Previous Years' Course Catalogues

Many pressing topics in theology today are related to the historical interaction between theology and philosophy—declining church authority, questions related to race, gender and sexuality, Christianity’s role in colonialism, the experience of God’s absence. This course aims to clarify some of the complex conceptual issues entangled within these topics by examining how they are understood within the dialogue between philosophy and theology from the twentieth century onwards. Each week the class will focus on theological questions that emerge in relation to major philosophical movements such as phenomenology, existentialism, feminism, and critical theory. Issues range from the contested status of metaphysics to the more recent questions raised by post-colonial theory. Students of theology will be encouraged to see the interaction between philosophy and theology in the twentieth century as part of that which engenders fresh forms of Christian life.

Many pressing topics in theology today are related to the historical interaction between theology and philosophy—declining church authority, questions related to race, gender and sexuality, Christianity’s role in colonialism, the experience of God’s absence. This course aims to clarify some of the complex conceptual issues entangled within these topics by examining how they are understood within the dialogue between philosophy and theology from the twentieth century onwards. Each week the class will focus on theological questions that emerge in relation to major philosophical movements such as phenomenology, existentialism, feminism, and critical theory. Issues range from the contested status of metaphysics to the more recent questions raised by post-colonial theory. Students of theology will be encouraged to see the interaction between philosophy and theology in the twentieth century as part of that which engenders fresh forms of Christian life.

Christians have long tended to speak about the Gospel of Mark primarily in contrast with the other canonical gospels. This tendency is already evident in the second century. Yet the Gospel of Mark has just as long stood as a text in its own right, with its own distinctive witness to the life and meaning of Jesus of Nazareth. This course aims to assist students in apprehending that distinctive witness and reflect upon its significance for contemporary discourse and practice.

In the last forty years ethical issues around the care and treatment of non-human animals has steadily grown as a concern in theology. While for much of this time it was considered at best a "marginal" issue, it is now one of the major concerns in environmental ethics. This course will examine the major figures in the development of "animal theology" in Protestant and Catholic theology. It will also look back to Christian Scripture and classical figures in the Christian tradition, and raise questions as to whether, and if so to what extent, the development of "animal theology" is either a departure from Christian tradition and/or a development within it. Issues in the course will include issues such as intensive agriculture (factory farming), the genetic modification of animals, zoos, pets, vegetarianism and veganism, and a variety of other issues that arise from human interaction with or concern for the well-being of non-human animals.

In the last forty years ethical issues around the care and treatment of non-human animals has steadily grown as a concern in theology. While for much of this time it was considered at best a "marginal" issue, it is now one of the major concerns in environmental ethics. This course will examine the major figures in the development of "animal theology" in Protestant and Catholic theology. It will also look back to Christian Scripture and classical figures in the Christian tradition, and raise questions as to whether, and if so to what extent, the development of "animal theology" is either a departure from Christian tradition and/or a development within it. Issues in the course will include issues such as intensive agriculture (factory farming), the genetic modification of animals, zoos, pets, vegetarianism and veganism, and a variety of other issues that arise from human interaction with or concern for the well-being of non-human animals.

A consecutive exegetical examination of the Gospel of Mark with discussion of critical issues in gospel studies.

The class will develop further the exegetical skills of students through engagement with the Greek text of a New Testament book. By means of close reading of the text students will grow in their capacity to use Greek when interpreting the New Testament. Attention will be paid to textual criticism, translation issues, New Testament Greek syntax, and issues of historical, cultural, literary and theological context. The class will build students ' ability to offer critically informed accounts of the meaning of New Testament texts in their first-century contexts, and Increase students ' understanding of the theological message of individual New Testament books and their contemporary implications.

The class will develop further the exegetical skills of students through engagement with the Greek text of a New Testament book. By means of close reading of the text students will grow in their capacity to use Greek when interpreting the New Testament. Attention will be paid to textual criticism, translation issues, New Testament Greek syntax, and issues of historical, cultural, literary and theological context. The class will build students? ability to offer critically informed accounts of the meaning of New Testament texts in their first-century contexts, and increase students? understanding of the theological message of individual New Testament books and their contemporary implications.

The class will develop further the exegetical skills of students through engagement with the Greek text of a New Testament book. By means of close reading of the text students will grow in their capacity to use Greek when interpreting the New Testament. Attention will be paid to textual criticism, translation issues, New Testament Greek syntax, and issues of historical, cultural, literary and theological context. The class will build students ' ability to offer critically informed accounts of the meaning of New Testament texts in their first-century contexts, and Increase students ' understanding of the theological message of individual New Testament books and their contemporary implications.

The class will develop further the exegetical skills of students through engagement with the Greek text of a New Testament book. By means of close reading of the text students will grow in their capacity to use Greek when interpreting the New Testament. Attention will be paid to textual criticism, translation issues, New Testament Greek syntax, and issues of historical, cultural, literary and theological context. The class will build students ' ability to offer critically informed accounts of the meaning of New Testament texts in their first-century contexts, and Increase students ' understanding of the theological message of individual New Testament books and their contemporary implications.

One of the most controversial issues in the Christian tradition has been its attitude to violence of all kinds. In particular, Christian attitudes to war and peace have been analyzed and debated by almost all major Christian theologians throughout history. This course will look at Christian attitudes to - and the theological and ethical bases for- war, peace, and revolution. The course will begin with Scripture, continue by examining the viewpoints of figures such as Augustine, Aquinas, Vitoria, Grotius, Calvin, Luther, among others, and also examine a variety of 20th and 21st century authors on the subject. Topics to be considered will include some of the following: just war, pacifism, realism, non-violence vs. non-resistance, revolution, civil war, peace-making, nuclear war, deterrence theories, total war doctrine, humanitarian intervention, and the responsibility to protect doctrine.

One of the most controversial issues in the Christian tradition has been its attitude to violence of all kinds. In particular, Christian attitudes to war and peace have been analyzed and debated by almost all major Christian theologians throughout history. This course will look at Christian attitudes to - and the theological and ethical bases for- war, peace, and revolution. The course will begin with Scripture, continue by examining the viewpoints of figures such as Augustine, Aquinas, Vitoria, Grotius, Calvin, Luther, among others, and also examine a variety of 20th and 21st century authors on the subject. Topics to be considered will include some of the following: just war, pacifism, realism, non-violence vs. non-resistance, revolution, civil war, peace-making, nuclear war, deterrence theories, total war doctrine, humanitarian intervention, and the responsibility to protect doctrine.