YLSS-Sacred Scripture

This one hour course will give students an introduction into the various methodologies used in the exegesis of Sacred Scripture. Drawing upon Dei Verbum from the Second Vatican Council and The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church from the Pontifical Biblical Commission. Biblical Methods will explore all the major Biblical forms of criticism currently employed by modern exegetes (narrative criticism, form criticism, source criticism, redaction criticism, social-science criticism, canonical criticism, to name a few). Is it the goal of this course to prepare the student for subsequent examinations of scripture and to give them a background in Catholic methods of scriptural analysis.

This course is a study of the first five books of the Hebrew Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) that are essential for understanding Israelite history and theology and may also provide the lens through which the entire Bible was intended to be read. Greater focus will be placed on key texts in Exodus, their adaptation and development in Deuteronomy, and on the major themes in Genesis. This will include an introduction to the four major sources of this formative biblical tradition.

This graduate introduction to the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) focuses on the text of each of these gospels in their own historical, literary and pastoral contexts. Attention is given to the origin and growth of each gospel within early Christianity, their message and theology, including similarities and distinctive emphases that make each effective in enlivening the faith of their own particular communities.

This course will introduce students to the study of the Gospel of Mark as well as the scholarly methods that are used to better understand the biblical texts in their historical, literary and social contexts. Following an introduction to the formation of the Gospels in early Christianity, special attention will be given to the individual chapters and key texts that will highlight both the theological perspective of Mark as well as the different methods that contribute to our study of the Gospels. Throughout the course we will be looking at a variety of critical methods of biblical scholarship of historical, literary, theological, social and pastoral interest. This course is a Roman Catholic approach to the Scriptures in light of the Second Vatican Council’s Dei Verbum, and the subsequent document, The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church, published in Rome by The Pontifical Biblical Commission.

This course offers a basic foundation in OT prophecy that begins with the narratives in the Deuteronomic Historical Books, especially focusing on important texts in the books of Samuel and Kings. After this introduction, the course then moves to an in-depth study of the classical prophets, both northern and southern, that takes us through the time of Exile and finally, the restoration of Israel. This course looks at all of Israel’s prophets, with special emphasis on Elijah, the Major Prophets, Isaiah of Jerusalem, Deutero-Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel, and the 12 minor prophets. Emphasis will be given to the prophets’ message and style of communication as God’s spokespersons, as well as the role of the prophets in the NT and in society.

This course explores the life, theology and development of the earliest Christian communities that are found in the letters of the Apostle Paul. This course studies each of the seven undisputed letters of Paul, as well as the Deutero-Pauline, in its own historical, literary, theological, and pastoral contexts.

This course offers an introduction to the contemporary study of the Wisdom, Apocalyptic, and other Writings of the Hebrew and Greek Old Testament (First Covenant). The history, literature and theology of Judaism in the Persian and Hellenistic periods will be explored with special emphasis placed on Biblical, apocryphal, Qumran, Aramaic and Hellenistic texts. The emerging environment of first century Judaism will be thoroughly explored. The course will include exegesis of selected pericopae.

This course provides an introduction to the Gospels of Mark, Mathew, and Luke. The literary structures, the distinctive theological themes, and the community for which each Synoptic Gospel was written will be thoroughly presented. Emphasis will be placed upon the synoptic problem and as part of the theological examination of the miracle stories, parables, pronouncement stories, and sayings of Jesus. This course will include exegesis of selected pericopae.

This course provides an introduction to the Gospel of John, the Johannine epistles, and the Book of Revelation. The literary structures and distinctive theological themes are reviewed as well as the problem of authority in the Johannine corpus. The communities for which the Johannine literature was written will be explored in their social and ecclesial contexts. The course will include exegesis of selected pericopae.

This course offers a consideration of the letters of Paul in their epistolary, theological, and missionary contexts. The course will concentrate upon Pauline theological themes within the context of the communities receiving the letters and the overall ministry of Paul. Emphasis will be placed on the study of Pauline theology through readings and exegrsis of selected pericopae.

Catholic Letters and Pastoral Epistles will cover the following books of the New Testament Canon: Hebrews, James, Jude, 1-2 Peter, 1-2 Timothy and Titus. As such the course seeks to give the student an overview of those books infrequently covered in most courses on New Testament Literature as well as the background of the communities that made up the early Church.

This course provides an introduction to the Gospel of John, the Johannine epistles, and the Book of Revelation. The literary structures and distinctive theological themes are reviewed as well as the problem of authority in the Johannine corpus. The communities for which the Johannine literature was written will be explored in their social and ecclesial contexts. The course will include exegesis of selected pericopae.

The course on the Parables of Jesus involves an in-depth study of what is considered to be the authentic teaching of Jesus, teaching that is both novel and authoritative as it invites us to begin to see the wider horizon of God's perspective and the inauguration of the Kingdom of God on earth. Drawing on a wealth of biblical scholarship, this course is a comprehensive study of the parables that begins with a discussion of Jesus' teaching and the distinctive elements of parables and then moves to an in-depth study of the parables themselves. Throughout the course we will also discuss the meaning and significance of the parables for us today.

This course will be designed to examine the literary genres of the Psalter as key source for Christian spirituality and resource for how Christians may live a faithful life within the context of our contemporary culture. Emphasis will be placed upon the historical dimension of the text with ancient Israelite faith and spiritual practice examined under the rubrics of creation, covenant, wisdom, lament, praise and community. Knowledge of the Psalter's spirituality will enable the students to reflect about their own spirituality. The course will also reflect upon ways in which contemporary Christian spirituality can be informed, sustained and nourished by the Old Testament.

There are many passages in the Bible that are found to be confusing, hard, and , at times even violent passages, texts that are difficult even for people who have studied the Bible, whether in a parish or even in a university setting. This course will begin to address some of the puzzling texts that are found in both the Old and New Testaments by placing them in their own ancient historical, literary, social and cultural contexts. Once we get some idea of what they may have meant in ancient times, we will be better equipped to ask what they may have to say to us today.

The course offeres a close and thorough examination of marriage as it is present in the Bible. Various biblical passages in the Old and New Testaments that deal with marriage will be investigated. Marriage will be considered both as an instuitution and as metaphor. Practices and customs related to marriage such as match making, betrothal, irregular unions, endogamy and ideal marriage will also be explored.

El objetivo de este curso es presentar un estudio de la teologia de San Marcos y proveer al estudiante herramientas fundamentales del campo de la teologia pastoral a fin de que puedan de manera efectiva promulgar el mensaje evangelico.