Provides an overview of both the Old and New Testaments, and explores the biblical and theological foundation of global mission, to help the student to grasp the nature and heart of God, and the identity and vocation of God’s people--God as the missional God, church as the missional community, and Christians as the missional people. Offered in Mandarin.

The experience of Christianity has often been culturally disastrous for Indigenous peoples. Through the process of decolonization and indigenization this course will examine how Indigenous people live a biblically informed Christian faith in the context of Indigenous cultures. Perceptions from various disciplines will be sifted for insights to inform followers of the Jesus Way toward constructive action as change agents.

An intensive introduction to the fundamentals of Greek for the study of the New Testament. Intended for Master of Divinity students and other theological students who wish to move quickly into the study of the Bible in the original languages.

Continuation of NEWT 0321. Prerequisite: NEWT 0321.

A study of the New Testament focusing on its overarching vision of God’s mission in the world and how human beings are called to respond. Each book will be placed in its cultural and historical setting as we focus on its distinctive contribution to the New Testament. Along the way, students will be introduced to critical methods for studying the New Testament and will reflect on how we can integrate scholarly perspectives with a conviction that the New Testament is the Word of God. Recommended prerequisite: BIBL 0501.

Designed (with its continuation, NEWT 0524) to bring students with an elementary knowledge of Koine Greek to the point where they can comfortably use the Greek text of the New Testament as the basis for their regular study and teaching. Students will expand their working Greek vocabulary and deepen their grasp of Greek grammar, so that they can read the New Testament fluently with the help of a standard reading guide. These language skills will be developed in the process of actually interpreting extended excerpts from the New Testament, so that students become comfortable with using Greek in real-life contexts and expand their repertoire of interpretive approaches at the same time. Prerequisites: NEWT 0322, BIBL 0501.

Designed (following on NEWT 0523) to bring students with an elementary knowledge of Koine Greek to the point where they can comfortably use the Greek text of the New Testament as the basis for their regular study and teaching. Students will expand their working Greek vocabulary and deepen their grasp of Greek grammar, so that they can read the New Testament fluently with the help of a standard reading guide. These language skills will be developed in the process of actually interpreting extended excerpts from the New Testament, so that students become comfortable with using Greek in real-life contexts and expand their repertoire of interpretive approaches at the same time. In this course, less emphasis will be placed on review of morphology and more emphasis placed on reading longer Greek passages. Prerequisites: NEWT 0523, BIBL 0501.

A study of the Book of Acts with a focus on its theology, literary artistry and depiction of Christian origins. Prerequisite: BIBL 0501. Same as PENT 0525.

A study of the Book of Revelation with a focus on its literary genre, theological themes and the various schools of interpretation. A detailed study of the argument with a view to teaching and preaching its contents. Prerequisite: BIBL 0501. Recommended: NEWT 0522.

Jesus’ parables provide rich insight into the main themes of his preaching and have a powerful message for the contemporary church. It is thus imperative that Christians develop the skills needed for interpreting them correctly. Reviews the history of parable interpretation, identifies the guiding principles for interpreting the parables and studies all the major parables. Prerequisite: BIBL 0501. Recommended: NEWT 0522.

Examines troublesome biblical texts by exploring hermeneutical methods that emphasize reading biblical texts redemptively within their ancient-world setting and canonical development. Students will shape the selection of texts and topics such as: ownership and harsh treatment of slaves, corporal punishment, cutting off a wife’s hand, forced marriage/rape of war captives, genocide in holy war, collective punishment of an entire family for the crime of one person, gender inequality, prohibition of homosexuality and premarital sex, a supposedly loving God casting people into never-ending torment, etc. Prerequisite: BIBL 0501. Same as OLDT 0541.

Directed Reading and Research (DRR) courses allow students to study in a specific area of interest not addressed by the scheduled course offerings. Permission required.

Offers an opportunity to study Jesus through the lens of the canonical Gospels. We will consider what it means to know and follow Jesus based on an approach that combines careful academic enquiry with faithful engagement of the Gospels as scripture. In addition to considering the methods and findings of the modern historical quest for Jesus, this course will reflect upon the nature and implications of various aspects of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection as they pertain to the life of faith and the mission within the church today. Recommended prerequisite: BIBL 0501.

A study of the Gospel of Mark on the basis of the English text. Attention will be given to the Gospel’s historical context, literary structure, theological outlook, ethics and distinctive themes. Prerequisite: BIBL 0501.

As he prepared for his last, fateful journey to Jerusalem, Paul sent the Roman churches a summary and defence of his controversial preaching. More than any other New Testament document, it is this letter to the Romans that has gone on to shape the thought of key leaders such as Augustine, Luther, Calvin and Barth. Traces the argument of Paul’s letter, setting it in the context of his mission and the realities of the Roman church. Along the way, we will explore the radical theological and ethical vision Paul developed, and we will examine some of the very different ways in which Paul’s readers have understood that vision. Prerequisite: BIBL 0501. Recommended: NEWT 0522.

A study of the Gospel of Matthew on the basis of the English text. The literary structure and characteristics, the portrayal of Jesus and the Gospel’s distinctive themes are discussed. Prerequisite: BIBL 0501.

A study focusing on the letters of 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus based on the English text. Critical issues with regard to background, context, authorship and literary characteristics are presented, followed by a stress on the theology and contemporary application of their teaching. Prerequisite: BIBL 0501.

A close reading of James, 1 & 2 Peter and Jude, with special attention given to literary, sociohistorical and theological understandings of the epistles. Prerequisite: BIBL 0501.

Explores the questions of authorship and situation of the Johannine epistles, ancient letter writing as it relates to 1, 2 & 3 John; the dualistic concepts of us/them, light/dark, sin/no sin, etc., with regard to the original audience and their implications for us today; the relationship of the epistles to the Gospel of John; and the theology of the epistles. Prerequisite: BIBL 0501. Recommended: NEWT 0522.

Examination of specific topics in the New Testament.

The common thread of Paul’s imprisonment ties Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon together as the “Prison Epistles.” This course will examine these four epistles and closely explore their historical circumstances, literary composition, rhetorical style and theological framework. Special attention will be paid to the unique contribution that each epistle makes to Christian theology and mission. Prerequisite: BIBL 0501. Recommended: NEWT 0522.

Although we sometimes idealize the first century church, Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians reveals a community in chaos. Examines the various problems in the Corinthian church and how Paul tried to address those issues, all in the context of the first century world. Along the way, we will ask how Paul’s treatment of factionalism, sexuality and marriage, communion, charismatic gifts, and other issues can help us to navigate life and leadership today. Prerequisite: BIBL 0501. Same as PENT 0520.

A cultural and literary study of the Epistle to the Hebrews, concentrating upon such themes as the new covenant, Christology, and eschatology. The abiding significance of the letter in relation to our own pilgrimages of faith is also discussed. Prerequisite: BIBL 0501. Recommended: NEWT 0522.

The purpose of this section-by-section analysis of the third Gospel is to determine what Luke wanted his audience to hear. Our approach to his Gospel proceeds from the premise that the author was both a historian and a theologian who chose to communicate through narrative his account of Jesus Christ. Although the introductory matters are dealt with and some comparisons with the writings of Mark and Matthew are drawn, the focus is on Luke’s narrative. Same as PENT 0507. Recommended prerequisite: BIBL 0501.