Human and Social Studies Religious and Ethical Foundations of Society

Biblical Authority Origins Scripture Writing Process Training

SAQA US 115954 | NQF 2 | Credits 5 | Duration 2 Days
From $610 per delegate

Description

This course provides a comprehensive understanding of the origins of biblical authority and the process of scripture writing. Learners will explore historical, theological, and practical aspects of how scripture was authored, compiled, and canonized, enabling them to apply this knowledge in teaching, ministry, or personal study.

Learning Outcomes

  • Analyze the historical and theological foundations of biblical authority.
  • Evaluate the processes involved in the writing, compilation, and canonization of scripture.
  • Apply critical methods to assess the authenticity and transmission of biblical texts.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the role of inspiration and revelation in scripture writing.
  • Interpret the cultural and historical contexts that shaped the biblical narrative.
  • Implement principles of biblical authority in contemporary teaching and ministry contexts.

Target Audience

This course is designed for pastors, theologians, religious educators, and individuals engaged in biblical studies or ministry who seek a deeper understanding of scripture's formation and authority.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment.

Course Outline

Day 1: Foundations of Biblical Authority and the Origins of Scripture Writing

Objectives:
• Understand the concept of biblical authority and its theological basis.
• Identify the historical and cultural contexts of the Old and New Testament writings.
• Describe the oral and written traditions that led to the formation of the biblical canon.
• Explain the role of scribes and the process of manuscript copying.
• Recognise the key stages in the development of the biblical text from original autographs to modern translations.

Topics:
• Defining biblical authority: inspiration, inerrancy, and infallibility.
• Overview of the origins of Scripture: divine revelation and human authorship.
• The writing process in ancient Israel: materials, scribes, and methods.
• Formation of the Old Testament canon: the Law, Prophets, and Writings.
• Formation of the New Testament canon: apostolic authority and early church recognition.
• Transmission of the biblical text: from papyrus to codex.
• Introduction to textual criticism: variants and the quest for the original text.
• The role of the Septuagint and other early translations.

Day 2: The Scripture Writing Process and Practical Integration

Objectives:
• Analyse the stages of the scripture writing process from composition to canonisation.
• Evaluate the impact of textual criticism on understanding biblical authority.
• Apply knowledge of the writing process to interpret Scripture faithfully.
• Discuss contemporary issues in biblical translation and interpretation.
• Integrate the principles of biblical authority into personal study and teaching.

Topics:
• The compositional process: authorship, dating, and sources.
• The role of editors and redactors in shaping the biblical text.
• Canonical criticism: understanding the final form of Scripture.
• Major textual families and their significance for textual criticism.
• Principles of translation: formal equivalence vs. dynamic equivalence.
• Contemporary challenges: gender-inclusive language and cultural relevance.
• Practical application: using textual critical tools in Bible study.
• Case studies: how understanding the writing process illuminates difficult passages.

Practicals

No practicals for this training.

This course is made up of exercises and case studies delivered alongside the theory — no separate practical sessions are required to complete it.

Summatives

Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course and a final summative test at the end.

Daily Exercises — 30%

Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 30% to the final total.

Final Test — 70%

On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 70% to the overall mark.

Final Total
Component Out of Weight
Daily Average (multiple choice) 100% 30%
Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice) 100% 70%
Final Total 100%

All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.

Certificate

Certificate of Completion

Awarded to delegates who achieve an overall mark of 50% or higher on the Final Total (Daily Average 30% + Final Test 70%).

How it works
  • Certificates are auto-generated on the AATICD LMS as soon as the marks pass the 50% threshold.
  • Each certificate is a branded PDF with the delegate's name, the course title, the unit standard ID, NQF level, credits, and the date of issue.
  • You can download or print your certificate from your LMS dashboard at any time after issue — there's no reissue fee and no expiry date.
  • If you scored under 50% you can sit the final test again at the next scheduled session at no extra cost.
Where to find it

Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.

Training Discounts

Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.

Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.

Upcoming Training Sessions
Online training — attend live sessions from anywhere via our virtual classroom.
Start End Delivery Season Price Action
Mon 07 Sep 2026 Tue 08 Sep 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $610 Register
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Tue 28 Dec 2027 Wed 29 Dec 2027 Virtual Summer 2027 $610 Register
Wed 19 Jan 2028 Thu 20 Jan 2028 Virtual Summer 2027 $610 Register
On-Campus training — face-to-face sessions at our training venues across Africa and beyond.
Showing all 480 sessions across 26 venues
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Mon 25 Oct 2027 Tue 26 Oct 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $794 Register
Tue 14 Dec 2027 Wed 15 Dec 2027 Your Premises Summer 2027 $794 Register
Wed 05 Jan 2028 Thu 06 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $794 Register
Thu 27 Jan 2028 Fri 28 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $794 Register
Training Discounts
Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% off per 5 delegates, up to 40% for 100+

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