“To be sure, we need history. But we need it in a manner different from the way in which the spoilt idler in the garden of knowledge uses it, no matter how elegantly he may look down on our coarse and graceless needs and distresses. That is, we need it for life and for action….” …
View course details “Judaism and Christianity in Antiquity”

This course will explore the history of Christian churches in Canada and the United States. The written histories of the churches will be studied in dialogue with the social context of such histories and the reflections of both church and context in popular culture. The course will examine not only the writings and work of …
View course details “North American Church History”

Parables can be challenging for preachers and yet they comprise about 1/3 of Jesus’ teaching. How does one bring a fresh word that maintains continuity to this difficult and well-trod territory? This course explores biblical parables and their use in the preaching of Jesus with a focus on contemporary homiletical application. This is an upper-level preaching …
View course details “Preaching Parables”

The purpose of this course is: to introduce students to the major themes of Pauline theologies represented by New Testament texts and, where appropriate, other New Testament and extra‑canonical literature;  To situate these theologies in the social matrix of antiquity and to identify the interaction of theology and culture implicit in these theologies;  To assess …
View course details “Paul”

This course is an exploration of Indigenous ways of knowing and being. The course foci include Indigenous identity, Indigenous ways of teaching, ceremony, and their implication for the practice of theological reflection. The course focuses primarily upon Indigenous groups from North America and Hawaii, through dialogue, media, and assigned reading. Students will complete weekly assignments …
View course details “Indigenous Theologies & Epistemologies”

When we encounter our own lives and the lives of others, several questions about responsibility and requirement are raised. Such questions often demand not only careful discernment but also decisive action. Yet many often wonder whether certain actions are right or wrong, just or unjust, good or evil. Others are restrained from action, debilitated by …
View course details “Christian Ethics”

PT652D follows PT651 (Fall) and is its required completion. Together these two courses, and the field work that goes alongside them, fulfill two units of Theological Field Education (TFE – Leadership in Practice). Theologically trained professionals serving congregational or social ministries, agencies, organizations and other institutions are continually presented with a changing context and the …
View course details “Leadership Studio II (with TFE)”

The psalms are some of the most loved scriptures and yet they come laden with violent words and images. The Revised Common Lectionary often edits out the most disturbing verses. Psalm 137 is cut off at v 6 thereby avoiding the psalmist plea for vengeance and its cry to dash babies against stones in v …
View course details “Reading the Psalms as Trauma Literature”

This course is designed to acquaint students with evolving theological expression of the Reformed Tradition in its 19th and 20th Century embodiments as it responds and interacts with the rise of modernity and late/post-modernity. (Think of the course as the good ship “Reformed” sailing from Schleiermacher to Barth and beyond.) Through the examination of theological …
View course details “Reformed Theology”

Faith formation research is pointing us to focus on inter-generational ministry being the heart of the faith community. This short intensive will focus on specific spiritual practices and other rituals that sustain a worshipping community and nurture the faith formation of all ages. Students will spend time engaging in and leading spiritual practices. We will …
View course details “Inter-Generational Worship”