Basic Hebrew grammar and vocabulary are studied in conjunction with questions of cosmology, the understanding of history and the theological perspective of ancient Israel. A study of the Gospel, three Epistles of John and the Book of Revelation designed to help students grasp the interrelationships, structures, issues and implications of these books and gain an appreciation of the richness and variety of the religious, literary and political world in which they emerged, especially Jewish apocalypticism, the Dead Sea Scrolls of Qumran and the Greco-Roman World. Emphasis is placed on understanding Jesus in the light of the Judaism of his day, drawing on the insights of recent scholarship on the Gospels. A beginning study of biblical Greek, providing a thorough foundation in the essentials of grammar, vocabulary and translation. Includes readings in the Gospels and Letters of John.
Students examine examples and wrestle with the practical implications of each.
The care of the Earth demands that complex issues such as population, technology, freedom, aesthetics, politics, justice and the rights and limitations of nations and businesses be addressed. Students attempt to develop a theological ethic of the environment. Students will develop a critical analysis of the subjects' ethical stances and their applicability to current ethical isseus. This study focuses particularly on the religious cultures of China and Japan. An introduction to church vocations especially designed for students interested in exploring the possibility of lay or ordained professional work in the church.