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Year Course ID Course
2026-2027 RELS 332

Readings in the Greek New Testament

A reading of selected texts from the New Testament, including a study of Greek syntax and an introduction to exegetical methodology. Students are also introduced to the reading of ancient manuscript.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): GREE/RELS 331
Cross-listed: GREE 332
2026-2027 RELS 336

Elementary Biblical Hebrew

A continuing study of the grammar and vocabulary of biblical Hebrew, designed to prepare the student for serious reading and study of the Hebrew Bible.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): HEBR/RELS 245
Cross-listed: HEBR 336
2026-2027 RELS 337

Readings in the Hebrew Bible

A reading of selected texts from the Hebrew Bible, including a study of Hebrew syntax and an introduction to exegetical methodology.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): HEBR/RELS 245, 336
Cross-listed: HEBR 337
2026-2027 RELS 338

Readings in the Hebrew Bible

A reading of selected texts from the Hebrew Bible, including a study of Hebrew syntax and an introduction to exegetical methodology.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): HEBR/RELS 337
Cross-listed: HEBR 338
2026-2027 RELS 340

Current Issues in Biblical Theology

An examination of the topics currently being discussed in biblical theology, such as the possibility and methodology of a biblical theology, apocalyptic and eschatology, covenant and election, redemption and freedom, worship, church, the righteousness of God, history, society, law and gospel, faith, canon, life and death, suffering, creation, atonement and reconciliation, sin and guilt, wisdom, and worldview.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): RELS 111, 112
NB: Not offered every year. See department chair.
2026-2027 RELS 341

The Pentateuch

A study of the first five books of the Hebrew Bible with special reference to introduction, exegesis, and history. Attention is given to their historical and theological significance for both Judaism and Christianity.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): RELS 111
NB: Not offered every year. See department chair
2026-2027 RELS 342

Psalms & Wisdom Literature

An introduction to the place, function, and form of the Psalms and wisdom literature within the context of other ancient Near Eastern literature, including an analysis of selected examples such as Job, Ecclesiastes, and Proverbs.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): RELS 111
NB: Not offered every year. See department chair
2026-2027 RELS 343

Issues in Contemporary Culture

This course examines a number of significant issues currently under discussion by both academics and thinking people in western culture in the light of key biblical texts relating to them. Issues will include: postmodernism, relativism, pluralism, and cultural diversity, tolerance, truth, euthanasia, stem cell research and the perceived connection between violence and religion.

Course Credits: 3
2026-2027 RELS 350

Biblical Archaeology

A three-week tour of Israel and/or Greece, for the purpose of studying ancient sites and current excavations relating to biblical studies.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): RELS 111, 112
NB: Offered during Summer sessions only.
2026-2027 RELS 351

Life & Teaching of Jesus

A study of the life of Jesus through the eyes of the four evangelists, with special reference to Jesus' teaching on God, man, the Kingdom, righteousness, and prayer. An evaluation of the extra-biblical view of the person of Jesus. Students are also introduced to the major issues and topics discussed over the last centuries of historical Jesus research.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): RELS 112
2026-2027 RELS 352

Life & Letters of Paul

A study of the world, life, and mission of Paul, including an analysis of the central message of the Pauline epistles in their historical setting and chronological order.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): RELS 112
NB: Not offered every year. See Department chair.
2026-2027 RELS 355

Aramaic

Basic grammar. An introduction to Aramaic literature by reading passages of the Aramaic sections of Daniel and Ezra and selections from post-biblical Aramaic.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): RELS 245 and 336
2026-2027 RELS 360

Christian Apologetics

A study of the nature and methods of defending the Christian faith including an examination of the evidence for and the arguments against a Christian worldview.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): Third-year standing
2026-2027 RELS 361

History of Christianity I

A study of the history of the Christian Church from the turn of the first century to the eve of the sixteenth century Reformation with attention to the persons, events, and issues involved in the major developments of Christianity.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): 3 sem. hrs. of RELS, and 3 sem. hrs. of HIST
Cross-listed: HIST 361
2026-2027 RELS 362

History of Christianity II

An examination of the development of the Christian Church from the late medieval period through to the early twenty-first century. Key topics include: the Protestant and Catholic Reformations; the Great Awakenings and the rise of modern Evangelicalism, Fundamentalism, and the growth of modern missionary movements, along with a consideration of significant individuals, changes in theology, institutions, devotional practices, gender roles, and attempts to engage and shape culture.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): 3 sem. hrs. of RELS, and 3 sem. hrs. of HIST
Cross-listed: HIST 362
2026-2027 RELS 364

Christianity without Borders

The growth of Christianity in the non-Western world from the first century to the present. Attention is given to critiquing those factors that hindered or enhanced the development of Christianity during specific eras.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): RELS 111 or 112 or instructor’s consent
2026-2027 RELS 365

Christian Moral Theology

Moral theology reflects upon the goodness and evil of human acts, and of the person who performs them, in the light of Divine Revelation and human reason. This course offers an introduction both to mainstream Catholic and evangelical moral theology and contemporary moral issues, emphasizing their common ground and supplementary insights as well as explaining their continuing points of divergence. The course is taught by a Catholic professor, utilizing both Catholic and protestant texts. Specific moral issues to be discussed include abortion, homosexuality, just war, contraception, divorce, euthanasia, poverty and hunger, and the nature and role of the family.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): RELS 105 or 110 or instructor's consent
NB: Course taught at Catholic Pacific College, an approved TWU learning centre.
2026-2027 RELS 366

Theology of the Body

This course reviews the roots and evolution of the modern secular approaches to anthropology and human sexuality and contrast them with those of Christ. This course examines recent developments in theological reflection on the body (John Paul II's theology of the body) and provides a general introduction to Christian anthropology, with particular attention to themes such as creation in the imago Dei, fall and redemption, nature and grace, freedom and rationality, gender and vocation. Due note of convergent and divergent doctrinal positions held by various Christian traditions of the themes are reviewed.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): RELS 105 or 110
NB: Course taught at Catholic Pacific College, an approved TWU learning centre.
2026-2027 RELS 367

The Catholic Church Past & Present

Examines key events in the history of the Catholic Church to posit how Catholic theology might shape one’s view of history, to consider how an understanding of history might be relevant to faith, and to investigate how the Catholic Church has developed and adapted as a protagonist in history. Topics. include the ecumenical councils, monasticism, Holy Roman empire, Crusades, East-West schism, inquisition, Reformation, Council of Trent, the effects of the French Revolution, rise of nationalism, Vatican II, and globalism.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): RELS 105 or 107 or 110
NB: Course taught at Catholic Pacific College, an approved TWU learning centre.
2026-2027 RELS 368

The Reformation

An examination of European life during the sixteenth century reformations. This course includes discussions of sin and wholeness, of religion and secular power, of toleration and social order, and of efforts to reform the church and society, and an examination of the place of ritual in social life, life in the family, and attitudes to gender.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s):
NB: Not offered every year. See department chair.
Cross-listed: HIST 308
2026-2027 RELS 369

Historical Theology

A study of the history of Christian theology from the post-apostolic age to the present. Focus is on perennial issues in Christian theology and areas of convergence and divergence between the three Christian traditions: Orthodoxy, Catholicism, and Protestantism. Students will consider the role of the Bible, culture, and experience in order to understand the complexities involved in studying historical theology.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): RELS 110 or 160
2026-2027 RELS 371

Sociology of Religion

An introduction to the theories and concepts utilized by sociologists to interpret religious behaviour and the organization of religion.

Course Credits: 3
Cross-listed: SOCI 331
2026-2027 RELS 372

Contemporary Catholic Theology of the Love of God

This course traces the theme of the merciful love of God in Scripture and Catholic Tradition, especially in the writings of St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Therese of Lisieux, St. Faustina Kowalska, and Pope John Paul II, as well as in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The Mercy of God is presented as a central vantage point from which to view more clearly many important elements of Catholic doctrine and spirituality, ethics, and a common springboard for Catholic-Evangelical ecumenism—in other words, the contemporary Catholic world view. (This is not a course in Catholic apologetics or polemics.)

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): RELS 105 or 110 or 160
NB: Course taught at Catholic Pacific College, an approved TWU learning centre.
2026-2027 RELS 373

Theology I: The Trinity & the Church

A doctrinal study of the Trinity and the Church, engaging the biblical material in forming a doctrine of God and the Church.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): RELS 110 or 160
NB: It is strongly recommended that students take RELS 369 before taking this course.
2026-2027 RELS 374

Theology II: The Person & Work of Christ

A doctrinal study of the person and work of Jesus Christ, engaging the biblical material in forming a doctrine of Christology and soteriology.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): RELS 110 or 160
NB: It is strongly recommended that students take RELS 369 before taking this course.
2026-2027 RELS 380

Cross-Cultural/Missions Practicum

A supervised short-term missions/cross-cultural internship/practicum.

Course Credits: 2, 3
NB: Open only to Inter-Cultural Religious Studies majors or minors.
2026-2027 RELS 381

Contemporary Christianity

Students are invited to investigate some of the most significant theologians and theologies of the nineteenth, twentieth, and twenty-first centuries with a view toward how they influence Christianity today. The approach is both inter-confessional and international in scope and seeks to allow students to grapple with important theological issues in local, national, and global contexts.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): Third-year standing
2026-2027 RELS 382

Catholic Church: Theology & Practice

This course focuses on the theological, liturgical, and spiritual traditions that undergird the Catholic Church and which continue to form her self-understanding. Historically, this course explains and evaluates the development of the Catholic doctrine of the Church in terms of its roots in Scripture and Tradition, and with a particular emphasis on the Pauline understanding of the Church as the Body of Christ, and selected readings from the Church Fathers, as well as developments in Catholic understanding of the Church in different historical periods and social contexts. It also examines the Church in terms of her ongoing mission to the contemporary world implied by Catholic doctrine. Spiritually, this course exams the distinctive teaching of the Second Vatican Council's 'universal call to holiness' which ultimately serves to integrate doctrine and life in each member of the Church. Analysis of these themes are undertaken in dialogue with the perspectives of other Christian traditions, and in the light of the constructive critique they can offer.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): RELS 105 or 110
NB: Course taught at Catholic Pacific College, an approved TWU learning centre.
2026-2027 RELS 383

Reason & Belief in God

A survey of central issues arising from the question, “Is belief in God rational?” Topics include arguments concerning the existence of God, religious pluralism, natural science and religious belief, religious language, and critiques of natural theology from Kierkegaard and Reformed Epistemology.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): 3 sem. hrs. of Philosophy or third-year standing
Cross-listed: PHIL 383
2026-2027 RELS 384

Contextualization & Culture

A study of the history of contextualization from biblical to modern times, exploring significant models and paradigms of prominent thinkers and evaluating these adaptations and innovations. Also, the social and spiritual dynamics of culture change are examined, with a view to analyzing those processes which help to make the Gospel relevant in the constantly changing world in which we live.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): RELS 111 or 112 or instructor’s consent
2026-2027 RELS 385

Suffering & Belief in God

An examination of key issues pertaining to suffering and belief in God. Topics include the problem of evil, arguments from suffering, original sin, everlasting suffering, and providence.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): 3 sem. hrs. of philosophy or third-year standing
Cross-listed: PHIL 384
2026-2027 RELS 386

Global Theologies

This course seeks to extend the study of theology to the manner in which non-Western communities of Christians endeavour to shape their world by their faith. Special emphasis is given to examining Christology and Soteriology from a cross-cultural perspective and to the manner by which both Western and non-Western traditions may interact to enrich hermeneutics, missiology, and biblical and systematic theology.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): RELS 111 or 112 or instructor’s consent
2026-2027 RELS 387

Christian Theology in Ecumenical Dialogue

A survey and analysis of the main achievements of the ecumenical theological dialogue process among the Christian churches, and the significant challenges still facing that dialogue today. This course utilizes texts from Catholic, Protestant Evangelical, Eastern Orthodox, and Anglican sources, and guest lecturers from Catholic, Evangelical, and Orthodox traditions.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): RELS 105 or 110
NB: Course taught at Catholic Pacific College, an approved TWU learning centre.
2026-2027 RELS 388

Liturgy & Sacraments

Introduces students to the significance and variations of embodied engagements with the Christian mysteries. Drawing upon liturgical experience, sacramental engagement, and liturgical and sacramental theology, students will consider definitions of the sacramental, the role of particular sacraments, how the sacraments affect the experience of God, the pedagogical nature of liturgy, and the influence of liturgy and the sacraments both inside and outside of the Church.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): RELS 105 or 110 or instructor’s consent
NB: Course taught at Catholic Pacific College, an approved TWU learning centre.
2026-2027 RELS 395

Being in Christ: Christian Spiritual Traditions

An experience of Christian spiritual traditions through two primary ways of knowing: historical and archival as well as experiential and embodied. Students will investigate the history of Christian spiritual traditions in order to develop a foundational understanding of spirituality as practiced throughout Christian history, and will also learn to creatively apply their knowledge of spiritual practice to a life of “skillful Christian living.”

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): Third-year standing
2026-2027 RELS 399

Catholic Spirituality in the Modern World

An analysis of the teachings on prayer and the devout life of Catholic spiritual writers whose teachings still enrich the life of the Church today: especially St. Theresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Bernard of Clairvaux, St. Bonaventure, St. Francis De Sales, St. Therese of Lisieux, and the Venerable John Henry Newman. This course includes an overview of controversial topics such as the rise of Centering Prayer, the New Age movement, and an analysis of the teachings of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and reflections on the Catholic Tradition of Spirituality from non-Catholic perspectives.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): RELS 105 or 110 or equivalent with instructor's consent
NB: Course taught at Catholic Pacific College, an approved TWU learning centre.
2026-2027 RELS 400

Directed Study

Independent but guided research in a specialized area of interest to the student.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): Consent of department chair
NB: Designates biblical content courses.
2026-2027 RELS 410

Scripture & Science

Examination of conceptions held by ancient cultures and the Bible of the origin, composition, and functioning of the cosmos, and the question of natural or supernatural causality. Students will critically evaluate current models of how Scripture relates to modern scientific knowledge. Using key biblical passages, students will construct a theological model that embraces not only the aspects of science and nature that support the idea of purpose (teleology) but also those aspects that do not readily align with teleology.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): RELS 112; 3 sem. hrs. of BIOL, BIOT, CHEM, GENV, GEOL, or PHYS; and third-year standing
Cross-listed: NATS 410
2026-2027 RELS 415

Intertestamental Literature

A study of the intertestamental Judaic literature, noting the relationships between this literature and the Old Testament and New Testament and showing how this literature serves as an important background for the study of the New Testament documents.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): RELS 111, 112
NB: Not offered every year. See department chair.
2026-2027 RELS 423

Apocalyptic Literature

A study of the origin, form, and function of apocalyptic literature as well as important motifs and themes.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): RELS 111, 112
NB: Not offered every year. See department chair.
2026-2027 RELS 425

Pauline Theology

A survey of the general contours of Paul's thinking and a closer examination of one particular aspect of his theology, such as the origins of his gospel, the problem of coherence and contingency, his apostleship, his missionary strategy, his Christology, or the theology of one of his letters.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): RELS 112
NB: Not offered every year. See department chair.
2026-2027 RELS 446

Hebrew Prophets

An introduction to the origin, function, and meaning of the Hebrew prophets through a survey of the prophetic writings of the Hebrew Bible, including a discussion of the relationship to the historical periods in which they were composed and their theological significance within Judaism and Christianity.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): RELS 111
NB: Not offered every year. See department chair.
2026-2027 RELS 448

Ancient Near East & the Old Testament

A study of selected ancient Near Eastern texts and their relevance for the exegesis of the Old Testament.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): RELS 111, 112
NB: Not offered every year. See department chair.
2026-2027 RELS 449

Old Testament Seminar

This course is a study of selected topics that are currently under examination in the field of Old Testament studies.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): RELS 111 and minimum third-year standing
NB: Not offered every year. See department chair.
2026-2027 RELS 453

Synoptic Gospels & Acts

A study of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, focusing on the gospel form and the message of the individual gospels in their historical context. In addition, the Acts of the Apostles is considered with a view to better understanding the Church's birth and expansion.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): RELS 111
NB: Not offered every year. See department chair.
2026-2027 RELS 454

Writings & Theology of John

A study of the historical, literary, and theological aspects of the New Testament documents often categorized in biblical studies as “The Johannine Writings,” which comprise the Gospel of John, the Letters of John, and Revelation. Important considerations include their distinctive and collective contributions to the formation of Christian thought and identity in antiquity and today.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): RELS 112
2026-2027 RELS 456

New Testament Seminar

A study of selected topics that are currently under examination in the field of New Testament studies.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): RELS 112 and minimum third-year standing
NB: Not offered every year. See department chair.
2026-2027 RELS 460

Issues in World Christianity

Current missiological themes are studied such as: Missio Dei, Salvation Today, social justice and mission, meaning of evangelism and evangelization, contextualization, liberation themes, missions as inculturation, missions as an ecumenical expression, mobilizing the laity for missions, missions as a theology, and missions as an eschatological hope. The course also examines shifting missiological paradigms within the Conciliar Movement and Evangelical responses.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): RELS 111 or 112, or instructor’s consent
2026-2027 RELS 465

Influential Thinkers in the Christian Tradition

An introduction to some seminal figures in the Western Christian tradition. The course investigates their thought and intellectual contributions within their socio-political context and experience.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): Third-year standing
2026-2027 RELS 466

The Church Fathers

An introduction to the Fathers of the early Church. The course covers the Fathers from the latter half of the first century CE to the Orthodox writings of St. John of Damascene (ca. 750). Attention is paid to the historical and intellectual contexts within which the Fathers lived and taught, and special attention is given to each one’s unique theological contribution to the development of Christian Orthodoxy—both East and West.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): Third-year standing