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Master of Philosophy in Contextual Theology
2. COURSES AND CURRICULUM
2.1 Courses:
2.1.1 Academic year 1998-1999:
Autumn1998:
- 1) The Context of Methods
- 2) Theology of Religions
Spring 1999:
- 3) Old Testament theology
- 4) Faith, Health and Care
2.1.2 Academic year 1999-2000:
Autumn 1999:
- 1) The Context of Methods
- 2) Jesus and the Kingdom of God
Spring 2000:
- 3) The Church in History and Contemporary Society
- 4) Faith, Health and Care
2.1.3 Academic year 2000-2001:
Autumn 2000:
- 1) The Context of Methods
- 2) Old Testament theology
Spring 2001:
- 3) The Church in History and Contemporary Society
- 4) Faith, Health and Care
2.2 Contextual theology
2.2.1 Introductory Course: «The Context of Methods»
Presentation:
This is an obligatory, over-arching course, and a core element in the
Master’s programme. It will focus on the present plurality of methodologies
relevant to theology, and on the particular challenges that is posed to a
theology that wishes to be attentive both to its local and global contexts
at the same time as it is committed to the cause of marginalised persons and
groups in the community.
The course may choose differing emphases from time to time depending on the
area of theology from which it takes its main exemplification or theme (e.g.
contextual reading of biblical texts, formulating contextual approaches to
dogmatics, or addressing ethical and social problems of community, etc.) But
its main orientation will be related to interpretation, methodology and
theological praxis.
Aims:
to engage the methods of biblical studies, systematic theology, practical theology and social sciences in a mutual discussion, face to face with contextual theology.
to address the contextual and global horizons for contemporary theology, and the way these horizons relate to each other.
to approach classical theological problems with a particular awareness of how the contemporary context influences on the theological endeavour in itself and its results.
to focus on the possibility and significance for theology of a commitment to
poor and marginalised persons and groups.
Bibliography:
West, Gerald: Biblical Hermeneutics of Liberation. Modes of Reading the Bible in the South African Context Second revised edition. Foreword by Norman K. Gottwald, Cluster Publications, Pietermaritzburg and Orbis Books, Maryknoll, New York 1995
Tracy, David: Plurality and Ambiguity. Hermeneutics, Religion, Hope SCM Press Ltd, London 1988
Bevans, Stephen B.: Models of Contextual Theology Maryknoll, New York 1992
Frostin, Per: «The Freedom of a Christian» in Teologi som befriar. Efterlämnade texter Religio 41, Lund 1994: 79-96.
Frostin, Per: «The Theological Relevance of Democracy and Pluralism. A First World
Interpretation of the Challenge of Third World Theologies» in Teologi som befriar.
Efterlämnade texter Religio 41, Lund 1994: 97-112.
Additional readings (about 400 pp.) related to the particular topic addressed in the
course.
Credits: 5
2.3 Biblical studies
a) Old Testament:
2.3.1 Course: «Old Testament Theology»
Presentation:
The course emphasises the hermeneutical questions arising out of Biblical
theology. This is done in relation to methodical questions, and in relation
to present Christian faith and practice in different social and cultural
contexts. The most influential approaches to Old Testament theology will
be discussed: Salvation history, form and tradition critical approach,
liberation theology, canonical theology, literary and narrative readings.
The different approaches will be used as paradigms of readings, both of
concrete texts, and of the Old Testament as a whole.
Aims:
- to become acquainted with well established approaches to Old Testament theology and their theoretical and methodological basis.
- to learn to know designs of holistic readings of the Old Testament.
- to be able to analyse the connection between context and paradigms
of reading in the Old Testament.
Bibliography:
- Perdue, Leo G: The Collapse of History. Reconstructing Old Testament Theology, Fortress Press, Minneapolis 1994.
- Croatto, J. Severino: Biblical Hermeneutics. Toward a Theory of Reading as the Production of Meaning, Orbis Books, Maryknoll, New York 1987.
- Moon, C. H. S.: «A Korean Perspective: The Hebrews and the Exodus», Voices from the Margin,. R. S. Sugirtharajah (ed.), New York 1991: 241-55.
- Pixley, G. V.: «A Latin American Perspective: The Option for the Poor in the Old Testament», Voices from the Margin,. R. S. Sugirtharajah (ed.), New York 1991: 229-40.
- Kvanvig, H. S.: «Theology of the Scream. The Violator and the Violated in the Biblical Tradition, The Ecumenical Review 45, 1993: 328-36.
- Birch, B.C.: «Divine Character and the Formation of Moral Community in the
Book of Exodus», The Bible in Ethics, J.W. Rogerson, M. Davies and M. D. Caroll R.
(eds.), Sheffield 1995: 119-36.
The rest of the literature to be decided in consultation with supervisor.
Credits: 5
b) New Testament:
2.3.2 Course: «Jesus and the Kingdom of God»
Presentation:
The course focuses on the «Kingdom of God» as a major theme in the Gospels
and for «the historical Jesus». The importance of this theme for the
church and Christians to-day is recognised and used as a startingpoint
for reflections on the horizon from which we interpret texts. Methodological
and hermeneutical questions are central to the course: What are the most
influential approaches to the meaning of «kingdom of God» in Biblical scholarship,
and what is the importance of perspective and context in the study of this theme?
Interpretations from various contexts e.g. Latin-America, Africa and Asia are
used to engage in a discussion of the «horizon» of interpretation. The course
is based on interpretation of individual texts from the Gospels (e.g. parables,
narratives, read in Greek or English), as well as thematic approaches to the
Gospels as a whole, and the discussion of the historical Jesus.
Aims:
- to become acquainted with the discussions of methods and perspectives in New Testament theology.
- to apply the insights from these discussions to the theme «kingdom of God».
Bibliography:
- W.Willis (ed.) The Kingdom of God in 20th-Century Interpretation. Peabody, Mass: Hendrickson, 1987 (200pp).
- B.B. Scott, Hear then the Parable. A Commentary on the Parables of Jesus. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1989. (selected parables)
- W.R. Herzog II, Parables as subversive Speech. Jesus as Pedagogue of the Oppressed. Louisville: WJKnox, 1994. (selected parables).
- S.H. Ringe, Jesus, Liberation and the Biblical Jubilee. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1985.
- H. Moxnes, The Economy of the Kingdom. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1988.
- J.L. Segundo, The Historical Jesus of the Synoptics, 104-65, Maryknoll, NY, Orbis, 1985.
- U.K. Manus, Christ, the African King. New Testament Christology. Frankfurt: P. Lang. 1993.
- R.A. Horsley, Jesus and the Spiral of violence. San Fransisco: Harper and Row,
1987, 167-208.
Additional literature, e.g. dealing with other perspectives of interpretation,
to be decided during the course or in consultation with the teacher.
Credits: 5
2.4 The Church in History and Contemporary Society
The course is under preparation (will be offered first time Spring 2000).
Credits: 5
2.5 Systematic Theology
2.5.1 Course: «Theology of Religion»
Presentation:
The course will include a historical review of various approaches to other religions, and a more thorough presentation of representative trends in contemporary Roman Catholic and Protestant theologies of religion. Depending on the background and experiences of the participants the course will deal in more depth with the encounter between Christianity and specific non-Christian religious traditions. It is expected that the encounter with Islam and Buddhism will be of particular concern.
The bibliography is a tentative one, as new literature is continually published.
Aims:
to stimulate theological reflection in the context of interfaith dialogue
to study and critically review representative trends in contemporary theology of religion.
to reflect upon the challenges and insights resulting from the
actual dialogue with specific religious traditions.
Bibliography:
Christianity and Other Religions: Selected Readings, eds. John Hick and Brian Hebblethwaite, Philadelphia: Fortress Press 1981 (ca 200 pp).
The Myth of Christian Uniqueness: Towards a Pluralistic Theology of Religions, eds. John Hick and Paul F. Knitter, Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books 1987 (218 pp).
Christian Uniqueness Reconsidered: The Myth of a Pluralistic Theology of Religions,
ed. Gavin D’Costa. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books 1990 (212 pp).
Additional readings will include material dealing with the
encounter with specific religious traditions
Credits: 5
2.6 Practical theology/ Diaconal studies
2.6.1 Course: «Faith, Health and Care»
Presentation:
This course, which will be offered every spring semester in the programme, is presented in co-operation with the Diakonhjemmet College and the Practical Theological Seminary. The background of the course is the care-giving tradition of the church, in which both pastoral and diaconal work has been of importance. Today, the churches are faced with massive challenges in the area of health and quality of life, challenges that include the understanding of health and sickness, a theological interpretation of suffering, and the design of proper caring and empowerment action. The study of such issues will serve as a study of an important aspect of church members’ life context, and should be understood as an element of the contextual profile of the programme.
Aims and bibliography may be subject to some variation, following the
emphasis chosen by teachers, and the changing composition of the group of students.
Aims:
to study and discuss interpretations of pain, suffering and illness in different cultural contexts
to observe the handling of pain, suffering and illness in Norwegian settings where the church contributes care (in congregations, institutions, etc.)
to analyse and discuss relevant theological models, from systematic theology, practical and pastoral theology, diaconal theology
to analyse critically models of interpretation and intervention applied by charismatic and New Age groups
to study models for the analysis of practical situations, and for interventions
Bibliography:
Stifoss-Hanssen, Hans and Kallenberg, Kjell: Existential Questions and Health. Research Frontlines and Challenges. Stockholm: Forskningsrådsnämnden, report 3:96
Tillich, Paul: The Meaning of Health. Essays in Existentialism, Psychoanalysis, and Religion. Chicago: Exploration Press 1984
Capps, Don: Angels of Hope - a Pastoral Psychology. Minneapolis: Fortress Press 1995.
Capps, Don: Pastoral Care and Hermeneutics. Philadelphia: Fortress Press 1984.
Gutierrez, Gustavo: On Job. God-Talk and the Suffering of the Innocent. New York: Orbis Books 1992.
Tracy, David: Blessed Rage for Order, the new pluralism in theology. New York: Seabury Press 1975.
McFague, Sally: Models of God. Philadelphia: Fortress Press 1987.
Kleinmann, Arthur: The Illness Narratives. Suffering, Healing and the Human
Condition. New York: Basic Books 1988.
Credits: 5
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