Classical philosophy has provided the framework and the foundational language for the theological thought of the Church almost from its beginnings. In order to understand theology, therefore, one must have at least a basic familiarity with philosophical thought and language. This course is intended to give the student just such a foundation by introducing important terms, concepts, and figures of classical philosophy.
This course will provide an introduction and overview of Christian Theology. In addition to an examination of historical figures, periods and the development of thought through the Church’s history, there will be some focus given to the sources of tradition as well as theological methodology. Christian doctrines that will be studied in this course include the Trinity, Christology, Ecclesiology, Sin and Grace, the Sacraments, and Eschatology. Both orthodox (catholic) theology and modern trends will be examined such that the student may be better informed as to recent developments.
Understanding the Old Testament is vital for an orthodox and catholic reading and interpretation of the New Testament and early Church Fathers. This introductory course gives a preliminary overview of the Old Testament, providing an understanding of its organization, literary genres, formation and theologies. In this course the candidate will develop an historical understanding of the origins of the Hebrew people and their formation into a national, geographical and political entity, providing a foundational context for Jesus, the early Church and New Testament.
This course is designed as a self-study course with the aim of teaching students the basics of New Testament Greek. Students may contact the instructor as needed for assistance and for course evaluation.
The New Testament is the story of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Apostles and first century Christians. Understanding it is vital for an orthodox and catholic interpretation of the Christian faith. This introductory course gives a preliminary overview of the New Testament, providing an understanding of its organization, literary genres, formation and theologies. By means of this course the candidate will develop a historical understanding of the origins of the Christian community and its formation into a major religion in the Roman Empire, providing a foundational context for the Early Fathers and subsequent Church History.
This course is designed as a self-study course with the aim of teaching students the basics of Ecclesiastical Latin. Students may contact the instructor as needed for assistance and for course evaluation.
This survey course will study the major events, personalities and forces that shaped the Christian Church from the first centuries to the modern Church of the 21st Century. The course will be divided into four sections: the Early Church up to the Council of Chalcedon, the medieval Church from Gregory I through to the Reformation; the English and Continental Reformations, including the Council of Trent and Counter-Reformation; and the development of the Church to the present day.
Focusing on the Seven Ecumenical Councils, this course will examine the formulations of the Church’s teaching on the Person of Christ and of the Holy Trinity. It will also pay close attention to the various heresies concerning these two doctrines that arose during this time, including their histories and their various proponents. In addition to this, some mention will be given to the Church’s position on images outlined in the Seventh Council.
This survey course will cover the central themes of the theological development of Anglicanism, discussing its most influential authors, historical influences and central themes, emphasizing the place of the Book of Common Prayer, the Thirty-Nine Articles, the Caroline Divines, and the Oxford Movement. The candidate will develop an understanding of the “theological method” of Anglicanism; and will study the origins, development and place of traditional Anglicanism as part of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, with emphasis on the Traditional Anglican Communion.
In this course students will be introduced to the basics of Christian doctrine. It is designed to introduce the student to ways of thinking theologically. It is also designed to help the student more clearly understand Christian teaching by means of learning to respond to criticisms from outside the faith. Topics for the course include the nature and existence of God, cosmology, theodicy, the person of Christ, eschatology, and Christianity and world religions.
This introductory course will examine the scriptural foundations and fundamental principles of moral theology enjoined on man by the law of God. The candidate will inquire into man’s end, into the nature of human actions and their morality, into the law of God to which those actions should conform, into conscience by which man perceives that law and directs his actions, into the virtues whereby he manifests obedience to God, and the nature of sin whereby he revolts from God.
Through an examination of the Book of Common Prayer and a Catholic textbook on the sacraments, the candidate will be introduced to the vocabulary and basic theological understanding of the Sacraments of the Church. The Scriptural origins and historical development of the sacraments will be explored, with an emphasis on their understanding and place in western Catholicism and the Anglican Catholic tradition.
This course is a survey of and introduction to world religions. It will introduce the student to a variety of traditions from south and east Asia as well as to those traditions that are predominant in the west. The religions to be examined include indigenous religious traditions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Japanese and Chinese religions, Judaism and Islam.
This course will offer an in-depth study of the first five books of the Hebrew Scriptures. Major themes and theologies will be discussed, emphasizing the notions of creation, covenant, and law.
This course will offer an in-depth study of the prophetic writings of the Old Testament. Major themes and theologies will be examined as well as the nature of prophecy and its importance in the covenantal relationship between God and His people.
This course will offer an in-depth study of the Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament, consisting of Joh, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Wisdom, Ecclesiasticus (Sirach), Major themes and theologies will be examined as well as the importance of the Wisdom Literature to both the Old and New Covenants.
The Synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke will be examined in terms of their parallels as well as their particular emphasis and audience. Major themes and theologies will be discussed. Students will then focus on one of the three gospels as the basis of a research paper.
This course will study the scriptures attributed to the Apostle and Evangelist, Saint John. The theological nature of St. John's Gospel will be examined, particularly as it defines the Catholic understanding of the nature of Christ and of the Sacraments. The Epistles of St. John and the Book of Revelation will also be studied, examining the life of the early Church and the apocalypse.
This course examines the structure and content of the writings of Saint Paul of Tarsus, as well as the Catholic Epistles, focusing on their impact upon the development and theology of the Church. Particular emphasis will be placed on the Pauline Epistles to the Romans and Ephesians.
The writings of the Fathers of the Church are fundamental to a proper understanding of the theological development of the Christian Church. This course will examine the writings of the early Church Fathers, with particular emphasis upon their application to Scriptural interpretation, and the development of the order and discipline of the Church.
The history of the liturgy of the Christian Church will be examined through a study of the various forms and orders of public worship in both the Eastern and Western traditions of the Church. Particular emphasis will be placed upon the development of the liturgy of the English Church and the Book of Common Prayer.
The purpose of this course is to ensure that postulants have a grounded understanding of the Prayer Book, especially in terms of the historical developments of Christian worship, both prior to, and, within Anglicanism, following 1549. Questions to be examined include: Other than a few Collects, did Cranmer actually create anything new? Is the Book of Common Prayer the “perfect worship aid” for catholic Christians; or is it, at least to some extent in all of its various revisions, a compromise between the still warring factions that seemingly always have existed with Anglicanism? Are there questionable inclusions; are there unwarranted deletions?
This reading course/seminar is designed to introduce students to the spiritual works of those influential Anglican figures in English Spirituality from the 16th to 20th centuries. Readings and discussion will focus on selected works, among others, of Cranmer, Jewel, Caroline Divines, John Keble, E.B. Pusey, John Henry Newman, and Edward King, C.S. Lewis, G.K. Chesterton, Dorothy Sayers, Charles Williams, Evelyn Underhill, and J.R.R. Tolkein.
This second year course will involve an in-depth study of particular aspects of moral theology, including sexuality, marriage, sanctity of life, and genetic engineering. This course will also study the ministry of Confessor, including the administration of the Sacrament of Penance and the etiquette of the confessional.
Building upon the course work undertaken in the first year of studies, as well as your Rule of Life, this course will draw you into a greater understanding of the importance of the spirituality in the life of the Christian. Schools of spiritual direction will be studied as well as the various aspects of ascetical theology applicable to priestly life and the pastoral ministry.
This course will cover Christology in Holy Scripture: the person and mission of Jesus Christ. Emergence of classic Christology and Trinitarian theology within the Church and from an orthodox Anglican Catholic perspective.
This course will cover in detail the way in which the Mystery of the Trinity, revealed and historically realized in the Mystery of Christ, is rendered present in the Eucharistic experience of being as communion, the Church of God. From which flows the orthodox Anglican Catholic understanding of the nature of the Church, at once local and universal.
This introductory course briefly covers the history and development of canon law and ecclesiastical government, with attention to its purpose and use in the Traditional Anglican Communion and the Anglican Catholic Church of Canada.
This course will examine the fundamental tenets of the religion of Islam, including its various sects; the writings of the Koran; the historical development of Islam; and the impact of Islam on Christianity and the West.
This course will study the practical application of your theological studies to the liturgical and pastoral ministry of Deacon. Students will learn through seminar and practice how to perform the various liturgical functions required of a deacon, including the Divine Offices, and the Mass. In terms of pastoral ministry, emphasis will be placed on parish visiting, home communions, ministry to the sick and dying, as well as to pastoral counselling and marriage preparation. Students will also be provided the tools and practice needed to prepare and deliver sermons throughout the year, as well as at special occasions. Sermons will be prepared and delivered, then discussed and critiqued.
This course will study the practical application of your theological studies to the liturgical and pastoral ministry of Priest. Students will learn through seminar and practice how to perform the various liturgical functions required of a Priest, including the Divine Offices, celebration of the Mass, administration of the Sacraments, and other special services. In terms of pastoral ministry, emphasis will be placed on parish visiting, ministry to the sick and dying, as well as to pastoral counseling, marriage preparation, and parochial administration and governance. Students will also be provided the tools and practice needed to prepare and deliver sermons throughout the year, as well as at special occasions. Sermons will be prepared and delivered, then discussed and critiqued.
This course will examine church music in history and practice, including an overview of various hymnals in use in the Anglican Catholic Church of Canada and Traditional Anglican Communion, and the importance of sacred music in the worship of the Church. It will consist of both practical and theoretical training.
Last Updated June 19, 2009