Master of Arts in Theology
Course Descriptions
Core Courses
TH 500 Understandings of Christian Theology
An introduction to the systematic study of the basic teachings of Christianity (systematic theology): Classical and contemporary methods of doing theology, revelation and reason, faith and order, Catholic church and the Protestant principle, the authority of scripture and the language of faith, classical doctrine in the 21st century, the Christ of faith and the Jesus of history, the ecumenical "tradition of faith" in the historical and contemporary context.
TH 510 Old Testament Interpretation: The Law and the Prophets
An introduction to the writings of the Hebrew Scriptures that comprise the Protestant Old Testament, including a survey of the Old Testament texts, the socio-religious and historical backgrounds contributing to their development, and methods of Old Testament exegesis. A major aim of the course is to lay a foundation that will enable students to become proficient interpreters of these texts. To that end, the course seeks to help students develop skills of critical investigation while also learning how to integrate these skills with an appreciation of the Old Testament as an integral part of the Christian sacred story.
TH 520 New Testament Interpretation: The Life and Message of Jesus
An introduction to the writings of the New Testament as expressions of faith and witness centering on the person and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. In addition to surveying the major features and themes of many New Testament books, the course will introduce students to the critical study of the New Testament texts. This will include a review of the scholarly discussion concerning the formation of the gospels and the New Testament Canon, as well as an examination of the socio-historical milieu of early Christianity, the particular historical context of several New Testament texts, and some of the various methodologies commonly employed in the study of the New Testament. A major aim of the course is to help students integrate skills of critical investigation with an appreciation for the New Testament as the Christian community's proclamation of God's act of salvation in Jesus of Nazareth.
TH 530 History of Christian Thought I: From the Council of Jerusalem to the Council of Constance
A study of Christian theology in its cultural and institutional context. The story of the church's self-understanding through time. Special emphasis will be given to the faith of the early church, Nicea and Chalcedon, to the rise of the Augustinian and Thomistic traditions, to monastic spirituality, and to women leaders in the early and medieval church.
TH 535 History of Christian Thought II: From the Reformation to the Modern Age
A study of Christian theology in its cultural and institutional context. (Continuation of TH 530)
Beginning with the Protestant Reformation to the 16th century, special emphasis will be given to the rise of humanism, Protestant and Catholic orthodoxy after Trent, Pietism and the missionary impulse, modern understandings of scripture and authority in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Readings, discussions, oral reports on assigned readings.
TH 540 Visions of the Realm of God: Readings in modern and contemporary theology
A study of Christian responses to major political and social developments in the twentieth century. Biblical and cultural understandings of Christian community. Redemption and sanctification as personal and social reality. Analysis and interpretation of theses and other selected Christian teachings and their relevance today. Reading, writing, and preaching theologically in the 21st century. Prerequisite: TH 500.
TH 550 Seminar in Christian Ethics
Contemporary problems and developments in personal and social Christian ethics. Law and gospel and the Christian understanding of covenant. Analysis of selected contemporary problems such as war and peace, social justice and human rights, poverty and wealth, etc. in the light of biblical understandings of sin and grace. Reading, writing, and preaching prophetically in the 21st century. Prerequisite: TH 500
TH 560 Seminar on Christian Worship
Study of the origins, theology, and practice of Christian worship. Classical and contemporary liturgies, the sacraments, rites and special services of the church as teaching and celebration. Preaching the gospel as proclamation, teaching, and hearing. Special emphasis on liturgical form and language as symbols of Christian truth. Preparation and delivery of sermons. Prerequisite: TH 500
TH 570 Seminar in Biblical Hermeneutics
The goal of this course is to help students become more knowledgeable and thoughtful interpreters of the biblical texts by leading them to critically consider various methodological approaches and perspectives and through that encounter to reflect upon and deepen their own understanding of the nature of Scripture. The specific objectives of this course are threefold. First, it will assist students in further developing their exegetical skills, building upon their work in TH 510 Interpreting the Old Testament and/or TH 520 Interpreting the New Testament. The course will also treat in more detail several hermeneutical methodologies that were only briefly covered in TH 510 and TH 520, such as liberationist, feminist and several literary approaches, and explore their manifestation of postmodern perspectives. Third, the course will examine and discuss the issues of biblical authority, inspiration and canon with the aim of enabling students to see how an interpreter's approach to the biblical texts reflects and are shaped by his or her views on these related issues. Prerequisite: TH 510 or TH 520; TH 500.
TH 695 Master's Project
The master's project is an academically rigorous project that applies a student's learning in the MAT program to a topic or activity that matches a student's vocational interests. The topic or activity is chosen in consultation with a project advisor. Students are required to submit a project proposal to the MAT faculty for approval six weeks in advance of the term for which they register for the project. Notification of approval, disapproval, or the necessity of revision will be given within two weeks. Successful completion of the project is determined by the student’s project committee, consisting of the MAT faculty and a committee member of the student's choice. Prerequisite: completion of all other course-work.
Electives
TH 654 The Life and Theology of Dietrich Bonhoeffer
An exploration of the life and witness of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the ethical and theological motifs in his writings, and is legacy for the ecumenical community of faith. Prerequisite: TH 500
TH 655 Homiletics
A general introduction to the art of preaching and the role of the sermon in congregational life. Attention will be given to the theology of preaching, and the structure, development and delivery of sermons. Prerequisite: TH 500
TH 656 Seminar on Luke-Acts
An introduction to the critical study of Luke's two-volume work, Luke-Acts. Students will utilize several interpretive methods, including historical-critical, literary, social scientific and affective-rhetorical analysis. The primary objective of the course is to enable students to become more skilled interpreters of Luke-Acts, and biblical narrative in general. The course will also invite students to reflect on how Luke's writings can continue to serve as challenging, good news for believing communities today. Prerequisite: TH 510 or TH 520
TH 657 Adventures in Scripture: Psalms, Mark and Revelation
An exploration of three major bodies of biblical writing: the Psalms, the Gospel of Mark, and Revelation. The primary objective of the course is to help students to understand better and more fully appreciate the literary artistry and theological depth of these biblical writings. Prerequisite: TH 510 or TH 520
TH 680 Special Topics
A seminar on a specific topic or problem in Christian theology selected based on student and faculty interest. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor
TH 685 Independent Study
Supervised independent study of a major theological thinker, movement or idea. Readings in primary and secondary sources and regular consultations with an instructor will result in a major research paper. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor
