The purpose of this course is to provide a systematic survey of those religions variously described, in the West, as ‘Western Religions’ or ‘Religions of the West.’ Immediately, a problem arises because the adjective, ‘Western,’ is questionable. The descriptions ‘Western’ or ‘of the West’ have been understood as designating a problematic geo-cultural location—but also a homogeneous style of religious thought because of their common origins as Abrahamic monotheisms. Contemporary scholars of religion, and indigenous believers, often contest this imputed homogeneity and have pointed to the incredible complexity and fluidity of these traditions, characteristics which resist simple classification. Well aware of the challenges such descriptions present, we, in this course, will engage in a comparative study of the systems of belief, thought, and practice traditionally termed ‘Religions o fthe West’ by Western scholars of religions. This will be accomplished through a series of readings on these systems’ histories, philosophies and scriptures.

 Prerequisites: None.

 Course requirements: four objective examinations; six optional extra-credit assignments.

 Auditors are welcome!

 FOR PURDUE CREDIT ONLY.

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.

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 character of the Israelitic 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.

Who was Jesus Christ? What was his mission? What does it mean for Christians to affirm that he was both God and Man? Jesus Christ’s historical and ontological identity is at the basis of any understanding of Christianity or Christian theology. Although the Trinity is rightly termed the central doctrine of the Christian tradition, Christians believe that Jesus Christ, in message and person, was the primary revelation of the nature of this tri-personal God. Therefore, according to the order of revelation, Christology precedes Trinitology

In this course, we will examine the historical development of Christology from New Testament times to the early 21^st century. Particular emphasis will be placed on the New Testament data and on conciliar formulations in their historical settings. Issues addressed will include: the nature of the hypostatic union, the hypothetical consciousness of Jesus Christ, the necessity of the Incarnation, the works of Jesus Christ, the suffering of Jesus Christ, the necessity of the atonement, etc. Also examined will be notable contemporary interpretations of Christology such as those of Bultmann, Lonergan, Schillebeeckx, Rahner, Lonergan, Pannenberg, Kasper, Marion, et al., especially as these have expanded the understanding of Jesus Christ in the 20^th century and at the dawn of the 21^st century.

Prerequisites: Undergraduates: One (or more) Philosophy or Theology course(s) or professor’s approval.

Graduate Level: Enrollment in the UND MA theology satellite program or similar class standing at Purdue.

Course Requirements: Undergraduates: one essay midterm; one seminar paper; MA students: (a) an essay midterm, (b) an annotated bibliography, (c) one seminar paper.

 Auditors are welcome!