Current Students
Associate in Theology
Biblical Studies
Old Testament
This course provides an overview of the Old Testament. The purpose is two-fold. The first is to familiarize students with the content, historical context and theology of the Old Testament. The second is to introduce students to certain methodologies and resources that help us to understand and interpret the Old Testament. No previous scriptural study is expected or required.
A study of many of the prophets of the Old Testament. The course examines the political, economic, and religious context in which each prophet lived as well as how these factors shaped the prophet’s message. Special attention is given to certain elements of theology – in particular, the image or understanding of God that is suggested by the prophet’s words and writings. (Prerequisite: 2000-Q Introduction to the Old Testament)
New Testament
This course offers an overview of the New Testament, and has two aims. The first is to familiarize students with the content, historical context and theology of the New Testament, with an emphasis on the four gospels and the Pauline letters. The second is to introduce students to certain methodologies or reading strategies that help us to understand and interpret the New Testament. No previous scriptural study is expected or required.
This course provides an introductory overview of the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in the gospels. The aim of the course is three-fold: (1) to examine specific aspects of the life of Jesus including the birth narratives, parables, miracles, preaching, passion, etc.; (2) to introduce students to the portraits of Jesus that have emerged over the centuries; (3) and to grapple with our old and new images to form our own portrait of Jesus. (Prerequisite: 2000-Q Introduction to the New Testament)
This course provides an introduction to the Pauline Corpus. It is designed to equip students with background information on the world in which Paul lived, and to examine the major issues and themes of Paul’s letters.
Church History
This course provides a survey of the history of the Christian Church from its Jewish roots to the dawn of the Reformation. It is divided into three periods: (1) The Early Church, (2) The Imperial Church, and (3) Medieval Christianity. Our goal is to gain an understanding of and appreciation for the cultural, institutional, theological and historical factors that have shaped Christianity.
This course surveys some of the main historical and theological developments in the Christian Church from the Reformation to the 21st Century. (cross-listed as 2505-Q)
Pastoral Studies
A two-semester program designed to introduce students to the theology, theory and skills essential to pastoral ministry. There will be some emphasis on the personal and interpersonal matters that are essential to effective pastoral ministry. These courses are particularly geared for individuals interested in pastoral ministry to the sick. (Part A is a prerequisite for Part B)
This course provides an excellent opportunity for parents, educators, catechists, Sunday School teachers and clergy to explore how they can best encourage adults and children to grow in faith. Three faculty members, with specialties in education, worship, spirituality and theology, will help participants explore the connections between how we teach, what we believe and how we worship.
This course is arranged to provide an historical and theological overview of the diaconate as an Order of Ministry within the Church. The course will explain the connection between permanent diaconate and transitional diaconate. It will examine the uniqueness of diaconate and the potential of the vocational diaconal ministry to enhance and empower lay ministries.
This course is intended to introduce students to the concept of grief and bereavement. It will help them discover the individual and relational dynamics of grief, and recognize grief as a major source of stress. It will help develop an understanding of family-systems theory as a resource in pastoral ministry and situate grief and bereavement in the context of one’s faith journey and faith tradition.
This course examines the individual and relational dynamics at play in marriages and families. Students develop an understanding of family-systems theories as a resource in pastoral ministry. There is a consideration of mixed marriage, human sexuality, parenting, same-sex relationships and marriage-family involvement. Participants will recognize the importance of ministry to married people and families.
Celebrating the communion of science and faith, this course explores the promise of evolutionary Christian spirituality. We will examine the case from the perspective of over a dozen leading theologians and progressive thinkers.
Christian Education
This course is designed to provide an introduction to the philosophy, theology, and practice of youth ministry with a special emphasis on building community and developing student leaders. (cross-listed with 2915-Q Youth Ministry Studies)
This course examines the deeply felt need of many Christians for growth in faith and spirituality. It also provides the framework for the local Church to assist individuals and congregations in this growth. This course is designed to be of value to individuals in their personal faith journey as well as assisting local faith communities in meeting the spiritual needs of their adult members.
Explores creative spirituality from a number of perspectives and world views, with a view towards defining what makes spirituality Christian.
The course will examine a model of evangelization and catechesis (Christian Education) that has (1) separate and combined educational elements for the adult and youth faith communities and (2) an approach for bringing both together in a ministry of service.(cross-listed with 2944- Youth Ministry Studies)
As you can tell by the title this course acknowledges the changing landscape of education in the church. This course provides an introduction to the theory and practice of Christian education in the context of youth ministry. Topics to be discussed include programs, developmental psychology, faith development, catechesis, and Bible teaching. (cross-listed with 2945-Q Youth Ministry Studies)
Theological Studies
Thinking Through the Faith is an introduction to basic topics in Christian theology. The course will examine such topics as revelation, creation, God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, salvation, prayer, the Church and spirituality, and will provide the student with a method for thinking theologically about contemporary issues affecting both the world and the individual. (Prerequisite: 2000-Q Introduction to the Old Testament or 2200-Q Introduction to the New Testament)
This course surveys some of the main historical and theological developments in the Christian Church from the Reformation to the 21th Century. (cross-listed with Church History 2105-Q)
This two-credit-course equips students with fundamentals for the study of theology. It will expose them to essential skills such as basic logic, critical thinking, distributed learning and on-line research. The skills will be acquired while exploring basic philosophical and theological concepts and producing papers that demonstrate a grasp of the concepts and use of the skills.
Moral Theology
This course includes an examination of the foundations of Christian ethics and the influence of ethics on individuals, communities and society. It is an exploration of ethics in theory and in practice.
Liturgical Studies
This introductory course explores the rich depth and diverse foundations in Christian Literature through an exploration of different liturgical themes as they have evolved over two millennia.
Introduction to the Eucharist. This course attempts to introduce students to the Sacrament of the Eucharist as liturgical theology. It hopes to deepen students’ awareness of the Eucharist as the prayer of the community. Using a models approach to the Eucharist, we will weave together biblical, ritual, historical and theological dimensions
The goal of this course is to develop a realistic, holistic, and practical approach to worship as an integral part of a healthy Christian community. This course will focus on developing theoretical and practical ministry skills in areas such as spiritual disciplines, sacraments, music, and retreats. (cross-listed with 2925-Q Youth Ministry Studies)
This course introduces students to the three sacraments of initiation, namely baptism, confirmation and the Eucharist. The course will weave together the biblical, ritual, historical and theological dimensions together and hopes to deepen student’s awareness of the history, theology and practice of these rites in the public prayer of the Church.
Youth Ministry Studies
This course is designed to provide an introduction to the philosophy, theology, and practice of youth ministry with a special emphasis on building community and developing student leaders. (cross-listed with 2415-Q Pastoral Studies)
The goal of this course is to develop a realistic, holistic, and practical approach to worship as an integral part of a healthy Christian community. This course will focus on developing theoretical and practical ministry skills in areas such as spiritual disciplines, sacraments, music, and retreats. (cross-listed with 2825-Q Liturgical Studies)
This course will examine the theology of service and social justice and provide practical approaches, strategies, and skills for getting youth involved as part of a Christian community. (cross-listed with 2635-Q Moral Theology)
The course will examine a model of evangelization and catechesis (Christian Education) that has (1) separate and combined educational elements for the adult and youth faith communities and (2) an approach for bringing both together in a ministry of service. (cross-listed with 2444-Q Pastoral Studies)
As you can tell by the title this course acknowledges the changing landscape of education in the church. This course provides an introduction to the theory and practice of Christian education in the context of youth ministry. Topics to be discussed include programs, developmental psychology, faith development, catechesis, and Bible teaching. (cross-listed with 2445-Q Pastoral Studies)
This course will explore evangelism and discipleship within youth ministry while seeking to cast a contemporary vision for both evangelism and discipleship within the larger Christian community. Topics to be discussed include student mentorship, small group ministry, youth retreats, homiletics/preaching, creative evangelism.