Understanding the Christian Tradition (CT)

Course descriptions and scheduling are subject to change by administrative decision. See course offerings booklet for current offerings. Some courses will be offered on a two- or three-year rotation.

Ethics (CTE)

CTE 640 Topics (1-3 SH)

This course provides an in-depth engagement with a particular aspect of ethical reasoning or engagement.

CTE 702 Christian Ethics (3 SH)

Does Christian faith affect the way we live our everyday lives? How might we identify (with) Jesus in our world, where war and peace, breaking and mending each have their seasons? To what degree and by what means should people of faith engage in efforts for social change and broader transformation? How can we know what God would have us do? These are central questions to be explored in Christian ethics. This course provides frameworks for reflecting on one’s moral formation both appreciatively and critically, interpreting moral issues “in the wild,” diagnosing points of conflict (including with other Christians) about what ought to be done and how, and navigating varied moral terrain with courage and compassion to participate in others’ moral formation. High-level concerns about citizenship, race, sex, class, the natural world, and more, as well as the more granular “issues” and people-focused challenges, will be explored within a relational-theological frame.

CTE 713 Sermon on the Mount: Peace and Justice (3 SH)

The teachings of Jesus have reached across many centuries with a strong witness against violence: “Love your enemies.” People in many cultures have found the Sermon on the Mount foundational for understanding the core of Jesus’ ethical teaching and practice. The earliest Christians placed this instruction at the forefront of their witness on what it means to be Christian. Are we willing to be instructed in this way of Christ today, as the movement takes form in the third millennium? This course builds on the Hebrew Bible Jewish backgrounds for Jesus’ teaching. Two further horizons are surveyed: the resonance with this core (Matthew 5-7) in other ethical instruction of the New Testament, and the strong echoes down through Christian history where this teaching has been translated into lived practices.

Biblical Foundations for Justice and Peacemaking (3 SH)

See BIBL 560.

Faith-Based Social Transformation (3 SH)

See CM 635.

Independent Studies

791 Independent Studies (1-3 SH)

Independent studies may be taken in any department subject to the approval of the instructor and the associate dean. More information here.

Historical (CTH)

CTH 501 Christian Traditions I (3 SH)

This course emphasizes the social, theological, ethical and liturgical developments of the history of Christianity from the first century to the end of the 15th century.  The course will focus on the origins, organizational development, events, persons, issues and movements that have shaped Christianity(ies) in the West.  We will interpret this history by giving attention to social and ecclesial issues of power and authority.

CTH 512 Christian Traditions II (3 SH)

This course emphasizes the social and theological development of the history of Christianity from the Early Modern period to the 21st century.  The course will focus on expansion, cross cultural encounter, events, persons, issues and movements that have shaped Christianity(ies) in Europe, Colonial America and the United States.  We will interpret this history by giving attention to social and ecclesial issues of power and authority.

CTH 529 Anabaptist History and Theology (3 SH)

This survey course will acquaint students with the almost 500-year sweep of Anabaptist/Mennonite history, experience and theological reflection since 1525. This story of a movement and faith communities will be viewed against the background of the spiritual, social, geographical and cultural dimensions of the times. The course will be structured around key turning points in history and theological convictions with the ultimate goal of better understanding the relevance of Anabaptist history and theology for the contemporary life of the church in local and global contexts.

CTH 640 Topics (1-3 SH)

This course provides an in-depth engagement with a contemporary question in the history of the Christian movement.

CTH 641 Mennonite History & Thought (3 SH)

A survey of the Anabaptist movement and Mennonites throughout the world from the sixteenth to twenty-first centuries. Issues include pacifism, wealth, political participation, community and tensions between faith and the dominant culture. Particular attention is given to the Anabaptist vision and its relevance for 21st century American life.

Independent Studies

791 Independent Studies (1-3 SH)

Independent studies may be taken in any department subject to the approval of the instructor and the associate dean. More information here.

Theology (CTT)

CTT 523 Anabaptism Today: Topics (3 SH)

Traditional churches and non-institutional movements of Christians who draw on the heritage of the sixteenth-century Anabaptists are now found around the world, and include more than two million baptized members. This course will consider the teaching, preaching, writing, and active witness of Anabaptist-related groups in many different places, including engagement with socio-economic injustice, proclamation of the gospel in diverse religious settings, facing into political and environmental challenges, and responding to war and other situations of violence. The course also emphasizes ways that North American churches can receive and give gifts within this global faith community.

CTT 546 Justice, Peace and the Biblical Story (3 SH)

The Bible has often been used to justify war and other forms of violence.  The biblical story has also been read and interpreted as pertaining to only personal beliefs and behavior rather than communal concerns or social issues.  The intent of this course is to explore the biblical story and what it says about issues of violence, justice and peace.  How are people who embrace the biblical story called to apply these understandings to their lives, individually and collectively?  How have Christian communities around the world made use of the biblical story as a core component of their efforts to secure safety, self-determination and healing?  How can we use biblical narratives in our work to build peace and justice with in communities?  As we examine these questions, we will center perspectives and traditions of reading the Bible birthed by people experiencing direct violence and oppression.

CTT 634 Living Theology (3 SH)

Theology is the essential and ongoing task of faithful reflection on our life lived with deliberation in the presence of God. Theology involves and engages all we are and all we do, and demands our attentiveness to everything around us. The theological integrity of the Christian community is grounded in this task of disciplined, discerning examination of the meaning of daily life in Christ. When we do this task well, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, it illuminates everything we do. Through an engagement with a variety of texts, written and otherwise, this course will help us know what it means to embrace “living theology."

CTT 640 Topics (1-3 SH)

This course provides an in-depth engagement with a specific issue in Christian theology.

CTT 721 Contemporary Theological Issues (3 SH)

This course is a study of the themes, assumptions, methods, movements and /or debates within the broad and complex field of contemporary theology.  This course will change each time it is offered, pursuing different themes and trajectories (e.g., narrative, feminist, black, womanist, or postmodern theologies).  Thus, it may be repeated for credit.  Prerequisite:  CTT 634 or by permission of the instructor.  

Independent Studies

791 Independent Studies (1-3 SH)

Independent studies may be taken in any department subject to the approval of the instructor and the associate dean. More information here.