This course will introduce students to the rich tradition of Christian theological engagement with (and influence on) the Western legal tradition. In particular, students will learn how Old Testament teachings on law and justice were interpreted in the New Testament and early Christian Church. Students will also learn how scriptural and patristic teachings on law were received and applied in the Medieval, early modern, and modern periods. The class will also address how these theological ideas have informed and shaped the course of Western law and practice. Along the way, students will interact with modern discussions in the Church about the proper relationships between justice, judgment and mercy, questions about religious liberty, criminal law and punishments, and other related topics.

An introduction to the theology of Thomas Aquinas, focused upon the text of his Summa Theologiae.

In this course students will study the argument of the Pastoral Epistles (1 and 2 Timothy and Titus) are constructed and what they mean for the life of the church today. Special attention will be paid to the critical questions that have dominated modern research, but we will especially focus on the theological themes of the epistles. The purpose of this course is to develop a theologically focused approach to exegesis, through a sustained analysis of the Pastoral Epistles, and provide a strong basis for good communication of their message in a teaching ministry.

This course is an exciting journey through the epic literary genre in Western literature. Together, we will explore the key motifs and themes in classic epic literature spanning the period from the ancient world up to modern times. In this class, we will learn how to define an epic, learn how to identify key works of literature as epics, and study the main themes present in epic works of literature. Along the way we will see how gospel narratives of creation, fall, redemption, and restoration can be seen in the epic genre. All of this will be studied with a view to seeing how the gospel of Jesus Christ has transformed and continues to transform literature, society, and culture.

This course provides a broad overview of the supernatural worldview of the biblical writers across the Old and New Testaments. Elements of this course include: (1) what the writers thought about the reality of spiritual entities loyal to, and in rebellion against, the God of Israel; (2) how the intersection (positive and negative) of spirit beings in the human realm propels the meta-narrative of biblical theology; and (3) how the engagement of the spiritual and human realm impacts other areas of biblical theology. The purpose of this course is to demonstrate the necessity and reward of interpreting biblical content in light of the writers’ ancient cultural, religious, and intellectual frame of reference.

A survey of God’s saving self-revelation in Jesus Christ through the New Testament Epistles and Revelation. The course will emphasize biblical content, knowledge of the historical and religious contexts of the New Testament, and acquaintance with the basic concepts of New Testament theology.

This course presents critical and introductory issues in the scholarship of the Gospels and Acts. The issues will be such topics as the synoptic problem, seeming contradictions between the gospels and historical considerations in the book of Acts. This class will divide itself into three sections: first, the background of second-temple Judaism before the birth of Christ, second, the Gospels and particular exegetical issues inherent in Gospel’s scholarship including the life of Jesus, third, the book of Acts and introductory/historical issues that are particular to this important book of Church History.