UoB - Faculty of Theology

II. Dogmatic - Theoretical Section

 

201 Introduction to Christian Faith

Reaching God not by means of reason and the senses but by means of faith and life in harmony with His will. God's revelation of His wisdom and power through His creation (celestial sphere, atom, living cell, plants, animals, human body, and man's inner world). Evolution and Faith. Science and Faith. The importance and necessity of God's personal revelation of Himself. Jesus, the completion of this revelation. The uniqueness of Jesus and his response to the human need for salvation. The greatness of Christ's teaching and miracles, and His completion of the prophetic oracles. Witness of the apostles' kerygma. The leavening and transfiguration of the world.

202 Introduction to Spiritual Life

Definition, importance and the potential of fulfillment. The obstacles that keep man at a distance from the spiritual life. The student's internal spiritual life and life in commitment. The spiritual significance of the church's life, prayers and sacraments. Liberation from human passions. The three stages of the spiritual life: dispassion, illumination and deification. Distinctive features of Orthodox spirituality.

203 Dogmatics I

Introduction and definition. Sources of dogmatic and comparative theology. Divine revelation, potential for the vision and knowledge of God. Tradition, creeds of the main churches. Mystery of the Divine Trinity.

204 Dogmatics II

Creation, Fall, Incarnation and Redemption (Crucifixion, Resurrection, Ascension, Pentecost). Church, sacraments, justification and holiness, death, judgment and parousia.

205 Heresies and Sects

The mystery of the church’s unity in relation to heresies and schisms throughout its history. The contemporary heresies and sects. An overview of the development and actual situation of the Eastern and Western denominations, particularly in our region. A review of the development and actual situation of the modern heresies, (such as Jehovah Witnesses and Adventists), their main doctrines and the response of the Orthodox Church.

206 History of Dogmatics

• Dogma in the early church: the Apostolic times, the Fathers in the first three centuries, and the Ecumenical Councils.
• Dogma in the Middle Ages: main features of western dogmatic theology up to Luther. Dogmatic theology in the East up to the fall of Constantinople.
• Dogma in modern times: emergence of its main trends. Roman Catholic and Protestant dogmatic theology. Dogmatic theology in Russia, Greece, Antioch and other Orthodox churches.

207 Christian Ethics

Christian ethics and their distinctive features. Major ethical issues grouped in two: those relating to the vertical dimension (man's relation to God), and those relating to the horizontal dimension (man's relation to himself, and mutual human and social relations). Main problems in modern life. A study of selected Patristic texts.

208 History of Philosophy I

A historical study of ancient Greek philosophical thought starting with the pre-Socratics and focusing later on the major philosophers (Plato and Aristotle). God, man and the universe in their philosophy.

209 History of Philosophy II

A historical study of medieval, modern and contemporary philosophical thought focusing on al-Ghazali, Averroes, al-Ash’ari, Descartes, Hume, Kant, Hegel and Sartre. God, man and the universe in their philosophy.

210 Philosophy of Religion

A systematic study of the main issues raised by philosophers concerning God and his relation to man and the cosmos such as: arguments on God's existence, religious experience, miracles, the problem of evil, ethics and religion, science and religion, faith, atheism and antitheism in contemporary thought.

211 Research Methodologies

Definition of scientific research and its aims. Types of research and training of researchers. The choice of research subjects, the setting up of research plans and the role of research advisors. Basic techniques such as footnoting, indexing and the use of abbreviation. Stages in the preparation of a research work: gathering data, composition and presentation of study.

212 Sociology of Religion

This course offers an introduction to the basic principles of the sociology of religion, its method and its place in relation to human sciences and religious studies. It initiates the students into some of the techniques of sociological study. This course also explores ways of making sociological studies relevant for the church's pastoral work. Special attention will be directed towards the study of the present reality of the Church of Antioch in its social context, and the analysis of data made available through field research.

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