Theologies and Practices of Love

Upon successful completion of this unit, it is expected that students will be able to:

Undergraduate

1. Interpret selected texts from both biblical testaments in relation to their cultural context.
2. Evaluate critically the literature on the biblical love traditions.
3. Analyse the hermeneutical and ethical relevance of biblical love traditions in relation to the student’s own cultural context.

Postgraduate

1. Interpret selected texts from both biblical testaments in relation to their cultural context.
2. Evaluate critically the literature on the biblical love traditions.
3. Analyse the hermeneutical and ethical relevance of biblical love traditions in relation to the student’s own cultural context.
4. Critically evaluate a range of hermeneutical models that inform loving social practices.

Undergraduate

• Critical reviews (totalling 1,250 words) (25%)
• One paper (1,250 words) (25%)
• One essay (3,000 words) (50%)

Postgraduate

• Critical reviews (totalling 2,000 words) (25%)
• One paper (2,000 words) (25%)
• One essay (4,000 words) (50%)

• Brawley, Robert L (ed.). Biblical ethics and homosexuality. Louisville: WJKP, 1996
• Brenner, Athalya. The intercourse of knowledge: On gendering desire and sexuality in the Hebrew Bible. Leiden: E J Brill, 1997
• Carr, David M. The erotic word: Sexuality, spirituality and the Bible. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2003
• Furnish, Victor. The love command in the New Testament. London: SCM, 1973
• Giddens, Anthony. The transformation of intimacy: Sexuality, love and eroticism in modern societies. Oxford:
  Polity, 1992
• Horrell, David. Solidarity and difference: A contemporary reading of Paul’s ethics. London/NY: T&T Clark, 2005
• Jackson, Timothy P. The priority of love: Christian charity and social justice. Princeton: Princeton University
  Press, 2003
• Jeanrond, Werner. A theology of love. London: T&T Clark, 2010
• Marks, John H and Robert M Good (eds). Love and death in the ancient Near East. Guilford: Four Quarters, 1987
• Nygren, Anders. Agape and Eros: A study of the Christian idea of love. London: SPCK,1 1932
• Ogletree, Thomas. Hospitality to the stranger. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1985
• Sakenfeld, Katharine. Faithfulness in action: Loyalty in biblical perspective. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1985
• Spohn, William C. What are they saying about scripture and ethics? New York: Paulist, 1995
• Watson, Francis. Agape, Eros, gender: Towards a Pauline sexual ethic. Cambridge: Cambridge University
  Press, 2000

Set texts recommended for purchase: Nil