HANDBOOK FOR STUDENTS HONOUR SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY

Transcription

1 HANDBOOK FOR STUDENTS HONOUR SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY for Examination in

2 HANDBOOK FOR STUDENTS IN THE FINAL HONOUR SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY This handbook presents the syllabus for the Final Honour School in Theology which will be examined in June The Final Honour School is the Second Public Examination for the award of the B.A. Honours in Theology. The aim of this handbook is to inform candidates of the subjects that will be examined, and the tuition that will normally be provided as a means of preparation. It should be noted that examinations at Oxford are governed by the Examination Regulations, of which the current edition is authoritative and should be read in conjunction with this handbook. Any additional matter in this handbook, such as commentary on the rubrics, is for the guidance of the student and examiners, but ought not to be taken as an exhaustive definition of a course. The relevant extract from Examination Regulations is reprinted here for each course as course description. The aims and objectives of the course define the skills, knowledge and competencies that students should have acquired through its completion. Finally there is a summary of how the course is to be taught: the course delivery. The Red Book will outline the lecture and class provision that will normally be available for each paper, (eg 8 lectures each year or 6 lectures and 2 classes every other year). For further details of who is giving the lectures / classes and in which term / year, please consult the Theology website ( and the lecture lists circulated at the beginning of each term. In order to help you plan your learning, the lecture list circulated at the beginning of Michaelmas Term contains a projected timetable for all core lectures throughout the academic year. Senior Status students should ask for a copy of the Prelim Handbook, if they have not already received one, which contains an introduction to the Faculty and facilities which they may find useful. NB PLEASE LOOK AFTER THIS HANDBOOK IT IS THE ONLY COPY YOU WILL BE ISSUED WITH DURING YOUR COURSE If the Faculty Office send out amendments to this handbook please ensure you update your copy accordingly

3 CONTENTS I Final Honour School of Theology: University Regulations and Supplementary Information 2 II Schedule of Papers 5 III Additional Information 62 Aims and objectives of the Faculty of Theology 62 Aims and objectives for undergraduate courses 62 Grade descriptors used to award marks to examination paper answers 64 Marking conventions 65 Advice on tutorial essay writing 67 Guidelines for long essays 68 Dissertation Declaration Proforma 71 Example of cover sheet for long essays 72 IV Summary of the Syllabus and its Various Tracks in the Final Honour School of Theology

4 I FINAL HONOUR SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY: UNIVERSITY REGULATIONS AND SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Students are asked to read this information in conjunction with the relevant section from the current Examination Regulations. 1. All candidates will be required to offer eight papers, as specified below, from the Schedule of Papers. There shall be four compulsory papers, taken by all candidates, covering the Old and New Testaments and the development of Christian Doctrine in its historical context. In addition to these compulsory papers, candidates will be required to offer four further papers chosen according to the schedules in either Track I, Track II, or Track III. Examination Regulations applying to all Tracks 2. With the permission of the Board of the Faculty of Theology, any candidate may offer an essay either in place of one of the eight papers, or in addition to the eight required papers. The regulations governing essays are set out below. 3. Candidates not offering paper (24) as an optional paper may, in addition to their eight papers, also offer the Optional Translation papers in Old Testament Hebrew and/or New Testament Greek. 4. In papers (7) to (39), teaching may not be available every year on every subject. 5. Any candidate may be examined viva voce. 6. In the following regulations, the English version of the Bible used will be the New Revised Standard Version. The Greek text used will be the text of the United Bible Societies, 4th edn. but in paper (3), The Gospels and Jesus, parallel texts will be taken from K. Aland, Synopsis Quattuor Evangeliorum (15 th edn. Stuttgart, Deutsche Bibel Gesellschaft, 1997). The Hebrew text used will be the Biblia Hebraïca Stuttgartensia (Stuttgart, 1977). All candidates must offer eight subjects, as specified below, from the Schedule of Papers. TRACK I (i) Paper (1) (ii) Paper (2) (iii) Paper (3) (iv) Paper (4) (v) Paper (5) (vi) One paper chosen from Papers (22), (23), (24), (25), (26) or (29). (vii) One further paper. (viii) One further paper. TRACK II (i) Paper (1) (ii) Paper (2) (iii) Paper (4) (iv) Paper (5) (v) One paper chosen from Papers (7), (8) or (9). (vi) Paper (10)

5 (vii) EITHER Paper (11) OR Paper (12) OR a further option from Paper (10). (viii) One further paper. TRACK III (i) Paper (1) (ii) Paper (2) (iii) Paper (4) (iv) Paper (5) (v) Paper (13) (vi) & (vii) EITHER Papers (14) and (15) OR Papers (16) and (17) OR Papers (18) and (19) OR Papers (20) and (21). (viii) One further paper. Regulations concerning essays 1. Candidates may offer an extended essay either in place of the paper to be chosen under clause (viii) of Tracks I-III, or in addition to the eight required papers. Candidates should in general aim at a length of 10,000 words, but must not exceed 15,000 words (both figures inclusive of notes and appendices, but excluding bibliography). 2. Prior approval of the subject of the essay must be obtained from the Board of the Faculty of Theology. Such approval must be sought not later than Friday in the fourth week of Trinity Full Term in the year preceding the examination. The request for approval should be addressed to the Secretary of the Board of the Faculty of Theology, Theology Faculty Centre, 41 St Giles, Oxford OX1 3LW. The request must be accompanied by a letter from the tutor [ie the tutor supervising the essay] stating that this subject has his or her approval. The application should include, in about 100 words, an explanation as to how the topic will be treated, and a brief bibliography. 3. The candidate's application for approval of title should be submitted through and with the support of his or her college tutor or the tutor with overall responsibility for his or her studies, from whom he or she should seek guidance on whether the subject is likely to be acceptable to the Board. 4. The candidate is advised to have an initial discussion with his or her supervisor regarding the proposed field of study, the sources available, and the method of presentation. He or she should have further discussions with his or her supervisor during the preparation of the essay. His or her supervisor may read and comment on drafts of the essay. 5. The subject of the essay need not fall within the areas covered by the papers listed in the Honour School of Theology. It may overlap any subject or period on which the candidate offers papers, but the candidate is warned against reproducing the content of his or her essay in any answer to a question in the examination. Subject to the provisions of cl. 4 above, every candidate shall sign a letter declaring the essay to be his or her own work and that it has not already been submitted (wholly or substantially) for a final honour school other than one involving Theology, or another degree of this University, or a degree of any other institution. This letter, which can be found in the Handbook or collected from the Theology Faculty Office, 41 St Giles, Oxford OX1 3LW, shall be presented together with the essay. No essay shall, however, be ineligible because it has been or is being submitted for any prize of this University. 6. The candidate must submit two typed copies of the essay (bound or held firmly in a stiff cover), addressed to the Chairman of the Examiners, Honour School of Theology, Examination

6 Schools, Oxford, not later than noon on the Friday of the eighth week of Hilary Term in the academic year in which he or she is presenting himself or herself for examination. The letter signed by the candidate in accordance with cl. 5 above must be submitted separately in a sealed envelope addressed to the Chairman of the Examiners at the above address at the same time as the copies are submitted. 7. The provisions of clauses 2-4 and clause 6 of these regulations will also apply to candidates submitting an extended essay as part of paper (39), save that in clause 2, approval must be sought not later than Friday in the fourth week of Michaelmas Term in the year of the examination

7 II SCHEDULE OF PAPERS Paper 1. God and Israel in the Old Testament Course Description The paper will include questions on such topics as the origins and purpose of Deuteronomy; the development of Israelite law; the theology and setting of Isaiah of Jerusalem; Deutero-Isaiah; psalmody and the Psalms; worship and festivals; the history of Israel; pentateuchal issues; the covenant; prophecy and particular prophets; wisdom; apocalyptic; the fate of the individual; creation; the Torah in post-exilic Judaism; method in Old Testament study; Old Testament ethics; Israel within its ancient Near Eastern Environment; God in history; king and messiah; divine grace and human freedom; Israel and the nations. Candidates will be required to comment on passages from the following texts in English: (a) Deuteronomy 5-15; (b) Isaiah 1-11; 28-31; (c) Psalms 1, 2, 8, 15, 19, 46-9, 51, 72-4, 89, 96-9, 104 and 118. There will be an opportunity to comment on and translate passages in Hebrew from: Deuteronomy 5; 12; 26. Isaiah 1; 6; 40 Psalms 1, 2, 8, 48, and 96. Credit will be given to candidates demonstrating competence in Biblical Hebrew Aims and Objectives Aims: To enable students to acquire a knowledge of the theological themes of the Old Testament within their historical setting, and to develop critical understanding by introducing them to basic issues of method, with particular reference to the study of three major Old Testament texts. Objectives: (a) Students who complete this course will have gained knowledge about and understanding of the major themes in the Old Testament, as these arose in the historical development of ancient Israel. (b) They will have studied the literary and historical background of specific Old Testament texts. (c) They will have gained a close knowledge of three groups of texts set for special study in English, with the option of commenting on selected passages in Hebrew. (d) They will have reflected upon the criteria employed in assessing evidence, and the possibility and desirability of achieving consensus concerning them. Course Delivery Lectures: Text Lectures: Number of Tutorials: 16 given in Michaelmas and Trinity Terms The History of Israel (4) Michaelmas Term Theological themes in the Old Testament (4) Michaelmas Term Types of Old Testament Literature (8) Trinity Term 8 given in Trinity Term Psalms and Isaiah (4) Deutero-Isaiah and Deuteronomy (4) 6, plus 2 university classes

8 Assessment: Through one 3-hour written examination, requiring candidates to answer a compulsory gobbet question (choosing 4 passages to comment on) and to write two essays

9 Paper 2. The Gospels and Jesus (with special reference to the gospels of Matthew and John) Questions will be set on the four gospels, their theology and ethics, literary and historical problems associated with the gospels, the historical Jesus, and different approaches to the gospels. Candidates will be required to comment on two passages from Matthew, at least three of which will be printed in English. They will also be required to comment on two passages from John, at least three of which will be printed in English, or to comment on a passage in Greek with English supplied from Matthew 3-13 inclusive with parallels in Mark and/or Luke. For the passages in English requiring comment, two passages from Matthew and two from John will be taken from the following chapters: Matthew 5-7, 13, 16, 23, 26; John 1, 3, 6, 14, 19, 20. The remaining passages printed in English will be taken from elsewhere in Matthew and John. Candidates who have not passed either paper 6 (New Testament Greek), or Paper 7 (Biblical Hebrew), in the Preliminary Examination for Theology will have to translate and comment on two passages, one from Matthew 5-7, 26-28, and one from John 1-6, which will be printed only in Greek, unless their other papers include translation and/or comment on at least two passages of Hebrew. The passages printed only in Greek will be optional for all other candidates. Aims and Objectives Aims: To enable students to acquire a detailed knowledge of the gospels, to be able to consider problems concerning the theology of individual evangelists, the synoptic tradition and historical Jesus, to develop their critical understanding of the historical and literary contexts of the gospels, and to become more aware of some of the wider theological and hermeneutical issues which such study entails. Objectives: Students who have studied for this paper will have: (a) (b) (c) (d) an awareness of the historical, theological and ethical contexts of the New Testament Gospels. an ability to comment on selected texts in translation or in the original languages. some knowledge of the gospels historical contexts and an ability to address issues concerning study of the historical Jesus. a basic knowledge of their contribution to later Christian theology. Course Delivery Lectures: 6 core lectures / classes on Matthew in Trinity Term 6 core lectures / classes on John in Michaelmas Term Further lectures on the Historical Jesus (4-6) and Synoptic Parallels (4-6) in Hilary Term Number of Tutorials: 6-8 Assessment through one 3 hour written examination, details of which are given in the course description above

10 Paper 3. Pauline Literature Course Description Candidates will be expected to show a knowledge of the theological, ethical, literary and historical issues posed by study of the Pauline corpus of letters in the New Testament. Candidates will be required to comment on two passages from 1 Corinthians, and on two passages from either Romans or Galatians. Candidates for Track 1 will be required to comment on at least one passage from 1 Corinthians 1-7, 15 in Greek, and one passage from Romans 3-8 or Galatians in Greek; however candidates from Track I may restrict their comment to texts printed in English if their other papers include translation and/or comment on at least two passages of Hebrew. Candidates for Track 2 or Track 3 or for the Joint School of Philosophy and Theology may restrict their comment to passages printed in English. Aims and Objectives Aims: to enable students to obtain a detailed knowledge of Pauline Theology as reflected in 1 Corinthians and Galatians or Romans, to have a broader understanding of the theological, ethical, literary and historical problems raised by studying the Pauline corpus in the New Testament. Objectives: Students who have studied this paper will have: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) an awareness of the distinctive features of selected Pauline epistles an ability to comment on selected texts in translation and also in the original languages acquired knowledge about the relation of the prescribed texts with other biblical texts, particularly other writings in the Pauline corpus as well as some understanding of Pauline theology and of the theology of other writings in the Pauline corpus. a basic knowledge of the historical contexts of the prescribed texts in Judaism and early Christianity a basic knowledge of their contribution to later Christian theology. Course Delivery Lectures: 16 core lectures / classes on 1 Corinthians, Galatians and Romans in Hilary Term Number of Tutorials: 8 Assessment: by one, 3 hour, written examination, details of which are given in the course description above

11 Course Description Paper 4. The Development of Doctrine in the Early Church to A.D. 451 Candidates will be expected to explain how early Christian thinkers undertook to clarify the teachings of the primitive Church and formulate a coherent system of thought in their cultural context. The paper will not only concern itself with formal pronouncements on the doctrines of the Trinity and Incarnation, but also with other controversies and the contributions of particular theologians. Questions relevant to the Gnostic, Arian, Nestorian and Pelagian controversies will always be set; other questions may relate, wholly or partly, to such topics as anthropology, soteriology, hermeneutics, ecclesiology, political theology, and the doctrine of creation and the fall. Candidates will be required to comment on a passage from one of the following texts or group of texts: The Nicene Definition, Arius' Letter to Eusebius, Arius' Letter to Alexander (from E.R. Hardy, Christology of the Later Fathers, Library of Christian Classics). Gregory of Nyssa, That there are not Three Gods (in Hardy, op.cit.). Cyril's Second Letter to Nestorius (in R.A. Norris, The Christological Controversy, Philadelphia: Fortress Press). The tome of Leo and the Chalcedonian Definition (in Norris op.cit.). Credit will be given to candidates who show knowledge (where appropriate) of the other texts contained in Norris. Aims and Objectives Aims: To equip students with a critical and dispassionate understanding of the genesis of main credal and confessional declarations of this period, which continue to form the basis of much theological reflection; also to enable them to study and discuss the evolution of Christian thought in a world whose cultural and social presuppositions were not yet shaped by a universal Church. Objectives: (a) (b) (c) That students will possess an accurate knowledge of the fundamental ideas of at least half a dozen major theologians of this period, such as Ignatius of Antioch, Valentinus, Marcion, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Clement, Tertullian, Origen, Arius, Athanasius, the Cappadocian fathers, Apollinarius, Theodore, Nestorius, Cyril of Alexandria, Pelagius, Augustine and Leo the Great. That they will be familiar with the results of the first four ecumenical councils, and with the contents of the following documents: The Nicene declaration of 325, Cyril's Second Letter to Nestorius, the Tome of Leo and the Chalcedonian Definition of 451. That they will understand doctrines in their immediate context, which may be defined, according to circumstances, exegetically, philosophically, culturally or politically. (d) That they will recognise the evolution of doctrine as a function of time and deliberation, the answers produced by one generation being often the seedbed of new problems for the next. Course Delivery Lectures: 24 lectures in Michaelmas and Hilary Terms Theology before Nicaea, (8) in Michaelmas Term Christology After Nicaea, (8) in Hilary Term The Trinity from Arius to Augustine, (8) in Hilary Term

12 Classes: 8 classes in Trinity Term 4 classes on Christology Set Texts 4 classes on Trinity Set Texts Students taking this paper are strongly advised to attend the lectures in their second year and classes in their third year. Number of Tutorials: 8 Assessment is by one 3 hour written examination. The paper consists of a compulsory question, requiring comment on a passage from one prescribed text, together with a choice of three essay questions, most of which will refer explicitly to one or more of the theologians named above

13 Paper 5. God, Christ and Salvation Course Description Questions will be set on the Christian doctrine of God, the person and work of Christ and the nature of sin and salvation. Candidates will be expected to show critical understanding of the sources, content and interrelation of these doctrines, and of some of the twentieth-century discussions of the material. Aims: To develop skills in the critical analysis of the nature and content of the Christian doctrines of God, Christ and salvation, especially as they have been expounded in some major modern Christian theological texts. Objectives: Students who have studied for this paper will have: a) an understanding of the major themes of the Christian doctrines of God, Christ and salvation; b) an understanding of the different norms and methods by which these doctrines are constructed; c) an awareness of the problems posed for these doctrines by modern intellectual developments; d) skills in critical analysis of theological texts. Course Delivery: Lectures: Classes: 16 lectures on `God, Christ and Salvation' Michaelmas and Hilary Terms 8, on a selection of major modern theological treatments of the doctrines of God, Christ and salvation - Hilary Term Number of Tutorials: 8 Assessment: One three hour written examination requiring candidates to answer three essay questions. The following texts were recommended for use by students in preparing for this paper. Please note that they are not set texts as such, but represent the kind or level of texts that students should be studying. God: Karl Barth, Church Dogmatics, I/1, 2 nd edn. (Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1975), chs 8-12 Karl Rahner, The Trinity (London: Burns & Oates, 2003), Parts I and III Robert Jenson, Systematic Theology, Vol. 1: The Triune God (London and New York: Oxford University Press, 1997), chs. 4-6 and Rosemary Radford Ruether, Sexism and God-Talk (London: SCM Press, 1983), chs. 1, 2 and 5. Christ Wolfhart Pannenberg, Jesus God and Man (London: SCM Press, 1968), chs. 4, 5 and 9 John Macquarrie, Principles of Christian Theology (London: SCM Press, 2003), chs Dorothee Soelle, Christ the Representative (London, SCM Press, 1967), Parts one and three. Leonardo Boff, Jesus Christ Liberator (London: SPCK 1979), chs 4-8 and 10. John Hick, ed., The Myth of God Incarnate (London, SCM Press, 1977)

14 Salvation Paul Tillich, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2 (London: SCM Press, 1998), chs. XII-XVI, XVIII and XXI Gustavo Gutierrez, A Theology of Liberation, 2 nd edn. (Maryknoll, New York: Orbis Books, 1998), Introduction to the Revised Edition ; chs. 1, 2, 9 and 10. Jurgen Moltmann, The Crucified God (London: SCM Press, 1974), chs 4-6. Paul Fiddes, Past Events and Present Salvation (London: Darton, Longman & Todd, 1989), chs. 2 and 4-7. Hans Urs von Balthasar, Theo-drama, Vol. 1V: The Action (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1994), Section IV

15 Paper 6. Luke-Acts Course Description Candidates will be expected to show a knowledge of the theological, ethical, literary and historical issues posed by study of Luke s Gospel and the book of Acts. Candidates will be required to comment on four passages from Luke-Acts, including two printed in Greek only. Of the passages printed in Greek only, at least one will be taken from Luke 19-24, and one from Acts 1-7, 15. Aims and Objectives Aims: To enable students to have the opportunity to study the Lukan writings in the New Testament in depth, to develop their critical understanding of the historical, literary and theological issues raised by these texts. Objectives: Students who have studied for this paper will have (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) a detailed knowledge of the text of Luke-Acts an ability to comment on selected texts in translation and in the original languages some understanding of the theology of these texts some understanding of the historical and literary problems engendered by the texts studied and be able to discuss them critically. some knowledge of the background of the texts studied. Course Delivery Classes: 8 classes in Hilary Term. It is assumed that this paper will be taught by classes only. If fewer than four students opt for this paper, it will not be possible to provide Faculty based classes for the paper. In this circumstance, tuition for the paper will be provided entirely through tutorials. Assessment is by one, 3-hour, written examination, the details of which are given under the course description

16 Course Description Paper 7. The History and Theology of Western Christianity, The paper will consist of questions on the thought of the leading theologians (especially Anselm, Peter Abelard, Aquinas, Duns Scotus, and William of Ockham), and of questions on the main developments in the western church. It will be so set that any period of 150 years, with its theological writers, will provide sufficient coverage. Aims and Objectives Aims: To gain an integrated view of the historical and doctrinal developments which make the period formative in the Western Latin Church and basic to an understanding of how Western Christianity has developed subsequently. Objectives: (a) (b) (c) Students will have gained knowledge of structural, societal and theological changes in the period, although they will not be required to be familiar with more than 150 years' span out of the three centuries. Students will be familiar with the thought of certain leading theologians from the period, in particular selecting from Anselm, Abelard, Aquinas, Duns Scotus and William of Ockham. They should be able to discuss the issues of theological method which the writings of key theologians raise. Students should be ready to integrate historical and doctrinal study where appropriate. Course Delivery Lectures: 16 given in Hilary Term: History of the Western Church (8) 'Scholastic theology: Abelard to Ockham' (8) Number of Tutorials: 8 Assessment is by one 3 hour written examination, requiring candidates to answer three essay questions. The paper will be so set that any period of 150 years, with its theological writers, will provide sufficient coverage

17 Course Description Paper 8. The History and Theology of Western Christianity, The subject includes an understanding of the late medieval church, the work and thought of the leading reformers, particularly Luther, Zwingli, and Calvin, together with the radicals, and the development of the Reformation in European society. Questions will be set both on renewal in the Roman Catholic Church, and on religious change in England from the Henrician reforms to the reign of Charles I. Aims and Objectives Aims: To gain an integrated view of the historical and doctrinal developments which led to the breakup of the Western Latin Church and which still shape the contours of Western Christianity. Objectives: (a) (b) (c) (d) Students should show an understanding of why the Western Latin Church proved vulnerable to calls for reform during the period. They should be familiar with the work and thought of the leading magisterial reformers, and have a sense of what constituted radical theological alternatives. Students will have been introduced to the developments of the Reformation in European society, together with the renewal which took place in the Roman Catholic Church. Students will have gained a sense of the slow and untidy growth of confessional identities up to the outbreak of the Thirty Years' War (1618). Students will have been introduced to the course of religious change in England from the reforms and legislative acts of Henry VIII to the reign of James I; they may choose to study this in greater or lesser depth, in balance with the wider European picture. Course Delivery Lectures: 24 in Michaelmas and Hilary Terms: The English Reformation (8) Michaelmas Term 'The Reformation in Europe' (16) Hilary Term Number of Tutorials: 8 Assessment is by one 3-hour written examination, requiring candidates to answer three essay questions. These will give ample scope for candidates to answer substantially on the Reformation in England if they so wish. The examiners are aware that in dealing with the English Reformation, one of the major topics in the reign of James I is the rise of so-called Laudianism or Arminianism, and that candidates may have to equip themselves with knowledge of religious developments in the years before the outbreak of the civil war in 1642 in order fully to grasp the theological issues involved

18 EITHER Paper 9A. Christian Life and Thought In Europe and the English-Speaking World Course Description Candidates will be expected to show knowledge of the life and thought of the Christian Churches of Europe and North America in their social and political context (with special reference to Britain) and the development and influence of Roman Catholic and Protestant theology in the context of Europe (including Britain) and North America. Candidates may approach the topic through the works of theologically important writers of the period, as well as other historical materials. Such writers might typically include S.T. Coleridge, J.H. Newman, F.D. Maurice, G. Tyrrell, E. Underhill and P.T. Forsyth in Britain; R.W. Emerson, W. James, H. Bushnell and W. Rauschenbusch in the U.S.A.; and F.D.E. Schleiermacher, G.W.F. Hegel, K. Marx, L. Feuerbach, S. Kierkegaard, F.R. de Lamennais, A. Harnack, A. Loisy and K. Barth in Europe. Aims and Objectives Aims: To give students an overall sense of the history of the churches and the development of theology in Europe, with a particular focus on Britain, in the period Objectives: (a) (b) Students will have studied Christian life and thought in their social and political context, and been helped to understand their influence on intellectual life and religious as a whole and on the wider culture Students will have had the opportunity to study religious life and theological developments in the English speaking world, most notably North America; they will have explored the intellectual connections across the Atlantic in this period and to explore the impact of British missionary work across the globe. (c) Students will have had the opportunity to learn the skills required in the study of both ecclesiastical history and historical theology in reading texts, assessing different sorts of historical materials and analysing the broader context of the period. Course Delivery Lectures: 16 given in Michaelmas and Hilary Term: 'Christian Life and Thought in Britain and the English Speaking World ' (8) Michaelmas Term 'Christian Life and Thought in Europe and America ' (8) Hilary Term Number of Tutorials: 6, with 2 text classes. Assessment is by one 3 hour written examination, requiring candidates to answer three essay questions

19 OR Course Description Paper 9B. Issues in Theology, The Paper addresses key issues in theological thinking in Britain and Europe during the long nineteenth century. These include Biblical interpretation, the nature of authority, reason and faith, ecclesiology, Christology, romanticism, literature and imagination, spirit and history, reductionism, religious experience, and the encounter with world religions. The topics will be addressed through seminal or representative texts. Kant, Hegel, Schleiermacher, Kierkegaard, Nietzche, Newman and Coleridge are especially significant thinkers whose work or influence will normally be represented in the paper. Four main topics with prescribed texts will be published for each year. For 2008 these are: 1) Faith and Reason S.T. Coleridge, Aids to Reflection, Introductory Aphorisms and Aphorisms on that which is indeed Spiritual Religion I-XVIII S. Kierkegaard, Philosophical Fragments J.H. Newman, University Sermons 2) The Bible D.F. Strauss, The Life of Jesus Christ Critically Examined. Introduction and Concluding Dissertation. M. Arnold, Literature and Dogma A. Schweitzer, The Quest for the Historical Jesus 3) Reductionism L. Feuerbach, The Essence of Christianity F. Nietzche, The Genealogy of Morals F.M. Dostoevsky, Notes from Underground 4) Religious Experience F. Schleiermacher, Speeches on Religion, 2 nd Speech W. James, The Varieties of Religious Experience R. Otto, The Idea of the Holy Students are not expected to become familiar with all of these texts, but, in consultation with tutors, will focus on two or three of the prescribed texts as well as preparing one or more essays on more general issues. Lectures will address the background and influence of the texts and comment on the questions they raise, but will not necessarily be limited to exposition of the texts. Aims and Objectives Aims: To deepen student s understandings of the climate of 19 th Century thought and of the background to major debates in 20 th Century theology. Objectives: (a) Students will become familiar with some of the most influential and representative texts and thinkers of the period

20 Course Delivery Lectures: 8 given in Hilary Term: Issues in Theology Number of Tutorials: 8 Assessment is by one 3 hour written examination, split into two parts. One part requires comment on the set texts and the other offers more general questions. Students will be required to answer 3 questions, at least one from each part

21 Paper 10. Further Studies in History and Doctrine Course Description Candidates will be expected to study one major theologian in relation to the situation and problems of the time, with special attention to certain texts. By Trinity Term 2007 the Board of the Faculty of Theology will publish a list of theologians (with texts) on which teaching will be provided in Michaelmas Term 2007 and on which the examination will be based in Trinity Term Students being examined in June 2008 who wish to take this paper will be asked to make their choice in Trinity Term 2007, after the list is published. The list below is a list of theologians which have been offered in previous years it should be noted however that, because teaching provision is liable to change, this is not necessarily the definitive list of those which will actually be offered in Michaelmas In the event of a candidate's opting to take a year out after having studied a chosen theologian, the examiners will set questions on that theologian in the year of that candidate's examination, even if that theologian is not available for study that year. Texts will be studied in English. One or two optional questions may be set which will require knowledge of the texts in original languages when these are other than English. A candidate may offer a second major theologian from amongst those available in the year of his or her examination. In the event that a candidate does choose to offer a second major theologian, that candidate will offer paper 10 as two papers. To facilitate this, separate papers (10(a), 10(b) etc) will be set for each major theologian. (a) Origen Origen on First Principles, Book I, trans. G.W. Butterworth (Peter Smith, 1973). On Prayer, trans. Rowan Greer in An Exhortation to Martyrdom, etc. (Paulist Press: Classics of Western Spirituality series, 1979). Prologue to the Commentary on the Song of Songs, trans. Rowan Greer, ibid. (b) Augustine Confessions, Book 10, trans. H. Chadwick (OUP, 1991). Concerning The City of God against the Pagans, Book 14, trans. R.W. Dyson (CUP, 1998). On the Trinity, Book 10, trans. John Burnaby, in Augustine, Later Works, Library of Christian Classics, vol. VIII (SCM Press, 1955). (c) Anselm Anselm of Canterbury: The Major Works (Oxford World s Classics ed.): Monologion, pp. 3 81; Proslogion, pp ; On Free Will, pp ; On the Fall of the Devil, pp ; The Compatibility of God s Foreknowledge, Predestination, and Grace with Human Freedom, III.11-14, pp Why God Became Man, pp On the Virginal Conception and Original Sin, chs. 1-8, pp On the Procession of the Holy Spirit, pp

22 (d) Aquinas Summa Theologiae Ia, qq. 1 3, 13, 44 6; IaIIae, qq ; IIaIIae, qq. 1 2, 23 7; IIIa, qq. 2 6, 46 9 (Blackfriars ed., vols. 1, 2, 3, 8, 30, 31, 34, 48, 54). (e) Luther E. Gordon Rupp and B. Drewery, Martin Luther: Documents of Modern History (Edward Arnold, series, 1970), pp. 1 10, 15 41, 54 82, 100 2, , , , , ). (These texts will be made available to you as copies.) Three Treatises, second revised edition (Fortress Press, Philadelphia, 1970) ( 9.99.) (f) Calvin J. Calvin, ed. J.T. McNeill and F.L. Battles, Institutes, (SCM Press Library of Christian Classics vols. XX, XXI), pp , , , , , , G.R. Potter and M. Greengrass, John Calvin: Documents of Modern History (Edward Arnold, 1983), pp , (g) Kierkegaard Philosophical Fragments: 11-67, 139 (PUP pbk. 1967); 9-54, 111 (PUP 1985). Fear and Trembling: (PUP pbk. 1968); (PUP 1983); (Penguin 1985) The Concept of Dread/Anxiety: 13-72, , (PUP pbk. 1967); 14-80, , , (PUP 1980) Works of Love: , (Harper Torchbook, 1964); , (PUP 1995) Concluding Unscientific Postscript (PUP pbk. 1968); (PUP 1992) Sickness Unto Death: , (PUP pbk. 1968); 13-42, (PUP 1980); 43-72, (Penguin 1989) Training/Practice in Christianity: 9-72 (PUP 1941/1944), 9-68 (PUP 1991) (h) Newman Apologia Pro Vita Sua (Penguin, 1994). Fifteen Sermons Preached before the University of Oxford (University of Notre Dame Press, 1989), x, xi, xiii, xv. An Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine, 1878 edition (University of Notre Dame Press, 1989), chs Newman the Thelogian: A Reader, ed. I. Ker (Collins, 1990), pp , (i) Dostoevsky Notes From Underground (Vintage 1993), Part I; Crime and Punishment (Vintage, 1992), Part I, Chapters 2, 5 and 6; Part 4, Chapter 4; The Idiot (Granta 2001), Part I, Chapters 5& 6 (Marie), Part II Chapter 5, Part III Chapters 5-7; Demons (Everyman, 2000), Part III, Chapters 6.2 & 7; The Adolescent (Everyman, 2003), Part III, Chapter 7.3; The Heavenly Christmas Tree (The Death of Innocents) and The Dream of a Ridiculous Man (The Fall) both from An Honest Thief and Other Stories (Heinemann, 1919 et al.);

23 The Brothers Karamazov (Vintage 1992), Book V Chapters 3-5, Book VI, Book VII Chapter 4, Book XI Chapter 9, Epilogue Chapter 3. (Note: texts used in class will be taken from the Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky translations, except for the two short stories from the Constance Garnett translation, available in many editions.) (j) Barth K. Barth, The Strange New World Within the Bible' in The Word of God and the Word of Man (Hodder & Stoughton, London, 1928), pp K. Barth, Church Dogmatics, I/1, 1 (T. & T. Clark, Edinburgh, 1976), pp. 3 24; K. Barth, Church Dogmatics, IV/1, 59 (T. & T. Clark, Edinburgh, 1956), pp (k) Tillich Systematic Theology, vol. 1 (Introduction only) and vol. 2 either in SCM edition (1978) or J. Nisbet edition (vol. 1, 1953; vol. 2, 1957). (l) Bonhoeffer Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (DBW) 4, Minneapolis 1996, pp Creation and Fall, DBW 3, Minneapolis 1996, pp Life Together Prayer Book of the Bible, DBW 5, Minneapolis 1995, Ethics, DBW 6, Minneapolis 2005, pp (The Structure of Responsible Life); and SCM 1955 (7 th impression 1998), ; pp (State and Church). Letters and Papers from Prison, SCM enlarged edition 1971 (8 th impression 1999): pp. 3-17; pp ; ; ; ; ; ; (m) Rahner Foundations of Christian Faith: An Introduction to the Idea of Christianity (Darton, Longman and Todd/Crossroad, 1978[1976]), trans. by William V. Dych, pp , 44-51, 68-71, 81-89, , , , , The Trinity (Burns and Oates/Herder, 1970 [1967]), trans. by Joseph Donceel, pp Theological Investigations, vol. 16 (Darton, Longman and Todd/Crossroad, 1979 [1974]), trans. By David Moreland, (from The One Christ and the Universality of Salvation ). Revised translations of certain passages will be supplied to candidates. Aims and Objectives Aims: To develop skills in detailed study of the texts of a major theologian in their historical and intellectual context. Objectives: (a) (b) (c) Students will have acquired understanding of selected texts of their chosen theologian and, where appropriate, the relation of those texts to their historical and cultural circumstances. Students will have developed skills in detailed analysis of theological texts, and in articulating their doctrinal and methodological features. Students will be aware of the inter-relation of doctrinal and historical study

24 Course Delivery Classes: Assessment Eight 90 minute classes held in the Michaelmas Term of students third year (i.e. the Michaelmas Term preceding the examination). If fewer than three candidates opt for a given theologian it will not be possible to provide classes for that option. through one 3 hour written examination, requiring candidates to answer three questions, which may include a mandatory question requiring comment on selected passages

25 Paper 11. Philosophy of Religion Course Description The subject will include an examination of claims about the existence of God, and God's relation to the world: their meaning, the possibility of their truth, and the kind of justification which can or needs to be provided for them, and the philosophical problems raised by the existence of different religions. One or two questions may also be set on central claims peculiar to Christianity, such as the doctrines of the Trinity, Incarnation, and Atonement. Aims and Objectives Aims: To familiarize students with the literature on the coherence and justifiability of central theistic claims and to enable them to contribute to the discussion. Objectives: That on completion students: (a) will have acquired an understanding of the principal ways in which the Western monotheisms understand the nature of God have been spelled out; of the main classical and modern arguments for and against the existence of God, and arguments which claim that the practice of a theistic religion does not require support from good arguments for the existence of God; and of the literature of other doctrines common to the major theistic religions. (b) will be able to argue for and against various positions in the field, through writing essays and participating in discussion. Course Delivery Lectures: 8 in Michaelmas Term: Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion Number of tutorials: 8 Assessment is by one 3 hour written examination in which students will be expected to answer three questions from a total of some ten possible questions

26 Paper 12. Christian Moral Reasoning Course Description Candidates will be expected to elucidate and assess themes in a Christian tradition of ethical reasoning in relation to major ethical writings and contemporary moral and social debates. The paper will consist of four sections: (a) Christian Moral Concepts; (b) Government and its tasks; (c) Medical Ethics; (d) Sexual Ethics. Candidates will be required to answer questions from section (a) and one other section. (a) Christian Moral Concepts The Grey Book specifies eight general topics with the form such as, i.e. they are suggestive, not exclusive: love, freedom, natural and revealed law, the supreme good, conscience, virtues, sin, justification and grace. Not all of these eight topics will appear each time, but the examiners will be reasonably expected to relate not fewer than five questions to them. There may also be questions about particular theories or schools, traditions, or doctrines bearing on ethics. These questions may exhibit greater variation in the light of current discussions, but among them one may expect to see such themes as: narrative identity and postmodernism; inter-religious moral argument; the characteristic marks of Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican etc.; the influence of Luther and/or Kant on Protestant ethics; idealism ; the relation between philosophy and theology in Christian Ethics, etc. Four major ethical texts are specified, of which you are required to know one. You would be well advised, however, in the course of your tutorial work, to become familiar with two. Augustine, On Christian Doctrine bk. 1. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae Ia IIae, qq Martin Luther, The Freedom of a Christian in Luther s Works vol. 31. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Ethics as Formation, in Ethics. (b) Government and its Tasks The Grey Book identifies five groups of topics (a) justice, law and authority; (b) forms of government, local, national and international; (c) government, society and the church; (d) coercive use of force in punishment and war; (e) responsibilities for education, employment, economy and environment. The examiners may be expected to set at least one question on each. The Grey Book requires theological interpretations of these topics. This does not exclude the use of political philosophy, sociological or political science, but it does expect that theo-political concepts (e.g. the rule of God) and traditional theo-political theories (e.g. the just war ) will be given an appropriate place in the discussion. There is a general expectation (in the opening regulation) that these questions will be answered in relation to significant ethical writings where appropriate. Though any text you have studied may make a good discussion, one or more of the following could be especially helpful, though questions will not be set on them directly: Augustine, City of God bk 5 or bk 19. John of Salisbury, Policratius bk. 4. Marsiglio of Padua, Defensor Minor (trans. Ed. Cary Nederman, Cambridge University Press) Richard Hooker, Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity, bk 1, chs D. Bonhoeffer, Church and State, On the Possibility of the Word of the Church to the State, in Ethics. Stanley Hauerwas, Should War be Eliminated? in The Hauerwas reader

27 (c) Medical Ethics The Grey Book lists eight topics with a such as formula: (i) the doctor-patient relationship and its social context; (ii) planned parenthood, contraception and abortion in both personal and social contexts; (iii) artificial reproduction; (iv) genetic manipulation; (v) experimentation on humans; (vi) organ transplantation; (vii) priorities in treatment and research; (viii) the prolongation of life, terminal care, and the ending of life. It is not to be presumed that the questions set will in any year correspond with these eight. This section is likely to be news responsive, and on such news related items you will need to show yourself as well informed as an attentive and thoughtful member of the public may be expected to be, but not have specialist medical knowledge. Emphasis may shift in response to current developments; it may be expected, however, that one question will always bear on each of (i), (ii), (vii) and (viii). The wording of (iv) should be understood in the light of the title of the section i.e. not everything to with genetics, but genetic manipulation in the service of medicine. Here, too, a use of suitable important texts is expected where it is appropriate. The following are suggested as examples, though questions will not be set on them directly: Francisco di Vitoria, Reflection on Homocide. Paul Ramsey, The indignity of Death with Dignity ; in The Essential Ramsey, also in On Moral Medicine, eds. Stephen Lammers, Allen Verhey. Robert Spaemann, Are All Human Beings Persons?, from Personem. Translation held in the digital library. Oliver O Donovan, And who is a Person? and In a Glass Darkly in Begotten or Made. Gilbert Meilaender, How Bioethics Lost the Soul in Body, Soul and Bioethics. (d) Sexual Ethics The Grey Book lists eleven topics with such as formula, i.e. they are meant to be suggestive, not exclusive. These can conveniently be grouped into 3 units: (a) marriage: celibacy, the goods of marriage, the sacramentality of marriage, family, divorce, polygamy; (b) sexuality: (social) differentiation of the sexes, homosexuality, sexual sin; (c) anthropological questions: body and soul, erotic affection. Within the first unit candidates may expect always to be offered a question on the sacramentality-indissolubility-divorce nexus, and always a question on the goods of celibacy and marriage nexus. In present circumstances it is quite likely that examiners will wish to ask a question bearing in some way on homosexuality. Candidates are expected to discuss these questions with a reasonable knowledge of the Christian tradition and a sensitivity to current concerns. Again, a discussion of important texts, where appropriate, is expected, and the following examples are suggested, though direct questions will not be asked: Augustine, On the Good of Marriage Martin Luther, The Estate of Marriage, in Luther s Works vol. 45. Karl Barth Man and Woman (Church Dogmatics III/ ) Paul Evdokimov, The Sacrament of Love Catechism of the Catholic Church: The Sacrament of Matrimony ( ) and The Sixth Commandment ( ). Aims and Objectives Aims: The aim of the Christian Moral Reasoning paper is to develop a capacity for moral reasoning, either from within, or in some relation to, the Christian moral tradition. Candidates are, of course, always free to advance their own convictions

28 Objectives: That on completion students will be able: (a) to mount reasonable and well-argued discussions, taking into consideration significant differences of opinion, and evaluating in a well-informed way the contribution of the Christian tradition of thought to the elucidation of moral questions. (b) (c) to learn to use various types of supporting materials which can be adduced in a good discussion of a moral question: Biblical, historical texts from the tradition, contemporary writing. to conduct moral discussions both in relation to major ethical writings and in relation to contemporary moral and social debates. In assessing the attainment of this objective, examiners are likely to be more impressed by a judicious selection and above all, by a well reasoned and carefully argued use of such material, than by an encyclopaedic attempt to amass it in quantity. Course Delivery A general series of lectures is provided in Michaelmas Term to cover Section A (Christian Moral Concepts). Sometimes an alternative series of lectures is offered in Trinity Term. These are introductory in nature, and an important assistance to anybody beginning the subject; but they need supplementing by major tutorial essays, which will help students learn to handle moral concepts in framing your own arguments. The other Sections are provided for by coordinated combinations of lectures and classes, in which attendance and participation is monitored and evaluated. Much essential material will be covered in the lectures and classes. Number of tutorials: 8 Assessment is by one 3 hour written examination in which candidates are required to answer one essay question and one gobbet question in Section A (Christian Moral Concepts) and one essay question and one argument question from one of sections B, C, and D. Students are advised to assign an hour to each essay and half an hour to the gobbet and argument questions in examinations