Biblical Courses for the 2010 Winter Session

Introduction to Old Testament literature and history, with emphasis on application within the church. Readings, written assignments and final paper or exam.

Introduction to the major methods and issues in the interpretation of the Gospels: the world of the New Testament; the composition, structure and theologies of the Gospels; traditions behind the Gospels; the Jesus of History and the Christ of Faith. Weekly lectures and tutorials; assigned papers and exam. Compulsory one-hour tutorial (time to be arranged).

Introduction to the literary structure, rhetorical argument, and certain social issues from Romans to Revelation. Emphasis is placed on acquiring familiarity with the texts and ability to converse critically about the particular problems that these texts both seek to solve and have created. Weekly readings, small group discussion, short papers.

Introduction to ancient Greek grammar for the sake of reading the New Testament. The focus will be on the continuation of the basic aspects of grammar and syntax together with selected readings from the New Testament. Weekly class participation, biweekly quizzes, final exam. Prerequisite: EMB1511HF.

Basic elements of biblical Hebrew grammar, syntax and vocabulary. Translate and analyse selected Hebrew passages from the Old Testament. Attendance, assignments, quizzes, mid-term and final exam. Text: C.L. Seow, A Grammar for Biblical Hebrew, revised edition. Prerequisite: EMB 2013 H OR permission of instructor.

An interactive investigation of the biblical Book of Psalms, with special emphasis on how the Psalms have been, and can be, applied to the devotional life of a Christian. The course will consider the psalms in their historical and canonical context. It will consider also the role of the Psalms in the devotional life of the canonical King David, Jesus Christ, the Apostles, and selected Christian men (incl. Martin Luther) and women throughout the ages. Particular attention will be given to the issue of how best in light of contemporary scholarship to apply the Psalms faithfully and reasonably to the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Quizzes, rhetorical study, reading summaries, and discussion.

Luke's themes of universality and of Christ as savior of the disadvantaged demonstrate God's openness in Christianity to everyone and form the core of Luke's personal portrayal of God's saving action in history and in the world. According to Luke, disciples and "eye-witnesses" of Jesus of Nazareth are characterized by their receptivity towards God's saving activity and their responses and reactions of joy, wonder, praise and blessing to that activity. Special attention will be paid to Luke's presentation of Jesus' proclamation of a liberation which is not limited by ethnic, national, economic or gender concerns. This course will consider Luke's Gospel as a blueprint for contemporary ministry. Weekly assignments, final paper, class preparation and participation. Prerequisite: TSB 1501 (or equivalent).

A survey of the Pauline literature from the Thessalonian correspondence to the Pastoral Letters. A critical study of primary and secondary sources for understanding Paul's life and ministry, followed by a detailed exegesis of selected texts. Key concepts in 'Pauline theology'. Prerequisite: An introductory course in New Testament. Requirements: Lectures, discussion, essay, exam.

This course is an introduction to the Qur'an and will focus on how scholars have read its relationship to the Bible. It will familiarize students with the hallmarks of both traditional and western scholarships, covering topics such as the collection of the Qur'an, intertextuality, and Jesus in the Qur'an. Medieval and modern approaches to the Qur'an's "Biblical" material will also be examined. Students will learn the difference between author- and reader-oriented approaches, influence theory and intertextuality, and how different presuppositions can impact how the relationship between the texts is read. Focused study sessions will allow students to explore short primary texts in translation. Knowledge of Arabic and Hebrew, though helpful to the individual student, is neither expected nor required. Lectures; mid-term test, papers.

In-depth study of these 8th century BCE prophets and the books attributed to them. Emphasis will be given to their historical context, theological insights, concern for social justice, etc., with attention to the texts' application to contemporary pastoral situations. Lectures and discussions. Participation, presentation, short application/homiletic paper, research paper. Prerequisite: SMB1007 or equivalent.

In this course we will analyze the various forms of miracle stories in the gospels and study their meaning at different levels of early Christian tradition. Theological and pastoral implications arising from criticism will be considered.

Analysis of the Gospel of Matthew with a view to understanding the author's theology in the light of his reporting and interpretation for the Matthean community. Assigned readings, scholarly paper, exam.

This course addresses the question of the uniqueness of the religious experiences and practices of the Old and New Testaments. The insights of anthropology, archeology, and the history of religions approach reveal that the experience of both testaments shared much with the peoples of the ancient Mediterranean. This course will survey the ways in which the sacred and the holy were perceived, experienced, and interpreted and their influence on both testaments. Readings, lectures, and discussions. Two short essays and one longer final essay of 10 pages (25 for AD students) comprise the written portion of the course. AD students will have additional readings and a meeting with the instructor.

Throughout the course we read Deuteronomy in light of the covenant formulary as a key to unfolding the synthesis of covenant theology represented in the entire book. The methods we apply to the text are textual analysis (Hebrew), literary analysis (Structure), and comparative literary analysis of the relationship between Deuteronomy and the Vassal Treaty Formulary, the Laws of Hammurabi, the law codes of Exodus and Leviticus, and the Abrahamic/Davidic covenantal grants. The aim of the course is to provide AD students a basis for appreciating the complexity and richness of covenantal theology through the detailed textual and literary analysis of Deuteronomy. Prerequisities: One year of Hebrew and one year of Greek.

Examination of the history of parables interpretation from the nineteenth century to the present, including major interpreters such as Jolicher, Dodd, Jeremias, Perrin, Via, Scott, Herzog, Funk, and Linnemann. Exegesis of selected parables, using redaction criticism, narrative, and social scientific approaches. Participation and major paper. Cross-listed as RLG3249H.

An exploration of biblical textuality, its reconstruction in the form of western knowledge/power, and its role in the formation of existential meaning, through a guided reading of phenomenology, poststructuralism, feminist criticism, and postcolonial criticism. Seminar. 4 exploration papers, class participation.

The undisputed centre-piece of Graeco-roman literature in the third century BCE is the Greek Pentateuch, or 'Septuagint" (LXX). The LXX became the de facto liturgical text of countless synagogues and early churches. As the basis forearly Christian liturgy, devotion, theology, and propaganda, the Septuagint emerged as the most significant body of literature in late antiquity. This course will focus on the translation of selections from the Septuagint, providing students with the opportunity: 1) to improve their Greek reading ability; 2) to analyze the Septuagintal texts grammatically and syntactically; 3) to examine the characteristics and style of Jewish translational Greek; 4) to study the nature and degree of linguistic interference from the source language through a comparison of the Greek text with the Hebrew original. Seminar. 3 tests, class participation. Prerequisite: at least 1 year of Greek (or equivalent) and 1 year of Hebrew.

An examination of Matthew's Gospel from the perspective of narrative criticism. Attention will be given to the story itself, the manner in which the story is narrated, and the role of the reader in producing meaning. Written preparation for three seminar discussions, final paper.

An investigation of Paul's understanding of "salvation" - including the nature of human experience; sin; the law; the work of Christ; Christian life in church and world; Israel and the Gentiles - with special attention to current reappraisals of Paul's thought and emphasis on salvation as liberation (from the "power" of sin to the new solidarity of life "in Christ"). Three short resumes, final paper.

The Bible has been used to support all kinds of perspectives with varying degrees of responsibility. This course looks at the  use of the Bible in theological arguments. It will examine how the  Bible is APPLIED in conciliar and other church documents, as well as in  statements by ecumenical groups, sermons, and film. Some attention will be given to the variety of interpretive  methods in the history of the Church, but the main focus is the use (and abuse) of the Bible in contemporary theological argumentation. Topics include, e.g., Eucharistic debates, Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ, the role of women in the Church, and responses to war. Drawing on the rich variety of contemporary hermeneutical options, the  course aims to enrich students' exegetical skills and critical ability when making theological arguments and using church documents. The course is team-taught by a Lutheran professor of New Testament and a Catholic professor of theology. Lectures, discussions, short papers, final take-home exam.

A practical, interactive introduction to the particularities of Christian preaching from the Old Testament. Especial emphasis will be placed on biblical exegesis, hermeneutics, and preaching with sensitivity to the varied forms of OT literature - narrative, saga, law, prophetic oracles, wisdom material, etc. Students will exegete passages, prepare sermons (preaching twice in class), learn new skills and ideas and interact with the sermons of others, both peers and role models. Assignments, participation, term project. Cross-listed to Biblical.