Christianity has been a hugely influential force in the development of Western civilisation, helping to shape the world in which we live today. It continues to have a very significant global presence.
Christian Thought and History explores the history, beliefs and values of Christianity – their origins, development and varying contexts.
Graduates develop valuable skills in critical thinking, research and communication. They go on to develop careers in any number of roles: teaching, social work, journalism, librarianship, administration, aid and development agencies, government department work, and church leadership and ministry.
Christian Thought and History can also be taken as an endorsement (specialisation) option for the Bachelor of Theology (BTheol).
For further information, please see the subject entry for Theology
All you need to study Christian thought and history is a sense of curiosity about the world and human experience. You do not need to have a faith of your own to find compelling the issues raised by Theology. Students of all or no religious persuasions are welcome.
Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | Two 100-level CHTH papers | 36 |
| 200-level | Two 200-level CHTH papers | 36 |
| 300-level | One 300-level CHTH paper | 18 |
| Total | 90 |
Note: This minor subject is not available for students enrolled in the Bachelor of Theology (BTheol).
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHTH102 | 2025 | The History of Christianity | 18 | Semester 1 |
| CHTH111 | 2025 | Doing Theology | 18 | Semester 2 |
| CHTH131 | 2025 | God and Ethics in the Modern World | 18 | Semester 2 |
| CHTH206 | 2025 | The Reformation | 18 | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| CHTH212 | 2025 | Spirit, Church and Sacraments | 18 | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| CHTH213 | 2025 | The Trinity | 18 | Semester 1 |
| CHTH217 | 2025 | Special Topic: Theology and Science | 18 | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| CHTH218 | 2025 | The Person and Work of Christ | 18 | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| CHTH224 | 2025 | Theology and the Environment | 18 | Semester 2 |
| CHTH231 | 2025 | Christianity, War and Violence | 18 | 1st Non standard period |
| CHTH233 | 2025 | Public Theology: Faith in the Public Square | 18 | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| CHTH235 | 2025 | Special Topic: Theology, Money and Markets | 18 | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| CHTH236 | 2025 | Māori Theology and Religion | 18 | Semester 2 |
| CHTH237 | 2025 | Special Topic: Moana Pasifika Theology | 18 | Semester 1, 1st Non standard period |
| CHTH305 | 2025 | The Roots of Public Theology | 18 | Semester 1 |
| CHTH306 | 2025 | The Reformation (Advanced) | 18 | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| CHTH312 | 2025 | Spirit, Church and Sacraments (Advanced) | 18 | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| CHTH313 | 2025 | The Trinity (Advanced) | 18 | Semester 1 |
| CHTH314 | 2025 | The Theology of Søren Kierkegaard | 18 | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| CHTH317 | 2025 | Special Topic: Theology and Science | 18 | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| CHTH318 | 2025 | The Person and Work of Christ (Advanced) | 18 | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| CHTH319 | 2025 | Reconciliation, Christian Ethics and Public Theology | 18 | Semester 1 |
| CHTH320 | 2025 | Public Theology and Social Justice | 18 | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| CHTH322 | 2025 | Citizenship, Democracy and Discipleship | 18 | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| CHTH323 | 2025 | Theology and Human Well-being | 18 | Semester 2 |
| CHTH324 | 2025 | Theology and the Environment (Advanced) | 18 | Semester 2 |
| CHTH331 | 2025 | Christianity, War and Violence (Advanced) | 18 | 1st Non standard period |
| CHTH333 | 2025 | Public Theology: Faith in the Public Square (Advanced) | 18 | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| CHTH335 | 2025 | Special Topic: Theology, Money and Markets (Advanced) | 18 | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| CHTH336 | 2025 | Māori Theology and Religion (Advanced) | 18 | Semester 2 |
| CHTH337 | 2025 | Special Topic: Moana Pasifika Theology (Advanced) | 18 | Semester 1, 1st Non standard period |
| CHTH403 | 2025 | The Puritans: Working out the English Reformation | 20 | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| CHTH405 | 2025 | The Roots of Public Theology | 20 | Semester 1 |
| CHTH414 | 2025 | The Theology of Søren Kierkegaard (Advanced) | 20 | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| CHTH415 | 2025 | Reconciliation, Christian Ethics and Public Theology (Advanced) | 20 | Semester 1 |
| CHTH416 | 2025 | The Theology of Bonhoeffer | 20 | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| CHTH420 | 2025 | Public Theology and Social Justice (Advanced) | 20 | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| CHTH423 | 2025 | Theology and Human Well-being (Advanced) | 20 | Semester 2 |
| CHTH490 | 2025 | Dissertation | 60 | Full Year, 1st Non standard period, 2nd Non standard period, 3rd Non standard period |
Explore your study options further. Refer to enrolment information found on the following qualification pages.
Email theology@otago.ac.nz
Website otago.ac.nz/theology
This information must be read subject to the statement on our Copyright & Disclaimer page.
Regulations on this page are taken from the 2024 Calendar and supplementary material.
