Six Week Programme
INTRODUCTION
The Eight Week Programme is now a shorter, intense course of six week duration. The content of this video remains relevant.
The Six Week Programme is designed for those who are unable to dedicate a year to full-time study but are able to invest six weeks in apologetics training. It is the perfect choice for those seeking to sharpen evangelistic and apologetic skills for the workplace.
This programme includes teaching on assorted core apologetics modules, such as 'other religions', 'science and religion', 'cultural apologetics', as well as various lectures on vocation and the workplace. For the final week of the programme students attend the RZIM Oxford Summer School.
In addition to first-rate teaching in apologetics and evangelism, students will have the opportunity to develop their preaching skills and to be involved in the vibrant worshipping community of Wycliffe Hall.
Core lecturers on the programme include Professor Alister McGrath, Professor John Lennox, Dr Michael Green, Michael Ramsden and Amy Orr-Ewing. Owing to the small group size - just twelve students - friendships develop quickly and valuable interaction between one another and lecturers is a highlight of the programme.
This programme provides the opportunity for a spiritual retreat to refresh, recalibrate, retool and then re-engage with the world around you.
Programme Details
Teaching Modules
Modules represent varying hours of lectures. Lecture topics and modules are reviewed annually and may be subject to change.
Introduction to Apologetics
What is the biblical mandate for apologetics? How can we begin to understand some of the key issues at stake? The first week of teaching focuses on introductory and foundational issues in apologetics. Session topics include the nature of truth, postmodernity, barriers to and openings for faith, the gospel message, worldview, etc.
Other Religions
Wherever we live and work, we are likely to meet those who are either committed to a religion other than Christianity, or are influenced by the philosophies and beliefs of other religions and worldviews. How can we understand them and seek to communicate a Christian perspective in a way that is compelling? These lectures will look at pluralism, Islam and Eastern Religions.
The Workplace
How should we understand vocation? What does it mean to have a passion for the gospel in the marketplace? This module includes teaching and more practical sessions on how we can bring God in to all we do at work. Material covered includes 'Christian leadership in secular organisations', 'Christian business ethics', and 'witness in the workplace'. For those who would find it helpful, an individual vocational analysis is on offer.
Science and Religion
What is the relationship between science and Christian belief? While many claim that we are dealing with 'science VERSUS religion', is this really a correct understanding of the underlying worldview issues? These lectures introduce students to the main themes of the interaction of science and religion, especially as these relate to Christian apologetics and to the contemporary science-religion debate.
Cultural Apologetics
How can we understand the contemporary cultural context? How might this influence our outreach? How can we engage with movies? With reference to the arts and the media, these lectures and seminars provide factual information and practical tools that will help us to enter into dialogue with colleagues and friends.
Morality and Ethics
These lectures will consider the basic and pivotal foundational issues, such as subjectivity/objectivity, definition of values, and worldview. Included will be an examination of some non-theistic approaches to ethics, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. These sessions will equip students to think through some of the key moral and ethical issues of our time.
Bible Focus
Often in our day-to-day lives it can be difficult to create enough time to truly study the Bible in-depth. These sessions will challenge us to go deeper in the Word and in our understanding of theology. Texts often covered include the parables, Acts and Daniel. In addition, teaching focuses on a core apologetic question we often meet when we come to the Bible: why trust the New Testament?
Special Conferences
The final week of the programme involves students joining others in attending a special conference, the RZIM Annual Oxford Summer School.
RZIM Annual Oxford Summer School
The Oxford Summer School is a one week intensive training course in evangelism and apologetics.
Held in one of the colleges of Oxford University, the course follows a particular theme each year and is taught by various members of the RZIM global team. It is an exciting opportunity to be taught by some of the world’s leading apologists in such an inspiring environment.
Further information on the Oxford Summer School Programme
Additional Programme Content
Preaching Workshops
Towards the beginning of the programme, there will also be some teaching on expository and evangelistic preaching. Students are then given the opportunity to practise their preaching on the others in the group during the specific preaching workshops. The intention is to build confidence in each student's ability to stand up and speak for Christ.
Discussion Seminars
Most weeks have one hour allocated for a seminar. Students are encouraged to spend some of their time in Oxford reading - getting to grips with areas of current scholarship. These seminars are an informal setting in which to grapple with key ideas and thinkers and work towards formulating reasonable opinions and persuasive responses.
Assignment
At the beginning of the programme students are given the task of writing a 2500 word essay. Essays must be submitted by the end of the 5th week. The essays are then marked and students receive a one-on-one tutorial to discuss the assignment.
More Information
Further Links
New Course for 2012!
The OCCA are delighted to announce a new course for 2012 - the two year full time Master's in Theology. Find out more
Application Deadline
A second round of applications for all OCCA programmes is now open.
The final date for applications is SUNDAY 1ST APRIL 2012.How can I apply?
