This course presents an overview of the Hebrew canon and explores the content, theological themes, and canonical shaping of selected books. Students will be introduced to the history of interpretation, including dominant critical issues relating to the Old Testament. Additional emphasis will be on interpreting this material as Scripture of the Church. Short exercises, mid-term exam, final paper.

A survey of the religious traditions of ancient Israel as they are reflected in the diverse types of literature found in the First Testament, with emphasis on their historical development and their relevance for contemporary ministry. Topics to be considered include: Israelite origins, settlement of the land, social structures, the monarchy, prophecy, the exile and return. Weekly lectures and discussion, plus mandatory one-hour tutorial; research papers, application paper, class participation.

A basic year-long introduction to biblical Hebrew. During the first semester, students cover the first half of the textbook (Pratico & van Pelt, Basics of Biblical Hebrew), learning basic grammatical and syntactical elements of Hebrew as well as a basic working vocabulary. During the second semester, students will complete the textbook and begin translating extended portions of narrative material in the Book of Judges. Workbook assignments, quizzes, class participation, final exam.

An introduction to the four Gospels in their social, historical and theological setting. We will study the Gospels within a two-dimensional framework: social history (the origin and development of Christianiaty as a distinct social entity); and literature ( the formation of the Gospels, their literary form and texture, and their character as "gospel"). Weekly lectures, compulsory tutorial (Thurs. 12-1 pm); assigned papers; final exam or integrative paper.

This course is an introduction to the four canonical Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles, as well as to exegetical method in the study of the New Testament. Weekly lectures, compulsory tutorial; assigned papers; final exam or integrative paper.

Introduction to ancient Greek grammar for the sake of reading the New Testament. The focus will be on basic aspects of ancient Greek grammar and syntax. Weekly class participation, biweekly quizzes, final exam.

Basic New Testament Greek grammar. During the first semester, students work through a large portion of the textbook, which introduces basic grammatical and syntactical elements of the language. In the second semester students complete the introductory grammar textbook, and begin reading in the Greek New Testament. Class participation, periodic tests, final exam.

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.

The purpose of this course is to provide students with the opportunity: 1) to read selections from the Greek New Testament (GNT); 2) to analyze Greek texts grammatically and syntactically; 3) to learn how to use various apparatuses of the GNT, and a variety of Greek lexica; 4) to develop their ability to understand the meaning of various texts, and to employ this understanding appropriately for preaching and teaching. Lecture, group work. 2 assignments, 3 tests, class participation. Prerequisite: Intro to NT Greek (KNB1501) or 1 year of Greek.

Seminar on the Book of Jeremiah involving detailed exegesis of selected passages with a view to using the text in the life of the Church. Seminar format. Class participation, final paper.

This intermediate level course is designed for those who have completed an introductory level course in Hellenistic Greek. In this course, you will gain practice and confidence in reading more difficult biblical texts, interpreting their grammatical and syntactical textual features. You will also continue to expand your knowledge of Greek vocabulary. Lectures and in-class translation. Evaluation: quizzes and final exam. Prerequisite: Intro to NT Greek I and II or 1 year of Greek

A study of the Gospel of Mark with attention to its claim to be a story of gospel, or good news. Particular attention to the narrative and oral features of the Gospel, to its Christology, its inner tensions, its characterizations, and the kinds of conflicts it might have been addressing in its own time. Teaching Methods: Lectures with seminar segments. Means of Evaluation: Class presentations and related paper, mid-length essay, participation.

John offers a contemplative and summary Gospel for those who have already journeyed through the earlier stages of Christian experience. This course will consider the distinctive theological and literary character of the Gospel of John with special attention to the evangelist's creative reshaping of tradition in response to the circumstances of the church at the end of the first century. The social and ecclesial situation in which the fourth gospel was written will provide the context in which to locate the theological, pastoral and rhetorical strategies used by the evangelist. Weekly assignments, final paper, class preparation and participation. Prerequisite: TSB 1501 (or equivalent).

Close reading of selected Psalms, according to these categories: a. Psalms in the OT that appear in the NT; b. key psalms within the structure of the Psalter; c. imprecatory psalms; d. popular psalms that do not appear in the NT). Reading (in translation) of the reception history of the Psalms, including the use of the Psalms in the NT, also Diodore and Theodore, Origen, Chrysostom, Theodoret, Jerome, Augustine, Aquinas, Rashi, Calvin, Luther, moderns, and selected readings in hermeneutics, including Frei’s, Eclipse of Biblical Narrative (Yale 1974); Yeago (Blackwell’s Reader on Theological Interpretation); Hays/Davis new volume on Reading Scripture; Kavin Rowe’s Pro Ecclesia essay on Trinitarian Hermeneutics; and Christine Helmer on Luther’s Theological Reading (Modern Theology essay); Bauckham on theological exegesis (modeled in his God Crucified; Didsbury. Lectures, seminar format. Class participation, major paper.   

This course will explore the development of early Christian communities. We will examine the letters of Paul using social scientific models and material evidence from the first century in order to highlight aspects of early Christian identity and community. We will consider the problems of urban experience and some of the means that Christianity offered to address them, including ritual and religious experience, mutual support, communal meals, social organizations, attitudes to suffering and the body, and ideas that helped to make life meaningful and navigable. Teaching Methods: Lectures, presentation and discussion of research projects, participation in classroom exercises. Means of Evaluation: annotated bibliography, research assignment character profile, participation.

An introduction to Paul's ethical thinking through looking at the context in which he wrote and the specific things he said. Reading ancient ethical perspectives and studying the ethical views in Paul.

'Hermeneutics' is a general term embracing a great variety of theories and methods, all concerned with interpreting the meaning of texts. Hermeneutical theories construct, in different ways, the authority of the author, the status of the reader, the nature of the textuality, and the relation of the text to the original context and the contemporary world. The purpose of this course is to provide the students with the opportunity: 1) to compare and contrast a range of hermeneutical theories; 2) to apply these theories to the interpretation of particular biblical texts, and 3) to give students the opportunity to develop and reflect on their own interpretive practice, and be able to situate this practice in relation to the range of theories and practices studied in class. Lecture and seminar. 3 journal submissions, essay, class participation. Prerequisite: Greek Exegesis

Critical and exegetical study of Hebrew text of Genesis. In addition to historical-critical issues, attention will be paid to Ancient Near Eastern parallels as well as to the book's themes, structure and theological significance. Cross-listed to RLG3142H.

A discussion of the various issues (text, stratigraphy, genre, theology, Sitz in Leben, Galilee) related to the current debater about the synoptic sayings source "Q" and its importance for our understanding of Christian origins.

Close reading of selected Psalms, according to these categories: a. Psalms in the OT that appear in the NT; b. key psalms within the structure of the Psalter; c. imprecatory psalms; d. popular psalms that do not appear in the NT). Reading (in translation) of the reception history of the Psalms, including the use of the Psalms in the NT, also Diodore and Theodore, Origen, Chrysostom, Theodoret, Jerome, Augustine, Aquinas, Rashi, Calvin, Luther, moderns, and selected readings in hermeneutics, including Frei’s, Eclipse of Biblical Narrative (Yale 1974); Yeago (Blackwell’s Reader on Theological Interpretation); Hays/Davis new volume on Reading Scripture; Kavin Rowe’s Pro Ecclesia essay on Trinitarian Hermeneutics; and Christine Helmer on Luther’s Theological Reading (Modern Theology essay); Bauckham on theological exegesis (modeled in his God Crucified; Didsbury. Lectures, seminar format. Class participation, major paper.   

Readers of Paul’s letters have long noted the diversity of the Christian communities to which he writes and the different approaches he takes towards their problems and questions. This course will study Paul’s letters from the point of his role as a pastor and theologian. Paul’s theology does not develop out of a philosophical or theological “system” but from the everyday encounters with the problems of the communities and people of different historical and social context whom he meets while preaching the gospel. Lectures. Preparation and participation in class – 10%; Book Review assignments – 70%; Final colloquium – 20%.

This textually-focused seminar course explores the multi-faceted role of creation (land, seas, animals) in the biblical story, including the character of humanity’s calling in relation to creation. The way in which idolatry and imperial powers control the land and their inhabitants as the story unfolds, and sabbath and jubilee as a faithful response to such powers, will provide a biblical basis for reflecting on our current ecological context. Participation in all seminars required; three short papers; major research paper. Off-campus site.

The purpose of this course is to bring forth the urban development of the Holy City from the 6th century BC when the repatriates from Babylon rebuilt the city and the Temple.

After the Babylonian exile, the city was reconstructed in its former limits but later extended even more. Because of the ability to follow the development of the city, one can contribute nowadays to the authenticity of the holy sites and understand what kind of city Christ saw when he came to the city.

This study is possible thanks to the scriptures and Archeology, which revealed great sections of that city that the Romans covered in the second century AD and so they disappeared. The discrepancies between the various sources describing Jerusalem will also be discussed and analyzed and so cast more light on the Gospel descriptions of the city. The scriptures are not books of history and therefore their descriptions are far from detailed and it is to us to complete the views of the city with the help of archeology and the knowledge that comes from later sources.

All this will be dealt with in the course.

An exploration of the parallel development of Biblical interpretation and Canon in the Early Church, from the first to the 4th centuries. A high point in this process was the development of systematic Christian commentaries on the Old and New Testaments. In this course students will look at excerpts from commentaries ranging from the Dead Sea Scrolls through the late 4th century and read selections from Christian authors, both orthodox and heterodox, with an eye to understanding how the boundaries and interpretation of Scripture changed over time. The systematic commentary marked a significant change in the way Christians “did” theology which provides an opportunity to explore of the meaning of exegesis in our own as well as earlier times. Lectures, reading of original sources in translation, group discussion, 1 reflection paper, research essay.