UNIVERSAL

SEMINARY


DEPARTMENT OF SACRED LITERATURE

SL 101    Introduction to Sacred Literature 

The student will study writings during the pre-Christian era which were not included in Holy Scripture and compare them to Holy Scripture. 

SL 102    The Zend Avesta 

The student will study the writings of Zarathruthra (Zoroaster) and later authors who followed his teaching of the One Creator God, Ahura Mazda,  above all others.

SL 103    The Torah 

The student will read t

he first five books of the Jewish Bible as a basis for studying additional laws developed by the early Jewish Church in both Babylon and Jerusalem.

SL 104    The Pentateuch 

The student will conduct a

n in-depth analysis of the first five books of the Old Testament of the Christian Bible, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy using several different sources. 

SL 105    The Writings 

The student will conduct a

n in-depth study of the Books of Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon using several different sources. 

SL 106    Christology I 

The student will

Apostolic Christology from the viewpoint of Saints Peter, Matthew, Mark and Luke as expressed in the Gospels and other writings. 

SL 107    The Upanishads 

A study of the early writings which gave birth and support to Hinduism,  Buddhism, Jainism and other Eastern religions.

SL 108    The Bhagavad Gita 

The Bhagavad Gita will be read in its entirety and understood from the standpoint of several different translations by several different translators. 

SL 201    Principles and Methods of Sacred Literature Study 

A comprehensive overview of the principles and methods of study of sacred literature using a variety of research tools. 

SL 202    The Synoptic Gospels 

An in-depth analysis of the New Testament Gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke and John using several different New Testaments. 

SL 203    The Talmud 

The books of laws and opinions for governing Jewish life which arose from the Torah out of the teachings of the Rabiis.

SL 204    The Early Prophets 

Readings from several of the prophets from the Book of Joshua through the Book of Job as interpreted by several different writers. 

SL 205    The Pauline Letters I  

The first half of the letters written by Paul including Acts of the Apostles through the Letters to the Colossians will be studied using several different sources. 

SL 206    Christology II 

Johannian Christology studies from the viewpoint of John and the so-called Gnostic Gospels.

SL 207    Buddhist Scriptures  

The Buddhist scriptures from Tibet, Sri Lanka and China will be read and compared to the earlier writings of Eastern religion. 

SL 208    The Koran 

Several translations of the Koran will be read and compared to early Christian writings on similar topics. 

SL 301    The Epistles 

The Epistles of the Apostles and others including the Books by James through Revelations of St John the Divine will be analyzed using several different sources both scriptural and historical. 

SL 302    The Later Prophets 

Continued readings from several of the prophets from the Book of Jeremiah through the Book of Malachi as interpreted by several different writers.

SL 303    The Pseudepigrapha 

An analysis of the books which were withheld from the Old Testament for various reasons during the early Church history.  Both the content and the reason for withholding these books from Holy Scripture will be studied. 

SL 304    The Apocrypha 

An investigation of the books once considered Holy Scripture during the first three centuries of the Christian era, but later withheld from the Holy Bible by the Church.

SL 305    The Pauline Letters II  

The second half of the letters written by Paul including the Letters to the Thessalonians through his letters to the Hebrews. 

SL 306    Christology III  

Pauline Christology studies from the viewpoint of St. Paul as expressed in the Letters by Paul and other historical writings.

SL 307    Hermeneutics 

This course will cover the interpretation of Spiritual Writings using the principles of exegesis.

SL 371    Independent Study in Western Scripture 

Independent study into one or more aspects of Jewish, Zoroastrian and Islamic Scripture which must be approved by the Department. 

SL 372    Independent Study in Christian Scripture 

Independent study into one or more aspects of Christian Scripture which must be approved by the Department. 

SL 373   Independent Study in Gnostic Scripture

independent study into one or more aspects of Gnostic Scripture which must be approved by the Department.

SL 374   Independent Study in Eastern Scripture 

Independent study into one or more aspects of Confucian, Tao, Shinto and other Eastern Scripture which must be approved by the Department. 

SL 375    Independent Study in Hindu Scripture 

Independent study into one or more aspects of Hindu Scripture which must be approved by the Department. 

SL 376    Independent Study in Buddhist Scripture 

Independent study into one or more aspects of Buddhist Scripture which must be approved by the Department.  

SL 377   Independent Study in Pagan Literature

Independent study into one or more aspects of Pagan Scripture which must be approved by the Department.

SL 379    Independent Study in Sacred Literature as Holy Scripture 

Independent study into one or more aspects of Sacred Literature which must be approved by the Department. 

SL 380    Introduction to Thesis Writing  

An introduction to the form

and content of a thesis paper.  This course is required of all Master Degree Candidates prior to choosing a Thesis topic and all Doctoral Candidates who have not previously written a thesis.

SL 390    Thesis in Holy Scriptures 

The candidate will write an original thesis on a topic chosen by the student and approved by the department.  Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of course work and permission of the department.

SL 401    Writings not considered Scripture 

Writings during the pre-Christian era which were not included in Holy Scripture will be studied and compared to Holy Scripture.                                  

 

SL 402    Jesus Studies The student will attempt to identify the historical Jesus of Christianity using a variety of texts and sources.

 

SL 403    The Dead Sea Scrolls  The student will survey of the Dead Sea Scrolls as described by a variety of writers over the past fifty years.

 

SL 404    The Nag Hammadi Library  The student will the materials found in the Nag Hammadi Library as it relates to Christian theology, philosophy and psychology. 

 

SL 405    The "Q" Material  The student will survey of the "Q" material. 

 

SL 406    The Gnostic Gospels  The student will survey of the non-Biblical books and letters written during the first centuries of the Christian era which form part of the so-called Gnostic Heretical Writings.

 

SL 471    Independent Study in Zoroastrian Scripture  Independent study into one or more aspects of Zoroastrian Scripture which must be approved by the Department. 

 

SL 472    Independent Study in Jewish Scripture  Independent study into one or more aspects of Jewish Scripture which must be approved by the Department. 

 

SL 473    Independent Study in Islamic Scripture  Independent study into one or more aspects of Islamic Scripture which must be approved by the Department. 

 

SL 474    Independent Study in Christian Scripture Independent study into one or more aspects of Christian Scripture which must be approved by the Department. 

 

SL 475    Independent Study in Confucian Scripture  Independent study into one or more aspects of Confucian Scripture which must be approved by the Department. 

 

SL 476    Independent Study in Tao Scripture Independent study into one or more aspects of Tao Scripture which must be approved by the Department. 

 

SL 477    Independent Study in Hindu Scripture  Independent study into one or more aspects of Hindu Scripture which must be approved by the Department. 

 

SL 478    Independent Study in Buddhist Scripture Independent study into one or more aspects of Buddhist Scripture which must be approved by the Department. 

 

SL 479    Independent Study in Sacred Literature as Holy Scripture Independent study into one or more aspects of Sacred Literature which must be approved by the Department. 

 

SL 501    Sacred Literature Curriculum I  The student will develop a curriculum for teaching introductory and intermediate courses in sacred literature to beginning and intermediate students.

 

SL 502    Sacred Literature Curriculum II  The student will develop a curriculum for teaching advanced courses in sacred literature to advanced students.

 

SL 503    Practicum in Sacred Literature I  The student will teach an introductory course in sacred literature under the supervision of a professor or comparable member of the faculty.

 

SL 504    Practicum in Sacred Literature II  The student will teach an intermediate course in sacred literature under the supervision of a professor or comparable member of the faculty.

 

SL 580    Research and Publication  The student will survey publications and research in an area suitable for writing a dissertation.  Required of all Doctoral Candidates prior to selecting a topic and writing their dissertation.

SL 590    Dissertation in Holy Scriptures  The candidate will write an original dissertation on a research topic chosen by the student and approved by the department.  Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of course work and permission of the department.

 


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