Course Timetable for Monday: Winter of 2013

Mystery of the Triune God with its Biblical sources and Patristic development, and an examination of the development of the understanding of the Immanent Trinity, with attention paid to particular issues, e.g. Filioque, notion of 'Person'. Also stressed is the development of a Trinitarian spirituality with some attention to the mystics. Lectures, mid-term test, end of term test.

This course explores foundational philosophical questions concerning justice as personal, communal and historical, and redemptive. Particular attention is given to questions regarding order in the soul and in the city, virtue and friendship, different meanings of justice, the problem of natural right, historical contingency, and cultural relativism, and the possibility of redemptive justice. Primary sources, lectures, seminar discussion, student-led discussion. Two tests, short paper.

Martin Heidegger's Being and Time proposes a holistic conception of truth that can reconnect epistemology with cultural practices and social institutions. Yet his conception seems to make personal or communal "authenticity" the key to attaining truth. This seminar develops a constructive critique of Heidegger's conception of truth by examining its internal logic and its hermeneutical role.

This course examines Christian theology and doctrine of the human being in creation and redemption. Also to be explored are concepts of human evolution, consciousness, personhood, sexuality, family, ethnicity, work, community, culture, memory, faithful living as imitation of Christ.

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.

This course will focus on the crucial developments of the 18th century in pneumatology as a way of examining the radical innovations in pneumatology of the modern era in contrast to early- and pre-modern understandings of the Holy Spirit. In particular, the shift of interest in 18th-century to "pneumatic" religion, both among Christian and anti-Christian apologists, will be studied in the context of the Church's own specific historical challenges in this era. Readings will be drawn mainly from English and German writers in an effort to understand better the constraints of comtemporary pneumatology in contrast to the less systematic and particularistic construals of the Holy Spirit and his work in the pre-modern periods. Seminar format, with close reading of texts. Midterm exam; research paper.

This course will examine how Christians and Christian traditions have understood and justified the first “mark of the Church”, her unity.  This will include an examination of the historical constraints on such understandings.  Key writings from the early Church, Eastern Orthodoxy, Western traditions(Catholic and Protestant), and ecumenical authors will be read.  Seminar presentations and research papers required.

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

Foundational elements for pastoral care: theology of ministry, acceptance of self, relationships, grief and loss, prayer, suffering, art of listening, care with the sick and infirm at home and in institutions. Lectures, discussion, case study, reflection paper, oral exam.

An exploration of religious experience in various Hindu traditions, within the context of an overview of relevant beliefs and practices. Lecture, discussion, exam and critical reflection papers.

Explores the transformative dynamics of grace in Scripture, representative early theologians, early doctrinal development, medieval theology and the Reformation period. Participants develop a contemporary systematic approach, especially with respect to ecumenical and interfaith issues. Draws on the thought of Bernard Lonergan. Written assignments, readings, discussion.

This course deals with the many intersections of music and worship within a Christian context, and more specifically, within a Presbyterian worship service.

Urban congregations exist within a community where all land uses are coordinated through official plans to ensure the future provision for all land uses, infrastructure and services for the community. Urban parish leadership must know how to engage both these documents and the political processes that shape the urban form and are the context for all urban ministry. This course will examine and explain the political, physical and social context of an urban parish church ministry and the processes and polity of their urban community. Extensive use will be made of examples, and the class will have the opportunity to meet and interview experienced professionals and politicians in the local political and planning scene. The course will include at least one major case study, involving field work, of an existing urban congregation with a report to be prepared outlining opportunities and challenges for the congregation. The course will use lectures, case studies, interviews, site visits and seminars. Participants will be evaluated through their class participation, a documented case study and a final examination. 

Central ideas in the Kierkegaard corpus and their relevance to contemporary theological and philosophical concerns. Introductory lecture, seminar discussion of readings, discussions, one major term paper.

This course will explore a broad understanding of teaching in the church which not only incorporates a wide variety of methods and practices but grapples with the relationship between knowledge and character formation.  We will engage with the place and role of continuing education (catechesis) primarily for adults in the context of the life, witness and mission of the local church community.  This discussion will be framed within the context of what it means to be human and how God’s self- revelation shapes and forms us in the church.  The course will include lectures, class interaction and class presentations.  Evaluation will be based on class participation, readings, a written assessment of a local church community, a final written assignment.

Introduction to the teachings of the Christian Church and theological understanding concerning eschatology both as it has developed in the tradition and in the renewed interest it has gained from some of the significant theologians of the 20th C. Topics include: philosophical foundations, eschatology in the OT and NT, immortality and resurrection, theology of death and afterlife, individual and communal judgement, parousia, apocalyptic, political eschatology. Short paper, book review, final exam, class participation.

The realities of human sexuality, marriage and family from a Christian perspective. Topics to be considered include: sexuality in the context of the person, marriage as sacrament, marriage permanence, marriage as procreative, marital fidelity, and homosexuality. Two short papers and seminar presentation.

This course promotes the personal critical appropriation of the Scriptural and dogmatic tradition in Christology, whether in preparation for the M.Div. comprehensive exam, or as a solid foundation in Christology for other students. It helps the student preparing for ministry to bring a systematic understanding of the person and work of Jesus the Christ to bear on pastoral issues and exposes the student to the spiritual dimension of Christological teaching. Lectures and seminars. Assignments for 3243: exegetical paper, oral interview, 2 learning reports, take home final exam. Assignments for 6243: 2 mid-length papers, participation in 3 seminars outside of class time.

Since Vatican II Catholic Christians have been encouraged to establish and sustain friendly and fruitful relationships with Jews. This course explores some major issues affecting the Christian-Jewish dialogue. They include anti-Judaism and the New Testament; Church Fathers; Christian persecution of Jews; theological issues such as the unity of God, anthropology, the Messiah, Torah; covenant theories; theological significance of Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; Jewish views on Jesus Christ and Christianity; Christian approaches to Judaism; official Roman Catholic-Jewish Dialogue. Method: required readings, lectures, seminars. Evaluation: participation, seminar leadership, short assignment, research paper.

Study of theory and practice of spiritual direction, and of depth psychological, humanistic, and cognitive behavioural therapeutic practice. Emphasis on Christian tradition. Lectures, discussion, selected readings, paper.

Elements of theological reflection, with emphasis on theological method. Revelation, faith, scripture, liturgy, tradition, dogma, magisterium, the theologian, infallibility, and historicity. Lectures, discussions, short papers, final exam.

This course will provide students with an understanding of leadership in the context of a missional church. It will present and examine characteristics of the missional identity combined with reflection and exploration of its implications for leadership. Students will be exposed to the skills required of effective leaders in a post-modern, post-Christendom context. Students will be asked to read extensively, to engage a congregational and leader analysis, and to articulate an understanding of leadership in the contemporary parish. This course will combine lectures, discussions, congregational analysis, and in-class presentations.

Exploration of Amerindian and French interface, baroque spirituality, arrival of the Irish and Scots, ultramontane spirituality, Confederation and Catholic education, messianic language groups, Canadians cope with the Depression, church unity and the CCCB, the Asbestos Strike, Quiet Revolution, Vatican II, women, and Aboriginal People. Presentation, paper, and open exam.