Previous Years' Course Catalogues

This course should be of interest to specialists in Bible and in Theology. It explores the related themes of time, participation in Christ and 'theosis' in Paul. The standard understandings of Paul's view of time are either that he thought in terms of salvation history- time as progressive and directed by God towards a goal; or that the apostle thought apocalyptically - time has been interrupted by God's work in Christ. The course will study and discuss important works advocating these influential views. Opinions on Paul's conception of time are fundamental for interpretation of his central concepts, including the related themes of participation in Christ and theosis. The course will consider significant works on these themes and it offers opportunity to engage with some pivotal Pauline scholarship.

A seminar format historical retracing and ethical consideration of various truth and reconciliation commissions (TRCs) or Justice, Truth, and Reconciliation Commissions (JTRC) in different countries across the world. A survey exploration of the social, political, economic, and religious context specific factors which gave birth to adopting TRCs or JTRCs in different countries, and the larger societal ethical implications they bring to notions of truth-telling, restorative and redistributive justice, social equity, and reconciliation. Emphasis on key themes, historical events, and actors. This course responds in part to Canada's TRC's calls to action # 49 & 60.

A seminar format historical retracing and ethical consideration of various truth and reconciliation commissions (TRCs) or Justice, Truth, and Reconciliation Commissions (JTRC) in different countries across the world. A survey exploration of the social, political, economic, and religious context specific factors which gave birth to adopting TRCs or JTRCs in different countries, and the larger societal ethical implications they bring to notions of truth-telling, restorative and redistributive justice, social equity, and reconciliation. Emphasis on key themes, historical events, and actors. This course responds in part to Canada's TRC's calls to action # 49 & 60.

Building upon what is broadly understood as liberation discourses and theologies, this course explores the salientmethodological featuresand topicsof emerging decolonial thinking and discourses. We will study the various theoreticalshifts as articulated by decolonial thinkers and examine how these complex theoretical currents signal a reconfiguration of inherited forms of knowledge, understanding of the world, ethical perspectives, constructions of morality, and the theological task. The focus of this course is to gain insight intothe main ideas, specific methodologies, and key authors involved in the development and proliferation of these diverse theoretical currents, and their relevance for the task of theology and ministry. The course will include lectures, seminars, and readings, and will be evaluated by way of class participation and class presentations, book reviews and final essay.

Building upon what is broadly understood as liberation discourses and theologies, this course explores the salient methodological features and topics of emerging decolonial thinking and discourses. We will study the various theoretical shifts as articulated by decolonial thinkers and examine how these complex theoretical currents signal a reconfiguration of inherited forms of knowledge, understanding of the world, ethical perspectives, constructions of morality, and the theological task. The focus of this course is to gain insight into the main ideas, specific methodologies, and key authors involved in the development and proliferation of these diverse theoretical currents, and their relevance for the task of theology and ministry.

Building upon what is broadly understood as liberation discourses and theologies, this course explores the salient methodological features and topics of emerging decolonial thinking and discourses. We will study the various theoretical shifts as articulated by decolonial thinkers and examine how these complex theoretical currents signal a reconfiguration of inherited forms of knowledge, understanding of the world, ethical perspectives, constructions of morality, and the theological task. The focus of this course is to gain insight into the main ideas, specific methodologies, and key authors involved in the development and proliferation of these diverse theoretical currents, and their relevance for the task of theology and ministry.

Queer Theory challenges feminist theory's and gay and lesbian studies' focus on tolerance and inclusion with radical deconstructive critiques of the institutions and practices that produce gender and sexuality norms to begin with. Theologies in dialogue with queer theory thus presuppose the full inclusion of LGTBQ people in the life and leadership of churches- rather than argue for it- to articulate constructive theological projects out of queer practices. In this course, students engage foundational texts in queer/genderqueer Theologies to begin constructing their own theological positions in a context that disrupts binary understandings of gender and heteronormative views of sexuality. Doctrines of God, Christology and soteriology will be addressed, as will theological interpretations of marriage, family and kinship networks.

An exploration of doing theology in the Canadian Context. Using a multidisciplinary approach (literary, social, political and economic) the course will examine how this particular context affects how we think, pray and act as Christians.

This course will trace the multi-faceted theme of justice as it unfolds throughout the biblical story. Beginning with an exploration of the impact our own place and assumpions have on our reading, we will then probe the complicated ways in which idolatry, economic justice, racial justice, justice for the land, food justice, justice for the stranger and the migrant, gender justice, colonization and Indigenous justice, and peace and violence permeate the story. This will provide a biblical basis for reflecting on the complexity and challenge of enacting justice and reconciliation in our world today.

This course examines theologies of Holy Scripture, along with differing understandings of hermeneutics and biblical interpretation. Particular attention will be given to the connection between the Bible and ecclesiology, as well as to Neo-Orthodox, Postliberal, and Feminist-Liberationist understandings of Scripture. The biblical text?s relationship to both personal and communal identity will be one of the courses principal themes. Students will engage with different models for understanding Holy Scripture, and explore the practical implications of such models for the use of the Bible in pastoral ministry.

The idea of this course is to see how the relationship of pre-modern spiritual writing and some more technical treatments of Christology was one of mutual influence. While Pelikan has tried to join these in his book, it might be better to be aware of the range of genres of spiritual works, including ones where Christ seems to be more 'implicit'. The thorny issue of whether Christology went astray after the High Middle Ages will be considered, as well as Jesus in the Reformation and Post-Reformation period (Catholic and Protestant).

The idea of this course is to see how the relationship of pre-modern spiritual writing and some more technical treatments of Christology was one of mutual influence. While Pelikan has tried to join these in his book, it might be better to be aware of the range of genres of spiritual works, including ones where Christ seems to be more 'implicit'. The thorny issue of whether Christology went astray after the High Middle Ages will be considered, as well as Jesus in the Reformation and Post-Reformation period (Catholic and Protestant).