Course Catalogue 2026-2027

Explores the transformative dynamics of grace in Scripture, representative early theologians, early doctrinal development, medieval theology and the Reformation period. Participants develop a contemporary systematic approach, especially with respect to ecumenical and interfaith issues. Draws on the thought of Bernard Lonergan. Written assignments, readings, discussion.

Explores the transformative dynamics of grace in Scripture, representative early theologians, early doctrinal development, medieval theology and the Reformation period. Participants develop a contemporary systematic approach, especially with respect to ecumenical and interfaith issues. Draws on the thought of Bernard Lonergan.

The church in many quarters has lost the ability to communicate with the cultures around it. The problem in part may be modernism, not postmodernism. Students will be encouraged creatively to engage cultures through theological engagement with the news and with two sets of arts: the arts needed to proclaim the gospel (often beyond the biblical text) and the arts of using cultural arts paintings, sculpture, dance, architecture, movies, and theatre) and artifacts in the sermon. This class will function as a preaching seminar and laboratory where discussions will cover required readings, writing assignments, and issues raised in class.

The first part of the seminar will explore Trinitarian foundations of music and liturgy, in and since Vatican II, focusing on the imagery of Word and Breath, the priesthood of Christ, and the ecclesiology of communion. The second part will develop and apply this understanding to diverse musical experience and ministry (the singing assembly, cantors, choirs, the organ and other instruments, priest and deacon as music ministers, composers and hymn writers). This seminar is theological and liturgical in focus: experience of music in church is more valuable than technical musical skills (musical skills are useful and welcome but not essential).

In this course we will study the theological, social, and economic components of Old Testament ethics and explore a variety of themes related to contemporary issues, including the problem of war, violence, and moral injury; economics and the poor; medical ethics; slavery, racism, and apartheid; law and the legal system; ecology, nature, and the earth.

In this course we will study the theological, social, and economic components of Old Testament ethics and explore a variety of themes related to contemporary issues, including the problem of war, violence, and moral injury; economics and the poor; medical ethics; slavery, racism, and apartheid; law and the legal system; ecology, nature, and the earth.

Will the universe be destroyed and discarded, or redeemed and transformed with God's consummation of all things? This course considers these and related questions by examining biblical and philosophical foundations for Christian reflections on the beginning and end of the world; significant historical and contemporary theological contributions (e.g., lrenaeus, Origen, Calvin, Moltmann, Ruether, McFague); the significance of the incarnation and resurrection of Jesus Christ; the influence of ecological consciousness, religious pluralism, modern and postmodern scientific thought; varieties of Christian eschatology; and the role of apocalyptic thinking in contemporary culture.

The course will examine Protestant Theological Teaching and Traditions of Spirituality and Formation as rooted in medieval and reformation approaches with a particular reference to the Reformed Tradition. In the light of these traditions the course will challenge students to develop a credible and constructive theological framework for spirituality and formation in the 21st century North American and particularly Canadian context.

The course will examine Protestant Theological Teaching and Traditions of Spirituality and Formation as rooted in medieval and reformation approaches with a particular reference to the Reformed Tradition. In the light of these traditions the course will challenge students to develop a credible and constructive theological framework for spirituality and formation in the 21st century North American and particularly Canadian context.

The course will examine Protestant Theological Teaching and Traditions of Spirituality and Formation as rooted in medieval and reformation approaches with a particular reference to the Reformed Tradition. In the light of these traditions the course will challenge students to develop a credible and constructive theological framework for spirituality and formation in the 21st century North American and particularly Canadian context.

The recent encyclical of Pope Francis reaches across conventional religious and secular distinctions/divisions to offer foundational terms for a new, human community—a community fostering a shared ecological vision that acts on behalf of healing the earth and constituting the terms for both individual and communal conversion, as viewed through a Christian, ecological lens.

This course will entail a detailed study of the encyclical especially in light of the wide theological anthropology proposed by Pope Francis: namely, that there is no credible project for ‘saving’ or ‘sustaining’ the earth that does not acknowledge and embrace the need for a ‘saving’ of humanity as well from currently accepted ‘reductionisms’ in our public view of what constitutes a genuine path for becoming human. Pope Francis notes the intimate connection of economic, political, cultural and religious features required for advancing care for the world and care for human development in light of forming a more and more consensually chosen ‘common good’ for the good of all. At the heart of this course lies the view that our human and ecological vision and goal could be expressed in the terms suggested by philosopher John Macmurray, that: “All meaningful knowledge is for the sake of action, and all meaningful action is for the sake of friendship.”

Authors consulted within this study: John Macmurray, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Leonardo Boff, Naomi Klein, George Monbiot, the work of the Forum on Ecology and Religion, with reference to documents of the Anglican, Roman Catholic and United Churches of Canada as well as the Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission regarding Aboriginal Peoples in Canada.

The course will explore significant ways that Christians have thought about the arts, artistry and art culture in Eastern and Western Christendom. The course will compare the varieties of theologies of art that have emerged from within the Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox traditions as well as consider what distinguishes a "theology" of art by investigating historical and contemporary conceptions of art and theology. The study will involve looking at paintings, icons, altarpieces, and socially and culturally engaged works of art as well as pertinent theological writings. Students will be evaluated on class participation, seminar presentations, and a research paper on an approved topic. The methodology used in the course will be a mix of lecture and class discussion on assigned readings. Class participation, 20%; seminar presentations, 30%; Major research paper, 50%.