RLGS 3603 Introduction to Christian Theology BRE Modular/Degree Completion Program April 15 May 13, 2010, Thursdays, 6:00 pm 10:00 pm

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1 RLGS 3603 Introduction to Christian Theology BRE Modular/Degree Completion Program April 15 May 13, 2010, Thursdays, 6:00 pm 10:00 pm Professor: Rev. Dr. Francis Mpindu, PhD Phone: Church Office (905) ext Commuter Hotline: (416) ext Class cancellations due to inclement weather or illness of the instructor will be announced on the commuter hotline and the website Mailboxes: Every student is responsible for information communicated through the student mailboxes. (Always retain a copy of any papers you submit to a professor). A mailbox directory is posted beside the mailboxes. Your papers (weekly assignments, research paper, and quiz) will be returned via your mailboxes. For more information, contact the Registrar s Office. COURSE DESCRIPTION This course is an orientation to the central teachings of the Bible as revealed in the flow of redemptive history, including a focus on various theological traditions, methods of doctrinal reflection and the nature of biblical authority. COURSE OBJECTIVES 1. To introduce the student to the central beliefs of historic Christianity. 2. To help the student to see the connections between what Christians believe and the various theories and ideologies in other academic disciplines. 3. To help the student summarize the main points of the doctrines of Christianity. 4. To help the student apply an understanding of theology and its method to practical situations in ministry and in Christian living, generally. 5. To enable the student to become more proficient in written communication and in close reading of ancient texts. 6. To give students experience in library research. REQUIRED TEXTBOOK (available in the Tyndale Bookstore) Erickson, Millard J. Introducing Christian Doctrine, 2 nd edition, edited by L. A. Hustad. (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 2001). ISNB

2 COURSE EVALUATION Weekly Assignments (35%): After completing the weekly assigned reading, the student shall select one chapter and submit a summary at the beginning of the class period. Each assignment is worth 7% of your grade. Each summary will be 2-3 pages, (typed) with one-inch margins all around, using the 12 point font. The conclusion shall include a personal application touch. Please note: The first assignment is due on the first day of class!!! Research Paper (30%): The paper must deal with a theological issue approved by the instructor. Late papers, without prior permission from the instructor, will not be accepted after the final day of the semester. For an early start on the research paper, please refer to the list of suggested topics provided on the page of this syllabus. Each topic has strong arguments on both sides and you must consider both sides before you come to a conclusion. Your paper will be evaluated both on the basis of how well you argue for your own position and also on the basis of how fair you are to the other side. The paper must be typed in 12 point font, double-spaced, with one inch margins and must be between 2000 and 2500 words (10 pages) in length (not including endnotes and bibliography). It must include a bibliography of scholarly sources and footnotes done according to the traditional (Turabian) format. See Hacker, A Canadian Writer s Reference. Also see the Tyndale Essay Documentation & Formatting Guide. Quiz (15%): A one (1) hour quiz will be taken in class on the last day of the module. In preparation for this quiz, students are responsible for reading all the assigned sections of Erickson s book on their own and are advised to make study notes on the text. This quiz will cover both the textbook and lectures and will consist of definitions and short essay questions. A list of key terms will be given in class throughout the course. Class Mark (10%): This portion of the grade will be based on attendance, class participation and the general effort put forth by the student. Attendance will be taken at the beginning and end of each class and students will lose marks for each unexcused absence. Students who must miss a class for an unavoidable reason must communicate the reason to the professor by either or voic prior to the class, if at all possible. If the reason is not considered sufficient to miss a class, the absence will be considered unexcused. Normally, absences are excused only in cases where the student had no choice in missing the class, such as attending a funeral or being sick in bed. Non-emergency doctor/dentist appointments, work schedules, etc. should not be scheduled in conflict with classes and absences resulting from them generally are not excused. Assigned Reading (10%): On the last day of class you will be asked to indicate what percentage of the assigned reading you would have completed. This is an honest question that will require an honest answer from a growing (maturing) disciple of Jesus Christ those who have ears, let them hear 2

3 COURSE OUTLINE The readings specified for each week are to be done prior to the class. Date Topic Readings April 15 April 22 April 29 May 6 May 13 I. The Doctrine of the Word of God 1. Course Introduction (the foundation) The Apostles Creed (This will be distributed in class) 2. Getting Going Erickson, Ch Revelation: General and Specific Erickson, Ch The Scripture Principle Erickson, Ch. 6-8 II. The Doctrine of God 5. The Nature of God Erickson, Ch The Trinity Erickson, Ch The Work of God Erickson, Ch Christian Ethics Doctrine and Christian Ethics III. The Doctrine of Creation 9. Anthropology Erickson, Ch Image of God Erickson, Chapters Sin Erickson, Ch IV. The Doctrine of Reconciliation 12. The Person of Christ Erickson, Ch The Work of Christ Erickson, Ch The Atonement 15. The Resurrection V. The Doctrine of Redemption 16. The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit Research Paper Due!!! Quiz will be taken in class! Erickson, Ch , 17. Christian Approaches to Salvation Erickson, Ch Christian Approaches to Salvation Erickson, Ch The Doctrine of the Church Erickson, Ch Sacraments Erickson, Ch Introduction to Eschatology Erickson, Ch The New Community (in the making) 3

4 SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY - Classics The following works are classics of Christian theology or works that are particularly useful to students beginning the study of Christian theology at the university level. The latter are marked with an asterisk (*). See the Tyndale library for a fine collection of journals, monographs, textbooks, full-text on-line journals and other theological resources. Pre-Reformation: Aquinas, Thomas. Summae Theologica. This is a major classic by the most important theologian for the Roman Catholic Church and an important theologian for Protestantism as well. Roman Catholic: Catechism of the Catholic Church (New York: Image Books, Doubleday, 1995). This is the official teaching of the Roman Catholic Church published after Vatican II.* Whihelm, Anthony. Christ Among Us: A Modern Presentation of the Catholic Faith, 3 rd edition (New York: Paulist Press, 1981). This is a basic introduction to post-vatican II Roman Catholic doctrine. Lutheran: Aulen, Gustaf. The Faith of the Christian Church, rev. ed. (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1960). Lutheran, written by a Swedish bishop and theologian. Braaten, Carl E. and Robert K. Jenson (eds.). Christian Dogmatics, 2 vols., (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1984). Reformed/Presbyterian: Barth, Karl. Church Dogmatics. This is the greatest theological work since Calvin a very long and difficult for beginners to find relevant parts. Berkhof, Louis. Systematic Theology, 4 th edition (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1939, 1941). Scholastic, Reformed, somewhat dated. Bloesch, Donald. Essentials of Evangelical Theology, 2 vols. (San Francisco: Harper and Row, 1978). Moderate Evangelical, contemporary.* See also his 7 volume work now being published by IVP called Christian Foundations (5 volumes to date). Calvin, John. Institutes of the Christian Religion. 2 vols., Library of Christian Classics, ed. by J. T. McNeill, trans. by F. L. Battles (Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1960). One of the great classics of Christian theology and still very readable even though it was first published in Hodge, Charles. Systematic Theology, 3 vols. (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1979). Conservative Protestant, Old Princeton theology, first published in , very influential in American evangelicalism. Leith, John H. Basic Christian Doctrine (Louisville: Westminster/John Knox, Reformed, contemporary.* Miligore, Daniel. Faith Seeking Understanding: An Introduction to Christian Theology (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991). Moderately Reformed, contemporary.* Anglican: McGrath, Alister E. Christian Theology: An Introduction, 2 nd ed. (Oxford: Blackwell Publishers, 2001). Evangelical Anglican, contemporary.* 4

5 Baptist: Erickson, Millard J. Christian Theology, 2 nd ed. (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1998). This is a more in-depth study than our textbook by the same author; conservative Evangelical. Grenz, Stanley. Theology For the Community of God (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000). This is a very good, up-to-date, moderate, Evangelical work. * See also his new multi-volume systematic theology in the process of being published by Westminster/John Knox Press. Moody, Dale. The Word of Truth: A Summary of Christian Doctrine Based On Biblical Revelation. (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1981). Baptist, Arminian, contemporary. * Liberal Protestant: Hodgson, Peter and Robert H. King, editors. Christian Theology: An Introduction to Its Traditions and Tasks, newly updated edition (Minneapolis: Augsberg Fortress, 1994). Liberal Protestant, contemporary. Schleiermacher, Friedrich. The Christian Faith, English translation of the 2 nd German edition. H. R. MacKintosh and J. S. Stewart (Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1989). The major work by the father of liberal theology. Tillich, Paul. Systematic Theology (>>>. A systematic theology done on the basis of existentialist philosophy that does for the 20 th century what Schleiermacher s The Christian Faith did for the 19 th century. Wesleyan/Holiness: Oden, Thomas. Systematic Theology, 3 vols. (San Francisco: Harper and Row, 1987, 1989, 1992). Wesleyan, contemporary, makes extensive use of patristic resources.* Williams, J. Rodman. Renewal Theology: Systematic Theology From a Charismatic Perspective, 3 vols. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, ). Charismatic/Pentecostal, contemporary.* Anabaptist: Wenger, John C. Introduction to Theology: An Interpretation of the Doctrinal Content of Scripture, Written to Strengthen a Childlike Faith in Christ (Scottdale, Pa.: Herald Press, 1954). The standard text used in Mennonite colleges and seminaries for decades. Yoder, John Howard. Preface to Theology: Christology and Theological Method, edited by S. Hauerwas and A. Sider (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Brazos Press, Transcripts of lectures given by Yoder at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminaries in the 1960 s on biblical, historical and systematic Christology and circulated in mimeograph form for decades until their formal publication in Historical Works: Ford, David F. (ed.), The Modern Theologians: An Introduction to Christian Theology in the Twentieth Century, 2 vols., (Oxford: Blackwell, 1989). Excellent chapter-length to the writings and thought of most of the important theologians in the 20 th century. McGrath, Alister E. Historical Theology: An Introduction to the History of Christian Thought (Oxford: Blackwell Publishers, 1998).* Good overview of the history of theology. Placher, William, A History of Christian Theology: An Introduction (Louisville: Westminster Press, 1983).* Very readable and concise. 5

6 Theological Methodology: Frei, Hans. The Eclipse of Biblical Narrative: A Study in Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century Hermeneutics (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1974). A highly important study of the effects of the Enlightenment on both liberal and conservative ways of reading Scripture. Lindbeck, George. The Nature of Doctrine: Religion and Theology in a Postliberal Age (Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1984). A landmark work that has become a reference point for a whole new theological movement called postliberalism. McGrath, Alister E. Understanding Doctrine: What it is and Why it Matters (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1990).* A good, basic introduction to the academic discipline of theology. Placher, William. Unapologetic Theology: A Christian Voice in a Pluralistic Conversation (Louisville: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1981).* A good introduction to doing Christian theology in a post-modern context. Reference Works: Cross, F. L. (ed.). The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, 3 rd ed. edited by F. A. Livingstone (New York: Oxford University Press, 1997).* A standard reference work for people, places, events, terms and movements throughout church history. Erickson, Millard J. Concise Dictionary of Christian Theology (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1986).* Helpful, concise definitions. Ferguson, S. B., D. F. Wright, J. I. Packer. The New Dictionary of Theology (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1988).* A major Evangelical dictionary. McGrath, Alister E. The Blackwell Encyclopedia of Modern Christian Thought (Oxford: Blackwell, 1993). It contains a wealth of introductory information on modern theology. 6

7 Tyndale University College & Seminary RLGS 3603 Introduction to Christian Theology Instructor: Rev. Dr. Francis Mpindu, PhD ~ Suggested Research Topics ~ Each topic has strong arguments on both sides and you must consider both sides before you come to a conclusion. Your research paper will be evaluated on the basis of (a) how well you argue for your position, and (b) how well you integrate opposing views. However, you must argue your point biblically and theologically - taking account of various interpretations of key Scripture texts and the theological argumentation on the issue. You are expected to include a personal touch or application in the conclusion, especially how the findings relate to your life or ministry as a disciple of Jesus Christ. This research paper must deal with a theological issue approved by the professor, and is due on the last day of class. The paper must be typed in 12 point font, double-spaced, with one inch margins and must be between 2000 and 2500 words (10 pages) in length (not including footnotes and bibliography). It must include a bibliography of at least 5 scholarly sources according to the traditional research paper format (MLA, Turabian, etc). No more than 1 Internet sources may be included in the 8 sources used and there must be at least one scholarly journal article. Below are some suggested topics. You may also select another topic of your choice but I must approve the topic. The earlier you begin your research paper the better your paper is likely to be. Remember, we have very limited time (ONLY 5 weeks). - Can One Be Saved Through General Revelation? - Proving the Existence of God: Logical Necessity or a Matter of Faith? - Does the Doctrine of the Inspiration of Scripture Demand the Doctrine of Inerrancy? - Biological Evolution and the Christian Doctrine of Creation: Are They Compatible? - Does the Bible (as a whole) Teach Male Headship in Marriage? - Has the Fall Rendered Human Beings Incapable of Responding to God s Grace? - The Problem of Evil: Does It Make Belief in God Impossible? - The Holiness Debate: Entire Sanctification versus Progressive Sanctification - Does Sanctification Always Involve Speaking in Tongues? - Do Human Beings Have Free Will, and If So, What Is Free Will? - The Mission of the Church: Evangelism Only or Evangelism Plus Social Action? - Do All Religions Lead to God? - Is Divorce Ever Justifiable For a Christian? - Civil Disobedience: Is It Justifiable? - You Shall Not Kill: What Does That Mean? - Bribery: Is It Always Wrong? - Racism: Can It Be Eliminated? - Church: Is It Really a Picture of Heaven? - Other topic suggestions must be approved by the instructor 7