Courses

Religion asks foundational questions about human existence and identity. Who am I? What can I know about God, and does God’s existence give my life greater meaning and purpose? How should I regard my neighbor and the stranger? What are my responsibilities in this world? This course addresses these and other questions through the lens of the Old Testament. Students will develop skills of interpretation in order to gain insight into its literature, history, and beliefs. Students will learn to interpret the Old Testament contextually and respectfully, articulating the relevance of its theology, ethics, and spirituality for the twenty-first century.

Religion asks foundational questions about human existence and identity. Who am I? What can I know about God, and does God’s existence give my life greater meaning and purpose? Who is Jesus and how has his death and resurrection redefined conceptions of human identity? This course addresses these and other questions through the lens of the New Testament. Students will develop skills of interpretation in order to gain insight into its literature, history, and beliefs. Students will learn to interpret the New Testament contextually and respectfully, articulating the relevance of its theology, ethics, and spirituality for the twenty-first century.

What do Christians believe about God and what are their grounds for holding these beliefs? Introduction to Christian theology places Christian theology in the broader context of religion and invites students to consider their own beliefs in the context of the broader Christian theological tradition and to explore their relationship to scripture, tradition, experience, and reason. Students are encouraged to consider the importance and relevance of Christian theology in academic and ecclesial contexts with special attention to spiritual formation.

A study of the religious forms and institutions of the Hebrew people during the Old Testament period, including a consideration of the major theological motifs that pervade the Hebrew religion.

A study of the New Testament writings in their historical setting and chronological sequence with the goal of acquiring knowledge of their theological unity and diversity.

An introduction to biblical hermeneutics focusing upon the significance of divine revelation, primarily as represented in the sacred scriptures of the New Covenant. Students will be exposed to general principles of textual interpretation, perspectives from contemporary theological hermeneutics, and several of the historical debates in the reception of biblical texts, particularly surrounding the ecumenical councils of the first eight centuries. Students will also be encouraged to develop a critical awareness of their presuppositions as readers, with an aim of engaging constructively in debates which continue to divide Christians.

A study of the nature and methods of defending the Christian faith including an examination of the evidence for and the arguments against a Christian worldview.

A study of the history of the Christian Church from the turn of the first century to the eve of the sixteenth century Reformation with attention to the persons, events, and issues involved in the major developments of Christianity.

An examination of the development of the Christian Church from the late medieval period through to the early twenty-first century. Key topics include: the Protestant and Catholic Reformations; the Great Awakenings and the rise of modern Evangelicalism, Fundamentalism, and the growth of modern missionary movements, along with a consideration of significant individuals, changes in theology, institutions, devotional practices, gender roles, and attempts to engage and shape culture.