Biblical Studies

 Restricted to Theology majors and minors.

THE 400 God Our Mother

This course aims to broaden the theological imagination of the students as they reflect on the wonderful reality some call God. Together with the Catechism of the Catholic Church this course will affirm that “God transcends the human distinction between the sexes” and explore various ways of envisioning God that go beyond the image of a male God.

3

Prerequisites

THE 101 or THE 105, THE 205

Cross Listed Courses

THE 300

THE 402 Poets, Prophets, Divas, and Diviners

This course explores the prophetic tradition in biblical and contemporary times. Selected texts are read in context of cultural and present day global realities to discover how culture shapes these texts and how these texts continue to shape cultures and world views. Topics include God, gender, power, justice, empire, ecology, hope, what it means to be prophetic vision, and what it means to be prophetic today.

3

Prerequisites

THE 101 or THE 105, THE 205

Cross Listed Courses

THE 302

THE 404 Sages and Singers, Songwriters and Storytellers

This course explores and critiques the wisdom writings of the Bible and other texts, and the cultures that shaped these texts. Focus is on the wisdom needed for wise decision-making practices for the work of justice and transformation of life in a globalized world. Attention is also given to two main wisdom themes: creation and the presence of the Divine in the midst of all life.

3

Prerequisites

THE 101 or THE 105, THE 205

Cross Listed Courses

THE 304

THE 405 Comparing Religions of the World

This course focuses on the comparative study of religions. It will investigate the definition of “religion” and then analyze several traditions in the context of this definition. Finally, it will compare these traditions to one another with regard to certain topics, such as worship, the soul, and the place of women. 

3

Prerequisites

THE 105 and THE 205

Cross Listed Courses

THE 305

THE 406 The Bible in a Global Village

This course includes reading and discussion of selections from both the Old and New Testaments. We will discuss elements of race and class, as well as gender and sexuality, as we take historical, cultural, and political contexts into consideration with the goal of applying the realities of biblical cannon and applying them to our societies and cultures today.
3

Prerequisites

THE 105 and THE 205

Cross Listed Courses

THE 306

THE 407 Theology and Controversy in the Letters of Paul

As a first century missionary, theologian and letter writer, Paul of Tarsus (St. Paul) articulated many of Christianity's basic beliefs and presided over some of Christianity's earliest controversies. This course examines his letters as a way of gaining access to the concerns, the theology, and the growing pains of some of the very first Christians on record.

3

Prerequisites

THE 101 or THE 105, THE 205

Cross Listed Courses

THE 307

THE 412 Jesus' Ministry in the Gospels

Our most important information on Jesus comes from the Gospels. This course examines the theology and history contained in the gospels in order to gain an understanding of who Jesus was and how his message was received and developed by the early church. In alternating semesters, the course will focus on John, or on Matthew, Mark and Luke.

3

Prerequisites

THE 101 or THE 105, THE 205

Cross Listed Courses

THE 312

THE 417 Trickery, Gender, Power, and Politics in the Bible

This course explores the theme of gender in the Bible, the cultures that shaped the texts, and how the biblical culture and stories continue to have an impact on life today as we struggle for gender justice in a globalized world. The course explores such topics as power, politics, kyriarchy, the intersectionality of gender discrimination with other forms of discrimination. Emphasis is on liberation, transformation, and ethical praxis.

3

Prerequisites

THE 101 or THE 105, THE 205

Cross Listed Courses

THE 317

THE 419 Biblical Spirituality: Saints and Sinners on a Journey with God

What does it mean to be holy? Who are the saints and sinners in the Bible? How does God relate to them? What is meant by the sacredness of all creation? This course explores such themes as the spirit, the heart, prayer, sacred space, etc. in the context of a biblical-based contemplative and mystical understanding of life.

3

Prerequisites

THE 101 or THE 105, THE 205

Cross Listed Courses

THE 319