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.
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.
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The course focuses on the 39 books of the Old Testament. Each book’s content is explored and treated with insight.
Upon completing the course, you’ll not only know the books by heart but understand how the Old Testament is structured, which books belong together, and how the prophets fit into Israel’s history.
You’ll see how God’s revelation unfolds in the Old Testament: from creation, through Noah, Abraham, Israel, the law, temple service, kings, and prophets.
Above all, you’ll discover why Christ’s church accepts, teaches, and proclaims the Old Testament as God’s Word.
The Reformed churches’ Psalm Book includes three catholic (or ecumenical) confessions: the Twelve Articles, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed.
One of these is always confessed in worship services as an important moment in congregational gathering. This course explains the history and origins of these three confessions, comparing them step by step. You’ll be introduced to the breadth, depth, and height of God’s knowledge. After completion, you’ll be able to explain church concepts like: “There is one Father, not three fathers; one Son, not three sons; one Holy Spirit, not three holy spirits.
And in this Trinity, none is first or last, none greater or less, but all three Persons are co-eternal and co-equal, so that in all aspects, as stated above, the Unity in Trinity and Trinity in Unity must be worshipped.”
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Studying theology inevitably affects those who study it. The Christian life is characterized by fear of God.
The course traces interpretations of the Law and Lord’s Prayer from the Heidelberg Catechism, connecting with the Twelve Articles for thorough understanding.
The Ten Commandments guide GTA participants’ conduct. Prayer, being central to our gratitude, receives significant course focus.
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This course serves as an introduction to careful theological reading. Christians believe that the Bible is the word of God. As such, it is a word that must be read, understood, explained, applied, proclaimed, and lived out in practice. Throughout the centuries of the Christian church, this has led to various forms of theological literature such as sermons, prayers, meditations, confessions of faith, commentaries, church decisions such as synodical proceedings, worldviews, and social movements, all of which must be evaluated in the light of Scripture itself. As such, this course aims to equip students to read better. It will attempt to introduce students to:
a.) reading practices that will be beneficial for a lifetime of reading,
b.) Christian practice of logic and rhetoric to determine the validity of arguments and authorial intention, and
c.) a variety of theological texts and thinkers that will expose students to a breadth of theological literature.
The skills learned in this course will be transferred to other disciplines where careful understanding is needed, such as listening carefully to a congregation member with a view to appropriate Biblical counsel. The selected reading material is carefully chosen to play an important role in promoting the spiritual growth of students.
The course provides an overview of the content and background of the 27 books of the New Testament.
After completion, you’ll be able to explain how the New Testament is composed and distinguish between the types of books it contains.
You’ll be able to provide an overview of the life and significance of Jesus Christ. You’ll understand the broad outline of salvation’s revelation in Christ Jesus as presented in the New Testament.
You’ll also learn how the Old and New Testaments connect and why the Christian church recognises the New Testament as the infallible Word of God.
The course examines a foundational Reformation-era document (16th century) – the church order of Palatinate, where Heidelberg was capital.
The Heidelberg Catechism (1563) was incorporated into this church order. Reformed Psalm books contain Christian prayers and baptism/communion forms originating from this order.
The course covers how Christ governs His congregation through Word and Spirit, addressing ministers’, elders’ and deacons’ roles, preaching, teaching, catechism, pastoral work, prayers, sacraments, and mutual care. This church order remains cornerstone for Reformed church life today.
This course serves as a study of the order through which Christ gathers, protects, and maintains his church.
It focuses on the fundamental principles of church government as prescribed in God’s Word, confirmed in the Three Forms of Unity, and articulated in the Church Order of the Reformed Churches in South Africa. Each article of the Church Order is studied extensively.
It contributes to a rich understanding of the effect, function, and meaning thereof as a ministry of Christ’s government in the life of his church.
Course participants can look forward to not only knowing and understanding the Church Order, but also to applying it responsibly in church life.
From its start, the African church faced worldviews, religions, challenges, heresies, and temptations that persist today.
Understanding major movements, views, beliefs, and religions (Islam, pantheism, naturalism, African religions, atheism, etc.) in light of Scripture equips one to address them as a Christian.
The course provides knowledge to discern, respond, and properly minister Christ’s gospel, helping both in today’s world and guiding young, confused people to justify their faith.
In the Psalm Book, one encounters the Reformed confessions, which are signed in Reformed churches because they align with the Bible.
This course introduces the Belgic Confession, Heidelberg Catechism, and Canons of Dort. The course covers their historical emergence, structure, content, and lasting impact on church life.
The Heidelberg Catechism’s explanation of the Twelve Articles forms a section of the course, sharpening your ability to properly explain church doctrine.
Together with the course on the three catholic (or ecumenical) confessions, you’ll be able to distinguish and explain the church’s pure doctrine.
The course covers 2000 years of African church history, from Mediterranean churches and Nile theological schools to Ethiopia. It addresses Islam’s arrival (7th-8th centuries), when the Trinity doctrine was violently rejected and Christians persecuted.
It covers the gospel’s spread to western/southern Africa (15th century), Catholic and Protestant church development, and Reformed churches’ establishment in southern Africa, providing insight into today’s theological landscape.
This course examines the background and importance of official church documents. Students will be introduced to various types of formal documents used in different church environments, including both local congregations and church assemblies.
They will learn how to appropriately create and format these documents, to compile an agenda and take minutes of meetings.
The course also covers different methods of communication used in churches, including both written and electronic communication. Additionally, students will gain an understanding of the importance of proper documentation and archiving. Ethical considerations and South African legislation relating to the protection of personal information will also be discussed.