Courses

• STH TM 931: Readings in Contemporary Missiology
  Readings and discussions of important works in missiology from the 1960's to the present. This course begins where TM 930 ends. Required for doctoral students in mission studies
• STH TM 935: Asian Christianity
  This course explores the dynamism, co-option, stagnation and renewal of East Asian Christianity throughout its history--from the 7th century to the 21st. Special attention is given to Christianity's complex interaction with the religious, political, and social realities of Japan, China, and Korea. Students are introduced to important Christian leaders and movements across the centuries, and they investigate the implications of East Asian Christianity's recent expansion both at home and abroad.
• STH TM 959: The Future of Ecumenism and the Transformation of World
  This course focuses on "The Future of Ecumenism and the Transformation of World Christianity in the 21stCentury: Tracking the WCC General Assembly Theme; 'God of Life, lead us to Justice and Peace.'" As such, it juxtaposes the interests of the ecumenical movement even as it verges with evangelical and interfaith interests together with the Just Peace initiatives as defined at the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation in Jamaica (2011). This course is also a part of the World Council of Churches' Global Ecumenical Theological Institute (GETI) as facilitated internationally and at Busan, Republic of Korea, location of the 10th General Assembly of the WCC. Participants in this course will have immediate or digital connection with this assembly.
• STH TM 963: African Christianity
  Seminar exploring African Christian theologies and cultural issues, with special emphasis on Southern Africa. The course covers such themes as the nature of God, the problem of evil, environmentalism, gender, and indigenous churches. Also offered as STH TM 863 for masters students.
• STH TN 721: New Testament Introduction
  Content of the New Testament writing in its historical setting and special attention to its relevance today. This course is a prerequisite for all New Testament II courses. MDIV & MTS CORE REQUIREMENT.
• STH TN 723: New Testament Greek I
  Introduction to the grammar and vocabulary of the Greek New Testament. For students with no training in Greek. (Credit for STH TN 723 is only given after successful completion of STH TN 724.)
• STH TN 724: New Testament Greek II
  Continues and presupposes STH TN 723.
• STH TN 803: Jesus in the Gospels
  A theological and exegetical study; attention to literary and religio-historical problems. (Requires TN 721 or equivalent)
• STH TN 804: The Christian Bible: a History
  This course considers the history of the biblical canon, the Bible as an object or artifact, and shifting views of biblical authority over time. (Requires TN 721 or equivalent)
• STH TN 805: Pauline Studies
  Paul's life, letters, and thoughts are considered historically and in their bearing upon Christian theology. (Requires TN 721 or equivalent)
• STH TN 806: The Gospel of John
  The purpose of this study of the Fourth Gospel is to acquaint the student with this work from the later New Testament period in a way that provides understanding of and the capacity for criticism of the text involved (in addition to some non-canonical Johannine literature, e.g., the Gnostic Apocryphon of John). Appreciation for both the unity and the diversity within the Johannine literature should increase during this study. (Requires TN 721 or equivalent)
• STH TN 808: From Jesus to Christ: The Origins of Christianity
  Places Jesus of Nazareth in his contemporary religious and social context of Second Temple Judaism; and accounts for the origins and growth of Christian life, belief, and spirituality up to the second century, as reflected in the writings of that period. (Requires TN 721 or equivalent)
• STH TN 810: The Social Setting of Early Christianity
  The focus of the course will be the economy, society, and culture of the Greco-Roman world in which the first Christians lived. The purpose of the course is to introduce the student to the social world that produced the New Testament and other early Christian literature, including martyrdoms and apologies. We will read primary and secondary sources on Roman history (early imperial period), ancient Judaism (from Alexander the Great to the revolt by the messianic figure Bar Kochba), Greco-Roman religions (with focus on the "pagan spirituality" of the ancient mystery religions), and the reaction by Roman magistrates and pagan intellectuals to the new Christian movement. Such context is essential for reconstructing the life, religion, society, and culture of the ancient Christians. (Requires TN 721 or equivalent)
• STH TN 813: Letter to the Romans
  Analysis of Paul's most systemic letter with special attention to the themes of election, justification by faith, ethics, and new Israel. Romans' historical impact on Luther, Wesley, Barth, and Bultmann. (Requires TN 721 or equivalent)
• STH TN 815: Jesus and Paul on Poverty and Economic Issues
  We live in a time of great wealth and great poverty. We, the rich and the poor, often coexist in close proximity, as neighbors and strangers, folk passing each other, sometimes unseen, in grocery stores and gas stations, people who interact or, more often, live in segregated silences within church and society. At the global level, too, the pattern of passing and unseeing exchange recurs in engagements (whether economic, political, or cultural) among nations of great wealth and the world's poor. This class engages New Testament texts and early Christian communities' own struggles with poverty, status, and class differences as a springboard for deep discussions of the moral life around issues of poverty and economic justice. (Requires TN 721 or equivalent)
• STH TN 816: Greek Reading I
  This course builds on Greek language skills by engaging in close readings and translations of New Testament and other Greek literature.
• STH TN 817: Greek Reading II
  This course builds on Greek language skills by engaging in close readings and translations of New Testament and other Greek literature.
• STH TN 820: The Gospel of Mark
  English exegesis of the gospel according to Mark. (Requires TN 721 or equivalent)
• STH TN 825: Gender & Family in Early Christianity
  A study of early Christian perspectives on gender, sexuality, marriage, divorce, household arrangements and family life, as expressed in New Testament and other early Christian writings, within the context of ancient Mediterranean teachings and practice. Topics will include: the impact of slavery on family arrangements, the roles of women in the household and society, ancient beliefs about masculinity and femininity, and the function of arguments regarding "natural" sexuality in earliest Christian discourse. (Requires TN 721 or equivalent)
• STH TN 826: The Corinthian Correspondence
  A theological and exegetical study; attention to literary and religio-historical problems. (Requires TN 721 or equivalent)

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