Brief Profile of the Biblical Theology Department, CIWA
The Biblical Theology Department of the Catholic Institute of West Africa, Port Harcourt, was one of the first three Departments that began with the Institute from its inception on 8th December 1981 at Ozoba. From onset the Department has been blessed with well qualified and seasoned lecturers who have continued to produce graduates with Masters (MTh), Licentiate (STL) and Doctoral (PhD) degrees. Those graduates in turn have distinguished themselves in Church and society. Among them today are three Bishops.
To oversee the academic matters of the Department, the Biblical Department has had four Heads – Justin S. Ukpong, Kris Owan, Teresa Okure, SHCJ and the current HOD Emmanuel O. Nwaoru.
Coincidentally, two of the HODs, Rev. Fr. Justin Ukpong (late) and Sr. Teresa Okure, SHCJ, became the first two Professors of the Institute in 1999.
Composition of the Department in the current (2015/2016) Academic Year
The Department has a Professor in Residence, Sr. Prof. Teresa Okure, SHCJ and five full-time lecturers – Rev. Fr. Prof. Emmanuel O. Nwaoru, Rev. Fr. Dr. Anthony Umoren, MSP, Rev. Fr. Dr. Luke Ijezie, Rev. Fr. Dr. Ignatius Obinwa and Rev. Fr. Dr. Peter Onwuka and candidates pursuing various programmes – Propaedeutic, Masters, Licentiate and Doctorate.
Biblical Theology Courses
In keeping with Sapientia Christiana the Department offers courses in the following Stress Areas:
Courses in these areas help students to acquire mastery of basic exegetical and methodological skills needed in handling Biblical text, knowledge of contemporary interpretative methodologies applied in reading the Bible in context, and major research tools available in all these areas.
This warrants that students in the Department begin with Beginners Course in the first year (Propaedeutic Year) in Old Testament Hebrew Morphology (BIB 4010) and New Testament Greek Morphology (BIB 4030). Here they are introduced gradually to paradigms, while they learn easy translations from the Hebrew and Greek Bible.
The major courses are offered in the following areas:
Here the student acquires the ability for syntactical analysis of chosen Biblical texts as well as for reading and translating the same. There is also introductory study of Textual Criticism of both testaments. Doctoral candidates are expected to demonstrate high proficiency in the knowledge of Biblical Hebrew and Greek and a good working knowledge of Biblical Aramaic (BIB 6032).
Outside the major courses students are also expected to take Elective and Faculty courses which they may choose from or outside the Biblical Department.
The student studies the basic characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses of the major methodologies applied in contemporary Biblical studies, Old and New Testaments, particularly
The student is introduced to the process of interpreting or explaining select Biblical texts and passages from Biblical books, using major research tools and methodologies.
Select Biblical themes are treated as courses or Seminars, especially those relevant to the African context. They cover among others:
List of Courses offered at Masters / Licentiate Level
LAN 4010 NT Greek I & II
BIB 5011 – Contemporary Orientations in Biblical Studies
BIB 5021/2 – OT Syntax & Lexis
BIB 5041/2 – NT Greek Syntax & Lexis
BIB 5051 – Introduction to Wisdom Literature
BIB 5091 Introduction to Intertestamental Literature
BIB 5131 – Hosea: Exegesis and Hermeneutics
BIB 5151 The Psalms: From Messianism to Christology
BIB 5211 Exodus and Sinai Covenant
BIB 5241 The “Ish Elohim” in the Book of Kings
BIB 5321 1 Corinthians: Exegesis and Hermeneutics
BIB 5321 Romans: Exegesis & Hermeneutics
BIB 5351 Letter to the Hebrews: Exegesis and Hermeneutics
BIB 5421 (Fac) Sex & Gender in the Bible & Extra Biblical Cultures
BIB 5511 (Sem) Creation and Recreation
BIB 5521 (Sem) Social Issues in the Prophets
BIB 5541 (Sem) The NT and Gentile Cultures
BIB 5541 (Sem) Jesus, Women and the Church in the NT
BIB 5132 – Jeremiah: Exegesis and Hermeneutics
BIB 5132 – Isaiah 1-39: Exegesis and Hermeneutics
BIB 5232 Genesis 1-11: Exegesis and Hermeneutics
BIB 5242 – Selected Themes in Sam / Kings
BIB 5242 – Deuteronomic History and Theology
BIB 5312 – Mark’s Gospel: Exegesis and Hermeneutics
BIB 5312 John’s Gospel: Exegesis and Hermeneutics
BIB 5322 Colossians: Exegesis and Hermeneutics
BIB 5332 – Acts of the Apostles: Exegesis and Hermeneutics
BIB 5342 – Selected themes in Revelation
BIB 5432 (Fac) The Parables of Jesus in Contemporary African Setting
BIB 5432 (Fac) Gospel Miracles & Faith Healing
BIB 5542 (Sem) Salvific Universality of Christ in Ephesians/Colossians
BIB 5542 (Sem) Biblical Interpretations in Africa
BIB 5542 (Sem) Contemporary Issues in Feminist Hermeneutics
List of Courses offered at Doctorate Level
BIB 6011 Methods, Theories and Philosophical Orientations in Biblical Studies II
BIB 6021 History of Exegesis and Exegetical Methodologies
BIB 6111 The Pentateuch
BIB 6121 The Historical Books
BIB 6131 Prophetic Literature
BIB 6311 The Canonical Gospels
BIB 6321 Acts of the Apostles
BIB 6331 The Pauline Letters
BIB 6142 Wisdom Literature
BIB 6152 The Writings
BIB 6332 (Sem) Salvific Universality of Christ in Ephesians/Colossians
BIB 6342 The Catholic Epistles
BIB 6352 The Letter to the Hebrews
BIB 6362 The Book of Revelation
BIB 6211 (Sem) Creation and Recreation
BIB 6221 The Patriarchs and their Covenants
BIB 6231 OT Institutions
BIB 6241 (Sem) Messianism
BIB 6411 The Evangelists and their Traditions
BIB 6421 NT Theology
BIB 6431 (Sem) NT Institutions and Ministries
BIB 6441 The Church and Churches in the NT
BIB 6252 (Sem) The Problem of Evil
BIB 6262 (Sem) Religion and Society
BIB 6272 Jewish Feasts and Worship
BIB 6282 The OT and other Religions
BIB 6292 Women in the OT
BIB 6452 (Sem) Christology and Soteriology
BIB 6462 NT Ethics
BIB 6472 (Sem) The Kingdom of God
BIB 6482 Mission in the NT
BIB 6492 Covenant in the NT
BIB 6511 Introduction to the Intertestamental Era
BIB 6521 (Sem) Judaism
BIB 6541 Graeco-Roman World
BIB 6551 Apocryphal and Pseudepigraphal Writings
BIB 6571 Jewish Historians and Philosophers
BIB 6532 (Sem) Hellenism
BIB 6562 Qumran
BIB 6582 Rabbinic Exegesis
BIB 6592 (Sem) Apocalypticism
BIB 6611 Greek Philosophers and the Bible
BIB 6621 (Sem) The Mystery Religions
BIB 6631 Gnosticism
BIB 6642 NT Apocalypticism
BIB 6652 (Sem) NT Apocryphal Literature
BIB 6662 (Sem) Hermetic Literature
List of Courses offered at Bachelors Level
ELC 151/2 NT Greek I & II
RES 251/2 -Biblical Hebrew I & II
RES 211 -Introduction to Old Testament
RES 241 – Introduction to the Bible (Sacred Scripture)
RES 301 – -Introduction to New Testament
RES. 311 -Introduction to Wisdom Literature
RES 411 -The Gospel and Letters of John
RES 429 -History and Religion of Israel
RES. 212 -The Pentateuch
RES 216 -NT Studies: The Synoptic Gospels
RES 312 -The Pauline Epistles
RES 412 -Religion and Prophecy in Israel
RES 414 – Letter to the Hebrews and the General Epistles
No News published from this dept
Have your UTME/JAMB Registration Number. Check if you have been given admission. Only admitted candidate shall be able to login to complete the undergraduate application form online. You can always stop and continue your application on the portal
Create account by choosing username and password of your choice. A unique application number will be assigned to you please keep it safe. You may return any time to the portal with your username and passwrd to complete the application and check your admission status.
Good Luck !