Introduction to the Old Testament [002D135]
A study of selected texts from the Pentateuch and the Former and Latter Prophets. The texts have
been selected to cover the most essential aspects of the geography, history, writing and literature
of the Old Testament.
Selected texts:
Genesis 1-11; Exodus 1-15; Deuteronomy; 1 and 2 Kings; either Amos or Hosea; either Ezekiel or Deutero-Isaiah; either Haggai or Zechariah 1-8.
Introduction to the New Testament [002D140]
(i) The purpose and theology of each of the Synoptic Gospels, with particular reference to the
prescribed texts;
(ii) Paul's theology, with particular reference to the
prescribed texts;
(iii) 1 Peter, James, Hebrews.
Attention should be given to:
Set texts to be studied in English:
Mark 3:22-30. Matthew 12:24-32. Luke 11:14-23.
Matthew 6:7-15. Luke 11:1-4.
I Corinthians Chapters 1 and 15. Romans Chapter 8.
Christian doctrine [002D030]
A systematic study of three central themes in contemporary Christian theology:
(i) Christology - such issues as: the relationship between theological claims regarding
Christ and Jesus of Nazareth as a historical figure; the consciousness of Jesus and its theological
significance; the normativity or otherwise of the Chalcedonian definition; the designation of Jesus
as sinless; claims about the divine and human nature of Jesus Christ; Spirit Christology.
(ii) Trinity - such issues as: how the doctrine of God as three-in-one can be elucidated
and grounded; the connections between a Trinitarian understanding of God and the concept of Christian
revelation; psychological and social analogies for the Trinity; the proper use of the term 'person'
in Trinitarian theology; the doctrine of the Holy Spirit; the filioque controversy; the ongoing
significance of early Church debates regarding the nature of God.
(iii) Atonement- such issues as: the strengths and weaknesses of such metaphors as ‘sacrifice’, ‘satisfaction’, ‘victory’;
the truth status of metaphorical language in soteriology; the coherence or otherwise of the idea
that God suffers, with reference to its Trinitarian implications; issues about universal salvation;
Christian salvation and human liberation.
Attention should be given to:
Philosophy of religion [002D035]
A study of the main problems in the philosophy of religion, including such topics as: the proofs
of God's existence; the justification of religious belief; religious diversity; the divine attributes; miracle; prayer;
eternal life; the problem of evil.
Reformation and society c.1450–c.1600 [002D080]
An examination of attempts at religious reform in Europe during the 16th century, which includes
both reform of the Church and religious life, as well as reforms of society inspired by religious
belief. The term ‘Reformation’ is understood as applying to both Protestant and Catholic
movements of reform. Topics covered will include: later 15th century desire for reform; late
medieval popular belief, and links between reform of social and religious life, Christian humanism
and its influence; evangelical movements precipitated by Luther, Zwingli, the Anabaptists and
Calvin; the magisterial and radical Reformations, their religious and social implications and
the response of different social strata to them; the Papacy and Papal authority, Catholic evangelism,
Catholic Reformation and Counter-Reformation; Church, state and politics, including the Reformation
in England.
Foundations in Biblical Hebrew [002D150]
Translation, grammar (including parsing of words and phrases), and exegesis of a set portion of
the Hebrew text of the Old Testament.
New Testament Greek [002D005]
Translation, grammar (including parsing of verbs and nouns), and syntax of set portions of the
Greek New Testament.
Christian ethics [002D105]
(i) The philosophical background in relation to:
(a) The Nature of Humankind: the Christian account of human nature compared with other theories;
the worth of persons and the value of human life; the nature of conscience; the freedom of the
will;
(b) The Nature of Human Acts: the relation of acts to consequences; acts and omissions; the principle
of double effect; deontological and teleological accounts of right action.
(ii) The characteristics of Christian ethics in relation to the basic Christian doctrines concerning
God, humankind and society.
(iii) A consideration of selected contemporary moral problems in the light of the foregoing.
Islam [002D115]
A mainly historical study considering both traditional and radically novel views on the origins
of Islam; the beginnings of Islamic theology and law; the doctrines of the sects, especially
those of Shi’ism; the development of philosophy, and, in particular, mysticism; the rise
of Islamic modernism and reformism; and contemporary practices.
Religion and science [002D041]
(i) The history of the relationship between religion and science in the Medieval period (including
Ptolemy), the Renaissance period (including Copernicus and Galileo), the Enlightenment period
(including Newton), and the nineteenth century (including Darwin).
(ii) Contemporary and philosophical issues. Cosmology and the Anthropic Principle, quantum physics,
Chaos Theory, Neo-Darwinism, genetic engineering, and cloning. The aims and processes of religion
and science (including Popper and Kuhn), and the relationship between religion and science.
Advanced Biblical Hebrew [002D045]
A detailed study of selected portions of the Old Testament in Hebrew. The primary emphasis is the
exegesis of the texts, but attention will also be paid to textual and philological questions.
Second Temple Judaism [002D055]
A study of Judaism from the early second century BC to AD 135. Topics will include: the history
of the Jewish people in this period; religious thought and religious movements, including the
Jewish reaction to Hellenism, the development of messianic and eschatological beliefs, wisdom
and the law; the Jewish sects.
Romans in Greek [002D065]
The whole epistle should be studied in English, with chapters 1-11 and chapter 13 (verses 1-7) to be studied in Greek.
Johannine writings in Greek [002D060]
A study of the Fourth Gospel and the Johannine Epistles in English, with special reference to the
Greek text of John 1- 12, and 1, 2 and 3 John.
Church, ministry and sacraments in early Christianity [002D070]
Church, ministry and sacraments in early Christianity, with special reference to passages in English from Mark 14.17-25; Luke 22.14-23; John 15.1-17; and others.
Liturgical studies [002D110]
A general introduction to liturgy, with particular emphasis on the principles underlying the various
changes in worship and the liturgical movements. Topics will include the following: a general
introduction to the principles of worship; prayer, covenant, sacrifice, symbolism; the Jewish
background; the evolution of forms of worship and the Christian calendar; corporate worship and
private devotion in the Middle Ages; worship during the Reformation; the Books of Common Prayer;
the modern liturgical movement, Roman Catholic and Reformed; modern revisions of the Book of
Common Prayer.
Buddhism [002D120]
A survey of the main features of Buddhism as a world religion, with the emphasis on Indian Buddhism:
early Buddhist doctrinal teachings in their religious context, the Buddhist community and monasticism,
the scholastic Abhidhamma tradition, and sectarian developments. Mahayana Buddhism as a later
form of Buddhism: the changing emphases on the teachings, especially the role of the bodhisattva.
Key features of Buddhism in Tibet (including Vajrayana), China and Japan; and modern developments
in Sri Lanka.
Mind and person in the philosophy of religion [002D095]
The concept of person and the mind/body problem, and their significance for personal identity,
religious belief, and immortality.
Dissertation [002D300]
[expected to be available for the 2011-12 academic year]
A dissertation of 6,000-8,000 words on a topic to be negotiated with a member of the staff at Heythrop College, University of London. Students will receive feedback on a one-page outline (consisting of a working title, a summary of the main sections of the dissertation, and a short bibliography), and comments on two complete drafts if required.