Institute of Theology

THEO 610 INTERTEXTUALITY IN ACTS

Credits: 3

One of the most relevant issues in the history of Biblical interpretation is the use of the Old Testament by the New Testament authors. Lately, several theories of literary intertextuality have given way to revisit this question with new methods and procedures. Early in the 70’ and 80’, scholars like Julia Kristeva and Roland Barthes affirmed that every text is intertextual as they are in debt to the former written treasure, even if authors did not quote them explicitly. Later in the 90’, Gérard Genette developed a theory of intertextuality that helped and helps biblical scholars to deal methodologically with this significant topic.

The present seminar works on the second volume of the Lucan Diptych, a text that bases its contents in the prophecies and narratives of the Old Testament, particularly as rendered in the Septuagint version. During the sessions and the research work, students learn to use this methodology to extend their knowledge on the Book of Acts and rediscover the treasures of its theological approach to the first decades of the Christian Kerygma’s expansion in the Greek-Roman world.

THEO 611 THE NEW TESTAMENT ARABIC TEXT IN ANTIOCHIAN MANUSCRIPTS

Credits: 3

THEO 612 BIBLICAL APOCRYPHA AND PSEUDOEPIGRAPHA IN EASTERN ORTHODOXY

Credits: 3

The books considered by scholars as Biblical Apocrypha and Pseudoepigrapha have played an important role in the genesis of liturgical texts and celebrations, as some of them belong to the canon of the Orthodox Old Testament. In this seminar, students work on the interpretation of some relevant texts and analyze the intensity and importance of their presence in liturgy. Special focus is given to the Arabic manuscripts available in the region.

THEO 613 THE DEBATE ABOUT THE GENUINENESS OF SOME PAULINE LETTERS

Credits: 3

This course presents the arguments and the counter arguments about the genuineness of the following Pauline Letters: Ephesians, Colossians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, and Hebrews. This issue is of great significance, not only because it weighs in studying the historical environment of these Letters, and their true authorship and objectives, but also in view of the fact that the consequences extend beyond the historical information to touch two theological levels:

1. Accepting the teaching in these Letters as normative in studying the thought and style of St Paul;
2. Taking into consideration the content of these Letters in defining Christian tenets.

The issue of genuineness of the above-mentioned New Testament Letters became a timely subject in the last years, since it is seriously reconsidered. Even the German consensus on rejecting the genuineness of these Letters started to fall down. The revision of this position tickles the interest in investigating the positions of the Church Fathers and Writers, as well as of Eastern exegetes in modern time, on the genuineness of these Letters.

THEO 614 THE NEW PERSPECTIVE ON PAUL QUESTIONED

Credits: 3

The epithet “the New Perspective” on Paul, or rather “New Perspectives” - as it is often noted that the singular title gives an unjustified impression of unity - designates a field of study in which many scholars are actively pursuing research and continuously revising their own theories, holding in common the belief that the historic perspectives of Paul the Apostle and Judaism are fundamentally incorrect. “The validity of the Sinaitic Law”, “human effort and good works”, “Pistis Christou”, “Grace”, “the atonement”, are some central issues discussed by the “New Perspective”.

This course investigates the positions of the scholars who embraced the “New Perspective” on Paul, and discusses them exegetically, comparing them to the “Patristic and modern Orthodox perspective”, as well as to the “Old Perspective” (Lutheran and Reformed”), in order to draw conclusions on the validity of the various interpretations.

THEO 615 ANALYZING THE USE OF VERBS IN ARABIC GOSPEL TRANSLATIONS 

Credits: 3

THEO 620 MODERN TRENDS IN OLD TESTAMENT HERMENEUTICS

Credits: 3

No other area of biblical studies is changing as rapidly as hermeneutics. With the addition of studies based on rhetorical, literary-structural, semiotic, social, scientific, and special interest approaches, it is impossible to keep up with the literature in this field. This course attempts to offer to the students an introduction as well as assessment of Old Testament hermeneutical methods which prevailed in modern times until today, starting with the diachronic, or the so-called atomist school, and covering later developments such as the literary approaches embodied in rhetorical, narrative and redaction criticism as well as in intertextual, discourse and linguistic/ semiotic analysis. Other modern analytical tools such as the social scientific and the reader response tool are also analyzed and assessed. This course is given as a seminar. Students have to learn and apply these methods on selected texts of the Old Testament with the view of enabling them to evaluate the validity and the relevance of each of them for their exegetical work.

THEO 621 THE OLD TESTAMENT IN THE MODERN MIDDLE EASTERN CONTEXT

Credits: 3 

There is no doubt that the Old Testament has a central position in the discussions revolving around the turmoil caused by the rise of the State of Israel in the middle of the twentieth century. Ideologies either supporting or rejecting this political event have expressed themselves in a way or another vis-à-vis the Old Testament. Western approaches (ranging from moderate to extremist views) supporting the “right of the Jews” in having Palestine as their homeland, have read Old Testament texts in such a way that this right may be legitimized. On the opposite side, one observes various aspects of Marcionism in Middle Eastern Christian circles, which can be explained as a reaction to the first position. This seminar discusses these views, their history and application and how they affected the use of the Old Testament as well as how it is viewed in the Middle East. The study is based on representative texts from different authors.

THEO 630 DEIFICATION IN THE EASTERN CHRISTIAN TRADITION

Credits: 3

The seminar is an analytical attempt to explore and survey the religious, social and cultural components which contributed to the evolution of the concept of theosis throughout the history of Eastern Christian Theology. It examines primary sources, whether historical or patristic, and focuses on the making of terminology and the theological language related to this issue. The seminar also treats the major trends of reception of the concept of deification in the contemporary Orthodox theological context underlining its crucial role in the articulation of the Orthodox identity of Theology and Orthodox witness in the modern world, as well as its diachronic influence on the ethos of Eastern Theology as reflected in sacred art, liturgical forms and religious sensitivity in general.

THEO 631 MAJOR TRENDS AND FIGURES IN CONTEMPORARY ORTHODOX THEOLOGY

Credits: 3

The seminar sheds light on the major centers of theological production in the contemporary Orthodox world and the circumstances of their creation and growth. It is an appraisal of the contribution of the theological schools and trends, as well as the prominent personalities, which contributed to the expression of Orthodox theology since the second half of the nineteenth century. It addresses the historical, cultural and socio-political backgrounds which shaped contemporary theological patterns and concentrates on the theological works and the scholarly efforts which engaged in the task of analyzing and criticizing the history of theological thought of this period. The seminar also analyzes the main problems and challenges in addition to the major intellectual theological topics which directed the dynamism of theological thinking and writing in the age of modernity.

THEO 632 THE PATRISTIC ANTHROPOLOGY OF FR. JOHN ROMANIDES

Credits: 3

This seminar explores the theological thought of Fr. John Romanides, with a particular emphasis placed on themes in his writings related to Christian anthropology. Special attention is given to the biblical and patristic basis of his work on creation, the fall of man, and salvation in Christ—topics that opened a unique door for Orthodox theology in the 20th century, changing the focus and direction of theological thinking and teaching in the post-WWII era. The seminar also examines Fr. Romanides’ contributions toward reviving patristic theology in our times.

THEO 633 DEBATES ON THE NATURE AND THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH IN THE 20TH AND 21ST CENTURIES

Credits: 3

The richness of the contribution of Eastern Christian theologians in the nineteenth century and in the decades preceding the Second Vatican Council as well as their role in the foundation of the World Council of Churches led to a remarkable affluence in ecclesiological studies in Orthodox theological circles and in Ecumenical dialogues. This seminar aims at analyzing the dynamics of ecclesiological thought during the course of the 20th century and in the dawn of our 21^st century.

THEO 634 THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE CHURCH OF ANTIOCH TO CONTEMPORARY ECUMENICAL DIALOGUES

Credits: 3

The active role of the Antiochian church in bilateral and multilateral dialogues between Christians in the 20th and the 21st centuries as well as her presence in numerous ecumenical encounters, podiums and councils have been a genuine expression of the Antiochian belief in dialogue as a method of rapprochement. This seminar sheds light on the contribution of the church of Antioch in Ecumenical dialogues and tries to evaluate the strategies, the methods and the outcomes of this commitment.

THEO 635 HESYCHASM AND THE HERMENEUTICS OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE

Credits: 3

Hesychasm, the renaissance in Eastern Christian spirituality and theology one century before the great captivity of Constantinople expressed in rich literary, artistic and liturgical production as well as in the flourishing of monasticism, in addition to the hesychastic controversy and its influence on the future of Christian theology, paved the way to enormous historical and theological questions which still need consideration. The Seminar attempts to assess the role of Hesychasm, as a hermeneutical method, in shaping and orienting the articulation of Eastern Christian Dogmatology.

THEO 640 ORTHODOX CHURCHES DURING THE OTTOMAN PERIOD

Credits: 3

This seminar helps Post Graduate Students – PhD candidates – to analyze the situation of the roum Orthodox communities under the Ottoman millet system as a persecuted community or a privileged community. What was supposed to be the apocalyptic end of the world had witnessed an important demographical progress of roum Orthodox population. During four hundred years, the roum Orthodox lived what is so called as the “Greek Enlightenment Century”. Through some of the Antiochian manuscripts, students analyze the different cultural currents of this era.

This course investigates the relations between the four historical patriarchates and studies their relations with other churches such as Russia, Georgia and Romania.

The students learn through reviewing diplomatic reports about the Russian protection and its limits, and through archives about the impact of Ottoman Reforms and their influence on the lay councils on the life of the Church.

THEO 641 THE CONTEMPORARY SITUATION OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCH IN THE WORLD

Credits: 3

This seminar studies the different situations of Orthodox communities during the twentieth century and analyzes the different positive and negative issues experienced by the different churches such as:

• Persecution through forbidding religion in Russia and population transfer in Cilicia and Anatolia.
• Relations between Churches and states: Greece and Russia.
• Interaction between national identity and religious denominations: Serbia, Russia.
• Christian Ecumenism and interfaith dialogue.
• The role of Orthodox Diaspora in the elaboration of a new theology: France, U.S.A. and others.
• Internal problems and conflicts.
• Survival and Renewal.

Through those different cases, students learn how to cope with challenges of entering in modernity and preserving Tradition by emphasizing on the Antiochian experience. They also learn from the behavior of the Church during economic and political crises.

THEO 642 CHRISTIAN MUSLIM DIALOGUE DURING THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE

Credits: 3

The course is an analysis of the impact of Ottoman institutions, e.g. Janissaries, Timar on Christian communities. Controversial Ottoman reforms, e.g. Capitulations, Tanzimat, regarded, by Muslims, as favorable to Christians, resulting in the deterioration of good neighborhood. The end of this period and the collapse of the empire led to discriminations and massacres against Christians. Concepts such as Ra’aya, Miri, Citizenship, Badal askariyah … are also studied.

THEO 643 CHRISTIAN MUSLIM RELATION DURING THE CLASSICAL PERIOD

Credits: 3

This course is a survey of Christian-Muslim relations during the different Islamic dynasties and analysis of the impact of external relations with e.g. Byzantines, Mongols, on the demographical and social situations of Christians, from their participation in political and cultural life during the Arabic golden ages to their marginalization after the Crusaders wars.

Topics also include the study of related issues, e.g.Ahl al Kitab, Ahl al dhimmat, Kharaj, Giziyat, separate living quarters.

THEO 644 READING AND EDITING MANUSCRIPTS ARCHIVES AND INSCRIPTIONS

Credits: 3

The course aims at initiating students to read different scriptures and to learn methodologies of cataloguing manuscripts, archiving documents and analyzing inscriptions.

Measures for editing ancient documents, understanding ancient texts and vocabulary, historical and geographical background, would be essential to make those ancient manuscripts well known by scholars.

THEO   645 THE   RELATIONSHIP  BETWEEN  ANTIOCHIAN  AND   EASTERN   ORTHODOX CHURCHES

Credits: 3

This course aims at identifying, documenting and analyzing the key characteristics of the relationship between the Antiochian Orthodox Church and the Eastern Orthodox Churches. It adopts a hybrid approach with thematic and chronological features. The mutual contributions to different facets of Church life are given specific consideration.

THEO 650 THE MYSTERY OF SALVATION IN ANTIOCHIAN LITERATURE

Credits: 3

Antiochian School of Exegesis paved the way to the flourishing of a peculiar Antiochian Christological teaching with many repercussions on Soteriology. Antiochian Soteriology is characterized by a specific affirmation of the reality of divine Incarnation, of the complementarity of the human nature assumed by the Logos of God, the meaning of the presence of Christ in human history and the eschatological consequences of these teachings. These specificities render the textual analysis of the Antiochian Soteriology an insightful aim of this seminar.

THEO 651 CHURCH FATHERS AND POLITICAL AUTHORITY

Credits: 3

In the times of persecution, when early Christian writings contrasted the Reign of God with the Reign of Caesar, the answer was martyrdom. But after the Edict of Milan and the Christianization of the Roman Empire by Constantine the Great and his successors, the divine authority of political rulers as well as the tendency of some hierarchs to reclaim authority in secular matters led many church Fathers to devote writings to confront problematic positions related to issues of authority. The seminar surveys patristic literature on the relation between the church and political authority drawing important conclusions useful for the present needs of churches in our contemporary societies.

THEO 652 THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD IN EASTERN PATRISTIC THOUGHT

Credits: 3

The relation between secular knowledge and divine knowledge has been a crucial problem facing Christian theology since the attempts of Saint Paul and the first Apostolic and Apologetic Church Fathers. Origen in his defense of Christian faith Against Celsius, Saint Irenaeus of Lyon, as well as the Cappadocian Fathers confronting Eunomius, have set the premises for the specific Eastern patristic approach to this thorny issue. The seminar explores the course of thought in Eastern Christianity until our present day, with an enriching comparison with Scholasticism which became the landmark in Western Christendom.

THEO 653 PRAYER IN EASTERN PATRISTIC SPIRITUALITY

Credits: 3

The rich corpus of literature dealing with the meaning and methods of prayer and its aims and fruits grant Eastern Christianity a peculiar spiritual sense and orientation throughout the many centuries of its turbulent history. This seminar attempts to survey the different trends of prayer in Eastern Christianity and their synthesis articulated in the well-known recension of Nikodemos the Athonite and Makarios Bishop of Corinth, i.e. The Philokalia, as well as their reception in contemporary Eastern monasticism and the life of the Church at large.