Introduction to modern historical criticism of the Old Testament, with special attention given to the formation of scripture from ancient traditions and its implications for history of Jewish and Christian interpretation. Short papers and a final exam.

The Wisdom Tradition in Israel faced the paradox of maintaining God's mercy and justice in the light of Israel's failures and suffering. The Book of Job is an eloquent expression of Israel's grappling with the issues behind theodicy. The course begins with an exploration of Israel's Wisdom Tradition in relation to the Ancient Near East, prophecy and cult in order to set a context for reading and interpreting the book in its entirety. The literary features and structure of the work provide a methodological lense for appreciating how the Wisdom Tradition in the Book of Job dealt with suffering, ethics, beauty and love. (Lectures, discussion, major paper; and for AD students, reading selected texts in Hebrew).

A significant reappraisal of Paul's theology is currently underway, involving not only particular aspects (e.g. justification by faith, atonement) and overall structure, but also the more basic question of how we might speak of Paul as a theological thinker. This course will study major theological themes in Paul's letters - including the nature of human existence; sin; the law; the death and resurrection of Christ; life "in Christ"; Israel and the Gentiles - with special emphasis on salvation as liberation (from "the powers" to the new solidarity of life "in Christ").Three short resumes, final paper.

This course is designed to expose students to the breadth and depth of homiletics and offer a range of preaching opportunities and challenges of the sort that might be experienced in serving a church throughout the year. In addition to allowing students to pursue their own interests, the course will explore preaching the church year, preaching on special holidays or occasions like funerals and weddings, key doctrines, social justice and diversity in preaching, culture and the preacher, various sermon forms, topics, social locations and homiletical theories. The course will consist of seminars, small groups, lectures, two sermons, a journal of reflections on the readings and peer evaluations, a major essay. Evaluation: 20% each sermon; 20% , journal; 40% essay.

The Wisdom Tradition in Israel faced the paradox of maintaining God's mercy and justice in the light of Israel's failures and suffering. The Book of Job is an eloquent expression of Israel's grappling with the issues behind theodicy. The course begins with an exploration of Israel's Wisdom Tradition in relation to the Ancient Near East, prophecy and cult in order to set a context for reading and interpreting the book in its entirety. The literary features and structure of the work provide a methodological lense for appreciating how the Wisdom Tradition in the Book of Job dealt with suffering, ethics, beauty and love. (Lectures, discussion, major paper; and for AD students, reading selected texts in Hebrew).

Personal wellness builds and replenishes the inner resources that sustain our efforts to care for others. This course is designed to assist students to recognize, understand and practice the kind of holistic personal wellness that is essential to effective ordained or lay ministry. The course is process oriented and supported by readings and written self-reflection assignments. Completion of assignments, regular attendance and participation in class discussions are all mandatory components of this pass/fail course.

The course has two aims: first, to familiarize you with the context and the content of the four canonical Gospels, including information related to the production and subsequent transmission of these writings; and second, to introduce you to the role that different analytical methodologies or conscious "reading strategies" play in the interpretation of these texts. The course will cover redaction, literary, textual, and ideological criticism, as well as the political and social background of the Gospels. There will be both lecture and practical application. Attention will also be given to use of the Library and the Internet for New Testament research. Short written assignments and a final exam.

A theological exploration of Church, Ministry and Sacraments from a Presbyterian perspective in dialogue with other traditions and contemporary expressions of the Christian movement. Assignment and Paper. Prerequisites: A basic introductory theology course. Knox M.Div. students need to have Ref. Theology in Dialogue.

This praxis course is requied for all MDiv, MRE, MPS and Diploma students. It combines, weekly, three hours of classroom teaching and seminar work with eight hours in a supervised contextual education site. Classroom and seminar work includes structured discussion and biblical/theological reflection on ministry practice. Intentional learning covenants in the site and in a class small group provide opportunity to connect, to challenge and to integrate theoretical learning and practice and to develop the art of giving and receiving critical feedback and evaluation. Evaluation is based on successful completion of 8 written critical reflections, 6 verbatims, class presentations and participation, self, peer and site educator evaluation reports. Evaluation: 80% attendance at classes, satisfactory onsite covenantal fulfillment, class participation and completion of all assignments is required to successfully complete this pass/fail course. Unsatisfactory assignments will be reviewed with the instructor to negotiate possible remedial work. Unsatisfactory attendance at class or at onsite placements can result in dismissal from the class. *Successful completion of Context and Ministry, EMP1601, is a pre-requisite for this course. Students must meet with the instructor by the middle of March to negotiate on appropriate learning site for the following September. Placements in social and institutional settings and rural and urban congregations are available.

An exploration of contemporary hermeneutical theories, including those of Heidegger, Gadamer, Habermas, Ricoeur and Levinas.

This course will trace the multi-faceted theme of justice as it unfolds throughout the biblical story. The way in which idolatry, economic justice, racial justice, justice for the land, food justice, justice for the stranger, justice for women, and peace and violence are interrelated will provide a biblical basis for reflecting on the issue of justice in our world today. Two short papers, one major research paper.

Theology of grace in representative Anglican theologians, including Thomas Cranmer, Richard Hooker, the Caroline Divines, the Tractarians, F.D. Maurice, Lux Mundi and William Temple. Prerequisite: introductory course in theology.

Studies the documents and teachings of Vatican II. Brief overview of the historical background to the Council and to Councils in the life of the church. Seminars guide discussions based on close readings of the 16 documents with emphasis on the historical context and ecclesiological significance of each document. Seminar presentations; participation in analysis of the documents; integration paper.

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.

Examination of resources and methods in theological work, focusing on hermeneutics as a strategic way of thinking about the role of texts and traditions in theological reflection. Emphasis on interpretation theories in conjunction with liberal, postliberal, and postmodern theological methodologies, particularly regarding issues of faith, authority, revelation, and religious pluralism. Lectures, discussions, student presentations, research paper.

This course presents the nature and purpose of the liturgical homily. It will provide instruction on the methods and skills necessary for the development of effective homilies. Emphasis will be given to the interplay between Scripture, preacher and assembly. Students will compose and deliver homilies, which will be critically discussed and evaluated by instructor and students. The first weeks of this course are presented as lecture by the professor. Once the basic textbook has been covered, students will preach a minimum of two times, before classmates (and a video camera). Each student will then have an appointment with the professor to review the homily and the evaluations of the classmates. Grading is based on the professor's evaluation of content and presentation, as well as that of the homilist's classmates.

This course introduces students to practices and theories of pastoral care with an emphasis on self awareness and pastoral practice in an intercultural context. The first half of the course will focus on systems theories - family of origin, cultures of origin and social identity. Students will explore and present their own families of origin and social identity as a means to learn the theory, consider ministry implications and develop self awareness. The second half of the course will provide hands-on opportunities to practice pastoral skills while learning theory regarding grief and loss, death and dying, ethical decision making, spiritual care, developing pastoral relationships. Lecture, discussion, small group work, mid-term paper, case studies.

Through analysis of doctrinal statements of The United Church of Canada, their historical origins and contemporary theology, this course will enable students to become acquainted with United Church theology and the processes by which it has been developed, and to articulate their own faith in relation to their own experience, the faith of the church, and the practice of ministry in the context of challenges of today. Students will participate in the process by which "Christians of each new generation are called to state [the faith of the church] afresh in terms of the thought of their own age and with the emphasis their age needs" (Preamble, A Statement of Faith, 1940). Doctrinal statements on which the course will focus include the Doctrine section of the Basis of Union (1925), A Statement of Faith I1940), and A Song of Faith (2006); theological statements from other United Church documents will also be considered. Course methods include readings, discussions, and papers, and will incorporate students' reflections on their experience and integration of theory and practice into discussions and papers. Regular attendance and participation required.

Inspiring and profound are terms often attributed to the theology of von Balthasar. Benedict XVI said of his work, "His theological reflection maintains intact, to this day, a profound timeliness and leads many to penetrate ever more into the profoundity of the mystery of faith". This course begins an exploration of his work. There is consideration of the Trilogy: Herrlichkeit, Theo-Drama and Theo-Logic; the influence of Ignatius Loyola and Adrienne von Speyr; and the place of Mary. Not a course for the faint-hearted, von Balthasar's work is at times dense and complex but the rewards are beyond price. Prerequisite: one year of theology, at least three theology courses. Lectures, student presentations, one short paper and a research paper.

Studies the documents and teachings of Vatican II. Brief overview of the historical background to the Council and to Councils in the life of the church. Seminars guide discussions based on close readings of the 16 documents with emphasis on the historical context and ecclesiological significance of each document. Seminar presentations; participation in analysis of the documents; integration paper.

An exploration of contemporary hermeneutical theories, including those of Heidegger, Gadamer, Habermas, Ricoeur and Levinas.

This course will require students to advance their singing and ensemble talents in a group rehearsal situation that is based on knowledge and its application, in order to achieve creative goals. The chorus director takes the role of lead interpreter and coach for the team. After cultivating reliable vocal production, diction, and notation reading skills, the choir will study repertoire drawn form twentieth century British and North American composers, using sacred texts. Styles will range from classical to jazz. Those registered for credit will be required to attend all rehearsals, and submit two short research papers, as well as a major book review. Students will be assessed on the faithfulness of attendance and team-interaction; on their growth in the vocal discipline; on three written assignments, and contribution to the summative exercise (final concert). TST Choir is open to all members of the community: students, faculty and staff.

Examination of contemporary theories of human growth and development, and the contribution that such theories offer to the understanding of religious development and the praxis of religious education. Particular attention is paid to the impact of post-modern culture on the possibility of faith today. Lectures, readings, seminar presentation (20%), two reflections (2 x 20%), final paper (40%).

The course offers an interdisciplinary exploration of the role of emotion in Paul's communication with early Christian communities.  We will study emotional appeals as a rhetorical strategy of the letters as well as the effects of such emotions in human beings (including their cultural construction, biological and psychological effects, role in cognition). The overarching question of the course is how to cultivate emotional intelligence in our readings of Paul's letters.  Lectures, class discussions of assigned readings, graded presentations and writing assignments.

A study of the primary texts of the Church's first five centuries from the perspective of Eastern Christians, to identify and apply the vision of God and persons forged by the early doctors of the Church. Close readings of primary texts. Research paper.

The course will look at developments in Scotland during the Reformation era. The failure of early attempts at reformation, both Lutheran and Catholic, will be discussed as will the eventual success of a model of reformation derived from Calvin's Geneva. The course will look at the evolution of this vision within Scotland and the nature of the reformed Church of Scotland. The course will continue up through the seventeenth century and will look at what scholars are beginning to see as a second reformation. Lectures, seminar discussions. Class participation; primary document study; major research essay. 

The primary goal of this course is to help us think critically and sensitively about Christian values, norms, and commitments in ways that preserve a Christian orientation while taking into account the non-Christian and pluralistic context of modern society. Such thinking will involve a dialectical process where universal principles, values, and norms will be examined with reference to the particular experiences and realities that constrain human action and interaction. The aim is not to structure a strict formalistic ethical framework but rather to canvall various ethical methodologies, religious and secular, as resources for ethical thinking and praxis. Method of Evaluation: Critical book response(s), one term paper; class participation.

This course will reflect on the nature of the social world in a way that is integrally linked with Christian faith. Challenging the view that individuals are fully independent realities, we will look at the different kinds of communities that define us: family, political society, religious community, and groups formed around other kinds of shared identities. We will look at the way in which we emerge as individuals only through these primary identifications, and at the conflicted way in whcih our individuality is an attempt to understand and even overcome them. We will also explore the tensions that arise between these various communities and the claims they make on us. The course includes readings from diverse philosophical, religious, literary, and social-scientific texts. It aims to develop an existentially and philosophically rich Christian sensitivity to the complexity of social relationships that shape us and make claims on us.