Branch programme/details

The Bachelor’s study programme Protestant Theology concentrates mainly on a basic knowledge of theology in its systematic, historical, and cultural dimensions. Graduates are capable of working with biblical texts in the original languages, with the help of current specialist methods. They have basic skills in the field of the understanding and interpretation of texts (especially in the Christian tradition), and are capable of interpreting them in their relevant literary, historical and ideological contexts.
Particular attention is paid to acquiring a knowledge of the major world religions, philosophical thought, Christian ethics, and ecumenical issues.

The study program is carried out without specialization.

The entrance examination takes place in one round and has two parts, written and oral:

1) Understanding and interpretation of a theological text based on enclosed questions (max. 30 points)

2) Discussion with the entry-exam commission about the applicant’s motivation for study and about his or her understanding of theology based on a previous lecture. The applicant chooses and reads at least two of the titles listed below. The discussion will be based on this lecture.

CARSON, D. A. – MOO, Douglas J.: An introduction to the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 2005. ISBN: 978-0310238591.
KÜNG, Hans. Eternal life? Life after death as a medical, philosophical, and theological problem. Garden City: Doubleday, 1985. ISBN 0-385-19910-4.
LOCHMAN, Jan Milič. The faith we confess: an ecumenical dogmatics. Philadelphia: T. & T. Clark, 1985, c1984. ISBN 0-567-09367-0.
McGRATH, Alister. Historical Theology: An Introduction to the History of Christian Thought. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell, 1st Edition 1998. ISBN: 978-0631208433
McGRATH, Alister. Christian History: An Introduction. Oxford 2013. ISBN: 978-1118869574
RÖMER, Thomas. Dark God: Cruelty, Sex, and Violence in the Old Testament. Paulist Press, 2013. ISBN: 978-0809147960.
THEISSEN, Gerd. The Shadow of the Galilean. The Quest of the Historical Jesus in Narrative Form. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 2007. ISBN 0-800-63900-6.
(max. 70 points)

The applicant is admitted if he/she obtains a minimum of 65 points.

Admission to Bachelor's studies is conditioned by completed secondary education confirmed by a school-leaving certificate.

Verification method:	entrance exam
Confirmation date (of entrance exam) from:	06.05.2024	Until:	17.05.2024
Alternative date (of entrance exam):	27.05.2024	Until:	07.06.2024

Bible (systematic knowledge and orientation)

ARNOLD, Bill T.: Introduction to the Old Testament (Introduction to Religion), 2nd ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2020. ISBN 978-0521705479.

AUGUSTINE. De doctrina Christiana. Oxford early Christian texts. R.P.H. Green (ed. and trans.). Oxford: Clarendon Press. 1995. ISBN 0-198-26334-1.

COLLINS, John J.: A Short Introduction to the Hebrew Bible, Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2018 (3rd ed.). ISBN 9781506445991.

COPP, David (ed.): The Oxford Handbook of Ethical Theory. Oxford University Press 2007. ISBN: 0195325915.

DRANE, John William: Introducing to the New Testament. Sutherland, NSW, Australia: Albatross Books, 1986. ISBN: 978-1912552115.

FISHBANE, Michael: Judaism: Revelation and Traditions, HarperOne, 1988. ISBN: 978-0060626556.

GRETHLEIN Christian: An Introduction to Practical Theology: History, Theory, and the Communication of the Gospel in the Present. Baylor University Press 2016. ISBN 978-1-4813-0517-4.

GRONDIN, Jean. Introduction to Philosophical Hermeneutics. Yale: Yale University Press, 1994. ISBN: 9780300070897.

RATZINGER, Joseph: Introduction to Christianity, New York: Herder and Herder, 1970 (2004 2nd ed.). ISBN: 978-1586170295.

RENDTORFF, Rolf: The Old Testament. An introduction. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1991. ISBN 978-0800625443.

RITSCHL, Dietrich: The Logic of Theology, London: SCM, 1986. ISBN: 978-0334009238.

THEISSEN, Gerd. Fortress Introduction to the New Testament. Minneapolis, 2003. ISBN: 978-0800636227.

Graduates are prepared for further academic work and the study of post-bachelor programs in the corresponding field. Graduates can also successfully enter the employment market in fields where an education in the humanities is required and a knowledge of value thinking and religious issues is an advantage, e.g. in the educational, cultural and humanitarian fields.