Pursue excellence in reformed theology
We strive to prepare ministers, church leaders, and laypeople to serve Christ’s church with knowledge, wisdom, and devotion.
Guided by our motto, “Send your light and your truth” (Ps.43:3), we are committed to:
As we build on the foundations laid by generations of faithful believers, the RTA looks to the future with hope and purpose. We invite you to join us in this journey of faith, learning, and service to God’s kingdom.
These courses are intended to give prospective ministers an academic and practice-oriented education. However, the training is open to any individual interested in one or more of the courses.
- This page provides information for individuals who wish to enroll in one or more individual courses without committing to the full program.
- At the bottom of the page, you’ll find a link for those interested in enrolling in the full program and pursuing a degree in theology (referred to as Ministry Training).
Prospectus
Established by the Curatorium of Reformed Churches in South Africa (GKSA) and approved by the General Synod of 2023, we carry forward a rich legacy of biblical scholarship and faithful service.
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Reformed Theological Academy Courses’ Highlights
At the Reformed Theological Academy, we offer a comprehensive curriculum designed to deepen your understanding of Reformed theology and equip you for faithful service.
Our courses blend rigorous academic study with practical application, ensuring you’re well-prepared for ministry and leadership in the church and society.
Our flagship courses include comprehensive studies of the Old and New Testaments, providing a solid scriptural foundation. Students delve into the rich heritage of Reformed theology through courses on the Three Forms of Unity and church history.
We place special emphasis on the African context, offering unique insights into the history and theology of the church on our continent.
Practical ministry skills are honed through courses on church order and Christian living, while our worldviews course equips students to engage thoughtfully with contemporary challenges.
Whether you’re preparing for full-time ministry or seeking to deepen your faith, our diverse course offerings provide the knowledge and skills you need to serve God faithfully in today’s world.
Nine individual courses for
2026 First Semester to choose from
For believers of the New Testament, it is sometimes difficult to understand the purpose and meaning of the Old Testament.
This course highlights the importance and the inseparable unity that the Old Testament shares with the New Testament. It unfolds the historical background needed to interpret the Old Testament. Each book of the Old Testament is treated with a focus on: who wrote it, when and why it was written, important themes in each book, how the book is constructed and how we can understand and use it today.
The course also covers the important role that the Old Testament plays in the Christian faith, particularly in Reformed theology, confessions, and church life.
The relationship between the Old and New Testaments is carefully figured out. This is crucial to our understanding of the Old Testament. This knowledge promises to broaden your own understanding of God and deepen and enrich your faith.
Who will benefit from this?
All church members and Bible students who want to read and understand the Bible within the context of God’s Revelation. To understand the parts of the Old Testament, an overview of the entire Old Testament is essential.
You will learn:
How the Revelation of God has evolved progressively over centuries.
How God’s will is expressed in concepts such as the covenant and symbolic practices.
How God made man and what He expects of man.
Presented by:
Dr Christiaan Jooste
The Reformation established a radically new ecclesiastical order and way of being a church, as it is derived from Scripture. It determined the thinking of Reformed people about such matters as:
- prayer, singing, and the ministry of the Word,
- the baptism and instruction of covenant youth,
- the Eucharist,
- care for the poor,
- Christian feast days,
- Christian marriage and funerals,
- Dress,
- pastoral care for the sick, dying, and prisoners, etc.
All of these things are checked through this course from the Scriptural principle that Christ is the head of his church.
As a base text, one of the most influential Reformed church orders, namely the classical and comprehensive Church Order of the Palatinate (Heidelberg, 1563), is chosen as the base text.
This course introduces students to the theology and ecclesiology (ecclesiology) of the Reformation.
This study will give you a good understanding of the Reformed thought and outlook on life as taught and guided by Scripture.
Who will benefit from this?
The Reformed doctrine is often a vague understanding and yet it is a particular understanding of the Bible and follows from it a particular lifestyle. Anyone who wants to understand this reformed lifestyle will really enjoy this course.
You will learn:
- What the basics of Christ’s government entail
- How these principles are to be applied and lived out in church life and in society.
- How these principles address modern man.
Presented by:
Rev Dirk Meijer
Christians believe that the Bible is the Word of God. As such, it is a Word to be read, understood, explained, applied, proclaimed, and lived out practically. The goal of this course is to cultivate skills that enable the student to read the Bible and theological texts carefully.
The course seeks to equip students to read better and with understanding. It aims to introduce them to:
- reading practices that will be beneficial for a lifetime of reading,
- the Christian use of logic and rhetoric to determine the validity of an argument and the intention of the author, and
- a variety of theological texts and thinkers that will expose students to a wide spectrum of theological literature.
The skills learned in this course will help you to be able to read other literature with understanding as well. The chosen reading materials have been carefully selected to play a meaningful role in developing theological literacy, reading skills, and spiritual growt
Christ gives us the commission to preach his gospel to all people. This is possible only if you understand how all these people think and what their needs are. This course aims to analyse diverse worldviews and to equip students with grounded knowledge of the Christian worldview.
The course begins with an examination of the concept of a worldview. It emphasizes the undeniable presence, meaning, and influence of worldviews on what people think, believe, and live.
It looks at a range of influential worldviews, including Judaism, Islam, African worldviews, pantheism, nihilism, existentialism, and postmodernism.
Thereafter, the focus shifts to the development and accountability of the Christian worldview.
The key elements of Christian confession and belief in God, man, and creation are covered. The course aims to teach students how to integrate this worldview and live and defend it in modern society.
Who will benefit?
All church leaders and persons who deal with people and their views and values daily will benefit from this. It gives an insight and understanding to the people around you and how their thinking and outlook on life are influenced and shaped. Every member who wants to convey the Biblical truths to others must understand how those truths are heard and judged by others.
You will learn:
How people from different backgrounds, cultures, and religions think and reason.
How a Universal Zeitgeist influences people’s values and thinking
How the Gospel addresses each person in his spiritual bankruptcy.
Presented by:
Dr Kwena Senmenya
This course serves as a study of the order by which Christ gathers, protects, and sustains His church. It focuses on the fundamental principles of church government as prescribed in God’s Word, affirmed in the Three Forms of Unity, and articulated in the Church Order of the Reformed Churches in South Africa.
Every article of the Church Order is studied extensively. It contributes to a rich understanding of its effect, function, and significance as a ministry of Christ’s government in the life of His church.
Course participants can look forward not only to knowing and understanding the Church Order, but also to applying it responsibly in church life. (Note: this course spans two semesters)
Who will benefit from this?
Ministers, elders, members, all who want to understand how the church is ordained and functions practically to be obedient to Christ.
You will learn:
How the Church Order comes into being and how it expresses the principles of the Bible.
Not only to know and understand the Church Order, but also to apply it responsibly in church life.
Presented by:
Dr Gerard Meijer
The Bible can be a challenging book to understand particularly for those unfamiliar with the fundamental conceptual frameworks through which it communicates. Exegesis requires close engagement with the language of biblical text. It is essential to understand its literary forms and to analyse each passage carefully in order to discern its central message or the specific revelation of God it conveys.
To understand God and His will, it is important to consider several key aspects:
- The cultural and historical context of each biblical passage, as well as its position within the broader revelation of God
- God’s claim on humanity in light of the fall into sin and His election
- The covenant and the kingdom of God, within which He establishes His church
- God’s justice and mercy
- The doctrine of election and God’s sovereign claim on each individual.
This course is designed to equip students to read and interpret the Bible responsibly, ensuring that God’s voice is clearly heard through Scripture, rather than imposing their own preconceptions or interpretations upon the text.
Presented by:
Dr Malan van Rhijn
Reformed church government recognises that Christ is the head of His church. The question, however, is how does Christ govern over and within His church, and what is the role of office-bearers? We must also consider: What part is each believer called to fulfil?
This course examines the biblical principles of being the Church and of church governance, and how these principles are expressed in the Reformed (Presbyterial) system of church government.
Various other systems are also studied, such as the collegialist, hierarchical, and independentist systems.
The course specifically addresses the roles of ministers, elders, and deacons, and also explores the duties of every church member.
The course seeks to equip the student to understand Christ’s unique rule through people in His church, and to clearly affirm each person’s responsibility. This is indicated in the various ordination forms for the offices and in the profession of faith that each member makes.
The Church receives the command to teach directly from Jesus (Matthew 28:19). This mandate that applies not only to adults who come to faith but also to young children. However, teaching involves creating a healthy learning environment, employing appropriate teaching methods, and taking into account the age and ability of each catechumen.
These teaching principles are essential not only for parents fulfilling their covenantal duty, but especially for mentors leading catechism and for any church member guiding someone who is uninformed in Scripture. The biblical command to teach is not merely about transferring knowledge; it is about equipping others to understand, apply, and defend their faith.
This course is designed to equip both catechists and parents to lovingly and effectively guide children, young people, and adults on their faith toward spiritual maturity.
Presented by:
Rev Jonker Venter
These three (shorter) confessions are often included in the liturgy of each worship service. This course examines each one’s origin, content, and meaning. The coherence and focus of the Twelve Articles (Apostolic Creed), the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasius Creed are studied.
It includes a comparative study of the three confessions, with special attention to the filioque issue (“and the Son”) in the Confession of Nicaea. This matter is crucial in articulating the belief in the Trinity: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This fundamental knowledge of God the Triune plays a crucial role in understanding God and in understanding all aspects of our faith that we profess and live.
Who will benefit from this?
All believers who want to understand the Triune God and maintain a meaningful relationship with God.
You will learn:
- Who each of the persons in the Divine unity is.
- Which is the relationship between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
- How the nature and essence of God affect your personal life.
Presented by:
Rev Pieter le Roux
Course Details
The cost per course is R2600.
You can follow the course in two ways.
1 – If you follow the course and participate in the assessment, you will receive a Certificate of Competency upon successful completion. However, be prepared to put in a few hours for preparation and reading. All the courses are at an advanced academic level. We make these courses accessible to anyone who wants to be equipped for service work in a congregation, or for self-enrichment.
2 – However, if you want to take the course without putting in time for assessment and extra reading, but still want to broaden your knowledge and insight, you can simply attend the classes, and you will receive a Certificate of Attendance.
Check your availability for course presentations!
First Semester Classes Start 26 January 2026
Second Semester Classes Start: 20 July 2026
MINISTERIAL TRAINING
Certificate & Licentiate Training in Reformed Theology
The Reformed Theological Academy offers a comprehensive 5-year program in Reformed Theology, starting with a Certificate that covers essential subjects including Old Testament, New Testament, Greek, Hebrew, and Reformed doctrine.
Our GKSA-approved curriculum is designed for three key groups: those who have been admitted to ministry training in the Reformed Churches in South Africa; individuals considering theological studies or a call to ministry who want to test the waters first; and any person who wishes to obtain a degree in Reformed Theology, regardless of their denominational affiliation or church background.
The program integrates with an accredited Master’s degree from Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary (USA) and combines distance learning with group sessions in Potchefstroom.
Discover the Program