BA Comparative Religion and Social Anthropology

Why do Christians believe Jesus to be the Son of God? What do Christians mean when claiming God is one God, yet three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? In what sense is the Bible the Word of God? Why do Christians practise baptism and do they really believe they are consuming Christ’s body and blood when receiving Communion? Why are so there many different forms of Christianity across the world and what are their similarities and differences? What do Christians get up to in their churches and what is the point of prayer? How, why, and what do Christians worship? This course unit provides the answers to such questions. Part One focuses on the core doctrines of Incarnation, Trinity, and the Bible as the Word of God, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life, while Part Two focuses on such Christian practices as worship, spirituality, mysticism, prayer, and the sacraments.

1. To introduce students to the major Christian doctrines
2. To introduce students to some of the distinctive practices of the Christian faith

1. A grasp of the doctrines of the Incarnation, Trinity, forgiveness of sins, and everlasting life
2. An understanding of the practices that emerge from the Christian understanding of God and his revelation of himself in Jesus of Nazareth
3. An awareness of the different denominations in global Christianity

An ability to:

1. engage with primary theological texts
2. identify the principles that gave rise to Christian doctrines
3. evaluate critically the practices in which Christian beliefs manifest themselves

1. Independent research skills
2. Essay writing skills
3. Seminar presentation skills 

1. Critical analysis
2. The interpretation of primary and secondary texts
3. An ability to engage empathetically with different beliefs

• Ford, David F., Theology: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2013)
• MacCulloch, Diarmaid, A History of Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years (London: Viking, 2010) 
• McGrath, Alister E., Christian Theology: An Introduction (Oxford: Blackwell, 2017)
• Woodhead,  Linda, Christianity: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014)