DI4699 Jesus's Ascension in Scripture and Tradition

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

To be confirmed

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Prof D M Moffitt

Prof D M Moffitt
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Prof David Moffitt and Prof William Hyland

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

The doctrine of the bodily Ascension of Jesus is clearly rooted in the Old Testament, attested in the New Testament, and affirmed in the ecumenical creeds and early Christian liturgies. Likewise, the direct result of the Ascension, namely the ongoing high priestly intercession of Jesus before the Father in heaven, is of central importance to a proper understanding of salvation history and the ongoing life of Christian believers. This module will consider the biblical accounts and teachings about the Ascension and ongoing High Priesthood of Jesus, and then study treatments of these doctrines in the writings of selected patristic, medieval, Reformation and modern theologians and biblical scholars, as well as the work of Christian artists and liturgists over the centuries. The module will explore the important implications of the ongoing high priestly ministry of Jesus for Christian doctrine and practice today, including Soteriology, Christology and the Eucharist.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

PASS DI2003 OR PASS DI2006

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 50%, Examination= 50%

Re-assessment

Examination = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1 Seminar (X10 weeks)

Scheduled learning hours

6

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

294

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • express knowledge and understanding of the essential terminology and approaches used to discuss the doctrines of the Ascension and High Priesthood of Jesus in the Bible
  • express a knowledge and understanding of the variety of the genres in which these doctrines have been expressed over the long stretch of Christian history, and the ability to understand and engage with the various types of texts
  • express an understanding of the potential implications of the Ascension and High Priesthood of Jesus for other theological topics, including Christology and the Eucharist
  • explain the potential contemporary relevance of these doctrines
  • engage in a careful, open and critical fashion with challenging texts, ideas and concepts
  • frame independent perspectives on complex questions, to consider respectfully possible objections to those positions, and to develop and sustain arguments clearly and cogently, in formative oral presentations and group discussion, as well as summative written work