MA Christian Theology

What does the programme cover?

The MA provides the conceptual tools necessary to understand the Christian teachings about God, Jesus Christ, salvation, grace, Church and Israel. It aims to enable you to relate Biblical and doctrinal traditions and their modern interpretations. It looks in detail at some issues particularly relevant in the contemporary Christian context, such as the significance of Jesus Christ for human life and destiny, the Augustinian tradition in Western Christianity, and relations between Christians and the Jewish people. It spans systematic theology, church history and interreligious relations.

The degree is made up of four modules and a dissertation which you complete at the end of the course, on a topic of your choice, approved by your supervisor and typically building on what you have studied in one or more of your modules. The modules typically explore how key themes of Christianity had been understood and explained by the church and by scholars over time, and also investigate current challenges, debates, and the responses of contemporary theologians. Obviously not everything can be included, but – for example – the module on Salvation, Grace and Human Life engages you with writers and thinkers from Anselm through Aquinas to René Girard, and a chance to become more aware of the Reformation controversies around grace and justification.

With the approval of the Degree Convenor, you may be able to replace the fourth module with one taken from another MA.