Course Catalogue 2024-2025

This course covers modern approaches to the Orthodox concept of theosis, the movement of the Christian into complete life in, through, and with God, through Christ and the Holy Spirit. The course focuses in particular on the leading Orthodox spiritual personalities, movements and writings of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The writings include works of contemplation, monastic and non-monastic texts, sermons and catecheses. Classroom and online students will be evaluated on the basis of participation and presentations of texts, a review of a modern work of Orthodox spirituality, and a research essay.

This course covers modern approaches to the Orthodox concept of theosis, the movement of the Christian into complete life in, through, and with God, through Christ and the Holy Spirit. The course focuses in particular on the leading Orthodox spiritual personalities, movements and writings of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The writings include works of contemplation, monastic and non-monastic texts, sermons and catecheses. Classroom and online students will be evaluated on the basis of participation and presentations of texts, a review of a modern work of Orthodox spirituality, and a research essay.

The first matr phase of Christian theological development took place between the Ascension of Christ as the Council of Chalcedon 451 AD}. During this period, the problems of the Trinity, appropriate exegesis of scripture, Christolog~, and
salvation would be addressed in a variety of ways. In this course, we will explore the development of early Christan doctrine and theology through careful reading of key primary sources and secondary material. Emphasis will be on the
above theolo9ical questions, with special attention to the si~nificance of this theology for lived praxis among Christians at the time and 1n the present day. Key fathers and mothers o the Church will be explored alongside thinkers whose views would eventually be considered heretical. Evaluation is based on two short response papers, a research paper, and classroartlcipation.

The first matr phase of Christian theological development took place between the Ascension of Christ as the Council of Chalcedon 451 AD}. During this period, the problems of the Trinity, appropriate exegesis of scripture, Christolog~, and
salvation would be addressed in a variety of ways. In this course, we will explore the development of early Christan doctrine and theology through careful reading of key primary sources and secondary material. Emphasis will be on the
above theolo9ical questions, with special attention to the si~nificance of this theology for lived praxis among Christians at the time and 1n the present day. Key fathers and mothers o the Church will be explored alongside thinkers whose views would eventually be considered heretical. Evaluation is based on two short response papers, a research paper, and classroartlcipation.

This is a survey course in Anglican theology that will involve extensive reading. Using the lens of Scriptural interpretation as a way of approaching the sweep of Anglican theological thinking, this course will survey chronologically a broad range Anglican readers of Scripture in an attempt to gauge the development of the larger religious vision of Anglicanism over time. Beginning with Wycliffe, the course will move through a number of writers into the early 20th century, and end with some recent statements on the reading of Scripture from around the Anglican Communion.

This course will survey the role of a correctional chaplain in Canada. Consideration will be given to purposes and types of prisons, mental health and spiritual care policies and security concerns. The multi-disciplinary environment in corrections is unique and rapidly changing. Care for staff, volunteers and prisoners is investigated through a variety of methods, including direct client contact, programs, studies, and literature. Grief and loss, guilt and shame, and temptation and suffering will be explored in tandem with effective psycho-spiritual care. As rehabilitation programs within corrections are considered essential, this course will endeavor to aid the student in the development of a program from the planning stage through to completion.

This three-hour pass/fail course introduces students to the basics of what it means to have healthy self-awareness and is designed to lay the foundation for effective and ethical pastoral care practices. The primary focus is to encourage students to recognize and enjoy their gifts and strengths without ignoring the limits of those good things. It is also about seeing and accepting ownership of the sometimes laudable, sometimes questionable motivations and needs that shape our perceptions and guide our behavior. The overarching goal of this course is for each student to gain accurate self-understanding and an appreciation of the ways in which he or she is predisposed to bring him or herself as a person to interactions that require sensitivity and skill.

Because this is a pass/fail course, consistent attendance, and timely submission of course assignments are required in order to receive credit for this course. This course involves a combination of theoretical/conceptual learning as well as experiential exercises designed to assist in the acquisition of skill. The class format is comprised of discussions of readings, lectures with an emphasis on dialogue and discussion, experiential learning events, and the practice and demonstration of component skills.

This course examines the promise and perils of thinking theologically in challenging and unexpected situations. This intensive-learning experience offers an opportunity to reflect deeply on specific situations and scenarios, in contexts that range from the church, pastoral dilemmas, and in the public square. Attention will be given to different approaches to theological reflection, as well as to common challenges and misunderstandings about what it means to navigate theologically through specific situations and experiences. The class will explore together, in concrete ways, questions asked by Rowan Williams, “how, if at all, God is real for us, and how God belongs to the world we belong to?”

This class introduces the student to close reading of the New Testament in Greek. The student will read, in Greek, significant selections from Paul and the Gospels. The course will emphasize close reading and the development of exegetical skills. We will focus on theological exegesis, through an exploration of a theme that is central to both Paul and the Gospels: cruciformity. The course will also develop the student’s facility with the Greek language: we will (i) give attention to syntax and grammar, (ii) introduce more advanced elements of the Greek language as they appear in the biblical texts, and (iii) draw attention to the ways in which a thorough understanding of biblical Greek opens up the meaning of the biblical text and enriches scholarly study and pastoral ministry alike. The class is the first part of a two-part Intermediate Greek exegesis and grammar program and will prepare the student for further New Testament exegesis at an advanced level.

This class introduces the student to close reading of the New Testament in Greek. The student will read, in Greek, significant selections from Paul and the Gospels. The course will emphasize close reading and the development of exegetical skills. We will focus on theological exegesis, through an exploration of a theme that is central to both Paul and the Gospels: cruciformity. The course will also develop the student’s facility with the Greek language: we will (i) give attention to syntax and grammar, (ii) introduce more advanced elements of the Greek language as they appear in the biblical texts, and (iii) draw attention to the ways in which a thorough understanding of biblical Greek opens up the meaning of the biblical text and enriches scholarly study and pastoral ministry alike. The class is the first part of a two-part Intermediate Greek exegesis and grammar program and will prepare the student for further New Testament exegesis at an advanced level.

his course will address the issues and challenges surrounding the current pastoral care ministry in churches and explore the genuine role and function of pastoral care within the church. The course will delve into the biblical, theological, and historical foundations of pastoral care to reclaim the authentic pastoral identity that is not overly fixated on psychological theories, psychotherapeutic skills, and techniques, Students will also learn about the cure of souls in their denominational tradition to gain wisdom and inspiration from religious predecessors. The course aims to explore who provides care, whom the care is for, and how the care is given. The course will comprehensively analyze the development of pastoral care practices within the church, ranging from the Early Church to the Reformation, Modern, and Post-modern eras, in order to investigate how the church provides care, as well as to evaluate the evolution of methods and approaches employed over time. By the end of the course, students will be able to analyze and evaluate the essential characteristics of pastoral care practices from classical models to contemporary approaches. Therefore, the ultimate goal of this course is to cultivate the authentic role and function of pastoral care ministry in the church by promoting a balanced approach that integrates classical, modern, and contemporary methods while maintaining its pastoral identity, so that the church can offer sufficient care to those in need.