Courses Offered

All theologians and Christians need ongoing renewal of their theology and moral teaching to include the major issues of the Anthropocene. In his encyclical Laudato Si', Pope Francis reframes Church teaching on the neglected fact that humans are an integral part of the Earth system and are now collectively shaping its future. He puts out an urgent invitation to the world to renew the dialogue on how we are constructing the future of this planet. The emergence of the term Anthropocene as a new geological period points to a staggering turning point in the history of the Earth system. In a way that is critical to our future, it challenges us to reconsider of how we conceive of our relationship with the Earth. Losses now being incurred as a direct result of human activity constitute a serious threat to human well-being in all regions of the world and to the biodiversity of God's creation. Increasing occurrences of floods droughts, fires, political conflicts, refugees, and species loss are all related in differentiated ways to anthropogenic-caused climate change and ill-conceived development.  This challenges theologians, ethicists, and educators to transcend favored smaller-scale paradigms and to keep up with the second term of "vetera et nova." The path includes coming to a relevant understanding and vocabulary pertinent to planetary issues of the 21st century. The aim of this course is to make a modest start on this challenge.

Ce cours étudiera les diverses approches éthiques développées dans les grandes religions du monde notamment les religions issues du monde indien, à savoir l’hindouisme, le bouddhisme, le jaïnisme et le sikhisme, ainsi que les deux autres religions monothéistes que sont le judaïsme et l’islam. Ces diverses approches seront comparées avec l’éthique chrétienne tant dans le cadre de la théologie morale fondamentale que dans celui de certains aspects pertinents de la morale spéciale ou sectorielle telles que ceux concernant les questions de sexualité et des rapports entre les genres, le rapport aux biens matériels et la doctrine sociale. Pour mener à bien cette étude, le cours recourra à une double approche : d’un côté, on décrira les diverses approches éthiques des religions telles qu’elles ont été documentées par les historiens des religions (approche phénoménologique), d’un autre côté, on comparera, sur le plan des idées religieuses qui justifient les pratiques et les obligations éthiques, ces diverses approches avec la théologie morale chrétienne (approche théologique).

L’objectif général de ce cours sera ainsi à la fois de renseigner sur les éthiques des religions du monde et d’amener l’étudiant(e) à les évaluer théologiquement en termes de cohérence ou de dissonance, de compatibilité ou d’incompatibilité, de proximité ou d’éloignement, etc. par rapport à la vérité professée par le christianisme en termes de foi et de morale. 

Human self-transcendence is complex and ongoing, involving the process of transformative growth into a being healthy in spirit, mind, heart and affective morality. Yet how can we understand that process when we are actually going through it ourselves? And what of that understanding in relation to the world around us? This one semester course explores these key questions by drawing on the work of Canadian theologian-philosopher Bernard Lonergan within a Christian framework. The conversion or growth of the whole person toward a truly authentic self will be explored against the backdrop and influences of popular film. Let's go to the movies!

A detailed study of certain aspects of the theology of the Cappadocian Fathers—namely Basil of Caesarea (c.330–379), Gregory of Nazianzus (c.329­­–389/390), Gregory of Nyssa (c.335–c.395), and Amphilochius of Iconium (c.340–395)—arguably among the most influential theologians of the Greek-speaking Ancient Church. In particular, the course explores: Basil’s monastic piety, his thoughts on knowing God in his letters to Amphilochius, and his defence of the deity of the Holy Spirit; Gregory of Nazianzus’ vision of pastoral ministry, his theological orations (Orations 27–­31) and his rebuttal of Apollinarianism; Gregory of Nyssa’s life of his sister Macrina as well as his spiritual vision as found in his Life of Moses; and Amphilochius’ letter on the canon. The Cappadocian Fathers’ interaction with Scripture and their perspective on living coram Deo in each of these areas of thought is also highlighted. An addendum, as it were, to the course looks at the theology of Macarius-Symeon (fl.370s­–410s), whom both Basil and Gregory of Nyssa deeply admired.

A detailed study of certain aspects of the theology of the Cappadocian Fathers—namely Basil of Caesarea (c.330–379), Gregory of Nazianzus (c.329­­–389/390), Gregory of Nyssa (c.335–c.395), and Amphilochius of Iconium (c.340–395)—arguably among the most influential theologians of the Greek-speaking Ancient Church. In particular, the course explores: Basil’s monastic piety, his thoughts on knowing God in his letters to Amphilochius, and his defence of the deity of the Holy Spirit; Gregory of Nazianzus’ vision of pastoral ministry, his theological orations (Orations 27–­31) and his rebuttal of Apollinarianism; Gregory of Nyssa’s life of his sister Macrina as well as his spiritual vision as found in his Life of Moses; and Amphilochius’ letter on the canon. The Cappadocian Fathers’ interaction with Scripture and their perspective on living coram Deo in each of these areas of thought is also highlighted. An addendum, as it were, to the course looks at the theology of Macarius-Symeon (fl.370s­–410s), whom both Basil and Gregory of Nyssa deeply admired.