What Is Theology?

Theology is much more than “the study of God.” It is a relationship with God, where we seek to know Him, in love, in prayer and—yes—through study. This course will answer some fundamental questions about theology. Students will gain a sense of how theology is possible and why theology matters.

By joining this course, you will:

Learn how it is possible to speak about the unspeakable God
Come to know the sources that we draw upon in our pursuit of that understanding
Come away with a clear sense of how all this is done within the tradition of the Orthodox Church.

Sessions:

Week 1: Is Theology Possible? Knowing the Unknowable God

Week 2: How Do We Express God in Words? Speaking the Unspeakable God

Week 3: How Do We Discern? The Sources of Theology

Week 4: Who is Theology? Jesus Christ: The Icon of God and Humanity

Register Today!

Register Now

Sign up for both summer courses and get $50 off!

Course Information

Dr Peter Bouteneff

Professor of Systematic Theology

Dr Peter Bouteneff is Professor of Systematic Theology and Kulik Professor of Sacred Arts. He has taught theology at St. Vladimir’s Seminary since the year 2000. After receiving his M.Div. from the seminary, he pursued an M.Phil. and then a D.Phil. at Oxford University, under Metropolitan Kallistos Ware. Dr Bouteneff—a trained musician and musicologist—is also Founding Director of the Seminary’s Institute of Sacred Arts. His many publications include Sweeter than Honey: Orthodox Thinking on Dogma and Truth, Beginnings: Ancient Christian Readings of the Biblical Creation Narratives, Arvo Pärt: Out of Silence, and How to Be a Sinner: Finding Yourself in the Church’s Language of Repentance. His current research is on the relationship between the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches.

Course Description

This is a non-credit and non-transferable course. This online course is 4 weeks long and will take place via Zoom every Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. ET (July 9 -30, 2024). Each session includes:

Recorded video lecture by the professor
Optional Readings
4 Live Q&A Sessions (~ 45 minutes each, including introduction, asynchronous material review by professor, Q&A).
- Please note that these live discussion session recordings will not be available to registrants.

Important: After registration please note that the course will be available from July 2 - August 31, 2024; during this time, you will have access to all the lectures, slides, and reading material. You will need the username and password that you created to log into the course.

There will be no refunds after July 1, 2024.

This is a wonderful opportunity to hear from and work with the dynamic faculty of St Vladimir’s Seminary!

Course Duration: 4 Weeks
Course cost: $200

Want to sign up for both summer courses? Get $50 off when you register for the package.