Christian Theology and Ethics Course Catalog

Introduction to Systematic Theology: The Heart of the Story (ST-101)
Christian doctrines express the heart of the Christian story. They often seem to be rules for telling the story, but they offer us this guidance to help protect the key elements of the story. Indeed, as Christians over the centuries reflected on these elements, they uncovered dimensions to God’s story with us that they had not yet fully articulated. This course will spend time looking at the roots of Christian theology that may be found in Hebrew Scripture and the New Testament and their expression in The Book of Common Prayer, all while helping students to recognize and appreciate the dimensions of God’s grace that they illumine. This course is especially important for students who wish to pursue the process for discernment for leadership and for students approved to participate in the process for diaconal formation.

Introduction to Theological Thinking (ST-102)
What does it mean to “think theologically”? This course will introduce students to the special terms, categories, and processes of theological reflection and engagement. An essential course for students who are considering greater leadership in their local faith communities, Introduction to Theological Thinking emphasizes critical analysis as it provides a systematic overview of how we create meaning through theological structures.

Anglican and Episcopal Theology (ST/AS-202)
This seminar provides a survey of contemporary Anglican theology. The focus will be on theological issues that are currently sparking debate across the Anglican communion, e.g., different approaches to Scripture and Christology, the relationship of gender, spirituality and theology, and the nature of the global Anglican communion. Course readings will range across the Anglican tradition (Anglo-Catholic, liberal, and Reformed/ Evangelical), and will include thinkers such as Sarah Coakley, David Ford, Kathryn Tanner, Desmond Tutu, and Rowan Williams. Cross-listed with Anglican Studies as AS-202.

Mystical Theology (ST/SP-203)
An examination of a wide variety of medieval mystical theologians in light of the shared concept, or paradigm, of “mystical” theology. Emphasis is on the close reading of primary texts in translation. Authors include Plato, Plotinus, Augustine, Gregory the Great, and Pseudo-Dionysius (for the foundational paradigms), and then William of St. Thierry, Guigo II, Bonaventure, Mechtild of Magdeburg, Marguerite Porete, Meister Eckhart, and The Cloud of Unknowing. Cross-listed with Spirituality as SP-203.

Introduction to Theological Ethics (ETH-101)
This course focuses on the nature and foundations of Christian ethics and the meaning of Christian responsibility as related to concrete social issues. This course is especially important for students who wish to pursue the process for discernment for leadership and for students approved to participate in the process for diaconal formation.

Society, Ministry and the Christian Faith (ETH-205)
The purpose of this course is to critically and faithfully engage the social witness of the church as an integral form of the mission of the church in the world. Students will analyze theological foundations for social witness, develop strategies for identifying and articulating that witness in the local church, and reflect upon a personal theology of social ministry.

Christianity and Culture: Introduction to World Religious Traditions (ST-205)
This course aims to provide students of all backgrounds and educational levels with an introduction to the major religious traditions of the world, both as dynamic systems of contemporary faith and as sociohistorical phenomena. As a survey, this course focuses on the broad parameters of Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, and Islam in terms of their relationship to Christianity and in terms of their internal diversity. The goal is for students to develop a basic proficiency of understanding in terms of the historical scope, proper terminology, and conceptual approaches to these traditions, which will allow students to pursue further inquiries into various aspects of the traditions.

Christianity and Culture: Interfaith Dialogue as Christian Responsibility (ST-206)
Through this course, students will examine historical and contemporary Jewish- Christian-Muslim relations and explore theologies and practices of dialogue between members of these Abrahamic faiths. Attention will be given to the perspectives of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim scholars and to interfaith initiatives in The Episcopal Church. For students interested in Christian-Buddhist or Christian-Hindu interfaith dialogue, options will be given for parallel study.

Special Topics in Theology and Culture (ST-301, -302, -303)
These courses will delve into specific topics of interest and importance and are offered periodically as electives. Examples include, but are not limited to: Providence, Evil and Suffering; The Doctrine of the Atonement; Pneumatology: The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit; and Theology, Art, and Architecture.

Special Topics in Ethics and Morality (ETH-301, -302, and -303)
These courses explore specific topics of interest and importance and are offered periodically as electives. Examples may include but are not limited to: Christology and Ethics; Bioethics and the Flourishing of Healthy Human Community; End-of-Life Ethics and Thanatology; Prophetic Witness and Dissent; and Ethics and Liberation.