15 credits
Level 1
First Term
15 credits
Level 1
First Term
15 credits
Level 1
First Term
15 credits
Level 1
First Term
What we know today as the New Testament, a single book between two covers and most often bundled with the Old Testament, is in fact a small library of twenty-seven texts produced by various followers of Jesus between the 30s and about 120 of the Common Era. The small collection has had an enormous impact not only on Christian churches but also on the whole of Western civilization until today. This course explores the origins of these texts, their authors and audiences, and the events behind them. It neither requires nor expects any prior experience with these texts.
15 credits
Level 1
Second Term
15 credits
Level 1
Second Term
15 credits
Level 1
Second Term
DR1540 explores theological responses to human tragedy and cultural shock. It examines popular reactions to the terrorist attacks on the USA in 2001, and includes attention to the two European world wars and the Holocaust, the Tsunami in South-East Asia, Hurricane Katrina, and the Japanese response to disasters in its history. Attention will be given to themes such as the question of ‘theodicy’, the function of religious discourse in the face of tragedy, and the relationship between religion and politics. The discussion moves from these analyses to explore the peril of speaking of God in times of terror. Course Guide
15 credits
Level 1
Second Term
15 credits
Level 1
Second Term
15 credits
Level 1
Second Term
15 credits
Level 1
First Term
15 credits
Level 1
Second Term
15 credits
Level 2
First Term
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.
15 credits
Level 2
First Term
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 two short essays and a final essay.
15 credits
Level 2
First Term
15 credits
Level 2
First Term
This course investigates basic questions about the nature and rationality of religious beliefs and practices. We’ll think together about such topics as 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, etc. We’ll do this in part by reading and debating in tutorials short classic texts in the long 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.
15 credits
Level 2
Second Term
15 credits
Level 2
Second Term
Early portraits of Jesus are found both inside and outside the New Testament. This course introduces the four canonical gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John – and gives the opportunity for detailed study especially of the Gospel of Matthew. But it also introduces several of the later gospels, which were never included in the New Testament but which enjoyed widespread popularity within some groups. Beside detailed exegesis, the theological issues of early Christian orthodoxy and orthopraxy will be treated, as well as recently raised questions of lost Christianities and Scriptures. This course is essential in understanding early Christianity. Course guide
15 credits
Level 2
Second Term
This course introduces students to the discipline of ‘homiletics’, the artful verbal communication of the Christian gospel in the context of public worship and beyond. We’ll consider fundamental questions about the theology of preaching, the role of biblical exegesis in sermon preparation, the forms and aims of the sermon, the place of preaching within the context of Christian worship and the question of effective communication to diverse audiences. We will engage these topics through a mix of directed reading, formative exercises, web-facilitated seminar discussions and summative assessments. For further details see the course guide
15 credits
Level 2
Second Term
15 credits
Level 2
Second Term
This course covers the ancient Greeks from the Bronze Age through to the conquest of Greece by Rome, focusing on the most distinctive aspects of Greek culture, particularly its political and intellectual history. For further details see the course guide
15 credits
Level 2
First Term
15 credits
Level 2
First Term
15 credits
Level 2
Second Term
15 credits
Level 2
Second Term
15 credits
Level 3
First Term
15 credits
Level 3
First Term
15 credits
Level 3
First Term
The New Testament includes 27 different works, by a number of different authors, produced over a significant time-span (less than a century). To what extent are these disparate or complementary voices? This course firstly introduces the academic discipline of New Testament Theology – its history, tasks, methods and problems – and then explores a number of New Testament texts, addressing questions of similarity, difference and development within their theology/ies. This will include particular study of one or more key theological themes (e.g. christology, pneumatology, eschatology, soteriology), by means of close study of selected New Testament texts.
15 credits
Level 3
First Term
This course allows a student to do in-depth study in a specific area in Divinity or Religious Studies. The specific content of the course may vary, but the focus will include work on enhancing research skills and the completion of an academic research paper.
On Campus - this year classes will be run under the title: ‘Ecclesiology: Speaking Theologically about the Church’. This is coordinated by Professor Tom Greggs.
Flexible Delivery; further information can be obtained through the Course Guide. This is coordinated by Dr Sam Newington
15 credits
Level 3
Second Term
15 credits
Level 3
Second Term
15 credits
Level 3
First Term
The focus of this year’s course will be on the development and the main doctrinal tenets of selected East Asian (i.e. Korean, Japanese, Chinese and Vietnamese) ‘new’ religious movements. Theoretical approaches of defining ‘new’ religions will be examined. Major characteristics and similarities in terms of organisation structure and doctrine will be discussed.
15 credits
Level 3
First Term
This course discusses the portrayal of prophet Muḥammad
in the Islamic sources.
It will examine the existing sources for this
biography and the problems that they present to modern scholars. After an
overview of Muhammad's traditional biography, students will have the
opportunity to conduct a guided, hands-on research project, examining their
choice of a specific episode in Muhammad's life. Students will thus gain tools
for independent research into primary sources, as well as knowledge of the biography
of the Prophet; and will become aware of various ways for discussing and understanding
the Muslim narrative of the Prophet Muhammad's life.
30 credits
Level 4
First Term
30 credits
Level 4
First Term
30 credits
Level 4
First Term
30 credits
Level 4
First Term
30 credits
Level 4
Second Term
30 credits
Level 4
Second Term
30 credits
Level 4
Second Term
This course will analyse and evaluate recent work in the study of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament, including Septuagint studies. The subjects covered are currently of special importance to the development of Old Testament Studies, namely the history of ancient Israel, Pentateuch Studies and exegetical methodology, anthropology and its use in Old Testament research, and the history and theology of the Septuagint. By being introduced to these areas of research, students will be enabled to acquire a substantial knowledge of key areas and will thus be in a position to participate more fully in the exploration of the Bible. Course guide
30 credits
Level 4
Second Term
30 credits
Level 4
First Term
30 credits
Level 4
First Term
30 credits
Level 4
Second Term
30 credits
Level 4
Second Term
30 credits
Level 4
Second Term
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