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Christian Cabala & Renaissance Esotericism

Master of Arts in Christian Cabala and Renaissance Esotericism

Program Overview

  • Degree Title: M.A. in Christian Cabala and Renaissance Esotericism
  • Duration: 2 years (full-time) or 3–4 years (part-time)
  • Delivery: Fully Online (asynchronous + live seminars)
  • Institution: GEA University of San Marco
  • Faculty/School: Faculty of Theology, Theological Seminary St. Catherine of Siena, GEA Divinity School, and Esoteric Institute

Program Objectives Graduates will:

  • Master the historical development and theological foundations of Christian Cabala
  • Analyze and interpret primary texts by Renaissance Christian mystics and magicians
  • Situate Christian Cabala in the context of Neoplatonism, Hermeticism, and early Christian theology
  • Develop advanced symbolic literacy in sacred geometry, angelology, and divine names

Curriculum (36 credits)

Core Courses (24 credits)

  1. REL 5311C – Introduction to Christian Cabala (3 cr)
  2. REL 5252 – Renaissance Magic and Mysticism (3 cr)
  3. REL 5485 – Hebrew and Greek in Christian Kabbalistic Texts (3 cr)
  4. REL 5453 – Cabala, Neoplatonism, and Hermeticism (3 cr)
  5. REL 5351 – The Sefirot in Christian Interpretation (3 cr)
  6. REL 5570 – Angelology and Christian Theurgy (3 cr)
  7. REL 5580 – Symbolism and Sacred Geometry in Christian Cabala (3 cr)
  8. REL 6971 – Capstone Thesis or Project (3 cr)

Electives (Choose 3 for 9 credits)

  • REL 5930 – Pico della Mirandola and the Concordia of Religions (3 cr)
  • REL 5674 – Christian Alchemy and the Language of Transmutation (3 cr)
  • REL 5905 – Independent Study: Translating Christian Cabalistic Texts (3 cr)
  • REL 5933 – Jewish-Christian Mystical Dialogue in the Renaissance (3 cr)
  • REL 5502 – The Rosicrucian Manifestos and Cabalistic Symbolism (3 cr)

Language and Skills Support (Optional)

  • HBR 4905 – Hebrew for Theological Studies (3 cr)
  • GRK 5906 – Ecclesiastical Greek for Esoteric Texts (3 cr)

Capstone Options

  • Research Thesis on a key figure (e.g., Johannes Reuchlin, Giovanni Pico)
  • Design and annotate a symbolic system based on Christian Cabalistic principles
  • Comparative theology project: Jewish Kabbalah vs Christian Cabala

Delivery Features

  • Weekly lectures (recorded) and discussion forums
  • Live monthly seminars and virtual colloquia with scholars
  • Access to a digital library of primary Renaissance sources
  • Final presentation via Zoom with committee feedback

Key Texts & Authors

  • Giovanni Pico della Mirandola – Oration on the Dignity of Man
  • Johannes Reuchlin – De Arte Cabalistica
  • Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa – Three Books of Occult Philosophy
  • Marsilio Ficino – Platonic Theology
  • Gershom Scholem – Kabbalah (contextual study)

Graduation Requirements

  • 36 completed credits
  • Capstone thesis/project approved by faculty
  • GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Digital portfolio submission (papers, symbolic diagrams, journal)

Career Paths

  • Religious educator or scholar in esoteric Christianity
  • Researcher in Renaissance intellectual history
  • Spiritual director, translator, or independent theologian
  • Candidate for doctoral work in Divinity, Theology, or Comparative Religion