Rev G Walters, BA (Auckland), BApp Theol (Carey Baptist College), Post-Grad Dip Tchg (Auckland)
Email: Gareth Walters
Rev Murray Bean, MA (Hons) (Auckland), BD (Melbourne), Mes L (Clermont-Ferrnad)
Email: Murray Bean
In 2012, King’s College is delighted to be offering both Year 12 and 13 students the opportunity to formally study the Christian faith, as part of Cambridge A/S Divinity and IGCSE Divinity.
At King’s College Religious Education is compulsory from Year 9-11. The formal study of religion forms but part of the Chaplaincy's work in developing students spirituality. Our formal programme of study encourages intellectual rigour in addressing the many questions raised by the phenomena of religious practice.
In Year 9 students are introduced to the many different religious traditions found throughout the world. The search for the Historical Jesus, Islam, Buddhism and Scientology are some of the topics covered at this level.
In Year 10 students learn the value of reflecting on real life situations through engaging in community service and then discussing and evaluating the experiences they have. Students at this level participate in the Reading-in-schools programme at schools throughout south Auckland.
The Year 11 RE Module - 'Christian Ethics', has been created to help students move towards adult responsibilities and explore who they want to be. It therefore offers students the opportunity to think about the Christian faith and how it shapes ethical decision-making. Over the weeks, we explore the question, “What is Ethics?”, think about worldview and the influence of Christian thought. We specifically look at the way in which Christian thinkers have responded to historic issues such as slavery, bonded child-labour, climate change, and several social issues. This module uses film and real-life situations to ground the programme in the context of the students.
Why study Divinity?
Papers in Divinity aim to:
• promote a scholarly understanding of the nature, purpose, message and literature of the relevant sections of the Bible
• equip students with the knowledge, understanding and skills to read and interpret biblical texts – with reference to issues of authorship as well as political, historical, social and cultural contexts
• introduce the students to both conservative and liberal commentary and criticism, and be able to evaluate and select data presented from a range of sources
• promote maturity of thought and clarity of expression
• encourage independent and critical reading
• consider issues of application and the relationship between biblical knowledge and faith
Course Content
Introduction to the three Abrahamic Religions (IGCSE)
This course gives students a thorough grounding in the teaching and practices of the world’s three monotheistic faiths: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The subject material is divided into five sections:
• Worship
• Beliefs and sacred writings
• Festivals, fasts, historic places
• Religion and family: rites of passage
• Religion and social action
Religious misunderstanding, intolerance and hatred threaten the peace and security of many countries, and there has never been a time in history when it was more crucial to attempt to understand the faiths of others.
NB: Year 11 students are already required to do a one-term ethics course within the module system: that is quite separate from the IGCSE religions course being offered here.
Introduction to the Four Gospels (AS)
The Gospels are the central texts of Christianity: it could be said that Western civilisation is built upon the foundations laid down in these four short books. This course is an attempt to provide students with a thorough academic understanding of the life and teaching of Jesus, as portrayed in the writings of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
Students will study:
• the relevant gospel texts
• the historical, social and religious background to the gospels
• the teachings of Jesus (especially by means of parables and miracles)
• the views of contemporary scholars
Resources required:
Candidates for the Cambridge AS Level Divinity course – Paper Two – “The Four Gospels” will require their own copy of the New International Version of the Bible, together with writing materials. Students will also receive an anthology of readings as well as be given access to a variety of Biblical commentaries.
