Do you want to study the Bible more deeply but aren’t sure how to start?
Our Introduction to Biblical Studies Taster Term starts this September at St Augustine’s College of Theology.
It’s a three-month course designed to help you read Scripture deeply, whether you’re considering a call to ministry or simply keen to grow in faith.
In this blog post, you’ll hear from five students who completed the course and experienced a real change in their reading and understanding of the Bible.
‘I loved learning about the stylistic features of the Bible’
Anna Hughes is an ordinand at St Augustine’s College of Theology.
During the early days of her studies, she completed the Introduction to Biblical Studies module. She explains how the course challenged her to look beyond the surface of Scripture.
‘We did a week on Hebrew rhetoric, and I enjoyed thinking about the Bible as a text lit up by its stylistic features, with style, panache, and a certain way of saying things. I hadn’t appreciated that because those stylistic features are different from the modern novels or genres I’m familiar with.’
‘Biblical Studies took my understanding to a whole new level’
All kinds of people study taster terms at St Augustine’s. After 35 years in law, Patrick Berenger felt called in a new direction. He joined the Taster Term to deepen his understanding of Scripture and is now training for ministry.
‘I’ve been a Christian for a long time. I’ve studied the Bible for a long time. Taking it to another level and understanding this whole realm of biblical studies and what that means has been a real eye-opener.’
Discovering the different genres of the Bible
The Biblical Studies Taster Term was a real eye-opener for English teacher, Amanda Monk-Peak. For Amanda, the Taster Term revealed how diverse and complex the Bible’s composition is.
‘The idea of the Bible being made up of different genres – nobody really said these are sections you have to view differently because they’ve been written for different purposes in different ways.
‘I thought of it as one text, so that was the first big shift. And then there were constant changes after that.’
Gaining a better understanding of Christianity
Independent student Anthony Ma studied the Taster Term at our Southwark campus and found it instrumental in helping him grow in faith and theological understanding.
‘The Biblical Studies course touched on questions I always wondered about when I studied my religious studies exam or my study of the Bible.
‘It addresses questions such as how to read the Bible in context, and talks about the historical background of the development of the Bible.’
‘It was just wonderful to experience’
For student Melissa Lavin, the course at St Augustine’s offered a space to explore the Bible in a way she hadn’t before, supported by nurturing tutors and thoughtful discussion.
‘Being South African, it was different for me. We’re very into the Bible, and there’s no way of studying things like in England, that’s really deep.’
Ready to take the next step?
The Introduction to Biblical Studies Taster Term offers a dynamic, spiritually enriching introduction to Scripture. You’ll explore key themes in Christian life, worship, and interpretation, with no prior theological training required.
Whether you join online or in person, you’ll gain a strong foundation in biblical studies and begin seeing the Bible in a new light.
Sign up for Introduction to Biblical Studies Taster Term
Spots are limited, and we don’t want you to miss out.
Click the link below to secure your place for a September 2025 start.
Not quite ready to commit? Try a Taster Day
If you’re interested but want to dip your toe in first, we’d love to welcome you to one of our upcoming Taster Days.
Spend a day with us, explore our Kent or London campuses, meet our tutors, and get a feel for life at St Augustine’s.
Click the link below and choose the location best for you.
