Courses

Though I have taught a number of courses over the years, these are ones I am presently teaching at LTS, or am likely to teach there in the next year or so.

SL 210 Theology 1

This course introduces students to the way in which Christian beliefs function in modern contexts. We will closely examine the doctrines of Trinity, Creation. Sin and Christ using the interpretive lens of a "theology of the cross." In the process students will acquire a preliminary understanding of some current and historic perspectives within the Christian community on these doctrines and be able to discriminate between them. Students will be expected to identify and evaluate their own theological pre-understandings regarding these doctrines and contribute to the Christian community's theological understanding of the world by doing their own constructive theology, learning to express their theological insights clearly, logically, and effectively in oral and written form. [Click here to open the 2008 syllabus]

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SA/SL 282 Food Faith and Rural Community

(Team-taught with Dr. Nettie Wiebe of St. Andrew's College)

Everyone eats - and eating is an act with moral, theological, political and social ramifications. This course will explore the philosophical assumptions underlying our food production system in the light of theological guidance from our Christian tradition about the purpose of human life, the place of community, and our relationship to the land. It will critically examine the causes of the current farm crisis and the decline of rural communities. Exposing the myths which inform current food production and consumption practices will open the way to envisioning alternative models based on Christian perspectives and values. [Click here to open 2007 syllabus]

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SL 236: Costly Faith: The Life and Theology of Dietrich Bonhoeffer

This course explores the provocative theology of Dietrich Bonhoeffer forged in the crucible of resistance to Nazi genocide. We will attempt to link the evolving story of Bonhoeffer's personal experience with the development in his theology, examining Bonhoeffer's poems, prayers, letters and theological writings, together with writing about and dramatic reproductions of his life. In this process we will try to treat Bonhoeffer as a whole human being, engaging his struggles with God, self, politics and the church in a compassionate but critical way. [Click here to open the syllabus]

PL 346 Pastoral Integration

This course aims to help students integrate their experience of ministry in the parish and in parachurch organizations with the theology and theory that they have taken in previous seminary training. Drawing on resources from several disciplines, it will introduce tools to equip congregations for effective ministry in the church and in the community. It will also help students to prepare for their first call. The course will be conducted as a seminar, requiring students to reflect deeply on their internship and contextual education experiences to present case studies and integrative reflection papers. Field trips and interviews, films, small group work, teaching one another, class dialogue, workshops by outside resource people and reflection on key texts will be among the learning modes used. [Click here to open 2008 syllabus]

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SL 345 Science and Theology

(Team -taught with Dr. John Beaver-physicist.)  This course examines the tensions and possibilities in the conversation between science and Christian faith.  We look at key figures in the historic development of that relationship such as Aristotle, Augustine, Galileo, Einstein and Kuhn.  We examine the questions for science and theology raised by creationists, feminists, third  world theologians, and others.  And we look at the implication of this conversation for ethics in technology and research.  Click here to open 2005 syllabus

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PL 240 Vocational Formation

This course has a focus on an understanding of the call to ministry, the pastor as person, and preparation for internship. Attention is given to the distinction between the office of the ministry of word and sacrament and baptismal vocational ministry. It includes the team-building internship workshop and ministerial boundaries workshop.  Click here to open 2008 syllabus

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