Theology

Theology at Episcopal is an academic discipline that exposes students to the Judeo-Christian heritage that undergirds Western civilization. It also teaches the analytic skills that allow one to wrestle with the human quest for meaning as a lifetime venture. Through exposure to classical as well as contemporary attempts to discern meaning, students find models for approaching the essential questions of life. As sophomores, students generally take a Biblical Theology course that covers the fundamentals of the Old and New Testaments. As seniors, students choose from a variety of electives that treat a broad array of religious and philosophical study.

Requirements: 1 credit

Entering ninth and 10th graders must take Biblical Theology (one-half credit) during their 10th grade year. During the 12th grade year, students select a semester elective (one-half credit) offered by the Theology Department to complete the full credit required. Exceptions may be given for students taking four years of orchestra, choir, or dance. Biblical Theology may then be “bumped” to the first semester of the 12th grade with no additional senior theology required. Seniors taking six year-long academic courses may also take one of the following courses for theology credit: Philosophy of Good and Evil in Literature or Greek.

Biblical Theology (0.5 credit, fall or spring)

10th

This course surveys the Bible: Old and New Testaments. It examines the biblical history of Israel and its religious development, and studies the life and teachings of Jesus and the early church’s view of his importance through an in-depth study of one of the gospels. Further study includes the Acts of the Apostles and selected readings from the Pauline epistles.

Environmental Theology: Rooted through Spirituality (0.5 credit, spring only)

12th

This course will provide a deep study into the Bible and how a developed environmental theology undergirds ideas of community, justice, and the Kingdom of God/Heaven from (literally) the first to last pages of scripture. By incorporating secondary texts from a diverse group of authors, we will see how environmental theology has been at the forefront of justice issues, none so stark as the intersection of climate change and racial and economic justice. The course will engage in significant outdoor time, developing mindfulness practices and allowing the students to embody the relationships being learned about in the classroom.

Religion and Music: An International Perspective (0.5 Credits, spring only)

12th

In this course, students will explore the ways in which artists respond to major global events and concerns, as well as how these artists infuse Judeo-Christian themes into their responses. Through the study of various musical art forms, students will gain insight into how artists provide commentary on various aspects of life and how text and music are merged to provide social commentary. Previous experience with musical performance, including the ability to read music, is not required or expected. The course is open to all students who have an interest in exploring the intersection of music and social issues.

Rule of Life (0.5 credit, spring only)

12th

This course explores what has led some of the deepest religious thinkers in history to leave their busy lives behind, find barren places, and seek out the true meaning behind their lives. Whether it is Abraham from the Hebrew Scriptures, Jesus in the New Testament, the forest monks in Hinduism, Siddhartha Gautama in India, desert mothers and fathers in 3rd century Egypt, or ancient and modern day monastics, humans have taken time and created tools of examination to discern their life’s path. These tools help them to intentionally order their lives according to their beliefs. These tools were created to ask the deeper questions that students will confront: What matters to you most? How does your life connect to that value? What keeps you from connecting to what you value? How might you order your life differently going forward?

Senior Biblical Theology (0.5 credit, fall only)

12th

This senior only course surveys themes in the Bible: Old and New Testaments. It examines the biblical history of Israel and its religious development, and studies the life and teachings of Jesus and the early church’s view of his importance. It covers themes of holiness, justice, prophecy, theodicy, wisdom, and mission. The course is only for seniors who have not yet taken Biblical Theology.