The following masters courses are scheduled for the Fall and Spring long and short terms for the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 school years. See scheduling notes below each course description. For the most up-to-date course listings for the current and upcoming semesters, visit the Registrar's pages.
Doctoral seminars offered by the department may be found here.
PH3310 - Moral Philosophy
This course provides a wide-ranging introduction to moral philosophy by exploring several of the major theories that philosophers have developed over two millennia--egoism, naturalism, existentialism, moralism, contractualism, and utilitarianism. Among the thinkers whose ideas will be examined are Plato, Aristotle, Locke, Kant, Nietzsche, Mill, and Sartre. This course fulfills the philosophy or ethics distribution requirement. 3 credits.
Spring Long Term, 2009–2010; Mr. Foster
PH3320 - Philosophy of the Arts
This course is divided into two parts. Part one is a philosophical investigation of the distinguishing characteristics of particular art forms, namely music, literature, visual art, and architecture. In Part two students may choose between an extended critical examination of modernism in the arts, and a practical group project that uses the arts to make a web-mountable presentation on a set spiritual, moral, or theological theme. This course fulfills the philosophy or ethics distribution requirement. 3 credits.
Fall Long Term, 2010–2011; Mr. Graham
PH3375cr - Political Philosophy and Public Theology
This course examines certain central concepts in political philosophy—for example, liberty, democracy, civil society, the state, power—and relates them to traditional questions about the relation of church and state, and contemporary questions about the proper place of religious beliefs in the public realm. This course fulfills the general requirement for a course on Christian responsibility in the public realm. This course fulfills the philosophy or ethics distribution requirement. 3 credits.
Fall Long Term, 2010–2011; Mr. Graham
PH3401cr - Race, Assimilation, and Diversity
This course examines the topic of ethnic relations from a philosophical perspective. It will include a critical examination of the concepts of race, assimilation, and multiculturalism, group rights, and affirmative action, with extensive reading and intensive discussion. This course fulfills the philosophy or ethics distribution requirement. Prerequisite: PH3375. 3 credits.
Fall Short Term, 2010–2011; Mr. Graham
ET/OT3212cr - Ethics of the Ten Commandments
An exploration of the theological and moral significance of the Ten Commandments. Exegesis of the commandments will be joined with moral reflection to see the continuing significance of such issues as language about God, Sabbath-keeping, truth-telling and justice, sexual practices, family responsibilities, and the nature and value of human life. The course will include study of the use of the commandments in Christian tradition and contemporary ethics. This course fulfills the philosophy or ethics distribution requirement. This course does not fulfill the “close reading of the text” requirement. Prerequisites: OT101 or OT2101 and TH222 or TH2100. 3 credits.
Spring Long Term, 2010–2011; Ms. Duff and Ms. Lapsley
ET3316cr - Ethics and the Problem of Evil
Theological reflection on human suffering, calamity, and woe. Some attention will be given to the theoretical problem of evil and to the theodicies that might be offered in reply, but the course focuses on the practical challenge that evil poses and on the moral and spiritual responses that Christians might muster. Its themes include: virtue, passion, and happiness; worship, sacrifice, and atonement; paradox, mystery, and eschatological hope. This course fulfills the general requirement for Christian responsibility in the public realm. This course fulfills the philosophy or ethics distribution requirement. 3 credits.
Fall Long Term, 2009–2010; Mr. Bowlin
ET3341cr - Augustine on Ethics and Politics
Augustine as moralist and political theologian. Topics include: his philosophical antecedents and opponents, his moral psychology and account of human action, his understanding of virtue and happiness, his treatment of law, coercion, and forbearance, and his ambivalence toward temporal politics. The course will conclude by considering his lively, contemporary legacy. This course fulfills the general requirement for Christian responsibility in the public realm. Qualifies as theologian or doctrine course for M.Div. candidates. This course fulfills the philosophy or ethics distribution requirement. Prerequisite: TH2100 or TH221. 3 credits.
Spring Long Term, 2009–2010; Mr. Bowlin
ET3361cr - War and Christian Conscience
Theological reflection on the use of violent, coercive force. Special attention will be given to the historical development of Christian doctrine, the emergence of the just war tradition, the warrants for pacifism, and the differences that divide secular and theological accounts. The course will conclude by considering contemporary concerns: terrorism, torture, and irregular warfare. This course fulfills the general requirement for Christian responsibility in the public realm. This course fulfills the philosophy or ethics distribution requirement. Prerequisite: TH2100 or TH221. 3 credits.
Spring Long Term, 2009–2010; Mr. Bowlin
ET3460cr - Theology and Ethics of Dietrich Bonhoeffer
This course will explore and assess Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s distinct approach to theology and ethics, analyzing the method and content of his work, the context in which he lived and wrote, and the extent to which his work still speaks to the church today. In addition to reading some of Bonhoeffer’s major works (Creation and Fall, Discipleship, Life Together, Ethics, and Letters and Papers from Prison), we will read a biography of Bonhoeffer and watch two videos about his life. Qualifies as doctrine/theologian course. This course fulfills the general requirement for a course on Christian responsibility in the public realm. This course fulfills the philosophy or ethics distribution requirement. Prerequisite: TH2100 or TH221. 3 credits.
Spring Long Term, 2009–2010; Ms. Duff
ET/TH3480cr - The Theology and Ethics of James Cone
This course will examine in chronological order the major works of James Cone. In addition to examining the intersection of theology and ethics in Cone’s work, we will examine issues regarding race and racism in the U.S. in part by watching the documentary series Eyes on the Prize. This course fulfills the philosophy or ethics distribution requirement. Qualifies as doctrine/theologian course. 3 credits.
Fall Long Term, 2010–2011; Ms. Duff
ET5215cr - The Politics of Biblical Interpretation
This course offers a critical examination of ways in which the Bible can be used to influence public arguments, policies, and laws. Using the historical examples of slavery, racial segregation, gender, Sunday closing laws, teaching evolution in public schools, and advocating war, the course will examine different ways in which biblical interpretation can be influenced by political loyalties, as well as ways in which beliefs about the Bible, such as inerrancy, can influence political events. Some attention will be given to Charles Hodge and B.B. Warfield on inerrancy in relation to the heresy trial of Charles Briggs. Students will write two essays, one on their own approach to biblical interpretation and one that addresses one of the public issues studied in class. This course fulfills the philosophy or ethics distribution requirement. Prerequisite: TH221, TH222 or TH2100. 3 credits.
Spring Short Term, 2010–2011; Ms. Duff
ET5300cr - Liturgical Shape of the Christian Life
Working within the discipline of Christian ethics, this course examines the intersection of Christian doctrine, Christian worship, and Christian ethics. Each aspect of a worship service is used to discuss corresponding doctrines, how these doctrines give shape to Christian identity, and how they inform Christian moral action. (Particular, though not exclusive, attention will be given to the issue of war and Christian pacifism.) The course will be grounded in the Reformed tradition, while giving specific attention to feminist and other liberationist perspectives. Students will be encouraged to examine theology, worship, and ethics in light of their own denominational stance and to discuss their different perspectives with each other in class. This course fulfills the general requirement for a course on Christian responsibility in the public realm. This course fulfills the philosophy or ethics distribution requirement. Prerequisite: TH221 or TH2100. 3 credits.
Fall Long Term, 2009–2010; Ms. Duff
ET5347cr - Issues in Medical Ethics
Drawing primarily on contemporary Christian ethicists, this course will explore issues in medical ethics such as physician-patient relationship, suffering and prayer, withdrawing and withholding life support, advance directives and funerals, and mental health and developmental disabilities. Specific attention will be given to theological reflections that can be brought to bear on these issues. This course fulfills the general requirement for a course on Christian responsibility in the public realm. This course fulfills the philosophy or ethics distribution requirement. 3 credits.
Fall Long Term, 2010–2011; Ms. Duff
ET5348cr - Issues in Human Sexuality
The course will examine biblical and theological, historical and contemporary Christian views of human sexuality regarding such topics as gender differences, human sexuality in marriage and single life, homosexuality, sexual misconduct and violence, and Christian education for adults and teenagers. This course fulfills the general requirement for a course on Christian responsibility in the public realm. This course fulfills the philosophy or ethics distribution requirement. TH221 or TH2100 is recommended but not required. 3 credits.
Fall Long Term, 2009–2010; Ms. Duff
ET5380cr - Friendship, Love, and Justice
This course considers how Christian theologians (Augustine, Aquinas, Kierkegaard, and Barth) have borrowed and adapted secular moral discourses (Plato, Aristotle, Stoicism, Kant, and Hegel) in order to explicate certain biblical claims about God, neighbor, love, and friendship. It uses these topics and figures to explore the relation between things natural and gracious, created and recreated, secular and theological. This course fulfills the general requirement for a course on Christian responsibility in the public realm. This course fulfills the philosophy or ethics distribution requirement. Prerequisite: TH221 or TH2100. 3 credits.
Fall Long Term, 2009–2010; Mr. Bowlin
TH2100 - Systematic Theology
A foundational course covering the major Christian doctrines from revelation to eschatology, emphasizing their biblical basis, evangelical focus, ecclesial context, trinitarian scope, and contemporary significance for Christian life and ministry. Required of all juniors. Enrollment limited to sixty-five students. 3 credits.
Fall Long Term, 2009–2010; Mr. Taylor
Spring Long Term, 2009–2010; Mr. McCormack
Fall Long Term, 2010–2011; Ms. Charry
Spring Long Term, 2010–2011; Mr. Johnson
TH/EC3200cc - Judaism, Christianity, and Islam in Israel – Travel Course
The course will take students to Tantur Ecumenical Institute outside of Jerusalem to explore Judaism, Christianity, and Islam in the context of the Middle East. Classes, trips, worship, lectures, and informal conversation will expose students to the interfaces and points of tension among these great traditions. This course fulfills Theology Department distribution requirements. Enrollment is limited to twenty students. 1 credit in the fall long term, one hour reading group, and 2 credits in the fall short term.
Fall Short Term, 2009–2010; Ms. Charry
EC/TH3300 - Introduction to Missional Theology
Survey of the contemporary discussion of the church’s mission, emphasizing the biblical foundation and formation of mission, the historical development of mission theology, and the ecumenical missiological debate in the twentieth century. Particular attention is given to the issues of globalization, contextualization, and the “end of Western Christendom.” The implications of missional theology for both the theory and practice of ministry are considered. This course fulfills the mission, ecumenics, history of religions, or sociology of religionhistory distribution requirement and Theology Department distribution requirements. 3 credits.
Fall Long Term, 2009–2010; Mr. Guder
TH33111 - Doctrine of God
This course is a study of the mystery and self-revelation of God; the tension between the biblical understanding of God and classical philosophical conceptions; the attributes of God; the doctrine of the Trinity; and the inseparability of knowledge of God and knowledge of ourselves. Qualifies as doctrine/theologian course. Prerequisite: TH2100. 3 credits.
Fall Long Term, 2010–2011; Mr. McCormack
TH3317 - The Doctrine of Election
This course is a biblical, historical, and theological investigation of one of the principle doctrines in Reformed theology. Figures to be treated include: Augustine, Thomas, Zwingli, Calvin, and Barth. Qualifies as doctrine/theologian course. This course fulfills Theology Department distribution requirements. 3 credits.
Spring Long Term, 2009–2010; Mr. McCormack
TH/HR3320cc - Judaism in Jewish and Christian Terms
Many Christians understand Judaism as Christianity depicts it. That is quite different from the way Judaism understands itself on its own terms. The chasm between these two has led to deep conflict over the centuries. History and theology have mutually shaped one another around the question of the Jews and Judaism until the proposal of the “final solution.” The course will first study Judaism as a religion in its own right and then examine the impact of Christian theology on Jewish history through the writings of Barnabas, Justin, Melito, Tertullian, John of Antioch, Augustine of Hippo, Thomas Aquinas, Martin Luther, and Karl Barth. This course fulfills Theology Department distribution requirements. This course does not fulfill any History Department distribution requirements. 3 credits.
Fall Long Term, 2009–2010; Ms. Charry
TH3323 - Sacraments and Sacramental Rites
A theological analysis of sacraments and sacramental rites both as classically understood across Christian history, beginning with scripture, among various traditions East and West, and as currently received, reinterpreted, and freshly developed by the liturgical renewal movement and feminism of the late twentieth century with special attention to materials from the PCUSA. This course fulfills Theology Department distribution requirements. 3 credits.
Spring Short Term, 2009–2010; Ms. Charry
TH3325 - Theology of the Lord’s Supper
An effort at an ecumenical reformulation of existing traditions. After an intensive examination of Aquinas, Luther, and Calvin, contemporary representatives of the Roman Catholic, Lutheran, and Reformed traditions will be discussed. Special attention will be given to the historically divisive questions of the real presence of Christ and the eucharistic sacrifice. Qualifies as doctrine/theologian course. This course fulfills Theology Department distribution requirements. Prerequisite: TH2100. Pass/Fail. 3 credits.
Fall Short Term, 2010–2011; Mr. Hunsinger
TH3331 - Spiritual Theology
Trust in a division between Christian doctrine and Christian spirituality is artificial from an historical perspective. The course will mine the following Christian classics for their doctrinal and spiritual teachings: Gregory of Nyssa’s Life of Moses, Bernard’s treatises and sermons, Catherine of Siena’s Dialogue, and Teresa of Avila’s Interior Castle. 3 credits.
Spring Short Term, 2010-2011; Ms. Charry
TH3379cr - Cultural Hermeneutics — Ideology, Text, and Power (Video-conference course with Union/PSCE with students at each site.)
An exploration into how the cultural backgrounds and perspectives of text interpreters influence their conclusions regarding theology. The ideology of traditional “Eurocentric” theological scholarship will be considered alongside an analysis of interpretations rendered by more “marginalized” theological readings. Particular emphasis will be placed upon the interpretative procedures utilized by U.S. Latinos/as and Hispanics, Asian Americans, African Americans, and womanist and feminist thinkers. Perspectives considered also include those of Nicaraguan peasants, Negro slaves, the disabled, preachers in the contemporary Black church, and theologies emergent from LGBTIQ communities. Special consideration given to ways in which students may utilize results from these analyses to broaden their own interpretative horizons. This course fulfills the general requirement for a course on Christian responsibility in the public realm. This course fulfills Theology Department distribution requirements. Prerequisite: TH2100 or TH221. 3 credits.
Fall Long Term, 2009–2010; Mr. Taylor and Mr. Blount
NT/TH3368is - Paul and Karl
An examination of Karl Barth’s monumental Epistle to the Romans in light of recent studies of the theology of Paul. Special attention will be given to the following topics: the apocalyptic character of Romans, the righteousness of God, human and divine agency, the faith of Jesus Christ, and the calling of Israel. This course fulfills the “close reading of the text” requirement. This course fulfills Theology Department distribution requirements. Prerequisites: courses NT101, NT2101 and either TH221 or TH2100. 3 credits.
Fall Long Term, 2010–2011; Ms. Gaventa and Mr. McCormack
TH3401 - Readings in the Theology of St. Thomas Aquinas
This class will read central sections from Aquinas’s writings, especially but not exclusively the Summa Theologiae, with the goal of grasping the central themes and emphases of his theology. Particular texts may vary from one offering of the course to another. Qualifies as doctrine/theologian course. This course fulfills Theology Department distribution requirements. 3 credits.
Fall Short Term, 2010–2011; Ms. Charry
TH3403 - St. Augustine of Hippo’s Doctrine of God
We will focus on St. Augustine’s great work on the Trinity. Slow, deep reading will introduce students to his thought on the doctrine of God and to his theology more broadly. Reading current contestation of his teaching will bridge the distance between his original work and its contemporary reception. Qualifies as doctrine/theologian course. This course fulfills Theology Department distribution requirements. 3 credits.
Fall Long Term, 2010–2011; Ms. Charry
TH/ET3426cr - Reinhold Niebuhr and Martin Luther King Jr.
This course is a critical analysis of two of the most influential American Christian voices in the twentieth century, with particular emphasis on their theological background, their understanding of the relation of theology and culture, and their methodological importance for ethical thought and practice in our day. Topics to be explored include Niebuhr’s influence on King; King’s place in American theology and ethics; the relationship of each man to the Social Gospel movement; the place of race, gender, and politics in their work; and their continuing influence on progressive religious thought today. Qualifies as doctrine/theologian course. This course fulfills Theology Department distribution requirements. 3 credits.
Fall Long Term, 2010–2011; Mr. Johnson
TH3428 - The Theology of John Wesley
This course is a historical and theological study of the theology of John Wesley as it emerged in sermons and occasional treatises. The course will conclude with reflection on the current state of Wesley studies. Qualifies as doctrine/theologian course. This course fulfills Theology Department distribution requirements. 3 credits.
Fall Short Term, 2010–2011; Mr. McCormack
TH3435 - Jonathan Edwards
A study of Edwards’s thought with particular attention to his restatement of the Reformed perspective in the context of his own age. The central focus will be on his idea of “faith” as a “sense of the heart” and his conception of God and the world, of Christ and the Christian life, as essentially relational, dynamic, and beautiful. The contemporary usefulness of Edwards’s theology. Qualifies as doctrine/theologian course. This course fulfills Theology Department distribution requirements. Prerequisite: TH222 or TH2100. 3 credits.
Fall Long Term, 2010–2011; Mr. Lee
TH3436 - The Theology of Friedrich Schleiermacher
A study of the thought of the so-called “father of modern theology” through close consideration of the leading themes of his magnum opus, The Christian Faith. Attention will also be given to the Speeches on Religion and the Celebration of Christmas (among other writings). Qualifies as doctrine/theologian course. This course fulfills Theology Department distribution requirements.3 credits.
Fall Long Term, 2009–2010; Mr. McCormack
NT/TH3438is - Missional Hermeneutics and the Formation of the Church: 1 Peter as a Test Case
A cross-disciplinary investigation of the scriptural formation of the missional congregation as exemplified in 1 Peter. Working with exegetical and theological methods, we will examine the contextualization of the gospel in first-century Asia Minor, asking how this letter shapes the community for witness. The implications of this investigation for an understanding of biblical authority and interpretation, for ecclesiology, and for exegetical discipline will be explored. Fulfills major doctrine/theologian requirement. This course fulfills the “close reading of the text” requirement. Prerequisites: NT101 or NT2101, NT152, NT4S or NT1152, and TH222 or TH2100. 3 credits.
Spring Short Term, 2009–2010, Mr. Wagner and Mr. Guder
TH3444 - The Liberation Theology of Gustavo Gutiérrez
A critical examination of the doctrinal structure of Gutiérrez’s theology of liberation. Special attention also given to theology’s relation to ecclesial, economic, cultural, and political dynamics in Latin America, especially as bearing upon the struggle of indigenous peoples in the Americas. Qualifies as a doctrine/theologian course. This course fulfills Theology Department distribution requirements. Prerequisite: course TH221 or TH2200.
Spring Long Term, 2010–2011; Mr. Taylor
TH3451 - Modern Christology
The course explores various ways in which Christ and salvation have been defined in modern theology. Special attention is devoted to Kant, Schleiermacher, and Barth. A new typology is explained to understand differing views of how Christ is related to his saving work. Special attention is devoted to the question of Christ’s atoning sacrifice. Qualifies as doctrine/theologian course. This course fulfills Theology Department distribution requirements. 3 credits.
Fall Long Term, 2010–2011; Mr. Hunsinger
TH3464 - “Created in the Image of God”
The complex historical development of the doctrine of the imago Dei in Christian theology, and its relationship to contemporary scientific research on human uniqueness, personhood, and the emergence of consciousness. Crucial question: how does theology respond to direct scientific challenges to revise its notion of the imago Dei? How can theology protect the deepest intentions of the image of God and also accommodate our close ties to the animal world? Qualifies as a doctrine/theologian course. This course fulfills Theology Department distribution requirements. Prerequisite: TH221 or TH2100. 3 credits.
Fall Long Term, 2009–2010; Mr. van Huyssteen
TH3466cr - Feminist and Womanist Theology
Examination of doctrines (e.g. God, Christ, Holy Spirit) from feminist and womanist perspectives. The course will use theological and literary texts to examine theology in relation to the American religious history of women’s movements in diverse communities. Special attention given to issues of slavery and women’s empowerment, constructions of gender, sexuality, and body-image, re-imagining belief in historical and cultural contexts. Qualifies as a doctrine/theologian course. This course fulfills the general requirement for a course on Christian responsibility in the public realm. This course fulfills Theology Department distribution requirements. Prerequisites: TH221 or TH2100 and CH101. 3 credits.
Fall Long Term, 2010–2011; Ms. Pierce and Mr. Taylor
TH3475 - The Theology of Paul Tillich
A concentration on Tillich’s system as a whole through reading of his systematic theology, focusing on his theology of culture, the religious dimension, Being, and Christ as New Being. Tillich’s system will be viewed also in light of his sermons and essays about concrete issues and situations. Qualifies as a doctrine/theologian course. This course fulfills Theology Department distribution requirements. Prerequisite: course TH221 or TH2100. 3 credits.
Spring Long Term, 2009–2010; Mr. Taylor
TH3478 - Providence and Evil
The meaning of God’s providence in history, especially as it bears on the problem of evil and suffering. This question will be explored in dialogue with such figures as Calvin, Edwards, Moltmann, Gilkey, and David Griffin. Qualifies as a doctrine/theologian course. This course fulfills Theology Department distribution requirements. Prerequisite: course TH221 or TH2100. 3 credits.
Spring Long Term, 2009–2010; Mr. Lee
ET/TH3480cr - The Theology and Ethics of James Cone
This course will examine in chronological order the major works of James Cone. In addition to examining the intersection of theology and ethics in Cone’s work, we will examine issues regarding race and racism in the U.S. in part by watching the documentary series Eyes on the Prize. This course fulfills the philosophy or ethics distribution requirement. Qualifies as doctrine/theologian course. 3 credits.
Fall Long Term, 2010–2011; Ms. Duff
TH3486cr - Toward a Theology of Nonviolence
Historical examples of nonviolent practices by the church will be related to the question of their theological grounding. Special attention to questions of enemy-love, mercy, justice, and the theology of the cross. Figures like Andre Trocme, Martin Luther King Jr., and Marietta Jaeger will be considered in light of theologians like Karl Barth, John Howard Yoder, and the Niebuhrs. The possibility and limits of the just war theory. Qualifies as a doctrine/theologian course. This course fulfills the general requirement for a course on Christian responsibility in the public realm. This course fulfills Theology Department distribution requirements. Pass/Fail. Prerequisite: TH222 or TH2100. 3 credits.
Fall Short Term, 2009–2010; Mr. Hunsinger
TH3489 - Justification by Faith Alone
This course will focus on the recent Joint Declaration signed by Roman Catholic and Lutheran Churches. To what extent are historic differences overcome in the Joint Declaration and to what extent are questions still unresolved? Readings will be drawn from recent New Testament scholarship, Luther, Trent, and contemporary Catholic and Protestant theologians, especially Otto Hermann Pesch and Karl Barth. Qualifies as a doctrine/theologian course. This course fulfills Theology Department distribution requirements. Prerequisite: course TH221 or TH2100. 3 credits.
Spring Long Term, 2010–2011; Mr. Hunsinger
TH3510cr - Issues in Asian American Theology and Ministry
Biblical and theological reflections on the meaning of the gospel and Christian discipleship in the context of Asian American experience. Discussion of issues emerging out of the newly developing English-speaking Asian American ministries. This course fulfills the general requirement for a course on Christian responsibility in the public realm. This course fulfills the Theology Department distribution requirement. 3 credits.
Fall Long Term, 2009–2010; Mr. Lee
TH3512is - Charles Darwin and Theology
This course will explore the prominent place of the theory of evolution in current theology and science debates, and will focus on the special challenge of neo-Darwinism to religion in general, and to faith in God in particular. An analysis of Charles Darwin’s life and work will be followed by a study of some of the classical problems his celebrated theory of evolution by natural selection has caused for Christian believers. A special focus will be the critical comparison of contemporary ultra-Darwinism to attempts by some Christian theologians to respond more positively to the neo-Darwinian challenge, finally culminating in the question: how has the evolution of the human mind shaped our abilities to have knowledge of the world, and knowledge of God, faith, and religious experience? This course fulfills Theology Department distribution requirements. 3 credits
Spring Long Term, 2010–2011; Mr. van Huyssteen
TH3583cr - Critical Race Theory as Theological Challenge
A study of new theories of racism and white supremacism, as a challenge to constructive and systematic theologies. Readings focus on theorists of “race” and racism, with special attention to the U.S. contexts of “white studies” and issues in Asian American, African American, and Latina(o) studies. Theological readings concentrate on contemporary theologians explicitly addressing issues in U.S. ethnicity and white racism. This course fulfills the general requirement for a course on Christian responsibility in the public realm. This course fulfills Theology Department distribution requirements. 3 credits.
Spring Long Term, 2009–2010; Mr. Taylor
TH5200 - Paradigms and Progress in Theology
The special focus of this course is on the role of worldviews and paradigms in theological reflection. Theology as a reasoning strategy in its own right will be compared to other modes of reflection, and this will lead to the important question: is it possible to talk about “progress” in theological reflection like we do in science? Is one way of doing theology “better” than another? This analysis will take place against the background of the broader problem of the growth of human knowledge, and the role of problem-solving in theology. As a case study, examples of very diverse contemporary North American theologies will be critically compared as to the question, what is good theology? This course fulfills Theology Department distribution requirements. 3 credits.
Fall Long Term, 2009–2010; Mr. van Huyssteen
TH5315 - Holy Scripture and Modern Criticism
The course will address the question of how to think about the authority of holy scripture in light of modern biblical criticism. How might modern criticism enhance our understanding of biblical authority, and how might biblical authority embrace modern criticism responsibly while also transcending it? Authors to be considered include D.F. Strauss, Gerhard Von Rad, Rudolf Bultmann, Raymond E. Brown, Gerhard Ebeling, and Karl Barth. This course fulfills Theology Department distribution requirements. 3 credits.
Spring Long Term, 2009–2010; Mr. Hunsinger
TH5330 - Reformed and Lutheran Confessional Theology
An examination of the development of Reformed theology in the sixteenth century as evidenced in confessional statements, culminating with the Harmonia confessionum of 1581. Problems to be considered include the authority of confessions in the Reformed tradition, unity and diversity in early Reformed theology, and the distinctiveness of Reformed theology as seen through a careful comparison with the documents found in the Lutheran Book of Concord. This course fulfills Theology Department distribution requirements. 3 credits.
Spring Short Term, 2009–2010; Mr. McCormack
TH5418 - Roots of Theological Anthropology
Current debates in evolutionary biology, primatology, and paleoanthropology are dominated by arguments that claim that the origins of human spirituality, morality, and cognition directly relate to the evolution of human sexuality and primordial language. This places the roots of human consciousness on a direct continuum with proto-moral and ritual behavior in social animals, thus raising the question whether religious awareness and moral decision-making have been selected for in the course of evolution. This course takes an interdisciplinary approach to these questions and will evaluate theologically what it means to be human, what it means to talk about the evolution of religion, and how theological anthropology is enriched when it takes seriously the evolution of human sexuality and our moral, aesthetic, and religious dispositions. This course fulfills Theology Department distribution requirements. 3 credits.
Spring Long Term, 2010–2011; Mr. van Huyssteen
TH5450 - Christianity’s Cultured Critics
A consideration of modern challenges to Christian thought. Selected critics from outside the church (e.g. Feuerbach, Nietzsche, Freud) and inside (e.g. Kierkegaard, Barth, feminists) are included, together with classic Jewish and Islamic critiques. Famous responses are taken up (e.g. Schleiermacher’s On Religion: Speeches to its Cultured Despisers), and special attention is given to criticism within the American cultural context. The course addresses three things church leaders need to be thinking about these days: responding to theological criticisms lingering in the minds of unchurched and churched alike; respecting the interplay between consensus and conscience at work within any human community; and, in a time of increasing conflict among the religions of Abraham, gaining awareness of theological dimensions of those differences. This course fulfills Theology Department distribution requirements. 3 credits.
Fall Short Term, 2010–2011; Mr. Johnson
EF/TH5456is - Forgiveness and Reconciliation
Forgiveness and reconciliation are central both to a theological understanding of God and to Christian life. This course explores different dimensions of these themes as they relate to Jesus’ ministry, death, and resurrection; examines what they entail in liturgical and communal contexts; and also considers some moral and political issues concerning (for example) the relationship between forgiveness and accountability, forgiveness and memory. Readings are drawn from historical theology, as well as literature, psychology, film, and the contemporary scene. This course fulfills the education and formation requirement but does not fulfill Theology Department distribution requirement. 3 credits.
Spring Long Term, 2009–2010; Ms. B. Lee
TH5465 - Reformed Dogmatics
This course focuses on doctrinal themes in Reformed theology from the Reformation and post-Reformation periods. The readings vary from year to year. The focus for May 2011 will be on the Heidelberg Catechism. The writings of Ursinus and Olevanius will be examined along with recent theological and historical discussions. Qualifies as doctrine/theologian course. This course fulfills Theology Department distribution requirements. 3 credits.
Spring Long Term, 2010–2011; Mr. Hunsinger
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