Online Divinity 2024-2025

This course will introduce students to the history, theology and practice of worship leading and preaching within the Reformed tradition, and will discuss the challenges of communicating the Gospel in the contemporary world.

This course will explore ancient Greek attitudes towards death and dying and explore the various ways in which it meant to be dead in Ancient Greece. This course will be interdisciplinary in approach, looking at: performative texts (ancient Greek plays and epics), visual culture (monuments, sacred sites), philosophy and science (Presocratic, Plato and Epicurus).

The course will take a firm thematic approach exploring: poetic death and the heroic, locales of the departed and cosmic death and the promise of revival.

The Philosophy of Religion investigates fundamental and longstanding questions about the nature and rationality of religious beliefs and practices. Key topics include arguments for the existence of God, the concept and attributes of God, the nature of religious language, the problem of evil, the question of miracles, and the challenges of religious pluralism. In this course we will explore such questions through close attention to classic texts within the mainstream tradition of Philosophy of Religion. The course presumes no previous philosophical knowledge, only a keen interest in thinking patiently and critically about the subject matter.

Latin 1 is an introductory, intensive course for those with little or no previous exposure to Latin. Students completing this course should have a Latin vocabulary of about 400 words and a basic understanding of Latin grammar and syntax. Students successfully completing this course will be adequately prepared to attend Latin 2. Students will very likely discover that their knowledge of English vocabulary and grammar/syntax is improved by their study of Latin. The etymological roots of many English words can be traced to the Latin language.

This course discusses the issues involved in reconstructing the history and religions of ancient Israel and Judah. It provides an overview of the history and religions of Ancient Israel and Judah, as portrayed in the Hebrew Bible, as illustrated by archaeological findings, and as understood within their larger Ancient Near Eastern context. It further teaches the students how to evaluate critically these portrayals and, as a result, how to reach independent and informed interpretations of the Biblical text

What does it mean to read the Bible responsibly? This question is vitally relevant to anyone working closely with biblical texts, whether in academic study or in the context of faith communities who consider the biblical texts to be their Scriptures. This course will bring together the theory or philosophy of biblical interpretation with the associated methods and skills. Students will learn how the way we think about biblical interpretation has changed through the modern period and will learn how to implement the critical methods associated with the various theories. As well as acquiring and refining an interpretive skill-set that will immediately benefit their own engagement with the Bible, students will be exposed to theories of interpretation that are radically different to traditional approaches. Whether or not they agree with these, the knowledge will allow them to understand why other readers of Scripture hold very different beliefs about what is “biblical”.

This course will explore the language of the ancient Greeks with the view to connecting the Classics. This course will provide an overview of classical Greek and look to draw upon (adapted) texts, for example, of Plato, Euripides, Xenophon, Herodotus and fragments. This course will not only delve into ancient Greek language and grammar, but also the culture of the ancient Greek world.

This course is an introduction to classical biblical Hebrew without presupposing any prior knowledge. It involves the study of grammar and syntax and the translation of simple Hebrew prose texts. 

How did the Jesus movement turn into the church? At what point did the church decide Jesus was God? How can God be one and three? What is heresy and why did it matter? How did Christianity relate to surrounding philosophy? Did theology develop and change? What were the sources for Christian thought and doctrine? The course introduces students to these questions through the rich history of Christian thought by considering a number of representative theological thinkers, such as Origen, Athanasius, Augustine, Anselm, Aquinas, Luther and Calvin. Assessment is through weekly discussion boards, a short essay, and a final essay.

This course on sacramental theology is situated primarily in the area of Practical Theology. The model of the four voices of theology (normative, formal, operant and espoused), as developed by Helen Cameron and others, functions to structure the course around biblical, historical, and contemporary developments in sacramental theology. The students will critically evaluate contemporary views and practices of the sacraments in one particular denomination of their choice in light of this denomination’s historical and doctrinal teaching.

This course will explore the rise and fall of Empires from the ancient world and beyond; examining to what extent religion, power struggles, conflict and politics impacted the shaping of an ancient Empire and the world today.

This course considers the questions of gender, sexuality and identity are discussed and considered in relation to religion or the concept of God. The course will be delivered by a range of lecturers who will offer historical, philosophical, ethical and theological reflection on questions of identity as they relate to sexuality, CIS and non-CIS identity, genders and non-binary identity and associated issues at the heart of today’s world.

Latin 2 picks up where Latin 1 finished in first term. By the end of this course students should have a more or less comprehensive understanding of Latin syntax and grammar, a Latin vocabulary of 700-800 words, and should be capable of translating simple Latin texts into idiomatic English. Students will very likely discover that their knowledge of English vocabulary and grammar/syntax is improved by their study of Latin. 

This course will recount the story of Christian Mission, from its origins in the times of Jesus Christ, through the history of two thousand years of the church’s tradition, to the present day. It will explore the beginning of mission as it was revealed in the Gospels and Epistles of the New Testament. It will examine how the early church responded to Jesus Christ’s ‘Go and make disciples’ commission in the period before the conversion of the Roman emperor, Constantine. Then, it will trace the history of Christian Mission during the era of Christendom, as mission became increasingly intertwined with colonialism. Finally, the course will turn to the challenges of mission in an increasingly post-Christian era and the need to rethink mission in a non-colonial manner.

This course will build on the foundations laid in Ancient Greek Language 1, introducing further study of ancient Greek language, grammar, and culture of the ancient Greek World.

This course is the second part of an introduction to classical biblical Hebrew. It involves the study of grammar and syntax and the translation of simple Hebrew prose texts. Only students who have taken DR1042 or equivalent are eligible to take this course. 

This course will introduce students to the history, theology and practice of worship leading and preaching within the Reformed tradition, and will discuss the challenges of communicating the Gospel in the contemporary world.

This course will explore ancient Greek attitudes towards death and dying and explore the various ways in which it meant to be dead in Ancient Greece. This course will be interdisciplinary in approach, looking at: performative texts (ancient Greek plays and epics), visual culture (monuments, sacred sites), philosophy and science (Presocratic, Plato and Epicurus).

The course will take a firm thematic approach exploring: poetic death and the heroic, locales of the departed and cosmic death and the promise of revival.

The Philosophy of Religion investigates fundamental and longstanding questions about the nature and rationality of religious beliefs and practices. Key topics include arguments for the existence of God, the concept and attributes of God, the nature of religious language, the problem of evil, the question of miracles, and the challenges of religious pluralism. In this course we will explore such questions through close attention to classic texts within the mainstream tradition of Philosophy of Religion. The course presumes no previous philosophical knowledge, only a keen interest in thinking patiently and critically about the subject matter.

This course discusses the issues involved in reconstructing the history and religions of ancient Israel and Judah. It provides an overview of the history and religions of Ancient Israel and Judah, as portrayed in the Hebrew Bible, as illustrated by archaeological findings, and as understood within their larger Ancient Near Eastern context. It further teaches the students how to evaluate critically these portrayals and, as a result, how to reach independent and informed interpretations of the Biblical text. 

What does it mean to read the Bible responsibly? This question is vitally relevant to anyone working closely with biblical texts, whether in academic study or in the context of faith communities who consider the biblical texts to be their Scriptures. This course will bring together the theory or philosophy of biblical interpretation with the associated methods and skills. Students will learn how the way we think about biblical interpretation has changed through the modern period and will learn how to implement the critical methods associated with the various theories. As well as acquiring and refining an interpretive skill-set that will immediately benefit their own engagement with the Bible, students will be exposed to theories of interpretation that are radically different to traditional approaches. Whether or not they agree with these, the knowledge will allow them to understand why other readers of Scripture hold very different beliefs about what is “biblical”.

This course will explore the rise and fall of Empires from the ancient world and beyond; examining to what extent religion, power struggles, conflict and politics impacted the shaping of an ancient Empire and the world today.

How did the Jesus movement turn into the church? At what point did the church decide Jesus was God? How can God be one and three? What is heresy and why did it matter? How did Christianity relate to surrounding philosophy? Did theology develop and change? What were the sources for Christian thought and doctrine? The course introduces students to these questions through the rich history of Christian thought by considering a number of representative theological thinkers, such as Origen, Athanasius, Augustine, Anselm, Aquinas, Luther and Calvin. Assessment is through weekly discussion boards, a short essay, and a final essay.

This course on sacramental theology is situated primarily in the area of Practical Theology. The model of the four voices of theology (normative, formal, operant and espoused), as developed by Helen Cameron and others, functions to structure the course around biblical, historical, and contemporary developments in sacramental theology. The students will critically evaluate contemporary views and practices of the sacraments in one particular denomination of their choice in light of this denomination’s historical and doctrinal teaching.

This course considers the questions of gender, sexuality and identity are discussed and considered in relation to religion or the concept of God. The course will be delivered by a range of lecturers who will offer historical, philosophical, ethical and theological reflection on questions of identity as they relate to sexuality, CIS and non-CIS identity, genders and non-binary identity and associated issues at the heart of today’s world.

This course will recount the story of Christian Mission, from its origins in the times of Jesus Christ, through the history of two thousand years of the church’s tradition, to the present day. It will explore the beginning of mission as it was revealed in the Gospels and Epistles of the New Testament. It will examine how the early church responded to Jesus Christ’s ‘Go and make disciples’ commission in the period before the conversion of the Roman emperor, Constantine. Then, it will trace the history of Christian Mission during the era of Christendom, as mission became increasingly intertwined with colonialism. Finally, the course will turn to the challenges of mission in an increasingly post-Christian era and the need to rethink mission in a non-colonial manner.

So often associated with wine and revelry, this course will explore the ways in which Dionysus was worshipped in ancient Greece. Here, we will consider mystery religion, religious festivals and the secrets of maenadic worship. We will traverse, like Dionysus, across the ancient Mediterranean world from Asia Minor to Thebes to Athens and beyond. We will also explore a broad chronological sweep too – from 5th century BCE to 2nd century CE. For sure, Dionysus will provide intrigue with the opportunity to revel with a variety of primary sources, such as, archaeology, literary sources and fragments.

Religious questions and topics have often played an important part in philosophical reflection in the long philosophical tradition of the West that reaches from Ancient Greece to the present day.  By way of close extended reading, analysis and seminar discussions of one or more classic texts from this tradition of philosophy of religion, this course invites students to delve more deeply into the way religious questions have been approached by important philosophical thinkers as wide ranging as Plato, Hume, Lessing, Kant, Hegel, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Murdoch, James, Wittgenstein, Rorty and Plantinga.

This year the topic will be 'Hell and Its Christian Critics'.

The letters of the New Testament (texts after the Gospels and Acts in the canon) have exercised significant influence over Christian theology. However, much scholarship would question whether they have been interpreted correctly. Significant developments in our understanding of Judaism in the early Common Era and of the socio-cultural realities of the wider Mediterranean world have led to the emergence of new readings of these texts and have demanded fresh accounts of Christian origins. This course will involve exploration and critique of these some of these new approaches.

This course will explore the ways in which death is considered and responded to in the ancient Greek world and beyond. 

This course will look at 4 core areas: i. Theoretical framings of death, ii. Beautification and defilement of warfare, iii. Beautification and defilement of funerary rituals and remembrance, iv. Erotic beauty and defilement in Greek culture.

The course will explore a range of materials: from ancient Greek textual and archaeological data from the 15th century BCE to 1st century CE. There will also be a fieldwork option in the course to as part of an investigation into the landscapes and eroticism of death and monuments associated with death, corporeal aesthetics and explorations of internal and external beautification and defilement.

So often associated with wine and revelry, this course will explore the ways in which Dionysus was worshipped in ancient Greece. Here, we will consider mystery religion, religious festivals and the secrets of maenadic worship. We will traverse, like Dionysus, across the ancient Mediterranean world from Asia Minor to Thebes to Athens and beyond. We will also explore a broad chronological sweep too – from 5th century BCE to 2nd century CE. For sure, Dionysus will provide intrigue with the opportunity to revel with a variety of primary sources, such as, archaeology, literary sources and fragments.

Religious questions and topics have often played an important part in philosophical reflection in the long philosophical tradition of the West that reaches from Ancient Greece to the present day. By way of close extended reading, analysis and seminar discussions of one or more classic texts from this tradition of philosophy of religion, this course invites students to delve more deeply into the way religious questions have been approached by important philosophical thinkers as wide ranging as Plato, Hume, Lessing, Kant, Hegel, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Murdoch, James, Wittgenstein, Rorty and Plantinga.

This year the topic will be 'Hell and Its Christian Critics'.

The letters of the New Testament (texts after the Gospels and Acts in the canon) have exercised significant influence over Christian theology. However, much scholarship would question whether they have been interpreted correctly. Significant developments in our understanding of Judaism in the early Common Era and of the socio-cultural realities of the wider Mediterranean world have led to the emergence of new readings of these texts and have demanded fresh accounts of Christian origins. This course will involve exploration and critique of these some of these new approaches.

This course will explore the ways in which death is considered and responded to in the ancient Greek world and beyond. 

This course will look at 4 core areas: i. Theoretical framings of death, ii. Beautification and defilement of warfare, iii. Beautification and defilement of funerary rituals and remembrance, iv. Erotic beauty and defilement in Greek culture.

The course will explore a range of materials: from ancient Greek textual and archaeological data from the 15th century BCE to 1st century CE. There will also be a fieldwork option in the course to as part of an investigation into the landscapes and eroticism of death and monuments associated with death, corporeal aesthetics and explorations of internal and external beautification and defilement.

This course gives students the opportunity to study the views of the western theological canon by reading key historical texts that have shaped Christian thinking about human impairment and disability. Primary source texts will be discussed on their own merit as well as in relation to developments in the Christian tradition over time. During class discussions of core texts and historical trajectories will be critically assessed in light of contemporary questions and scholarship. 

This course will engage a significant area of debate in New Testament Studies by means of close and sustained evaluation of a particular work, or by a thematically arranged series of discussions. This will allow students to develop awareness of the major questions currently dominating the discipline and their backdrop in scholarship, thus helping students to identify ongoing challenges and prospects for future inquiry. The topic under consideration will vary in each delivery of the course.

15,000 word dissertation written on a topic related to the student's taught Master's programme and agreed to by the supervisor and the programme co-ordinator.

For theological reflection on disability, the paired issues of “what the Scriptures say” and “how the Scriptures are read” are of decisive importance.  This course will first discuss hermeneutical frameworks to interpret Scripture and how these bear on the concepts of biblical authority. Secondly, the course will consider specific texts and their interpretations, exploring and evaluating different – and perhaps opposing – views on disability and the ministries of disabled people in Scripture.

This course will examine the history of the Christian faith in Scotland, from the mission of Columba to the crusade of Billy Graham and beyond to the present day.

This course offers students the opportunity to explore in depth important thinkers and locales in early Christianity. It will critically analyse the contexts, settings, causes, key figures and sources, and the resultant trajectories of particular historical ecclesiastical phenomena. Of note, alongside this will be the theological concerns at stake and the influence of given movements on wider Christian thought and practice.