Master

In Aberdeen

Price on request

Description

  • Type

    Master

  • Location

    Aberdeen (Scotland)

  • Duration

    12 Months

The programme in Biblical Theology is designed to stimulate reflection on the use of the Bible in theology by crossing the conventional disciplinary boundaries between biblical exegesis and systematic theology. Special attention will be given to the issues of canonical criticism, narrative reading, and the use of Scripture in the construction of theological arguments. Suitable for: Students with an undergraduate- or master's-level background in theology.

Facilities

Location

Start date

Aberdeen (Aberdeen City)
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King'S College, University Of Aberdeen, AB24 3UB

Start date

On request

About this course

Candidates for M.Th. degrees normally need an upper-second Honours degree in Divinity or Religious Studies or an equivalent degree (including two years of Greek and one year of Hebrew). Students whose mother tongue is not English also require IELTS 6.5 including writing score 6.0; or TOEFL score of 580 (computer-based TOEFL 237) with TWE 4.5, or equivalent as a condition of entry. Applicants must furnish the University with transcripts of their previous academic study and also with the names of two academic referees; applicants may also send the reference letters with the application.

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Course programme

PROGRAMME CONTENT

The MTh in Biblical Theology comprises three main elements:

  • Research training: All students will take a course on research methodology and attend a dissertation colloquium.
  • Coursework: All students will complete three required courses and one further elective course.
  • Dissertation: Under the guidance of a faculty adviser, each student will write a 20,000-word dissertation on an agreed topic.

Required Courses

  • New Testament Theology: This course offers an overview of attempts, from the nineteenth century to the present, to synthesize the theology of the New Testament. In addition to engaging major figures such as Wrede, Schlatter and Bultmann, students will investigate core material questions, including the canonicity and theological consistency of the New Testament
  • The Study of the Hebrew Bible: This course introduces students to recent developments in the study of the Hebrew Bible, drawing upon research into the history of ancient Israel, Pentateuch studies and exegetical methodology, anthropology and its use in Hebrew Bible research, and Septuagint studies.
  • The Use of the Bible in Theology: This course examines some ways in which the Christian church traditionally has read the Bible and described its relationship to scripture. By reading representative texts from the patristic period to the present, students will gain a deeper sense of the role of scripture in Christian theological reflection and will confront questions about what it might mean to read the Bible theologically today.

Elective Courses

In consultation with the programme co-ordinator, each student must select one further master's-level course from those offered by the School of Divinity, History and Philosophy. For most students, the following course is strongly recommended:

  • Biblical Exegesis - Selected Texts: In this course, students undertake close study of specific Old and New Testament texts, selected for their relevance for issues in biblical theology. The course is designed to help students develop the technical skills necessary for advanced biblical exegesis, and may be tailored to the research interests and linguistic abilities of individual students.

Some students, however, may find their research leads them to choose a different elective course offered by the School. Course offerings, which vary from year to year, include classes in church history, historical theology, church doctrine and ethics, and practical theology.

The School also regularly offers Latin, Latin palaeography, and vernacular palaeography courses. Provision may also be made for the study of languages relevant to specific research projects. Tuition in Akkadian, Arabic, Aramaic, Coptic, Classical Greek, Syriac, Ugaritic, or other languages is subject to staff availability.

Assessment

The taught courses will be assessed by coursework, by written examination, or by a combination of these, as prescribed for each course. The dissertation course will be assessed by submission of the dissertation. An oral examination may be held at the discretion of the Examiners. The degree of MTh shall not be awarded to candidates who fail to complete the dissertation at an appropriate standard, irrespective of their performance in other courses.

Duration

12 months, full-time.

Additional information

Contact person: Helena Thomas

Biblical Theology

Price on request