Courses

This course, which presupposes a minimum of 6 sem. hrs. of Hebrew, offers students an introduction to Mishnaic and Qumranic Hebrew and guides students through selected readings.

This course introduces students to the principles and practice of Biblical interpretation during the Reformation period. Of special interest are the commentaries and scriptural arguments in support of important doctrines.

An exploration of the interactions between Christian thought, practice, and culture. While not exhaustive in nature, the course seeks to familiarize students with major doctrines and thinkers in the history of Christian thought through an engagement with primary and secondary source material.

An examination of the emergence and development of Christian thought from the Apostolic Fathers through to St. Thomas Aquinas. Building on the foundation laid by RELS 661 (History of Christian Doctrine), this course invites students into a deeper understanding of the complexities of early and medieval Christian thought through close readings of primary source material from significant individuals and councils

An examination of the emergence and development of Christian thought of the Magisterial and Anabaptist wings of 16th century Reformation. This course invites students into a deeper understanding of the complexities of Reformation thought through close readings of primary source material from significant individuals, movements and councils

An examination of the emergence and development of Christian thought of the nineteenth, twentieth, & twenty-first centuries. This course invites students into a deeper understanding of the complexities of modern Christian thought through close readings of primary source material from significant theologies and theologians of the period with a view to how they influence Christianity today. The approach is both inter-confessional and international in scope and seeks to allow students to grapple with important theological issues in local, national, and global contexts.

A detailed examination of the background and development of Christian thought and life in the period spanning the Apostolic Fathers through to the Council of Nicaea (325). The course analyzes the complex formulation of Pre-Nicene Christianity through the writings of some of its most influential thinkers, leaders, and movements (both orthodox and heretical) with an eye toward identifying major developments in early Christian theology and practice. An attempt is also made to understand the variety of Christianities which contended for dominance as the church strove to define itself and to establish its place in the world.

Does Christian doctrine necessarily develop or is it delivered once and for all in the Bible? This question forms the main concern of this course as it exposes students to the idea of doctrinal development in Christian theology. Through a selection of ideas, persons, issues, and institutions that have contributed to the idea of doctrinal development it encourages students to grapple with the inevitable change of history as it relates to Christian doctrine.

An examination of the methodological approaches to the study of theology. Methods such as historical/systematic/dogmatic theology, dialectical theology, constructive theology, analytical theology, postmodern/deconstructive theology and existential theology will be covered in terms of the historical roots, main proponents and fundamental principles of each of these methods.