Theology / Ethics / Church
100-Level
SE 112 Theology I: An Introduction
This is an introduction to theological method. As such, it constitutes basic training in how to do theology. We shall read together Charles Hefling’s book Why Doctrines?, investigating the ways in which the Christian community has arrived at its doctrinal positions, as well as what “doing theology” means in the present context. Having completed this, we will begin the history and theology cycle. We will introduce the doctrines of grace and revelation, as well as the idea of salvation history which serves as the context for Christian theological reflection (TBA)
SA 113 Invitation to Christian Theology
An introduction to major themes of Christian theology: God, creation, human nature, Christ, salvation, the community of faith, and the goal of salvation history. These themes are studied in the context of issues such as the irruption of difference in terms of race, gender, sexual orientation, the impact of globalization, the ecological crises and the changing places of churches in Western societies. The overarching goal of the course is to help students interpret the Christian faith in relation to life in the contemporary world. (D. Schweitzer)
SA 114 Jesus Christ and the Quest for Wholeness: Articulating An Authentic Christology
Offered online January –April 2013
Prerequisite: SA 113, BE/BL 155-156 or equivalent
(may be taken concurrently).
Beginning from the historical Jesus and drawing on contemporary
critical Christologies, this course follows the development of faith
in Jesus as the Christ and examines different ways of understanding
his saving significance in different contexts. The goal is to equip
students to develop and articulate their own Christology in a way
that is authentic to the Christian tradition, their own experience,
the experiences of others with whom they are in dialogue and the
needs of communities to which the students belong. (D. Schweitzer)
SL 120 The Lutheran Confessions
When a pastor is ordained into a ministry of Word and Sacrament, and is called to a Lutheran congregation, she or his is asked if they will teach and preach in accordance with the scriptures, the creeds, and the Lutheran Confessions. What are these Lutheran Confessions and what does it mean to be a “confessional” church? This course will begin with a discussion on the place and authority of confessions for a church, and then include a survey of the documents of the Book of Concord, looking at them in their historical context. The last half of the class will focus on the historical development of, and the theology of, the Augsburg Confession (Confessio Augustana). Students will also have the opportunity to discuss the relevance of Confessions for the church today, and how they are an integral part of the gifts which the Lutherans bring to the table of ecumenical dialogues. (G. Jensen)
SA 152 Introduction to Christian Ethics
This is an introductory course for students with no previous background in Christian ethics. Together we will struggle to identify what is the right course of action from a Christian perspective. We will analyze the structure of moral arguments and develop a working knowledge of moral theory. We will also explore the role of the Bible and of theology in Christian ethics. This course is cross listed with the Department of Religious Studies in the University of Saskatchewan. (N. Wiebe)
SL/PL 155 Globalization/Ethics
This course explores the theological, economic, cultural and developmental aspects of globalization in the context of ethical enquiry. We will look at the theological perspectives of principalities, powers and apocalypticism; the ecclesiological implications of globalization; developmental issues. Readings, discussions, group and individual presentations, and input by experts/practitioners from a variety of related fields will prepare (hopefully) participants for a cross cultural experience in Madagascar and for parish ministry that recognizes and welcomes our relationship to the world community. (J. Boyd)
200-Level
SL 210 Theology I
This course introduces students to the way in which Christian beliefs function in modern contexts. We will closely examine the doctrines of Trinity, Creation. Sin and Christ using the interpretive lens of a "theology of the cross." In the process students will acquire a preliminary understanding of some current and historic perspectives within the Christian community on these doctrines and be able to discriminate between them. Students will be expected to identify and evaluate their own theological “pre-understandings” regarding these doctrines and contribute to the Christian community’s theological understanding of the world by doing their own “constructive” theology, learning to express their theological insights clearly, logically, and effectively in oral and written form. (C. Harder)
SL 211 Theology II
This course is designed to provide a systematic study of theology, dealing primarily with the topics of pneumatology, ecclesiology, sacraments, ministry and mission, and eschatology. While the primary focus of this course will be the exploration of the classical patristic and Lutheran understanding of these loci, an engagement of contemporary theological and pragmatic issues arising from these issues will also be addressed. Pre-requisite: SL 210. (G. Jensen)
SE 213 Christ and Trinity
This course examines the Church's clarification of the doctrines of the Trinity and Incarnation from Apostolic times to the Council of Chalcedon (451). Students will be expected to engage original sources, including texts from the New Testament, writings of the Church Fathers, and conciliar definitions. (W. Hannam)
SE 214 The Holy Spirit and the Church
This course is designed to provide a systematic study of theology, dealing primarily with the topics of pneumatology, ecclesiology, sacraments, ministry, and mission, and is created primarily for Anglican and Lutheran participants for the purpose of better understanding both traditions. While the primary focus of this course will be the exploration of the classical patristic, Lutheran, and Anglican understandings of these loci, an engagement with contemporary theological and pragmatic issues arising from these issues will also be addressed. (TBA)
SA 262 On Justice
Prerequisite: SA 152 or
its equivalent
This course takes an in depth look at what we understand to be God’s
call to “Do Justice.” We will gain a working knowledge
of some of the key classical theories of justice, as well as alternative
perspectives such as aboriginal views of justice and restorative
justice. Social justice issues such as the growing gap between the
rich and poor, sexism, racism and other forms of discriminations
and marginalization will be examined. (N. Wiebe)
SA 273-274 Integration Seminar
On the basis of a field placement in a social agency, students will learn how to analyze their situations and reflect theologically on their experience in ministry. With the participation of faculty members from other departments, students will also be exposed to the pastoral implications of different methodological choices in the theological disciplines. This is a required course for St. Andrew’s students in the B.Th and M. Div. programs. It is a two term, two credit course offered annually. There is an extra fee, equivalent to five percent (5%) of tuition, due in the fall semester, to cover any additional costs required by placement agencies. (N. Wiebe)
SA/SL 282 Food, Faith, and the Rural Community (not offered in 2005-2006)
Everyone eats - and eating is an act with moral, theological, political and social ramifications. This course will explore the philosophical assumptions underlying our food production system in the light of theological guidance from our Christian tradition about the purpose of human life, the place of community, and our relationship to the land. It will critically examine the causes of the current farm crisis and the decline of rural communities. Exposing the myths which inform current food production and consumption practices will open the way to envisioning alternative models based on Christian perspectives and values. (N. Wiebe and C. Harder)
300-Level
SA 327/427
The Self
Prerequisite: SA 113 or its equivalent or
permission of the instructor
This course examines the nature of the self as embodied, communal
and reflexive in relation to themes of creation, fall and redemption
through dialogue with contemporary gender studies, feminist theory,
political philosophy and classical and contemporary Christian theologians.
(D. Schweitzer)
SA 333 God and the World
This course explores what God means to the world and what the world means to God from within a Reformed perspective in Christian theology. The first section examines the salvific meaning of God for the world, and the increase that the world and its salvation bring to the life of God. The second section expands upon this, looking at the moral and transmoral nature of God’s relationship to the world. The third section explores questions concerning the suffering of God and creation, the nature of evil, loss and Christian hope. (D. Schweitzer)
SE/HE 333 Anglican Studies - 19th and 20th Century
This course will examine the writings of several
Anglican theologians from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries
in their historical context. The course will begin by situating
the Oxford Movement in the context both of the eighteenth-century
evangelical revival and of the older Anglican 'High Church' tradition.
Selections from various authors from the Tractarians to the late
twentieth century will then be engaged in detail to show how Anglican
theologians have dealt with theological and cultural changes over
the past two centuries. (W. Hannam)
SA 340/401 The Holy Spirit
Prerequisites: SA 113 or
its equivalent, or permission of the instructor.
This course examines the nature and work of the Holy Spirit, looking
at how it has been understood in the early church and at present.
Topics covered include the role of the Spirit in the economy of
salvation, expressions of the Spirit in contemporary church and
society, the revelatory role of the Holy Spirit, its relation to
the reign of God and the Holy Spirit as the growing edge of God.
(D. Schweitzer)
SL 340 The Theology of Martin Luther
This class is an introduction to the theology
of Martin Luther. As an introduction to his theology, we can cover
only some of the major aspects and emphases of his thought. The
focus of this course is to examine his theology in its historical
context, giving the student a sound working introduction to Luther
in the process.
We will examine the central themes of Luther's theology. We will
also look extensively at some of the occasional writings which set
forth his views on church, society and the state. The class requires
considerable reading, with an emphasis on primary rather than secondary
sources. Because of Luther's style and diverse interests, the readings
will range over a wide selection of his writings. (G. Jensen)
SE/HE 348/448 Latin Patristics – Augustine on the Trinity
This course will consist primarily of a close reading of Augustine's treatise _De trinitate_ as situated within the context of Christian and pagan Neoplatonic investigations into the nature of God. Students will be expected both to read the primary text closely and to demonstrate (through class presentations and a final research paper) an ability to engage the work of other interpreters of Augustine's thought. (W. Hannam)
SL 380 Mission and Evangelism
This introductory course will examine the foundations, nature and task of Christian mission. It will look at mission from a global perspective. Students will be exposed to mission in a variety of geographical and cultural contexts. They will also learn about how mission is done in the local church. In particular, they will examine the role of the pastor as a missionary and learn how to facilitate congregations to develop an awareness of mission and to provide leadership through envisioning and empowering. The course also seeks to equip students with skills and tools that will assist them in helping congregations to engage in the task of mission and evangelism. (TBA)
SL 385 Third World Theologies
This course intends to be an introduction to theologies of the Third World. It is an invitation to listen to the many voices of the church in the Third World context. It is also an invitation to a theological banquet. Students will be able to sample the flavours of Latin American Liberation Theology, Theologies of Africa and the Caribbean, Asian Theologies such as the Minjung Theology and Dalit Theology. They will have the opportunity to engage in conversations with the work of Third World theologians from their own Canadian theological context. It is the intention that students, equipped with knowledge and insights of the global Christianity community, will be better prepared for ministry in an increasingly pluralistic community. (TBA)
400-Level
SL/SE 400 16th Century Christian Thinkers
Western thought as we know it today has been profoundly shaped by thinkers in the 16th century It was a time of the renaissance, the reformation, and the rise of nationalism. Most of the major thinkers of this period had strong ties or connections with the church. It was a period of turmoil and change, however, and what arose out of this century when the dust had settled were new realities and perceptions of God, church, society, state and self. This course is intended to provide a solid introduction to significant thinkers of the 16th century, through reading and discussion of original texts. The thinkers examined will vary. (G. Jensen, others TBA)
SL XXX Reading the Bible Through Third World Eyes
Traditionally, the Bible has been translated and read with Western perspectives. Churches in the Third World are becoming more and more aware of the interpretations that are often taken as normative but do not relate to their experiences. This course seeks to help students to examine the Bible from non-Western perspectives. Students will learn to appreciate how reading the Bible from Third World eyes can help to enrich their understanding of the texts and facilitate their ministry in an increasingly pluralistic Canadian context. (TBA)
