Interpretation of the

Old Testament

Purdue REL 202

(UND  Theo 176-1: Theology of the Old Testament)

 

The purpose of this course is to provide the student with a critical overview of the religious content of the Old Testament Scriptures (in their temporal development) by way of different interpretive models. The notions of religion, development, and interpretation are keys to this purpose.  

The assumption behind this investigation is that theological interpretation has application to these Scriptures only after these are understood in the historical, social, and intellectual contexts from which they emerged. In our studies, we shall discover that the characteristic religious thought of the Israelites – though unique – was influenced by the mythologies, cultures, philosophies, and theologies of other Mediterranean peoples.

Our approach to these historical materials will be based on a neutral academic stance. This means we will take account of other interpretations of the ancient Israelitic culture, even when these are at variance with the Christian interpretations of Biblical history and theology.

The intention of this course is enrich the student's intellectual appreciation of Biblical interpretation through a critical study of the writings of the ancient Hebrews. This course focuses on three themes: the nature of God, the nature of faith and the nature of salvation, as these develop in ancient Israelitic history and are understood through different interpretive models.

 

Prerequisites:  None.

 

Course Requirements:  One midterm, one final and one book report.

 

Auditors are welcome.

 

 

 

 

 

Directed Readings in Theology

UND Theology 497

(To be Arranged by Student &

Instructor)

 

This course provides an opportunity for students to explore individually tailored research topics and projects.  The emphasis is upon independence, initiative and creativity within limits agreed upon by instructor and student.  Students must meet with Dr. Ryba before the end of the second week of class to begin the development of a bibliography and to set regular meeting dates.  If two or more students wish to work on joint interests, seminar-style meetings can be arranged.  Topics in the past have included:  readings in Protestant and Roman Catholic history, business ethics from a Christian perspective, Christianity and non-Christian religions and changing forms of the ministry in the Church.  Possible topics for the future are open but subject to approval by the instructor. This is an opportunity for students to design their own courses.

 

------------------------------------------------------------

 

Prerequisites: One (or more) philosophy or theology course(s) or professor’s approval.

 

Course Requirements: Bi-weekly meetings, journal, annotated bibliography and major (20+ pp.) paper.

 

Auditors are welcome.

 

 

Systematic Theology

UND Theology 430 / 530P

(MA Program in Theology)

Tues. 7:15–10:00 p.m.

 

        This dual-level (undergraduate and graduate) introduction to the nature, tasks and methods of Systematic Theology is designed to focus on some of its exemplary architects. Selections from the writings of Origen of Alexadria, St. Augustine of Hippo, St. Thomas Aquinas, John Calvin, Francis Turretin, Karl Barth, Paul Tillich, Karl Rahner, Hans Urs Von Balthasar, et al., will be read as examples for the conduct of systematic theological inquiry.  Among the issues addressed will be: what a theological system (or the systematic conduct of theological inquiry) is, the relation between faith and reason, the role of experience as a theological datum, rhetoric and logic in theological argumentation, hermeneutical issues in the use of scriptural sources, and the idea of completeness in the relationship between the various theological sub-programs (doctrine of God, soteriology, ecclesiology, etc.).

 

------------------------------------------------------------

 

Prerequisites: Undergraduates: one course in philosophy/theology; Graduates: enrollment in the MA program or equivalent.

 

Course Requirements:

 

Undergraduates: Attendance, participation and seminar presentations.

 

Graduate students: Attendance, participation, annotated bibliography, and seminar presentations.

 

Auditors are welcome.