Faculty of Theology and Religion. Lecture Descriptions

Transcription

1 Faculty of Theology and Religion Lecture Descriptions Michaelmas Term 2014

2 Table of Contents Languages Core Lectures and Classes 1 Other Lectures and Classes 6 Preliminary Examinations Core Lectures and Classes 9 Biblical Studies Core Lectures and Classes 17 Other Lectures and Classes 24 History and Doctrine Core Lectures and Classes 28 Other Lectures and Classes 36 Philosophy, Psychology, Science, Sociology of Religion, and World Religions Core Lectures and Classes 40 Other Lectures and Classes 48 Moral and Pastoral Theology Core Lectures and Classes 50 Other Lectures and Classes 51 Special Lectures 53

3 Lectures begin on the first possible day after the beginning of Full Term (Sunday, 12 October) unless otherwise stated. Lectures will begin five minutes after the hour and finish at five minutes before the next hour. Students are reminded that the Theology and Religion Faculty Board places importance on lectures and classes, and that an outline of material given in lectures will be given to examiners who will take account of this information. Please note that this booklet does not contain descriptions of all lectures and classes offered. NB: The information below is subject to change. Please check the Faculty Website for the most up-to-date information:

4 LANGUAGES Core Lectures and Classes Isaiah 1 2, 6, (Hebrew text) Dr Jarick Day and Time Friday, 11:00 Gibson Seminar Room 2 This class is intended for two categories of students: those who are preparing to comment on Hebrew gobbets in Paper 1 (God and Israel in the Old Testament), and those who are preparing to translate and comment upon Hebrew verse in Paper 24 (The Hebrew of the Old Testament). Candidates preparing only for Paper 1 may be content to attend in Weeks 1 5 only, when the texts under discussion will be Chapter 1 (Weeks 1 & 2), Chapter 6 (Week 3), and Chapter 40 (Weeks 4 & 5). Candidates preparing for Paper 24 should attend not only those sessions but also Weeks 6 8, when the texts under discussion will be selections from Chapter 41 (Week 6), Chapter 42 (Week 7), and Chapter 2 (Week 8). Those attending the classes will be expected to prepare the assigned portion of text in advance (for the first session the portion to be read comprises Isaiah 1:1-12) and to take a turn at translating in class. Participants should bring a copy of Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia.. New Testament Greek Dr Friesen Day and Time Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 9:00, 10:00, 11:00 1

5 LANGUAGES Gibson Seminar Room 1 Aims: i) to learn the elements of New Testament Greek ii) to prepare for Greek Prelims (8th Week HT) on Mark 14:1-16:8, John 6 and 9, from which passages will be chosen for translation and grammatical comment iii) to begin a lifetime of reading the New Testament in Greek Expectations: that you i) attend each class (if unable to, please let lecturer know, preferably in advance) ii) look at each lesson in advance of the class iii) do roughly 10 hours of Greek each week There are three classes a week in Michaelmas Term and Hilary Term. Each class begins with a brief test, and twice a week there is homework to be handed in. Biblical Hebrew (for Beginners) Ms Sonja Noll Day and Time Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 10:00 Gibson Seminar Room 2 This lecture, its complement in Hilary term and the Genesis 1 2 Hebrew text class that also meets in Hilary term are designed for candidates preparing for the preliminary examination in Biblical Hebrew. Candidates will write the preliminary examination at the end of Hilary Term. These lectures are designed to introduce the students to biblical Hebrew grammar to enable them to begin reading biblical texts from Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (Stuttgart, 2

6 LANGUAGES 1977). Please note that classes begin in 0th week. Students will be expected to complete regular homework assignments and will be given frequent quizzes, a major in-class test, and a collection at the start of Hilary term. Postgraduate students registered at the faculty may attend these lectures with permission from the instructor. Required Textbook: Weingreen, Jacob. A Practical Grammar for Classical Hebrew. 2nd ed.; Oxford: Clarendon, Qur anic Arabic Mr Mahmood Day and Time Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 11:00 Gibson Tutorial Office Candidates will be expected to show elementary knowledge of Qur anic Arabic grammar, syntax and vocabulary (to include only the topics covered in Alan Jones, Arabic Through the Qur an, pp ). Short passages from the Qur an will be chosen for translation and grammatical comment. Aims: This paper will test knowledge of the Arabic grammatical features and vocabulary most commonly encountered in the Qur an. The paper contains passages from portions of the Qur an for vocalizing, for translation (from Arabic into English), and for linguistic and exegetical comment. The sentences for translation will test knowledge of common grammatical forms. Objectives: (a) Students who have studied for this paper will have mastered elementary Classical Arabic as set out in Alan Jones, Arabic Through the Qur an. 3

7 LANGUAGES (b) (c) They will be able to translate and comment on passages from the Qur an, the Hadith or other theological texts. They will be able to answer questions on elementary Arabic grammar. Course Delivery: Classes: Assessment: 3 one-hour classes per week in Michaelmas Term 3 one-hour classes per week in Hilary Term One 3-hour written examination. Sanskrit Prof. Flood Day and Time Monday, 10:00-11:00, Friday 10:00-12:00 Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies The course provides an introduction to Sanskrit for the preliminary paper in Elementary Sanskrit. The class is designed to introduce students of Theology to the basics of the Sanskrit grammar, syntax and vocabulary. By the end of the course students will have competency in translating simple Sanskrit and reading sections of the Bhagavad-gītā and passages from other texts. The course book will be Maurer s The Sanskrit Language. The paper will examine sections from chapters 2 and 11 of the Bhagavad-gītā and sections from the story of Nala. Objectives: Students who complete this course will have: a) Knowledge of basic Sanskrit grammar, syntax and vocabulary. b) Understanding of euphonic combination (sandhi) c) Knowledge of sections of important religious texts such as the Bhagavad-gītā and the story of Nala. 4

8 LANGUAGES Recommended preparation: The course assumes no previous knowledge of the language and best preparation would be a sound knowledge of English grammar. Students would also find it advantageous to gain a familiarity with the devanāgarī script prior to commencement of the course. Although no previous knowledge of the language is assumed, students who have studied Latin or Greek will find the course more accessible. Bibliography Buitenen, J.A.B. van The Bhagavadgītā in the Mahābhārata (University of Chicago Press, 1981). Maurer, Walter The Sanskrit Language (Routledge) Other Lectures and Classes Biblical Hebrew (Second Year) Ms Kozlova Day and Time Tuesday, Thursday, 9:00 Gibson Seminar Room 2 This class covers the second half of Jacob Weingreen s A Practical Grammar for Classical Hebrew, fleshing out the Hebrew verbal system in relation to the non-qal stems and weak verbs. It is intended both for students who studied the first half of the Grammar during Prelims and for students who began such study at post-prelims, and who now seek to consolidate and continue their Hebrew study.. 5

9 LANGUAGES Optional Greek Translation Dr Friesen Day and Time Thursday, 1:00 Gibson Seminar Room 1 Readings of selected New Testament texts in preparation for Optional Translation Paper (27).. Post Graduate Greek Reading Dr Friesen Day and Time Thursday, 2:00 4:00 Gibson Seminar Room 1 This reading class is designed to enhance reading proficiency and to supply exposure to nonbiblical Greek. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss their interests in selecting texts to read. 6

10 LANGUAGES Greek Text Class: Gospels and Jesus s Ms Perry & Ms Brodersen Day and Time Tuesday, 1:00 Gibson Seminar Room 1 These classes will focus on reading and translating the set texts for the Gospels and Jesus paper. Students will be asked to participate by preparing the texts in advance and volunteering to translate or discuss the Greek passages, all in a non-threatening environment overseen by advanced doctoral students. All welcome. Greek Text Class: Pauline Literature s Ms Crabbe & Ms Hager Conroy Day and Time Monday, 1:00 Examination Schools These classes will focus on reading and translating the set texts for the or Pauline Literature paper. Students will be asked to participate by preparing the texts in advance and volunteering to translate or discuss the Greek passages, all in a non-threatening environment overseen by advanced doctoral students. All welcome. 7

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12 PRELIMINARY EXAMINATIONS Core Lectures and Classes The Christian Doctrine of Creation Prof. McGrath Day and Time Tuesday, 9:00 Examination Schools These lectures provide some basic material for Prelims, Paper 1, The Christian Doctrine of Creation. They introduce the themes and methods of systematic theology, and some of its key thinkers, by focusing on a single topic: the doctrine of creation. The lectures will also be useful for anyone interested in obtaining a basic overview of Christian understandings of the doctrine of creation. An introductory lecture is followed by four lectures that provide a (roughly) chronological outline of the development of the doctrine. The next three deal with specific themes of theological interest and importance, arising from the doctrine of creation. None of the lectures assumes any prior knowledge of the methods or leading ideas of Christian theology, or of any language other than English. The structure of the first part of this two term lecture course will be as follows: 1. Introduction: Systematic Theology and the Doctrine of Creation: Basic Themes 2. The Biblical Treatment of Creation 3. The Creation of Humanity and the Image of God 4. Creation in the Church Fathers 5. Medieval and Early Modern Understandings of Creation and the Natural World 6. Can God be known through Nature? The Debate over Natural Theology 7. Creation, Sin, and Redemption: the Restoration of Creation 8. Conclusion: Theological and Scientific Approaches to Nature 9

13 PRELIMINARY EXAMINATIONS A second set of lectures, offered by Dr Donovan Schaeffer in Hilary Term, continues the series and focusses on the interplay between scientific understandings of the natural world such as those offered by Big Bang cosmology, quantum mechanics and evolution and the Christian doctrine of creation. INTRODUCTORY READING: Alister McGrath, Christian Theology: An Introduction. Oxford: Blackwell, , pp Terry Eagleton, Reason, Faith, and Revolution. Yale: Yale University Press, 2009, especially pp David Fergusson, The Cosmos and the Creator: An Introduction to the Theology of Creation. London: SPCK, Colin Gunton, The Triune Creator: A Historical and Systematic Study. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, Zachary Hayes, The Gift of Being. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, FURTHER READING: Attfield, Robin. Science and Creation. Journal of Religion 58 (1978): Begbie, Jeremy S. Voicing Creation s Praise: Towards a Theology of the Arts. Edinburgh: T&T Clark, Bird, Phyllis A. Male and Female He Created Them : Genesis 1.27b in the Context of the Priestly Account of Creation. Harvard Theological Review 74 (1981): Blowers, Paul. Drama of the Divine Economy: Creator and Creation in Early Christian Theology and Piety, Oxford: Oxford University Press, Bonhoeffer, Dietrich, Creation and Fall: A Theological Exposition of Genesis 1-3, DB Works Vol. 3, Fortress Press, 1997 Borgen, Peter. Creation, Logos and the Son: Observations on John 1:1-18 and 5: Ex Auditu 3 (1987): Bouma-Prediger, Steven. Creation as the Home of God: The Doctrine of Creation in the Theology of Jürgen Moltmann. Calvin Theological Journal 32 (1997): Brague, Remi, The Wisdom of the World (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2003). Brooke, George J. Creation in the Biblical Tradition. Zygon 22 (1987): Carloye, Jack C. The Existence of God and the Creation of the Universe. Zygon 27 (1992): Clifford, R. J. The Hebrew Scriptures and the Theology of Creation. Theological Studies 46 (1985): Daly, Gabriel. Creation and Redemption. Wilmington: Michael Glazier, Davies, Paul, The Mind of God (Simon and Schuster, 1992). Deltete, Robert J. Hawking on God and Creation. Zygon 28 (1993): Deroche, Michael. Isaiah 45:7 and the Creation of Chaos. Vetus Testamentum 42 (1992): Ehrhardt, A. The Beginning: A Study in the Greek Philosophical Approach to the Concept of Creation from Anaximander to St John. Manchester: Manchester University Press,

14 PRELIMINARY EXAMINATIONS Paul S. Fiddes, Creation out of Love, in John Polkinghorne (ed.), The Work of Love. Creation as Kenosis (Grand Rapids, MI/Cambridge: Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2001), pp Fishbane, Michael. Jeremiah 4.:23-26 and Job 3:3-13: A Recovered Use of the Creation Pattern. Vetus Testamentum 21 (1971): Foster, Michael B. The Christian Doctrine of Creation and the Rise of Modern Science. Mind 43 (1934): Garcia, Laura L. Divine Freedom and Creation. Philosophical Quarterly 42 (1992): Gunton, Colin E. (ed.) Christ and Creation. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, Harner, P. B. Creation Faith in Deutero-Isaiah. Vetus Testamentum 17 (1967): Harris, Scott L. Wisdom or Creation? A New Interpretation of Job 38:27. Vetus Testamentum 33 (1983): Hauerwas, Stanley, With the Grain of the Universe: The Church's Witness and Natural Theology (London, SCM, 2002) Kelsey, David Wisdom, 'Theological Anthropology, and Modern Secular Interpretation of Humanity' in Miroslav Volf and Michael Welker (eds.), God's Life in Trinity. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, Larson, Edward J. Trial and Error: The American Controversy over Creation and Evolution. New York: Oxford University Press, Lohfink, Norbert. God the Creator and the Stability of Heaven and Earth: The Old Testament on the Connection between Creation and Salvation. In Theology of the Pentateuch, edited by Norbert Lohfink, McGrath, Alister. A Scientific Theology: 1 - Nature. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1994, May, Gerhard. Creatio Ex Nihilo: The Doctrine of Creation out of Nothing in Early Christian Thought. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, Moore, Andrew. Theological Objections to Natural Theology in Russell Re Manning (ed.), The Oxford Handbook of Natural Theology, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2013, pp Morris, Thomas V. Creation Ex Nihilo: Some Considerations. International Journal for Philosophy of Religion 14 (1983): Napier, B. D. On Creation-Faith in the Old Testament. Interpretation 16 (1962): Niditch, Susan. Chaos to Cosmos: Studies in Biblical Patterns of Creation. Chico, CA: Scholars Press, Ollenburger, B. C. Isaiah s Creation Theology. Ex Auditu 3 (1987): Pannenberg, Wolfhart. The Doctrine of Creation and Modern Science. Zygon 23 (1988): Peacocke, Arthur. Creation and the World of Science. Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, Peters, Ted. Cosmos as Creation. Nashville: Abingdon, Pinnock, Clark H. Climbing out of a Swamp: The Evangelical Struggle to Understand the Creation Texts. Interpretation 43 (1989): Polkinghorne, John. Science and Creation: The Search for Understanding. London: SPCK, Rendtorff, Rolf. Where Were You When I Laid the Foundations of the Earth? Creation and Salvation History. In Canon and Theology: Overtures to an Old Testament Theology, edited by Rolf Rendtorff, Minneapolis, MN: Fortress, Santmire, H. Paul. The Genesis Creation Narratives Revisited. Interpretation 45 (1991): Sedley, David, Creationism and its Critics in Antiquity (University of California Press, 2008). 11

15 PRELIMINARY EXAMINATIONS Sonderegger, Katherine. The Doctrine of Creation and the Task of Theology. Harvard Theological Review 84 (1991): Sorabji, R., Matter, Space and Motion. Sorabji, R. Time, Creation and the Continuum. Swift, L. Basil and Ambrose on the Six Days of Creation. Augustiniana 21 (1981): Torchia, N. Joseph. Creatio Ex Nihilo and the Theology of St. Augustine: The Anti-Manichaean Polemic and Beyond. New York: Peter Lang, Torrance, Thomas F. Revelation, Creation and Law. Heythrop Journal 37 (1996): The Transfinite Significance of Beauty in Science and Theology. In L art, La Science Et La Métaphysique: Études Offertes À André Mercier, edited by Luz García Alonso, Evanghelos Moutsopoulos and Gerhard Seel, Berne: Peter Lang, van Bavel, Tarsicius. The Creator and the Integrity of Creation in the Fathers of the Church. Augustinian Studies 21 (1990): van Till, Howard J. Basil, Augustine and the Doctrine of Creation s Functional Integrity. Science and Christian Belief 8 (1996): Ward, Keith. Religion and Creation. Oxford: Oxford University Press, Westermann, Claus. Creation. London: SPCK, Wisan, Winifred Lovell. Galileo and God s Creation. Isis 77 (1986): Wyatt, Peter. Jesus Christ and Creation in the Theology of John Calvin, Allison Park, PA: Pickwick Publications, Young, Frances. Creatio Ex Nihilo : A Context for the Emergence of the Christian Doctrine of Creation. Scottish Journal of Theology 44 (1991): Title of Lecture/Class Genesis 1 11 Dr Jarick Day and Time Thursday, 9:00 [weeks 1-4] Examination Schools These lectures provide an introduction to the literary, historical, and theological issues pertaining to one of the two set texts for Prelims Paper 2 (The Study of Old Testament Set Texts), namely Genesis 1 11, the stories of primeval times. Students attending this series will gain an awareness of the main critical problems which these biblical chapters raise, an understanding of the main theological themes of this text as well as of its distinctive features within the broader context of its ancient Near Eastern background, and a basis from which to pursue intelligent commentary work in preparation 12

16 PRELIMINARY EXAMINATIONS for commenting upon gobbets in the Prelims examination. The topics of the sessions will be as follows: (1) Introductory Matters, and the Creation, Take One (Chapter 1) (2) The Creation, Take Two (Chapters 2 3) (3) The Human Condition (Chapters 4 5 and 10 11) (4) The Flood (Chapters 6 9) Those attending the lectures may find it useful to bring a copy of the Bible (preferably NRSV).. Title of Lecture/Class s Introduction to the Old Testament Dr Jarick and others Day and Time Tuesday, 10:00 Examination Schools This lecture series provides an orientation to the study of the Old Testament. Consideration is given to what is in the Old Testament, the historical context in which it was written, some of its theological themes, and some of the disputed issues in its interpretation. The topics of the sessions will be as follows: (1) Reading the Old Testament (Dr Jarick) (2) The Pentateuch (Dr Clifford) (3) Prophecy (Dr Robson) (4) Apocalyptic (Professor Gillingham) (5) Archaeology and the Religion of Israel (Professor Day) (6) Historiography (Dr Rooke) (7) Wisdom (Dr Jarick) (8) Psalms (Professor Gillingham) 13

17 PRELIMINARY EXAMINATIONS Introduction to the New Testament with Special Reference to the Gospel of Mark s Dr Marshall [weeks 1-4] and Prof. Lincicum [weeks 5-8] Day and Time Tuesday and Thursday, 11:00 Examination Schools A series of 16 lectures designed to aid preparation for the Preliminary Examination. Weeks Lectures by Dr Marshall These provide an introduction to the content of the NT and issues in NT scholarship. 1. What is the New Testament? 2. How might we read the New Testament? 3. What do we know about the historical context of the New Testament? 4. What else might we read alongside the New Testament? 5. Survey of content Gospels 6. Survey of content Epistles 7. Survey of Content Acts and Revelation and Exam Q1 advice. 8. Gobbet Guidance Weeks Lectures by Prof. Lincicum These will provide a more detailed introduction to the study of Mark s gospel which may include: 1. An introduction to the gospel of Mark, issues of genre, date and authorship 2. The text of Mark 3. A brief history of the interpretation of Mark 4. Markan Christology 5. Secrecy Elements in Mark 6. Mark and the Gentile mission 7. The death of Jesus in Mark 8. The endings of Mark 14

18 PRELIMINARY EXAMINATIONS Title of Lecture The History of the Church from Nero to Constantine Prof. Edwards Day and Time Thursday, 12:00 Examination Schools Aims: This series of lectures, designed primarily for those sitting a paper on the subject in Theology Prelims, alternates narrative with thematic history, and aims to convey the most important results of academic study on the Christian communities between 54 and 337 A.D. It also sets out to be a modest introduction to historiography, which will acquaint students with some of the difficulties that the beset the writing of History for this period. Objectives: It is hoped that upon completion of this lecture course students will have been assisted in the development of: 1. A factual knowledge of the general history of the Roman empire, together with the most important personages and events in the history of the Church as an institution within the empire. 2. An awareness of the interaction of social factors with literary and ecclesiastical traditions, political events and personal qualities. 3. An awareness of the variety of Christian communities in this period, together with an historical understanding of the development of the concepts of authority, orthodoxy, heresy, episcopacy, catholicity and the canon. 4. A basic knowledge of the doctrines, whether heterodox or orthodox, which impinged on the definition and development of the institutional church. 5. Some acquaintance with the materials used by historians of this period, and the controversies which arise in the attempt to interpret these materials. The eight lectures will be as follows: 1. Outline History of the Roman World 4 B.C.-250 A.D. 2. Growth of the Church in this period 3. Persecution and Martyrdom 4. Heresy and Schism (1) 5. Heresy and Schism (2) 6. From Decius to Diocletian 15

19 PRELIMINARY EXAMINATIONS 7. The Rise of Constantine 8. Constantine and the Church. Title of Lecture Introduction to the Study of Religions Prof. Hausner Day and Time Thursday, 10:00 Examination Schools The principle aim of these lectures is to introduce the Study of Religions through the critical study of different methodological approaches. We will assess the main disciplinary attempts to define religion and begin to acquire an insight into the wide variety of religious practice and expression across the world. Lectures will focus on the ways in which the Study of Religions draws upon multiple fields and disciplines (anthropology, sociology, psychology, history, and phenomenology, among others) in an attempt to gain an awareness and understanding of the diversity of the phenomenon of religion. For descriptions of the New Testament Greek, Biblical Hebrew for Beginners, Qur ānic Arabic, and Sanskrit classes, see the Languages section in this booklet. 16

20 BIBLICAL STUDIES Core Lectures and Classes History of Israel s Dr Rooke Day and Time Monday, 11:00 [weeks 1-4] Gibson Lecture Room Aim: to provide students with an introduction to the main historical periods and critical issues relating to Israel's history. Objectives: by the end of the course, students should know the main outlines of Israel s history for the period that is covered by the biblical text know the relevant sources, texts and archaeological data that relate to the history of Israel for this period be aware of the critical issues that arise when considering the history of Israel understand some of the methods used when examining the history of Israel Delivery: The course is delivered through a series of four lectures 1 General issues and methods 2 Monarchy 3 Exile 4 Restoration. Title of Lecture/Class Theological Themes in the Old Testament Dr Jarick 17

21 BIBLICAL STUDIES Day and Time Monday, [Weeks 5 8] Gibson Lecture Room This lecture series provides an orientation to some of the central theological themes to be found in the Old Testament. It is designed primarily for students working for FHS Theology Paper 1 (God and Israel in the Old Testament), but may also be suitable for undergraduates and graduates studying for other programmes. The topics of the sessions will be as follows: (1) Old Testament Perspectives on God (including a focus on God as Creator) (2) Old Testament Perspectives on Humanity (including a focus on Ethics) (3) Old Testament Perspectives on the Relationship between God and Humanity (including a focus on Theodicy, i.e. does God treat humanity justly?) (4) Old Testament Perspectives on the Relationship between God and Israel (including a focus on Covenant Theology) Those attending the lectures may find it useful to bring a copy of the Bible (preferably NRSV).. God and Israel in the Old Testament (carried over from TT) Deuteronomy: Set Text Prof. Gillingham Day and Time Wednesday, 12:00 [weeks 1-2] Gibson Lecture Room These lectures are among the core lectures for the Old Testament paper 1 (God and Israel in the Old Testament), which is compulsory for those studying for the single school of Theology, and a possible option for those taking the joint school. If you're in the 1 st year 18

22 BIBLICAL STUDIES these lectures are certainly for you. Also, if you're in the 2 nd or 3 rd year and failed to attend these lectures previously these are lectures for you too. The God and Israel in the Old Testament exam paper will consist of three sections: (i) gobbets taken from Psalms 1, 2, 8, 15, 19, 46-49, 51, 72-74, 89, 96-99, 104, 118, Isaiah 1-11, 28-31, 40-45, and Deuteronomy 5-15, 26-28; (ii) essay questions on Psalms, Isaiah 1-39, and Deuteronomy; (iii) essay questions on the Old Testament more broadly. It is the intention of these lectures primarily to provide general introductions to the texts in the second section, namely the Psalms, 1st and 2 nd Isaiah, and Deuteronomy, and in the process to familiarise students with the parallel gobbet sections to be covered in the first section. The structure of the lecture course is as follows: Lecture 1: Psalms (part 1): General Introduction to the Psalms; Psalms of Lament, and Psalms of Thanksgiving Lecture 2: Psalms (part 2): Psalms of Confidence, Psalms of Praise, Royal Psalms, Wisdom & Torah Psalms, and Entrance Liturgies Lecture 3: 1 st Isaiah (part 1): General Introduction, and Isaiah 1-12 Lecture 4: 1 st Isaiah (part 2): Isaiah 13-39, Isaiah and the Assyrian Crisis, the Unity of the Book and Lecture 5: 2 nd Themes Isaiah (Isaiah 40-55): Introduction and Main Theological Lecture 6: Deuteronomy (part 1): The Origin and Purpose of the Book, and the Introductory Section in Deuteronomy 1-11 Lecture 7: Deuteronomy (part 2): The Central Legal Section in Deuteronomy 12-26, and the Book s Main Theological Idea Lecture 8: Some Practice Gobbets from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy, and Further Advice on Undertaking Gobbets For a description of the class on Isaiah 1 2, 6, (Hebrew text), see the Languages section in this booklet. 19

23 BIBLICAL STUDIES The Gospel of John Dr Marshall Day and Time Monday, 12:00 Gibson Lecture Room A series of six lectures designed to provide an overview of John s Gospel for the FHS paper 2. Lectures will cover: 1. Text and Context: The text and introductory issues. 2. The Jews and Judaism. 3. Community and World: 4. Father and Son (Christology): 5. Miracles and the death of Jesus: 6. The Presence and Absence of Jesus: Resurrection and the risen Jesus; eschatology; spirit, paraclete; sacraments. A selected bibliography and further details will be provided at the lecture.. Introduction to Paul s Life and Letters, Part 1 Prof. Bockmuehl Day and Time Monday, 2:00-4:00 Examination Schools 20

24 BIBLICAL STUDIES This first series of lectures on Paul s life and letters will cover the following topics: 1. Overview; life of Paul; Paul and Acts 2. Pauline Christology 3. Atonement in Paul 4. Paul and Israel 5. Spirit, Church and Ethics 6. History of Pauline Interpretation Suggestions for introductory reading on Paul include the following: Barrett, C. K Paul: An Introduction to his Thought. London: Chapman. Childs, Brevard S The Church's Guide for Reading Paul: The Canonical Shaping of the Pauline Corpus. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans. Das, A. Andrew Paul and the Jews. Library of Pauline Studies. Peabody: Hendrickson. Dunn, James D. G The Theology of Paul the Apostle. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans. Gorman, Michael J Reading Paul. Cascade Companions. Eugene: Cascade Books. Hengel, Martin and Roland Deines The Pre-Christian Paul. Trans. J. Bowden. London: SCM Press. Hooker, Morna D Paul: A Short Introduction. Oxford: Oneworld. Horrell, David G An Introduction to the Study of St Paul. 2nd edn. London/New York: Continuum Keck, Leander E Paul and his Letters. 2nd edn. Philadelphia: Fortress Press. Murphy-O'Connor, J Paul: A Critical Life. Oxford/New York: Oxford University Press. Riesner, Rainer Paul's Early Period: Chronology, Mission Strategy, Theology. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans. Roetzel, Calvin J Paul: The Man and the Myth. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. Sanders, E. P Paul: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford/New York: Oxford University Press. Thiselton, Anthony C The Living Paul: An Introduction to the Apostle's Life and Thought. London: SPCK.. Title of Lecture/Class s The Theological Interpretation of the New Testament Prof. Lincicum & Dr Zahl Day and Time Wednesday, 11:00-12:30 21

25 BIBLICAL STUDIES Mansfield College This class forms the core teaching for the Theological Interpretation of the New Testament option of Paper 6. The minimum confirmed enrolment is 4, with a maximum enrolment of 12. The class will be co-taught by a theologian, Prof. Simeon Zahl, and a biblical scholar, Prof. David Lincicum. The purpose of the class will be to offer a critical introduction to the theological interpretation of Scripture, with a special emphasis on the New Testament. How does modern historical criticism relate to traditional practices of reading Scripture? Can precritical ways of reading Scripture be re-appropriated today? How might the rule of faith function in interpretation? What does or should study of reception history add to theological interpretation? In what sense might allegory or figural interpretation be productive modes of reading? What are the weaknesses in the current theological interpretation movement, and to what degree to these weaknesses signal fundamental flaws in the project as a whole? This class offers an occasion to consider these questions in some depth. Students will be offered an opportunity to reflect on both the methodological questions concerning the theological interpretation of the New Testament as well as the chance to consider specific classic texts in greater detail. Introductory sessions on theological interpretation and methodological debates will be followed by considerations, in turn, of some major movements and methods in the debate (as below). It is expected that texts will be studied in English, but Greek may be included depending on student interest. Students will make three class presentations on the texts being studied; these may be used to prepare the two formally assessed essays. Proposed class sessions: 1. What is theological interpretation of Scripture? 2. The Rise of Historical Criticism 3. Dialectical Theology and its Critics 4. Catholic Transformations in the 20 th century 5. The Retrieval of Pre-Critical Exegesis 6. Post-liberalism and Biblical Narrative 7. Feminism and the Social Location of Scriptural Interpretation 8. Texts and the Problem of Meaning A detailed bibliography will be provided. Suggested introductory reading includes the following: S. Fowl, ed., The Theological Interpretation of Scripture: Classic and Contemporary Readings (Oxford: Blackwell, 1997) Kevin J. Vanhoozer, ed., Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2005) 22

26 BIBLICAL STUDIES Genesis 6-9 (Hebrew Text) Mr Cudworth Day and Time Friday, 2:00 [weeks 1-5] Gibson Seminar Room 2 Aim To enable students to translate from Hebrew into English one of the set texts for the full Hebrew paper (as well as the Hebrew translation paper), and understand the grammatical forms found within them. Objectives (a) Students will have learnt to translate the Hebrew of Genesis 6-9 into English. (b) Students will have mastered the vocabulary and grammar of Genesis 6-9. (c) Optionally (if taking the full Hebrew paper), they will be able to make linguistic comments on short passages from these texts, and with additional commentary work they will be able to make broader comments. Means of achieving objectives 5 classes. We translate round the class, so it is desirable for those attending to prepare in advance about a page of the text in Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia. (Students normally attend at the beginning of their 3 rd year, unless they took Hebrew in Prelims or are taking the Theology course in two years, in which case they should come at the beginning of their 2 nd year.) 23

27 BIBLICAL STUDIES Other Lectures and Classes For a description of the lecture Introduction to the Old Testament, see the Preliminary Examinations section in this booklet. For a description of Biblical Hebrew (Second Year) and the Greek Text Classes, see the Languages section in this booklet. New Testament Seminar Prof. Bockmuehl Day and Time Friday, :00 Gibbs Room, Keble College The New Testament Graduate Seminar will allow an opportunity for current postgraduate students in New Testament and cognate disciplines to present their work to their peers, to receive critical feedback on current proposals, and to interact on topics of interest in scholarship and research methodology.. Graduate Colloquium in Biblical and Early Christian Studies s Prof. Bockmuehl & Prof. Lincicum 24

28 BIBLICAL STUDIES Day and Time Wednesday, 8:15-9:45 [weeks 2,4,6,8] Keble Hall The Graduate Colloquium in Biblical and Early Christian Studies meets fortnightly during term time to consider important primary and secondary readings that vary by theme each term. Participants will usually be expected to present at least once during the year (and possibly more often), such presentations usually consisting of a brief summary of the reading and points or questions for further discussion. For further information, contact Markus Bockmuehl: markus.bockmuehl@keble.ox.ac.uk or David Lincicum: david.lincicum@theology.ox.ac.uk. For past colloquium topics, see Prof. Bockmuehl s website: The Bible in Art, Music and Literature Dr Christine Joynes Day and Time Monday, 5:00 (wks 2, 4, 6 and 8) Trinity College, The Danson Room The interdisciplinary seminar on the Bible in Art, Music and Literature provides a forum for those interested in the reception history of the Bible. Guest speakers from across the Humanities are invited to lead the seminars, with presentations followed by general discussion. The seminar series combines focused research projects (currently WW1 and Biblical Interpretation ) with open sessions on relevant topics relating to the use, influence and impact of biblical texts across the centuries. 25

29 BIBLICAL STUDIES Old Testament Seminar Prof. Gillingham Day and Time Monday, 2:30-4:00 [weeks 2,4,6,8] Boardroom, Gibson Building The Old Testament Seminar will meet four times this term, at 2.30 p.m. on the Mondays of weeks 2, 4, 6, & 8 in the Gibson Building* where the Faculty of Theology and Religion has relocated. The meeting is followed by tea. The following programme has been arranged: Week 2 (20 October), Professor Nicolas Wyatt, Water, Wood and Trees: Creation in Recent Discussion. Week 4 (3 November), Dr. Rebecca Watson, The Sea in Scripture. Week 6 (17 November), Troy Cudworth, Kingship in the Books of Kings. Week 8 (1 December), Professor Sue Gillingham, Psalms : Covenant with David. Book Four and the. Old Testament Graduate Seminar Dr Jarick Day and Time Monday, 2:30-3:30 [weeks 1,3,5,] Boardroom, Gibson Building 26

30 BIBLICAL STUDIES There will also be a special session at the Ashmolean Museum on the Friday of Week 7 at noon) 13th October 27th October Introductory Session: (Re)orientation to the Oxford Old Testament Experience SONJA NOLL Semantics of Silence in the Hebrew Bible 10th November 28th November (Friday) SETH COLE The Problem of the Hebrew Netherworld, with Particular Attention to the Use of Sheol in Hosea 13:14 Special Session at the Ashmolean Museum (meet at the main entrance to the museum, inside the glass doors, at noon): DR SENTA GERMAN Scribal Culture Hands-On: Ancient Objects Related to Writing 27

31 HISTORY AND DOCTRINE Core Lectures and Classes Doctrine before Nicaea Prof. Edwards Day and Time Tuesday, 11:00 Examination Schools Aims To present a coherent and comprehensive account of the chief debates, speculations and controversies which arose from Christian attempts in the first three centuries to harmonize the teachings of the two testaments and thereby create a systematic alternative to prevailing Jewish and pagan theologies. The lectures are designed primarily (though not exclusively) for those who will sit the finals paper on the Development of Doctrine to 451 and the papers of the same name in Master of Studies and Master of Philosophy. Objectives In conjunction with tutorials these lectures should help students to understand the problems encountered by early Christians in exegesis, apologetics and the formulation of a new philosophy. They should be aware of the diversity of the questions addressed by early Christians and of the divergent principles which led to the formulation of different answers. They should be able to fit the main ecclesiastical writers into a clear chronological scheme, while at the same time being able to account for the origin and the condemnation of the opinions which came to be deemed heretical. Plan of lectures Week 1. Scripture and the early Church. Week 2. The First Generation: Apostolic Fathers. Week 3. Second Century Speculation. Week 4. The theology of the Logos. Week 5. Founders of Orthodoxy: Irenaeus, Hippolytus. Week 6. Alexandrian Orthodoxy: Clement, Origen. Week 7. The Trinity East and West. Week 8. Arius. 28

32 HISTORY AND DOCTRINE Introduction to Christology Dr Zahl Day and Time Thursday, 11:00 Gibson Lecture Room Aims To introduce students to the main themes in Christian understanding of the person and work of Jesus Christ, including its internal dynamics and challenges as well as its its relationship to other major topics in systematic theology. To introduce students to key developments in Christology since the early modern period, with a particular focus on 20 th and 21 st century contributions and debates. To reflect upon the relationship between views about the person and work of Jesus Christ and their wider intellectual and and cultural context. Objectives: Students will have gained an understanding of the basic framework of Christology, and its relationship to other major topics in sytematic theology. Students will have become acquainted with key topics and developments in Christology in the past century and their background Student will become familiar with important particular theologians and theological currents in the past century through their contribution to Christology. Students will have developed an understanding of the interrelationship between theological thought and its wider context. Topics: Week 1 Jesus of Nazareth and the Task of Theology Week 2 The Incarnation Week 3 The Cross Week 4 Resurrection and Eschaton Week 5 Modern Christological Themes 1: Jesus Christ and What it Means to Be Human (Barth) Week 6 Modern Christological Themes 2: Transcendental and Existential Christologies (Rahner and Tillich) Week 7 Modern Christological Themes 3: Participation, Atonement, and Salvation in Christ Week 8 Jesus Christ in Late Modernity 29

33 HISTORY AND DOCTRINE Themes and Personalities in the Reformation (2) Prof. MacCulloch Day and Time Tuesday, 12:00 Examination Schools This course seeks to introduce students to the varieties of reformation which transformed European religion, both Protestant and Catholic, during the sixteenth century, aiming to provide an integrated view of the historical and doctrinal developments which comprised the breakup of the Western Latin Church and which still shape the contours of Western Christianity on a worldwide scale. It deals with the condition of the Western Church before the Reformation crisis, and discusses the careers and thought of leading Protestant reformers both mainstream and radical, and the partial recovery by the Roman Church in the Counter-Reformation. We will consider the Reformation as a social and political as well as a religious phenomenon. Themes and introductions to the leading personalities will run on a two-year cycle, with a different set offered the following year. In either of the two sets of lectures there will be a selection of sufficient topics to provide adequate coverage for answers in the Final Examination, but the two sets over the two years will complement each other. Outline notes are provided for each lecture, and a full bibliography is also given to those who attend. Besides being a core course for students taking Paper 8 of the Theology Schools course, the lecture series is also made available to and advertised for students in the Faculty of Modern History. It will be complemented by a series of lectures with a more particular focus on the Reformation in England.. Western Christianity and Modern Culture, s Prof. Rasmussen & Dr Lockley Day and Time Thursday

34 HISTORY AND DOCTRINE Gibson Lecture Room SERIES DESCRIPTION This course of lectures (together with the series by the same title offered in Hilary and Trinity Terms) is an introduction to the life and thought of the Christian Churches in Europe and the Anglophone world between 1789 and Lectures draw upon social, cultural, and intellectual history in order to address both larger historical transformations across the long nineteenth century, and specific theological issues such as Faith and Reason, the Bible, Theology and Literature, and Religious Experience. They will thus be accessible and useful for candidates sitting Paper 9a (Christian Life and Thought in Europe and the Englishspeaking World, ), Paper 9b (Issues in Theology, ), and Paper 5 (God, Christ, and Salvation). Week 1: Week 2: Week 3: Week 4: Week 5: Week 6: WEEK 7: Week 8: The French Revolution and its Repercussions on Religious Life in Europe (Rasmussen) The Intellectual Collapse of the Religion of Reason (Rasmussen) The Church of England at the beginning of the Nineteenth Century (Lockley) Romanticism and Absolute Idealism (Rasmussen) Focus Issue: Faith and Reason (Rasmussen) The Philosophical Theology of Samuel Taylor Coleridge Set text: S. T. Coleridge, Aids to Reflection (1825) Focus Issue: Faith and Reason (Rasmussen) Can the Truth be Taught/Learned? Set texts: John Henry Newman, Oxford University Sermons ( ) and Søren Kierkegaard, Philosophical Fragments (1844) The Oxford Movement (Rasmussen) Revivalism (Lockley) AIM The series of lectures focuses especially on reformulations of theological worldviews during the period, and on important philosophical, historical-critical, and social-scientific challenges that contributed to the reshaping of various traditions in modern western Christianity. It also explores the broad social, political, and ecclesiastical transformations of the period, and makes relevant comparisons with religious developments in the USA. The lectures are intended primarily for candidates preparing for examination papers 9a and 9b of the BA in 31

35 HISTORY AND DOCTRINE the Final Honour School of Theology, and in the Joint School of Philosophy and Theology, but will also be relevant for students preparing for Paper 5, and of interest to other students in theology, philosophy, and history, especially those doing nineteenth-century European history. OBJECTIVES Students who attend this series of lectures a) will understand some of the transformations in religious outlook and structural change that occurred within various traditions in western Christianity during the period; b) will gain a sense for the post-1789 acceleration of changes in secular society, and the advances in philosophy, science, and literary criticism that influenced discussions about the intellectual status of religious claims; and c) will be critically conversant with the historical situation and the principal intellectual preoccupations of some of the more influential Christian thinkers of the period, and with some of the key points of their major critics.. Further Studies in History and Doctrine: Augustine Prof. Edwards Day and Time Friday, 11:30 Tom Quad 2.1, Christ Church Aims This series of eight classes is intended for those taking the paper Augustine in the Theology BA under the rubric of Further Studies in History and Doctrine. It aims to give students an overall understanding of Augustine s world and his thought, and a detailed understanding of the works prescribed in the syllabus. It is hoped that this will increase their understanding of Patristics, and also enhance their ability to construct theological arguments in response to modern issues. 32

36 HISTORY AND DOCTRINE Objectives Students who have read the prescribed texts and attended the classes can be expected to possess 1. A basic acquaintance with the Greek and Latin philosophy of Augustine s time (c A.D.) and other factors relevant to his education. 2. A coherent understanding of the main points of Augustine s theology, its development in the light of his own experience and his place in the history of Christian thought. 3. A detailed knowledge of the structure and content of the prescribed texts, with the necessary information to answer a passage for comment from one of these texts. 4. The skills and materials necessary for an intelligent judgement of the interaction of scripture, tradition, secular philosophy and common sense in the formation of Augustine s views. Title of Class Further Studies in History and Doctrine: Kierkegaard Prof Rasmussen Day and Time Thursday, 1:00 Gibson Seminar Room 2 This class in the Special Theologians series aims to enable students to become familiar with the character and contours of Søren Kierkegaard s thought, to place his religious thought in historical context, and to consider his influence on modern theology and philosophy of religion. The emphasis of the class is on exploring primary texts from Kierkegaard s writings, although bibliographies of secondary texts, thematically arranged, are also provided. Class participants should come to all eight class sessions prepared to discuss and debate the scheduled readings and the weekly student paper in detail. Additionally, each participant will have opportunities to focus and deepen classroom conversation by serving at least once in each of four roles: presenter, respondent, gobbeteer, and secretary. Students who participate in this class should gain: a) an understanding of the major themes and arguments of Kierkegaard s authorship; b) an appreciation of the historical context and cultural contests in which Kierkegaard s writings participate; 33

37 HISTORY AND DOCTRINE c) an awareness of some of the various traditions in the reception of Kierkegaard s writings; and d) skills in the critical analysis of theological/philosophical/literary texts. The class will principally address the texts set for the Kierkegaard paper: Fear and Trembling; The Concept of Anxiety; Philosophical Fragments; Concluding Unscientific Postscript to Philosophical Fragments; Works of Love; The Sickness Unto Death; and Practice in Christianity. Suggested Preparatory Readings: Søren Kierkegaard, Either/Or, 2 volumes, trans. by Howard Hong & Edna Hong. Princeton: Princeton University Press, Alastair Hannay, Kierkegaard: A Biography. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, Bruce Kirmmse, Kierkegaard in Golden Age Denmark. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, George Pattison, Kierkegaard: The Aesthetic and the Religious, 2 nd edition. London: SCM Press, Title of Lecture/Class Further Studies in History and Doctrine: Calvin Dr. Apetrei Day and Time Tuesday, 2:00 Gibson Seminar Room 1 The class in the Special Theologians series aims to enable students to become familiar with the contours and emphases of John Calvin s thought, to place his thought in historical context, and to consider his impact on the Reformation in general, and on Reformed Protestantism in particular. Eight classes of approximately one and a half hours are held. Full bibliographies, thematically arranged, are provided. Everyone enrolled in the class will be expected to make a contribution to leading one seminar session or more. The emphasis is on exploring primary set texts from Calvin s writings. The eight sessions will deal with the background to Calvin s thought, his influences and early career, and on set texts concentrating on themes such as the sacraments, predestination, ecclesiology, and relations with the temporal power. Students will be offered support and advice in leading sessions, and will be encouraged to participate actively by taking discussion in directions which interest them. Revision classes will be held in Trinity Term to discuss gobbets. 34