Theology, Religion, and Ethics
BA (Hons)

Year two

• Bioethics 

Bioethics

Social changes and technological innovations from the late 1960s have given rise to a new area of study - ‘bioethics’. This discipline has its roots in the reflections of such theologians as Paul Ramsey. It grew out of medical ethics but expanded beyond the professional ethics of medical practitioners to tackle fundamental questions relating to health, society, and the ethical understanding of the new biology, especially of genetics.

• Christology 

Christology

Any discussion, talk and study about the Christian understanding and perception of God involves a study of Jesus Christ. This area of theology is systematic, critical, reflective and rooted in a living tradition. The module explores how these 'mysteries' of doctrine may give shape to every aspect of theology, from ecclesiology and the sacraments to Christian ethics. It aims to help the student to understand the historical background and development of Christology with analysis of key themes and central ideas of key theologians.

• Eastern Christianity 

Eastern Christianity

Eastern and Oriental Christianity is a rich and diverse part of the living Christian religious tradition. In recent years travel and immigration have opened this tradition to the European and British cultural setting. The diversity of the eastern churches, their antiquity, the rich liturgical and spiritual tradition, and fidelity to a particular interpretation of the Christian faith are important for a fuller understanding of Christianity as a whole. This module is based around a comprehensive study of particular churches and will visit some of these communities in London. It will develop the understanding of the diversity of eastern traditions of Christianity, and of theological, ecumenical, cultural and pastoral issues.

• Ecclesiology 

Ecclesiology

Ecclesiology is the theology of the Church. The life of the Christian is expressed in the community of the Church in prayer, worship, celebration of the liturgy and the sacraments and the Church's evangelising mission. The development of the Christian community from its origin in the New Testament era to its current understanding is explored. The module explores the historical theological and doctrinal divisions of Christianity and investigates particular aspects of the Church's pastoral roles. Scrutinisng some of the ecclesiological perspectives of the Second Vatican Council (1962-65), the module explores the dialogue between the Church and the world, ecumenical developments and contemporary issues facing all the local churches. The contributions of recent theologians will be explored, as will the insights of the eternal 'communion of saints' in the Church's tradition, and there will be a focus on contemporary ecclesial cultures and the New Evangelisation.


• Grace, Sin and Salvation 

Grace, Sin and Salvation

If, as Christianity claims, God is the author, sustainer and goal of human existence, then the human person is the being who is oriented towards God and whose essence is determined by this orientation, and it becomes clear that a thorough study of the human person necessarily involves the study of God, and vice versa. This analysis provides a starting point for this module, which seeks to explore systematically grace, sin and salvation in the Christian tradition, and to consider the practical implications that flow from faith in these doctrines.

• Hermeneutics and the Old Testament 

Hermeneutics and the Old Testament

Hermeneutics is the study of interpretation. Scholarly reading of the Bible involves an awareness of questions and assumptions we make about the Bible when we read it. This course is about becoming critically aware of the variety of assumptions that are made. The course will concentrate (but not exclusively) on the historical books of the Old Testament, including the impact of archaeology on the meaning of those texts. Full participation in discussion is important.