Online Divinity 2025-2026

This course contains a survey of the biblical literature of the Hebrew Bible and of the critical methods involved in its study. The course surveys the content, theology, and history of formation of key books within the Hebrew Bible. It also presents and critically evaluates source-critical, redaction-critical, form-critical, and canonical approaches to the biblical texts.

This course will explore the history and the theology of the church in Scotland from the Reformation to the present day.

This course explores primary themes in Practical Theology around inclusion. How has the Christian tradition understood questions of disability, suffering and difference in what it means to be human? Can insights from historical theology offer perspectives on contemporary practice? We will explore these questions through a survey of the historical tradition reflecting on attitudes to those who might have been deemed disabled. These historical works can provide a dialogue with contemporary questions as we think about inclusion in the church and society.

This course will explore the language of the ancient Greeks with the view to connecting the Classics. This course will provide an overview of classical Greek and look to draw upon (adapted) texts, for example, of Plato, Euripides, Xenophon, Herodotus and fragments. This course will not only delve into ancient Greek language and grammar, but also the culture of the ancient Greek world.

The course will introduce you to the first five centuries of Christian life and belief. It traces the rise of Christianity from its origins as a Jewish sect to a position of cultural and religious dominance in the Roman Empire. It also looks at the development of central themes in early Christian theology and spirituality. The course consists of a series of lectures on key topics, and tutorial seminars on researching and presenting your work, and on various early Christian texts. The course also requires your own reading and research.

This course is an introduction to classical biblical Hebrew without presupposing any prior knowledge. It involves the study of grammar and syntax and the translation of simple Hebrew prose texts. 

The New Testament is a small library of 27 texts, which have had a unique impact on Western civilization. This course explores the authors, situations, audiences, and themes of the texts of the New Testament; the diverse voices and genres across the New Testament; the relation of early Christian literature to its Jewish and Graeco-Roman contexts; and an overview of some major critical debates and approaches relevant to New Testament Studies. This course is recommended preparation for the following Level 3/4 courses: The Practice of Biblical Interpretation; God & Salvation in the Gospels and Acts; and God & Salvation in the Letters of Paul.

This course will look at magic in the ancient Greek, Roman and Ancient Near Eastern World. The course will explore the concept of magic and key themes associated with magical rituals and practitioners. 

Located in the sub discipline of Practical Theology, this course will explore the theology and practice of Pastoral Care. 

This course will build on the foundations laid in Ancient Greek Language 1, introducing further study of ancient Greek language, grammar, and culture of the ancient Greek World.

This course is the second part of an introduction to classical biblical Hebrew. It involves the study of grammar and syntax and the translation of simple Hebrew prose texts. Only students who have taken DR1042 or equivalent are eligible to take this course. 

What do Christians believe? Why do they believe it? Can it (despite everything!) possibly be true? And if so, what difference does it make? Taking an 'insider's view' of Christian belief, this course asks what it means to think and to speak Christianly--about God, Jesus, creation, religion, human community and responsibility, death, life and other little things.

This course explores primary themes in Practical Theology around inclusion. How has the Christian tradition understood questions of disability, suffering and difference in what it means to be human? Can insights from historical theology offer perspectives on contemporary practice? We will explore these questions through a survey of the historical tradition reflecting on attitudes to those who might have been deemed disadvantaged. These historical works can provide a dialogue with contemporary questions as we think about inclusion in the church and society.

The course will introduce you to the first five centuries of Christian life and belief. It traces the rise of Christianity from its origins as a Jewish sect to a position of cultural and religious dominance in the Roman Empire. It also looks at the development of central themes in early Christian theology and spirituality. The course consists of a series of lectures on key topics, and tutorial seminars on researching and presenting your work, and on various early Christian texts. The course also requires your own reading and research.

This course contains a survey of the biblical literature of the Hebrew Bible and of the critical methods involved in its study. The course surveys the content, theology, and history of formation of key books within the Hebrew Bible. It also presents and critically evaluates source-critical, redaction-critical, form-critical, and canonical approaches to the biblical texts.

This course will explore the history and the theology of the church in Scotland from the Reformation to the present day.

What do Christians believe? Why do they believe it? Can it (despite everything!) possibly be true? And if so, what difference does it make? Taking an 'insider's view' of Christian belief, this course asks what it means to think and to speak Christianly about God, Jesus, creation, religion, human community and responsibility, death, life and other little things.

The New Testament is a small library of 27 texts, which have had a unique impact on Western civilization. This course explores the authors, situations, audiences, and themes of the texts of the New Testament; the diverse voices and genres across the New Testament; the relation of early Christian literature to its Jewish and Graeco-Roman contexts; and an overview of some major critical debates and approaches relevant to New Testament Studies. This course is recommended preparation for the following Level 3/4 courses: The Practice of Biblical Interpretation; God & Salvation in the Gospels and Acts; and God & Salvation in the Letters of Paul.

This course will look at magic in the ancient Greek, Roman and Ancient Near Eastern World. The course will explore the concept of magic and key themes associated with magical rituals and practitioners. 

Located in the sub discipline of Practical Theology, this course will explore the theology and practice of Pastoral Care.

This course will explore the role of animals and monsters in the Ancient Near East, ancient Greek, Roman Worlds.

 

The European Reformation was a time of immense ecclesiastical, social, intellectual and political transformation that changed the religious and cultural landscape of the West forever. By way of regular seminars, this course draws students into detailed exploration of critical events, developments, ideas and debates of this tumultuous period in history to consider the nature of the transformations which it bequeathed to subsequent centuries up to and including our own.

This course will explore the ancient Greek, Roman and Near attitudes towards creation, cosmology and world view.

The four canonical gospels and the book of Acts are generally recognized to be our most reliable sources for historical information about Jesus and the movement that he began. Yet, they are clearly also works shaped by the beliefs of their writers or editors and the needs of the communities for which they were composed. Reading such works requires us to reflect upon the character and significance of their theology and on how this is to be related to the historical dimension of the literature, including to the figure of the historical Jesus. This course will engage in detail with the range of approaches that are taken to the historical and theological interpretation of the gospels and Acts and particularly with the ways by which beliefs about the nature of God and salvation are transformed by ‘the Christ event’.      

This course will explore the role of animals and monsters in the Ancient Near East, ancient Greek, Roman Worlds.

The European Reformation was a time of immense ecclesiastical, social, intellectual and political transformation that changed the religious and cultural landscape of the West forever. By way of regular seminars, this course draws students into detailed exploration of critical events, developments, ideas and debates of this tumultuous period in history to consider the nature of the transformations which it bequeathed to subsequent centuries up to and including our own.

 

This course will explore the ancient Greek, Roman and Near attitudes towards creation, cosmology and world view.

The four canonical gospels and the book of Acts are generally recognized to be our most reliable sources for historical information about Jesus and the movement that he began. Yet, they are clearly also works shaped by the beliefs of their writers or editors and the needs of the communities for which they were composed. Reading such works requires us to reflect upon the character and significance of their theology and on how this is to be related to the historical dimension of the literature, including to the figure of the historical Jesus. This course will engage in detail with the range of approaches that are taken to the historical and theological interpretation of the gospels and Acts and particularly with the ways by which beliefs about the nature of God and salvation are transformed by ‘the Christ event’.      

This course gives an overview of some salient issues in Disability Theology. Topics that will be covered are, amongst others: What is disability?; What it means to be human?; Theological approaches to health and healing; Community; Stigma and taboo. The course also discusses various models of disability, such as the dominant medical model and the social model. The course engages with other current issues and developments as they might present itself during the course.

This course will examine various ways that Israel’s Scriptures were used and transmitted by other ancient religious texts - Jewish and/or Christian - around the turn of common era. In doing so, this course will engage areas of scholarly debate, such as ancient interpretative practices, conceptions of ""intertextuality," dynamics of conventionality and innovation, and the linguistic contexts of developing traditions. The particular topic of the course will vary year on year.

15,000 word dissertation written on a topic related to the student's taught Master's programme and agreed to by the supervisor and the programme co-ordinator.

Case studies and practical experience drive the approach of this course. Students will familiarise themselves with an organisation, faith community or movement that focuses on disability. They will study the organisation’s views on disability and how it translates these views into practice. Students will learn to reflect critically, ethically, and constructively on the practices they encounter. Students will learn a specific theological model to help them to reflect on the practices they study. 

In this course, students will engage in a close, sustained, and guided analysis of a selected primary text or corpus from Christian antiquity. Analysis will consider elements of language, transmission, literary form and influences, historical and geographical contexts, theological and thematic content, and reception. Students will therefore gain not only deep knowledge of the selected text(s), but also analytical frameworks and reading skills applicable to other early Christian literature.