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What's life all about and does it have a purpose? Is there a God? What can we say about 'God'? What do people who say there is a God believe? Why is the history of religious belief often charged with conflict? Why do believers often disagree about what is the right thing to do? How does, or ought, religious belief influence local, national and international communities?
Studying theology addresses many of these questions central to human beings and the world in which they live. It also allows an exploration of the belief systems that have played a role in the shaping of our world throughout the centuries, and an engagement with theology allows students to examine critically some of the most fundamental questions in life and exploring whether some meaning can be perceived in the suffering and evil we see around us.
A study of theology involves engaging with a range of different subjects, and a grounding in the subject involves looking at the way theology is done by the biblical scholar, the philosopher, the historian and the systematic theologian. A look at history enables some understanding of the impact that religion has had in the past, and the legacy we live with today. Subjects such as Philosophy of Religion and Christian Ethics allow an exploration of the content of belief (miracles, petitionery prayer, arguments for the existence of God, the freewill defence and the problem of evil) and how such belief influences how we act, by considering issues such as conscience and its formation, human rights, natural law and moral norms, and specific issues relating to the beginning and ending of life, punishment, war, and the environment. Optional modules allow investigation of texts in original languages (Greek, Hebrew or Latin) as well as learning the languages themselves. The wider impact of religion can be considered through modules such as Judaism and Islam, or specific areas of ethical enquiry, or the influence of religion on the individual or society, by a consideration of topics such as the psychology or sociology of religion, or political theology.
A study of theology covers a diverse range of topics and ideas and it is difficult to think of another subject that offers such diversity and a range of opportunities. Studying theology and engaging with the central questions of human existence will not necessarily provide the answers, but will certainly provide better questions.
The MA provides the conceptual tools necessary to understand enough with Christian teachings about God, Jesus Christ, salvation, grace, Bible and Church and relations with other faith traditions. It aims to enable you to relate biblical and doctrinal traditions and their modern interpretations. It looks in detail at some issues particularly relevant in the contemporary Christian context, such as the significance of Jesus Christ for human life and destiny and the Augustinian tradition in Western Christianity. It spans systematic theology, church history, biblical study, pastoral theology and interreligious relations.
This programme is suitable for teachers of Religious Education at secondary level, those engaged in Christian ministry and priesthood and those who want to enrich their understanding of the on-going theological tradition which accompanies Christian faith and life.
The degree is made up of four modules and a dissertation which you complete at the end of the course, on a topic of your choice, approved by your supervisor. The core modules typically explore how key themes of Christianity have been understood and explained by the church and by key scholars over time, and also investigate current challenges, debates, and the responses of contemporary theologians. There is then an opportunity to focus your study on the links between scripture and life in the Church, the challenges facing Christian practice today, or on inter-religious encounter.
With the approval of the Programme Convenor, you may be able to replace the fourth module with one taken from another MA.
Examples of the modules available are:
CTH411 Augustine and the Christian Tradition
This first module is an introduction to Augustine, who has influenced Christian thought in the West more than any other post-Biblical writer. We shall follow his influence down into the eighteenth century, to give an idea of the classical theology which the modern thinkers you will then explore have had as a foundation to build on or react against. After a brief introduction to the criteria of truth in the Christian tradition, the module will examine central writings of Augustine and the way in which they have shaped Western Christian teaching, with special attention to the following topics:
The Trinity and Christ, Christ and the Church
The human person in the image of God, nature and grace
The Church in the World, Sex and marriage
The heirs of Augustine in the Reformation and Counter-Reformation
Augustine and the Enlightenment
CTH412 Central Themes in Modern Christian Theology
This module looks at the key themes in Christian theology, especially Trinity, Christology and Soteriology, using modern theologians and ideas as the main emphasis for study. Topics covered will typically include:
The role that a doctrine of creation can play in our understanding of God.
The doctrine of election in connection with the doctrine of God.
The links between the paschal mystery and the Trinity, especially with regard to divine suffering.
The role that experience can play in theology, and how best to understand the development of dogma to which its inclusion gives rise.
The classic metaphors of salvation in the Christian tradition, displaying a hermeneutical sensitivity to their use.
The main soteriological strategies of the twentieth century to be found in transcendental Thomism, theologies of liberation and dramatic soteriology.
The recovery of eschatology in current soteriology.
One of the following:
PAS415 Religion Context and Crisis
This module will address critical issues of the contemporary context from sociological and theological perspectives. It will model the pastoral theological approach and methodology and deepen understanding of themes of political and liberation theology and the sociology of religion.
CTH404 Alienated Siblings: Jews and Christians
The relationship between the Jewish people and the Christian Church is explored in this module:
The split between Jews and Christians in the decisive parting of the ways in the 1st Century CE
Currents of anti-Jewishness in Christian thought (the teaching of contempt)
Vatican IIs Nostra Aetate and Christian-Jewish relations
The emergence of a new Christian theology of Judaism in the modern period
Theological issues in the developing dialogue
Modern Jewish responses to Christianity
Collaborators or competitors?
And one of the following:
BIB511 The Bible in the Life of the Church
This module examines the Bible as the central religious, spiritual, intellectual and cultural source of communities of faith: Judaism and Christianity in its various denominations. Exegetical analysis of selected Biblical texts will be reflected against the backdrop of their theological, liturgical, artistic and musical reception. Communities of faith will be seen both as the hermeneutical framework for the interpretation of canonical texts as well as inspired and fostered by them. According to specific interests of students, the module will also give an opportunity to improve practical skills regarding the ministry of the Word.
CIR402 Christianity in Dialogue
This module begins with the emergence of a theology of religions and considers the questions it raises for the uniqueness of Christ; it builds on the Jewish matrix for Christian theology and discusses key themes, such as Church and Mission, dialogue and inculturation, salvation and the action of the Holy Spirit in a pluralist world.
Weekly two-hour classes for each module are interactive with students. In general, lectures and other input from lecturers provide an overall perspective on the subject and enable you to engage with the material with a variety of different understandings. Classes benefit from the lecturers current research and writing. You extend your understanding through directed reading, which make up the biggest single element of your learning time. Tutorials on your work sometimes in draft contribute to deepening and widening understanding, and also discuss how best to present arguments and use sources. The dissertation is an opportunity for an extended independent investigation of a topic, with guidance from your supervisor.
Each module is taught by a two-hour session once a week over the 11-week term, so that classes take place on one evening a week for a part-time student or two for a full-time student. Additionally, you will have tutorials and meetings with a supervisor in relation to the dissertation. You will need to spend about six hours in each week for each module on directed reading in preparation for from the classes, and a similar amount of time some of it out of term-time on researching for and writing your coursework assignments and end of year essays.
Each module is assessed by coursework during the module or shortly after its end, and by a 4,000 word essay done by the end of the year. Coursework tasks vary to reflect the module content and learning outcomes. Examples include portfolios, reviews of books and other secondary literature and essays. You will also complete a dissertation of between 12,000-15,000 words.
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