Biblical Courses for the 2013 Winter Session

This course is the second of two courses designed to introduce the student to the basics of biblical Hebrew grammar and syntax. It is intended for both those who wish to acquire Hebrew for use in ministry and for those who intend to go on to advanced academic degrees. Lecture. Evaluation will include quizzes, workbook exercises, mid-term and final exams.

A study of the Old Testament covering biblical books, their historical contexts, genres and ancient Near Eastern cultural contexts necessary for interpretation. The basics of exegetical method particular to the genres of the Old Testament will be covered. Principles of biblical interpretation will also be covered especially from a Catholic perspective. Lectures and assignments including quizzes, exams and a final paper. This course is part of the Diaconate Formation Diploma program at St. Augustine's.

This introductory course explores the thematic unity of the Old Testament under the heading of Covenantal Theology. Significant covenantal moments are studied in their historical manifestations, cultic realizations, and literary expressions (Abram, Sinai, David/Zion, Prophetic, Exile, Deuteronomic, Priestly-Noah/Abraham, Wisdom, New Testamental Period). Literary and rhetorical analysis, historical and textual criticism are employed as means of exploring the biblical texts. Lectures, readings, six study papers, group collaboration in defining two sets of some fifty technical terms each.

Exploration of the content of New Testament writings, especially the canonical gospels and Pauline corpus. Emphasis will be placed upon understanding these writings in their original socio-historical contexts, and on methods of interpretation.

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. Classtime: 11:10-13:10 and compulsory one-hour tutorial 13:10-14:10.

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, quizzes, final exam. Prerequisite: EMB1511HF.

This course will explore the Bible as the ongoing story of and for God and creation, paying special attention to the way in which God's story is intertwined with that of humanity and the world. In asking whether and in what way the Bible is also our story, we will attempt to identify which hermeneutical methods might help us discern its significance for present day life, including the academic enterprise.

A study of the Book of Genesis with a focus on exegesis for sermon preparation and on preaching/teaching. Interactive lectures, discussion of published sermons, and practice at preaching. Means of evaluation: class participation, term project, sermon exegesis and delivery. Prerequisite: Introduction to the Old Testament.

This course will examine popular understandings of End Time events and the dispensationalist interpretation that underlies them. It will also provide an overview of biblical apocalyptic texts such as Daniel, Ezekiel and Revelation to provide an understanding of what these books meant in their original context, how they have been received since, and how they might be applied to the life of the church today. Lectures and readings. Written assignments, major paper. 

An introduction to the content of a portion of the New Testament: 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 Corinthians, Galatians, Romans, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Peter, Hebrews and Revelation.  The guiding question of the course is "Who is Jesus?". Lectures, tutorials. Evaluation: participation, exegetical papers. Prerequisite: WYB1501 or equivalent.

Introduction to the gospel and letters of John concerning authorship, unity, historicity and the situation of the Johannine church. Exploration of basic themes in this tradition and what they reveal about the life of Jesus and believing in him. Exegesis of selected passages from the Gospel and 1 John. Lectures, discussions, midterm exam, paper, final exam. Prerequisite: An Introduction to New Testament course.

The course will work through Romans consecutively, doing a close reading of the Biblical text and engaging with influential scholarly literature on Paul in general and Romans in particular.  Evaluation: tutorial presentations and written work. Prerequisite: WYB1501H or equivalent.

Study of selected poetic texts with emphasis on the syntax and style of Hebrew poetry. Weekly participation, mid-term and final exams. Prerequisite: three semesters of Biblical Hebrew. N.B.: in combination with WYB3013H/EMB3014H (or equivalent) successful completion of this course as if for credit satisfies the Hebrew requirement for doctoral candidates in New Testament.

The course will focus on the translation of a variety of types of Hellenistic texts (e.g., decreess, sacred laws,  magical papyri, aretalogies, Philo, hermeneutic corpus) and on their grammatical and syntactical analysis.  Prerequisite:  a minimum of three semesters of Greek.

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.

The course will study the passion narratives of the synoptic gospels, John and the extra-canonical gospels. It will examine the question of a premarkan passion narrative, compositional theories and the influence of the Old Testament on the traditions of the passion and death of Jesus.

Relevance of comparative (especially northwest) Semitic philology and historical Hebrew grammar to the exegesis of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and to the teaching of biblical Hebrew. Weekly reading, assignments, term paper/project. NB either this course or Biblical Aramaic satisfies a program requirement for TST doctoral studies in Old Testament. Lectures, student presentations, discussions of readings. Quizzes, assignments, term project.

The course considers the various ways in which the medium of prophecy is transformed in the post-exilic period, particularly as this relates to the retrieval and extension of Isaianic traditions. The course will focus on the exilic and post-exilic editing of the book of Isaiah and the deployment of Isaiah traditions in the Dead Sea Scrolls and the New Testament.

A study of selected Jewish literature from the Second-Temple period. To provide thematic unity to our reading, we will pay particular attention to issues of Jewish self-definiton and identity within the Greco-Roman world, and to the range of Jewish attitudes toward "the Nations" and their place in Jewish frames of reference.

This course uses the book of Amos as a means of introducing the covenantal values that lay beneath Israel's approach to social justice. Through a site visit and classroom activities, students will reflect on the Church's call to social justice and the way in which this can be realised in the lives of individuals and congregations. Additional emphasis will be placed on the content and shape of the book of Amos and the task of interpreting it as Scripture of the Church. Lecture. Written assignments, site visit, and final paper. Intro to OT (KNB1006) or equivalent, plus any 2000 level Bible course, plus a year long introductory course in Hebrew.

This course will explore the Greco- Roman religious culture of the Augustan Age and its encounter with the religion of Judea and the early Christian movement. Traditional piety as well as mystery religions will be examined. Special attention will be given to the religious restoration/ renewal of Caesar Augustus and the growth of the imperial cult. Topics will include the role of religion in society and the life of the polis as well as the Roman perception of the Christian communities. Passages from the New Testament will be analyzed in light of this study. The course will consist of lectures, readings in primary and secondary literature, 2 short papers, and one final essay. AD students will meet in seminar sessions and have additional readings. Lectures, readings for RGB3501; Lectures, readings, seminar for RGB6501. Readings; 2 short papers and one final extended essay ( RGB3501). Readings, seminar discussions, presentations, research paper (25- 30 pages) for RGB6501.

 This seminar course will provide an introduction to Paul's ethical thinking in the context of the theological fabric of his thought. It will provide an opportunity to read some of the great commentators on Paul's ethics and to discuss the interrelationship between Paul's ethics and his theology. Evaluation: seminar presentations and participation and written work.

This course explores the activity of God from creation to new creation, with special emphasis on the Spirit's work in the Church. We also examine the image of God in the human person and the nature of sin. This course presupposes Systematic Theology I. Lectures, tutorials. Short papers, final exam. Tutorial 10-11 am