Specialisations
Biblical Exegesis
How is meaning attributed to biblical texts? By following the Master’s specialisation in Biblical Exegesis you will be well-equipped with analytical instruments to discern the crucial decision points in giving meaning in a text. Core concepts in Bible texts are explored in connection to their cultural and historical context.
What will you learn?
Students will investigate and discuss the relation between Bible texts and ethics. How do the texts aim to change the behaviour of their readers? These texts are a crucial point of reference for theological reflection and provide direction in contemporary society and church.
Students will learn to read the Old Testament and the New Testament in their original languages and learn to understand these books in their original context. The program offers students the necessary tools to study the biblical texts, focusing on such aspects as grammar, sentence structure, literary devices and plot construction. Since these texts function in distinct cognitive environments, students will familiarise themselves with various ancient Near Eastern and ancient Eastern Mediterranean frameworks of experience and thought.
Church History
Analyse historical developments of Christian traditions and discipline, to better understand Christian belief in contemporary society. This specialization combines the study of the history of Christianity with the study of the juridical system of the Roman Catholic Church.
What will you learn?
In this specialisation, you study the historical developments of Christian traditions and discipline, so as to understand Christian belief in contemporary society better.
History is not a fixed entity. Re-examining long-existing sources could lead to new insights on the course of events. Students are made to understand what we now consider an axiom was not always so and students are given the tools to discover axioms of the past so they can better understand sources of the past. Students will learn to make sound and historical analyses by taking familiar sources but asking new questions, by finding and analysing long forgotten sources and by re-examining sources but taking into account the cultural context of the time it was produced. Their analyses could give new light on historical events that in turn could give us new insights on current societal and cultural issues
Practical Theology
Search for traces of meaning in everyday practices, and look beyond traditional shapes of religiosity. Students are introduced in theological theory-building to understand the dynamics and meaning of lived religion at a personal level, inter-group relations, organisational and societal level.
What will you learn?
In the Master’s specialization in Practical Theology, students are introduced in theological theory-building to understand the dynamics and meaning of lived religion at four different levels: the personal, inter-group relations, organisational and societal level. Students learn to use empirical research methods, which are needed to build new theological theory on lived religion
Graduates of Practical Theology will be able to pinpoint how certain people or groups of people view spirituality today, how they give meaning to lives and how this, sometimes, is at odds with traditional religious conventions. You will get insight in the different forms that religion takes in contemporary society and will be able to take that on board when participating in debates in the public arena. You will change the perspective of others by conveying to them how religion has transformed.
Systematic Theology
What is the public relevance of Christian beliefs and doctrines in today’s society? Systematic theology deals in general with the meaning and implications of Christian doctrines. At Radboud University we add the unique focus of public theology. Public theologyis about drawing on the compassionate values and insights of the Christian faith to contribute to the welfare of society.
What will you learn?
Has the world become secular? To be sure, the general orientation in affluent societies has become more secular even though the world as a whole is certainly no less religious than before. On the other hand, we also witness a revival of religion in affluent societies. At Radboud University we look at these developments in the public domain. What new forms of spirituality are kindled in society? How are morals changing? And how is the role of woman changing in society and religious organisations?
Based on the readings from both classical and contemporary theologians, and the active discussions in the seminars, students learn how to formulate critical theological perspectives on questions of meaning of life and a viable civil society in our contemporary situation. Graduates of the Master’s specialisation in Systematic Theology can become researchers, policy makers, educators or spiritual caregivers.