Foundational Theology
FTH 400 Early Church History
3 Credits
The historical development of the Church from the second century to the rise of Islam. The relationship of Church and Empire, the beginnings of monasticism, the contributions of women, the development of institutions and doctrine, and the missionary activity of Christians beyond the Greco-Roman World.
FTH 402 Christianity and World Religions
3 Credits
Founders of religions and the meaning of religion. Christianity in relation to other religions. An introduction to Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Chinese Religions, and Amerindian Religions. New religious movements. Interfaith dialogue, especially between Christians and Jews.
FTH 410 Medieval Church History
3 Credits
The historical development of the Church in the Medieval Era from the beginning of the eighth century to 1500. Monasticism and religious orders, heretical movements and popular religion, intellectual development, Church and State relations.
FTH 411 Modern Church History
3 CreditsThe Church from the end of the fifteenth century until today. Calls for reform. Key reformers: Luther, Zwingli, Calvin, Cramner. Catholic reforms and the Council of Trent. The Enlightenment and its aftermath: liberalism, anti-clericalism, ultramontanism and Vatican I. Byzantine churches. Missionary movements and North American Protestantism. The Church as global: Latin America, Asia, Africa. Modernism, ecumenism, Vatican II and toward the 21st century.
Sacred Scriptures
BST 400 Introduction to Sacred Scriptures and their Interpretation
3 Credits
This course introduces students to the Sacred Scriptures of the Christian faith, their academic study and their interpretation. The various books of the Old and New Testaments of the Catholic Bible are introduced in relation to their historical, cultural, and religious backgrounds, with timely references to geographical and archaeological data. Concurrently, students are introduced to the concepts of biblical inspiration, biblical inerrancy, and the formation of the canon.
This course also includes a seminar that explores the question of the interpretation of scripture with the Mind of the Church, during which key Church documents will be analyzed while some major contributions from the world of academia to the field of biblical interpretation will be considered. The aim is to equip students with a range of exegetical tools and building blocks that will be necessary in subsequent scripture courses in their chosen program, and indeed in their various ministries as exegetes of Sacred Scripture.
BST 421 Matthew and Mark
(Prerequisite: BST 400)
3 Credits
Methods of interpretation. The synoptic problem. Structures of the Gospels of Matthew and Mark. A comparative study of the message of the Gospels of Matthew and Mark emphasizing the tradition and redaction levels and introducing literary, structural and narrative approaches as well.
BST 422 Luke-Acts
(Prerequisite: BST 400)
3 Credits
A study of the text, biblical theology and introductory questions. Jesus the Saviour, the infancy narratives, parables and miracles, death and resurrection. The gift of the Spirit and the birth of the Church, mission and ministry, the role of women, the universality of salvation.
BST 423 Pauline Literature
(Prerequisite: BST 400)
3 Credits
This course considers the epistolary literature of the New Testament attributed to the Apostle Paul. A brief survey of the Apostle’s life and gospel gives way to a close reading of the Pauline Letters. Although all Pauline Epistles will be read (1 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Romans), students will in particular consider central Pauline themes (Christology, Ecclesiology, Soteriology, Pneumatology) as expounded in the First Letter to the Corinthians and the Letter to the Romans.
The seminar component of this course will invite students to engage, at a level pertinent to their program of study, with contemporary issues raised by the literature at hand.
BST 424 Johannine Literature
(Prerequisite: BST 400)
3 Credits
This course considers the Canonical literature traditionally attributed to the Fourth Evangelist (Gospel of John, 1, 2 and 3 John, the Book of Revelation). An initial consideration of the milieu from which the Johannine Community/School emanated (date, authorship, and provenance) serves as a backdrop to a closer examination of the literature. The entirety of the Johannine corpus will be read, with particular attention given to the distinctive Christology (Signs, “I AM” Sayings), Pneumatology (the Spirit-Paraclete), Ecclesiology, Missiology, Eschatology, and overall theology of this Canonical body of literature.
The seminar component of this course will invite students to engage, at a level pertinent to their program of study, with contemporary issues raised by the literature at hand.
Systematic Theology
STD 400 Introduction to Theology
3 credits
The nature of theology. The relationship between theology and the following: revelation (Scripture and Tradition), spirituality and liturgy, philosophy and the human sciences. Faith and reason. The high points of theology throughout the history of the Church. The importance of theology for the Church. Theology and the teaching office of the Church. Theology and Church before and after Vatican II. Writing skills in theology.
STD 401 The Theology of Revelation
(Prerequisites: STD 400 and STD 450)
3 Credits
The modern problem of the compatibility between an authoritative divine revelation and human knowledge, freedom and experience. The development of a “theology of revelation” from Vatican I to Vatican II. Revelation and the Enlightenment. Dei Verbum. Jesus Christ as the revelation of God and humanity. Pluralism and the unity and universality of the Christ event. The Church's teaching on revelation and faith. The Christian act of faith. The question of truth and of on-going revelation.
STD 440 Liturgical Theology
(Prerequisites: STD 400 and STD 450)
3 Credits
The biblical origins of the Christian Liturgy. The development of distinct rites in the Eastern and Western Church with a special attention to the ongoing development of the Roman Rite. The theology of Liturgy as a work of the Trinity, an Action of Christ and the Church. The sanctification of the Year and the Day through the celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours. The liturgical movement prior to and following the Second Vatican Council. Cultural, pastoral, and ecumenical considerations.
STD 442 Introduction to the Sacraments and Christians Initiation
(Prerequisites: STD 400 and STD 450)
3 Credits
A historical, scriptural and theological study of the Church’s developing understanding of the notion of Sacrament through five main periods: New Testament, Patristic, Scholastic, Modern, and Contemporary. A close study of the theology of Baptism and Confirmation as Sacraments of Initiation with their goal in the Eucharist. Liturgical renewal and the R.C.I.A. process. Cultural, pastoral, and ecumenical considerations.
STD 450 Christology
3 Credits
The contemporary problematic in Christology. The claims and challenges posed by Jesus in his preaching and life. His rejection, death and resurrection. Jesus Christ as divine and human. Traditional and contemporary Christologies.
STD 451 Theology of God
(Prerequisites: STD 400 and STD 450)
3 Credits
Aspects of the problem of God in the modern era. Preparations for belief in the Trinity in the history of Israel. The Christ event and the Trinity. The Trinity and the early Church Councils. “Explanations” of the Trinity - old and new. Special questions regarding the Trinity (the Trinity and the immutability of God, creation, modern science, evil, gender, Christian worship and spirituality). Pneumatology.
STD 452 Theological Anthropology
(Prerequisites: STD 400 and STD 450)
3 Credits
The Christian understanding of evolution and of the human person. The origin, the structure and the condition of the person in the world; the relationship of the person to God, to others and to the environment. Sin and the origin of evil. The role of grace and love. The relationship between infinite and finite freedom. Hope and the final end of the person.
STD 453 Ecclesiology
(Prerequisites: STD 400 and STD 450)
3 CreditsThe Church before and after Vatican II. The vision of the Church underlying the basic biblical images (People of God, Body of Christ, Temple of the Holy Spirit). The Church as constituted by the Word of God. The Church as constituted by the Word made flesh. The Church and holiness (including Mariology). The Church as one and apostolic. The Church and the world.
Moral and Spiritual Theology
STP 400 Introduction to Pastoral Theology
3 Credits
Biblical and historical roots; theological foundations; current understandings of pastoral/practical theology; initial exploration of a theology of ministry and study of specific ministries; introduction to theological reflection; formation for ministry.
STP 461 Introduction to Moral Theology
3 Credits
The basic elements of moral theology since Vatican II. Biblical and theological themes that define the person in Christ. The Christian meaning of sin, virtue, conscience, law and moral discernment. The Christian experience of conversion and reconciliation in the way of discipleship.
STP 462 Introduction to Spiritual Theology
3 Credits
Definitions and understandings of spirituality. Examination of its biblical foundations. Development of spirituality as a discipline of theology. Theological and anthropological dimensions of Christian faith and spirituality. Introduction to the classical spiritual writers, schools of spirituality and contemporary forms of spirituality. The theology and practice of prayer, spiritual discernment and asceticism.
STP 463 Theology of Ministry
3 Credits
Origins of Christian community and relationship with the mission of the Church. The meaning and development of ordained ministry as well as history of lay ministry and the relationship between the two. Current issues and ecumenical initiatives. Contemporary models of collaboration in ministry.
STP 471 The Social Teaching of the Church
3 Credits
The roots of social justice in the tradition. Major themes in the social teaching documents of the Church. Social teaching in the Canadian/North American church. Social justice, ministry and evangelization. Liberation theology. Social analysis as a tool for Christian ministry.
For Elective Courses please go to Graduate Course Descriptions
The following courses are suitable electives in the MORAL & SPIRITUAL area of specialization:
STP 569 Classic Christian Spiritualities
(Prerequisite: STP 462)
3 Credits
Definition of Spirituality and its relationship to Theology. Examination of the biblical foundations including the Jewish context and the connection to the Greek contemplative ideal. Early period to include Origen, the Desert Tradition, early monasticism, Gregory of Nyssa, Evagrius Pontius, and Pseudo Dionysius. The spiritualities of the Middle Ages including Bernard of Clairvaux, the Franciscans, Meister Eckhart, and Julian of Norwich. The course will culminate in spiritualities of St. Ignatius (Ignatian), St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Avila (Carmelite).
STP 574 The Concept of Christian Faith
3 Credits
This course begins with a consideration of a prevailing view of Christian Faith as separate from and opposed to human reason, the difficulties with this view and its historical background. The course then examines a variety of views of Christian faith found in Sacred Scripture and Christian tradition, along with 19th and 20th century philosophical and theological works that influence the notion of faith, and works toward a view that incorporates the important insights of each.
STP 575 Spiritual Direction
3 Credits
(A preliminary interview with the instructor is required for admission to the course.)
The course deals with the meaning, foundations and principles of spiritual direction in the Church’s tradition. It examines the Biblical foundations and historical development of spiritual direction and its relation to a person’s growth in faith, in prayer and in the Christian life. It will explore some practical aspects of the ministry of spiritual direction and look at the qualities required for those called to this ministry.
STP 576 Bioethics: Moral Issues from the Life Sciences
(Prerequisite: STP 461 Recommended: STD 452)
3 Credits
Basic human and Christian values at stake. The rapid development in medical technologies and the growing complexity of the moral issues involved. From extensive case studies, an attempt to develop adequate models for moral evaluation and pastoral counselling.
STP 578 Married Love and Sexuality in the Christian Tradition
(Recommended: STD 452)
3 Credits
The human dimensions of love and sexuality. The religious meaning of human sexuality in the Judeo-Christian tradition, with special reference to Christian marriage. Issues raised by the contemporary sexual revolution. Doctrinal, liturgical, moral, pastoral, sacramental and spiritual dimensions of Christian marriage.
STP 663 Contemporary Christian Ethics
(Prerequisite: STP 461)
3 Credits
An ecumenical seminar approach to the field of Christian ethics in the last half century, including trends and shifts, new areas of concern and varying methodologies. Students will be expected to do a considerable amount of reading both within and outside their own Christian tradition. Student class presentations on contemporary authors, complete with basic bibliographies, will be required of all seminar participants.