An introduction to the academic study of the Judeo-Christian tradition which acquaints the student with scholarly methods of study as well as central biblical/theological concepts and vocabulary as they relate to, and are in dialogue with, philosophical, historical and theological questions of value and commitment.
Research in a special area, supervised by an instructor.
Permission of the Department Chair
A study of those issues which are of common concern to philosophy and religion. Topics focused upon include: the nature and function of religion; the existence and attributes of God; the claims of reason and the claims of faith; God and the problem of evil; the meaning of religious statements; religious experience and the inexpressible; religion and morality; human freedom and the meaning of life. Tradition and Culture course.
An introductory exploration of basic ethical issues from different philosophical perspectives as well as from the vantage point of the Christian faith. This course is designed to encourage a thoughtful appraisal of the deep questions of life within the broadest possible context. Tradition and Culture course.
An exploration of biblical and secular narrative with particular attention to their compositional conventions, theological convictions, and literary connections. Text and Context course.
An exploration of the biblical wisdom books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Job, and Song of Songs in conjunction with contemporary reflections on wisdom. Text and Context Course.
An exploration of the prophetic biblical literature with particular attention to the historical situation of the prophets as well as the contemporary relevance and importance of their message. Text and Context course.
The stories of the Christ are painted out of the events of the life of Jesus. In this course we will explore the ways this single human life was (and is) told and understood as a drama of cosmic transformation. Text and Context Course.
An exploration of various biblical and theological, historical and contemporary images used to portray and characterize God, including a discussion of the advantages and limitations of these conceptions for an intelligible and credible understanding of God. Tradition and Culture course.
Does the future hold the good that has not happened yet or the bad? This course studies the ways Jewish and Christian scripture uses the future as a threat and as a hopeful sign. Close attention will be paid to the literary shape and function of resurrection narratives, especially as they draw on apocalyptic and eschatological texts. Text and Context course.
This course will analyze various theological and Biblical texts which seek to reconcile a suffering world to a moral God. The course will also examine the traditional problem of evil. Contemporary Issues course.
This course is a survey of Western philosophical thought with the purpose of introducing students of theology to the philosophical ideas which have had a significant influence on the development of Christian theology. Tradition and Culture Course.
This course will develop the theological implications of the Christian doctrine of creation in light of current conversations between religion and science. The major topics of the course are: 1) a survey of the doctrine of creation, 2) theories, models, metaphors, and paradigms, 3) epistemological issues, and 4) spiritual dimensions of the doctrine of creation.
The word "Shoah" means desolation of cosmic proportions. Auschwitz and the killing of six million Jews from 1939-1945 was a "Shoah." This course examines how the "holocaust" has and should affect Christian faith and life. Tradition and Culture course.
This course addresses the great issues of justice, both human and divine. What is justice? Does God act justly? Can human beings act justly? This course will focus on a close and careful reading of three important primary texts: the Republic of Plato, the book of Genesis, and the book of Job. Each text provides a different perspective on the problems of justice and its relevance for forgiveness, community, religion, punishment, and natural injury. Text and context course.
This course will try to engage different religious voices. The course will explore the dilemma facing traditional Christianity regarding Atheism, and the World’s religions. The primary questions to be addressed are: How should Christians engage atheists and agnostics? Do Christians have something to learn from atheists and agnostics and do atheists and agnostics have something to learn from Christians? How should Christians interact with other world religions? In what ways have Christians theologically dealt with other religions? What are the positive and negative ways that Christianity has related to other religions? Is it inevitable that the religions of the world must be in conflict with each other? Are all religions equally true? As the world gets smaller and smaller how ought contemporary Christians deal with their evangelical vocation to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ? How can atheists, agnostics and other religions help or hinder Christians from dealing with their understanding of what it means to be people of faith? These and other questions will be discussed and debated.
In voicing the proposition: "We tell ourselves stories in order to live," essayist Joan Didion asserts that humans derive meaning through stories. Stories shape and interpret life events (real or imagined) so as to yield meaning. This course will study the foundational (origin) stories of both the Old Testament and the New Testament in order to observe how these origin stories shape the faith of confessing communities and yield important conversations about divine and human nature and the meaning of life.
This course examines the similarities and differences between Judaism, Islam and Christianity. We will analyze the beliefs, scriptures, rituals, history and cultural contexts of each tradition. We will also discuss the risks, dangers, and benefits of studying somebody else's religious tradition. Tradition and Culture course.
This course is a study of theological perspectives on issues in contemporary medicine. Rigorous intellectual attention will be given to the ways in which religious practices, beliefs, and institutions form and are formed by experiences of illness, health, and medical sciences. Contemporary Issues Course.
This course examines the relationship between religion, violence and the Christian Faith. From the pacifism of Jesus and the early Christians to scriptural stories about God commanding and using violence to the Crusades to the Just War Theory, and to contemporary discussions about religion and violence, we will wrestle with why certain religious believers feel compelled to use violence. Tradition and Culture course.
This course introduces students to constructive theology by utilizing the metaphor of the arts to interpret the practice and formation of the Christian faith.
What does geography have to do with our spirit, with God's Spirit? The course is a theological and pastoral response to that question. We will explore the doctrine of the incarnation through the lens and metaphor of geography and place in Christian theologies, with specific attention to Native American theologies.
This course explores the Lutheran traditions in conversation with other theological, historical, and cultural movements within the Church catholic. Specific emphasis will include theological doctrines and beliefs, confessional documents, organization, practice, history, and the location of Lutheran traditions within an ecumenical context.
Research in a special area, supervised by an instructor.
Permission of Department Chair
A concentrated study of a particular topic in biblical studies. Possible topics include studies in: the Pentateuch; the Dead Sea Scrolls; the Fourth Gospel; and Apocalyptic writings.
This course will seek to understand and examine the religion of Judaism and the history of the Jewish people. The history of Judaism will be given major emphasis along with the basic beliefs and rituals. The Jewish philosophical and mystical traditions will be discussed. Judaism in America and the State of Israel will be a central concern. Attention will also be given to why so much hatred has been directed historically toward the Jewish people. Tradition and Culture Course.
A seminar devoted to reading 20th and 21st Century theologians.
What did it mean to say you were a "Lutheran" during Luther's time? What does it mean today? Are they the same? What Lutherans have understood as normative for Lutheran teachings was not static from the outset. "Confessing Like a Lutheran" traces the historical development and content of the Lutheran Confessions through a thorough analysis of the agreements, disagreements and settlements that shaped Lutheranism for generations to come.
This course examines and works to understand the scriptures, philosophical/mystical traditions, rituals, holy days and holy places that are central to the religions of Hinduism and Buddhism. We will also explore the historical and geographical diversity of each tradition. A significant part of the course will be an examination of the many ways the two traditions have interacted with each other. Throughout the course students will explore how Hinduism and Buddhism differ from the monotheistic religions. Tradition and Culture course.
An internship provides work experience under an ordained supervisor with a department member as advisor. Limited to students who are pre-seminary or considering seminary.
Research in a special area, supervised by an instructor.
Permission of Department Chair
In consultation with a faculty member, a second semester senior will select a research topic. With supervision from the faculty member, the student will research and write a paper during the semester. At a final senior thesis forum, the student will present his/her paper to fellow seniors as well as the faculty of the Religion and Philosophy Department.