and for teaching CMR in congregations and Bible schools.  It seeks to offer a balance between an in-depth understanding of Islam in its Ethiopian/African contexts, a respectful dialogue between Christian and Muslim communities, and a faithful witness to the whole gospel of Christ.

 

The MYS-CoTS Faith Statement

As the EECMY theological Institution, MYS-CoTS shall fully adhere to the faith statement of the EECMY as enshrined under Article 2 of her Constitution which are stated below.

 

• The MYS-CoTS believes and professes that the Holy Scriptures of the Old and the New Testaments are the Holy Word of God and the only source and infallible norm of all Church doctrine and practice.
• The MYS-CoTS adheres to the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed, which were formulated by the Early Church Fathers and accepted by the Ancient Church.
• The MYS-CoTS sees in the Unaltered Augsburg Confession, which was worded by the Church Reformers as well as in Luther’s Catechisms, a pure exposition of the Word of God.

 

MYS-CoTS Purpose Statement

The purpose of the MYS-CoTS is to serve the mission of the Triune God; that is, God’s turning to the world in love. This loving turn has been most fully revealed in Jesus Christ. The CoTS serves the mission of God by preparing men and women for Christian ministry in Ethiopia and the wider world.  This is achieved through programs and activities which promote 1) a sound theological and biblical understanding of God’s mission; 2) the development of ministry skills needed in God’s mission; and 3) a mature commitment to God’s mission. Faithful participation in God’s mission requires an informed mind, skills for service, and dedicated hearts.  These form the three priorities of the Theology Department.

 

MYS-CoTS Priorities and Related

Goals

Priority 1: Serving the mission of God through informed minds for critical reflection.

Serving the mission of God in the world through sound theological and biblical understanding is a priority of the MYS-CoTS.  This priority emphasizes not merely the accumulation of knowledge but more importantly, the ability to engage critically with the biblical and theological traditions of the Christian church, especially as they relate to Ethiopian/African contexts. 

Goals: This priority is achieved through courses and    other activities whose goals are to

1. provide a thorough exposure to the biblical witness.
2. provide a thorough exposure to historical and contemporary theological reflection.
3. provide opportunities for reflection and analysis concerning God’s unique mission in Ethiopian/African contexts; and
4. Provide exposure to the unique contributions made by evangelical Lutheran traditions in understanding God’s mission.

 

Priority #2: Serving the mission of God through skilled hands for effective Christian service.

Serving the mission of God in the world through the competent use of relevant and practical ministry skills is a priority of the MYS-CoTS.  This priority flows out of and supplements the first priority as mentioned above.  The mission of God will not be served with the mind only, no matter how informed.  Practical skills are required to bring into action that which the mind has understood. 

Goals: This priority is achieved through courses and other activities whose goals are to

1. provide meaningful, supervised, and evaluated field education opportunities during the rainy season.
2. provide meaningful, supervised, and evaluated field education opportunities during the academic year.
3. provide practical ministry opportunities within various programs of the wider seminary community; and
4. provide for skills development within certain courses which offer opportunities for repeated practice and evaluation.

 

Priority #3: Serving the mission of God through dedicated hearts for mature commitment.

Serving the mission of God in the world, calls for commitment.  This priority completes the first and second.  Neither mature understanding nor well-developed ministry skills alone can adequately serve the mission of God in the world.  An accompanying will, well-grounded and strong, is needed.  A mature spirituality and deep sense of call to service is required.

Goals:  This priority is achieved through courses, programs, and other activities whose goals are to

1. foster effective spiritual formation and maturity.
2. encourage reflection and discussions related to one’s sense of call.
3. encourage reflection related to one’s specific gifts and how they can be used in God’s mission; and
4. Develop spiritual disciplines such as private and corporate worship, prayer, and Bible reading.

 

Accreditation

The MYS B.Th. Program and B.Th.-CMR Program are fully accredited and reaccredited by the Association for Christina Theological Education in Africa (ACTEA).