HJ International Graduate School for Peace and Public Leadership · Courses
SCR
14 courses with the subject SCR, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
SCR 5131Hebrew Bible
This course is an introduction to the Old Testament (the Tanakh) in English translation from historical, theological and exegetical perspectives. It features contemporary scholarly understandings of the text based on critical study of these writings and their ancient contexts. Furthermore, attention will be given to Unificationist interpretations of Old Testament texts, looking at places where modern scholarship confirms the Unificationist view as well as at issues where biblical studies calls for a more nuanced approach than what is standard in Unificationist teachings. Students will: (1) learn about different versions and translations of the Bible, (2) familiarize themselves with the history of ancient Israel and its major figures; (3 understand the messages in God’s word as revealed to Israel in the context in its history; (4) recognize the variety of Jewish, Christian interpretations of the biblical text; (5) engage with various approaches to biblical study, including critical methodologies; (6) gain beginner's competence in biblical exegesis. 3 credits. HJI Catalog 2026-2027 SCR 5141 New Testament
Through a reading of the prophets of ) the Old Testament, this course will examine the prophets’ call for social justice, and consider what these texts reveal about God's providential expectation for Israel and the coming Messiah. Students will study the human side of the prophets—their religious experience, theological outlook, political activities, persecution and struggle. Students will explore the modern relevance of the prophetic message. Assignments will focus on exegesis of prophetic texts. Prerequisite: SCR 5131 or SCR 5141. 3 credits.
The possibility of historical biography of Jesus has been generally denied since the days of Albert Schweitzer, but attempts continue in film and literature. This course will examine the historical data that can be assembled for a life of Jesus, including material from apocryphal gospels. The teachings of Jesus will be examined from a critical reconstruction of the logia tradition. Exegetical assignments will focus on key texts. 3 credits.
This course is an investigation of Paul’s life, his writing, and his role in the development of Christianity. It will present interpretations of Paul as a Hellenist, a rabbi, a mystic sectarian, a clever rhetorician and more, of Paul defined against his Jewish background or by light shed from his opponents. Contemporary research into Paul’s attitudes to the Law and Judaism as well as the sociological context of his missions and letters will be discussed. Claims about Gnostic influences on Paul and his standing in Gnostic communities is also important for evaluating his role in history. The class will discuss Paul’s effects upon modern theologians and some trenchant criticisms of his influence. Assignments will enable students to hone their skills in exegesis.
The Gospel of Matthew is the most beloved of the four gospels, with wide application in the church to this day. It contains the Sermon on the Mount, which is of inestimable value as a peace teaching, as well as teachings about mission and church life. On the other hand, it is also rife with anti-Semitic passages that left a lasting stain upon the church. As such, Matthew is both a window into the teachings of Jesus and a 33
The Gospel of John will be studied within the context of questions of author- ship, community and sources. Johannine "perfectionism" will be defined and affiliations with the Gnostic writings explored. Assignments will enable students to hone their skills in exegesis.
The Parables of Jesus remain the vehicle of choice by modern scholars for arriving at the clearest view of Jesus’ teaching. They remain relatively unaffected by quests for the historical Jesus and controversies over putative rabbinic, gnostic or Hellenistic sources for the message of the kingdom of God. At the same time, important changes have taken place in the art of parabolic interpretation. Instead of rural scenes of timeless agricultural routines – planting and harvesting – the critic now mines the stories for angles on bureaucrats, bankers, and imperial corruption. Jesus’ social commentary manages to combine the highest spiritual values with the lives of born-losers. Instead of clarifying Jesus, the parables have been described by one writer as designed to focus light on the inmost thought of the reader. Assignments will enable students to hone their skills in exegesis.
This course will explore issues around biblical women from Eve to Esther, from Mary and Mary Magdalene to the women of Paul’s letters. We will examine gender roles as laid out in scripture, especially in Genesis and in New Testament passages such as Matthew 19 and Ephesians 5. A second theme in this course will be gender and God-talk. We will explore Bible passages where God speaks in a feminine voice and the problems that come with our masculinized scripture that frames most God-talk in patriarchal terms. Why HJI Catalog 2026-2027 does Jesus consistently call God Father? Must that be normative? What would it mean for one’s spiritual life to relate to God as Heavenly Mother? We may also devote several classes to the issue of homosexuality, especially as it relates to the Bible.
An introduction to the Qur’an in English translation, this course will familiarize students with the entire Qur’an, focusing on major themes and doctrines of the Muslim faith. 3 credits.
