Courses

This course comprises an introduction to Hellenistic (Koiné) Greek that is designed to prepare the student for reading the Greek New Testament with linguistic aptitude, as well as developing a cultural intelligence pertaining to the ancient people and history that gave rise to the biblical text. Students will explore and investigate linguistic theories and ideas related to the script, grammar, syntax, and vocabulary of the Greek New Testament, as well as evaluate and compare differences and similarities that exist between the Ancient Greco-Roman and Jewish cultures and our own contemporary culture.

An introduction to the grammar and vocabulary of biblical Hebrew, designed to prepare the student for serious study of the Hebrew Bible as an item of both ancient and ongoing cultural, historical, and theological significance.

An exploration of the tasks and tools of Christian theology. Through engagement with key issues, students will interact with foundational questions, sources, and content of the Christian theological tradition with an aim of understanding its significance for Christian faith and life in the world today.

An analytical and critical study of the phenomena, the conceptual patterns, and the sacred texts of some of the major Western religions. Each religion is studied as a total perspective for life, which is embodied in interpersonal and communal life, in cult, and in ideology. This course provides a general introduction to the study of world religions as well as an historical and structural survey of Judaism, Islam, Christianity and new religions in the West. The subject matter is approached from an emic anthropological standpoint—that is, the history, belief and practice of each religious group will be examined in detail, as if the student was living within that religious context.

An analytical and critical study of the phenomena, the conceptual patterns, and the sacred texts of some of the major Eastern religions. Each religion is studied as a total perspective for life, which is embodied in interpersonal and communal life, in cult, and in ideology. This course provides a general introduction to the study of world religions as well as an historical and structural survey of Animism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and Sikhism. The subject matter is approached from an emic anthropological standpoint—that is, the history, belief and practice of each religious group will be examined in detail, as if the student was living within that religious context.

A study of the principles of biblical interpretation used in both the Jewish and Christian traditions, including the application of these methods to the major literary genres of the Bible.

A study of the various eras of the history of the Hebrew people in the Old Testament period, including a survey of attempted historical reconstructions. Attention is given to such features as pre-history, nationalism, government, and social institutions.

A survey of the literary, social, cultural, political, and religious contexts of the Dead Sea Scrolls (DSS) and their role in recovering the historical development of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and early Jewish and Christian identities in antiquity.

A continuing study of Koine Greek that is designed to prepare the student for reading the Greek New Testament.