Course Catalogue 2014-2015 | Page 4 | Toronto School of Theology

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Course Catalogue 2014-2015

The Gospel of John WYB2671HF L6101 SESSION: Summer 2015 INSTRUCTOR(S): COLLEGE: Wycliffe College SCHEDULE: Online CREDITS: One Credit This course will introduce the student to the text of the Gospel of John and its place in ancient and modern studies, including such issues as textual base, compositional history, social context, literary character, reading strategies, and theological application. More Information
Theology of Mission: A Global Perspective WYT2675HF L6101 SESSION: Summer 2015 INSTRUCTOR(S): COLLEGE: Wycliffe College SCHEDULE: Online CREDITS: One Credit This course explores how our understanding of God and His Mission informs the very identity and mission of the church in the world. Three interrelated concepts-mission, evangelism, and theology-will be considered thematically in different contexts. The basic contention is that these three themes are and should be inseparable, and yet are distinct; and that if the church is to be true to itself none of these stands in isolation from the other. There are two governing themes: first, the biblical insight that mission originates with God. Christian tradition has always understood that God's grace is at work in the world; indeed, in the vocation to mission, the focus is not on what we do, but what God has done and is doing in the world in and through the unique, exclusive and saving ministry of Christ. Attention to the entire biblical narrative is foundational; it guards us from any naive assumption that we can build how we think of mission on conveniently selected verses from the Bible. The second major theme of the course reflects on the church as intrinsically missionary-called to be so by God because God Himself is always reaching out in mission to humanity. Because the very identity of the church is missionary, having received that mandate from God, the church needs to take the world and its struggles seriously. The course analyzes the changing landscapes and context of contemporary mission, within the wider context of mission history and in the succession of various paradigms within that history. These two themes will be the lenses through which we look at the relationship between the church and the world in our time, wrestling with the question of what it means to be missional in the 21st century. More Information
Politics, Planning and Parishes: Making the Most of Church Facilities - Cancelled on May 4, 2015 WYP2701HF L0101 SESSION: Summer 2015 INSTRUCTOR(S): COLLEGE: Wycliffe College SCHEDULE: Sat TIME: 9:00 to 16:00 CREDITS: One Credit Urban congregations exist within a community where all land uses are coordinated through official plans to ensure the future provision for all land uses, infrastructure and services for the community. Urban parish leadership must know how to engage both these documents and the political processes that shape the urban form and are the context for all urban ministry. This course will examine and explain the political, physical and social context of an urban parish church ministry and the processes and polity of their urban community. Extensive use will be made of examples, and the class will have the opportunity to meet and interview experienced professionals and politicians in the local political and planning scene. The course will include at least one major case study, involving field work, of an existing urban congregation with a report to be prepared outlining opportunities and challenges for the congregation. The course will use lectures, case studies, interviews, site visits and seminars. Participants will be evaluated through their class participation, a documented case study and a final examination. More Information
Worship Planning and Music Leadership - Cancelled on May 13, 2015 EMP2805HF L0101 SESSION: Summer 2015 INSTRUCTOR(S): COLLEGE: Emmanuel College SCHEDULE: Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri TIME: 9:00 to 12:00 CREDITS: One Credit This course seeks to help worship leaders and those interested in music ministry gain a rich understanding of the role of music in worship, and to provide practical strategies for both short-term and long-range worship planning as it relates to music. The course will provide an overview of the multiple aspects of planning music for worship. Topics will include developing congregational singing, making the "special" music of choirs or instrumental ensembles an integral part of the worship experience, understanding a congregation's worship "style," and sourcing and selecting music for liturgical seasons or other church occasions. More Information
Ministry and Technology TRP2810HF L6101 SESSION: Summer 2015 INSTRUCTOR(S): Power, Thomas P. COLLEGE: Trinity College SCHEDULE: Online CREDITS: One Credit Is it legitimate to use technology to communicate the gospel? Explores the function and use of the tools of technology in the varied ministry of the church. Asks critical questions about technology and its use. In the context of addressing issues such as virtual community, media arts and worship, internet-based ministry, Christian education and youth ministry, and spirituality online, the course seeks to equip students with skills in this new area of ministry. Discussion forums, online projects, reflections paper. More Information
Child and Bible - Cancelled on May 1, 2015 EMB2821HF L0101 SESSION: Summer 2015 INSTRUCTOR(S): COLLEGE: Emmanuel College SCHEDULE: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu TIME: 9:30 to 12:30 CREDITS: One Credit Nowhere are the problematic aspects of the biblical text so evident as when it is examined from the point of view of the situations and needs of children. On the one hand, the Bible is seen as the repository of truth and tradition, while on the other, much of its content can seem uselessly complex, morally questionable, or downright dangerous. By examining a number of key biblical passages as case studies, as well as a number of background readings from recent research in child development, children's spirituality, and children's liberation, this course will explore these problematic aspects of the Bible, as well as offer some practical suggestions for responding. Students will have opportunities to raise critical questions and develop their own stance with regard to the biblical text More Information
Writing Sacred Stories and Worshipful Plays - Cancelled on May 4, 2015 TRP2862HF L0101 SESSION: Summer 2015 INSTRUCTOR(S): COLLEGE: Trinity College SCHEDULE: Mon, Wed, Fri TIME: 9:00 to 15:00 CREDITS: One Credit Scripted improv and writing styles, dialogue, storyline, language, editing and mime script as elements of writing plays and stories for faith communities and seekers. A writing course to develop sacred stories for one person or many to present as homily or drama and to contribute to God’s ongoing living Gospel. A good companion course to TRP2871HF We The Storytellers. More Information
We the Story Tellers: Blending God's Story with our Stories Dramatically TRP2871HF L0101 SESSION: Summer 2015 INSTRUCTOR(S): COLLEGE: Trinity College SCHEDULE: Sat TIME: 9:00 to 16:00 CREDITS: One Credit Improvisation, theatre games, mask, mime and voice work as a basis for acting and story telling in faith communities; brief histories of liturgical drama; telling and exegesis of the Story in a society that is becoming biblically illiterate; finding creative ways to present individual gospels. Evaluation: Presentation of 10-minute performance piece; written report. (Academic mentor: David Neelands) More Information
Faith & Film TRT2876HF L0101 SESSION: Summer 2015 INSTRUCTOR(S): COLLEGE: Trinity College SCHEDULE: Tue TIME: 18:30 to 21:30 CREDITS: One Credit In this course, students will examine a series of films exploring their theological themes, presuppositions and rhetoric. Students will learn to interpret film theologically and also learn how to engage film criticism and film production theory. Combining these methodological approaches, students will discover how theological reflection and film culture intersect to offer ways in which we can evaluate film as a prophetic medium. More Information
Why Scrolls Matter. An Introduction to the Dead Sea Scrolls as a Template for Abrahamic Traditions - Cancelled on May 19, 2015 EMB2911HF L0101 SESSION: Summer 2015 INSTRUCTOR(S): COLLEGE: Emmanuel College SCHEDULE: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu TIME: 13:30 to 16:30 CREDITS: One Credit The Dead Sea Scrolls (DSS) provide an important template for those wishing to study scripture or exegetical material of any Abrahamic tradition (whether Jewish, Christian, or Muslim) and its formation. The scrolls frequently reinterpret texts which highlight a "particular type of intertextuality which exists between an authoritative scriptural antecedent and its subsequent reuse in a type of rewriting, in which there is a close textual relationship between the scriptural predecessor and the rewritten work" (Petersen 2012: 485). This tradition of reinterpreted scripture, seen as a "textual strategy" (Petersen 484), is present within varying DSS literary genres of authoritative scriptural texts, legal rules, religious disputes, liturgical traditions, and even commentaries. Such a practice of reinterpreting earlier texts is found within not only Jewish scripture but is also similar to what one finds in early Christian and Islamic scriptural and exegetical traditions as' well. Having such a comprehension is helpful for exegesis and understanding the underlying purpose of any of the above scriptural and textual traditions. Thus this course undertakes a study of the practice of reinterpreted scripture as evidenced in the DSS genres of scripture, legal rules, religious disputes, liturgical traditions, and commentaries (pesharim). An introduction to the scrolls, their discovery and preservation, their sectarian nature and the related history of the Qumran site will also be addressed as an essential component of understanding the nature of the scrolls. More Information