Introduction to Theology Syllabus

Transcription

1 Spring 2015 W 6:30-9:20 PM aspark@united.edu Office: #3714 ST 502 DA-t-E Andrew S. Park (O) Introduction to Theology Syllabus I. COURSE DESCRIPTION: Introduction to Theology is a survey of the major ideas, beliefs, and doctrines of the Church as they have shaped Christian thought in the world. This survey course introduces the student to the basic categories of systematic theology, such as revelation, God, image of God, sin, Christology, salvation, church, sacraments and eschatology. The course focuses on the interpretation of these concepts within the tradition and among contemporary theologians. II. TEXTBOOKS: Required Reading (RQ): James Cone, Black Theology of Liberation (BTL) William Hordern, A Layman s Guide to Protestant Theology (LGPT) ISBN: or ISBN: X Larry Hart, Truth Aflame J. Rodman Williams, Renewal Theology: Free Text 2/PDF%20Books/00073%20Williams%20Renewal%20Theology.pdf Recommended Reading (RC): Randy Clark, There is More (TIM) Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology Tyron Inbody, The Faith of the Christian Church (FCC) Alister E. McGrath, Christian Theology: An Introduction Andrew S. Park, The Wounded Heart of God (WHG) Rosemary Ruether Sexism and God-Talk (SGT) Owen Thomas & Ellen Wondra, Introduction to Theology (IT) J. Rodman Williams, III. GOALS

2 This course is a UTS introductory course. Thus, it is designed to introduce you to a general understanding of theology. This course speaks directly to two UTS core student learning competencies. 1. This Course is designed to provide a foundation for understanding and appreciating biblical, historical, and theological developments in the history of Christianity so that students might demonstrate an appropriation of the Christian heritage through an understanding of major theological topics. 2. This course is further designed to help students critically reflect on and define major Christian doctrines and movements in light of contemporary intellectual, socio-political, and ethical issues. IV. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES In order to demonstrate an appropriation of the Christian heritage through an understanding of major theological loci, students will be expected to express and explain the following: 1. A good grasp of the major theological traditions. 2. An in-depth understanding of the issues and controversies in their historical and theological contexts. 3. Theological meanings of church doctrines for the contemporary world. V. TEACHING STRATEGIES: The delivery methods of instruction will be lectures, discussions, web resources, lecture note projections, and messages. VI. CALENDAR OF TOPICS AND READINGS: Feb. 23 Introduction The Growth and Threat of Orthodoxy RQ: Hordern LGPT Chs. 1 & 2 The Defense and Remaking of Orthodoxy RQ: Hordern LGPT Chs. 3 & 4 Mar. 4 Neo-Orthodoxy & Karl Barth RQ: Hordern LGPT Chs. 5 & 6 Reinhold Neibuhr and Paul Tillich

3 RQ: Hordern LGPT Chs. 7 & 8 Bultmann, Bonhoeffer, & Theology Today RQ: Hordern LGPT Chs. 9, 10, &11 RC: Clark TIM Intro & Ch 3 11 The Content of Theology RQ: Hart, Truth Aflame Ch. 1; Cone, BLT Ch. 1 RC: Thomas & Wondra, IT Ch. 1; Inbody FCC Ch1 The Sources and Norm of Theology RQ: Cone, BLT Ch. 2 RC: Ruether, SGT Ch. 1 Revelation RQ: Hart, Truth Aflame RC: Williams, Renewal Theology Ch. 2. Thomas & Wondra, IT Ch. 2; Cone, BLT Ch Authority RQ: Hart, Truth Aflame 49-70; Williams, Renewal Theology Ch. 1 RC: Thomas & Wondra, IT Ch. 3; McGrath, Christian Theology: Introduction Ch. 6 Trinity RQ: Hart, Truth Aflame , Williams, Renewal Theology Ch. 4 RC: Thomas & Wondra, IT Ch. 4; Johnson & Clark, EGH, Ch 6 25 God RQ: Hart, Truth Aflame RC: Cone, BLT Ch. 4; Thomas & Wondra, IT Ch. 5 God RQ: Williams, Renewal Theology Ch. 3; Ruether, SGT Ch. 2 (handout) RC: Bohler, GTW Ch 1; Inbody FCC Ch 4 (III & IV) Mar. 30-Apr. 3 Holy Week Break Apr. 8 Creation & Providence RQ: Hart, Truth Aflame Ch.4; Williams, Renewal Theology Ch. 5 RC: Clark TIM Ch 9 & 10; Thomas & Wondra IT Chs. 6 & 7 Humanity RQ: Hart, Truth Aflame Ch.5; Williams, Renewal Theology Ch. 9

4 RC: Cone BTL Ch. 5; Thomas & Wondra IT Ch. 8 *A midterm group oral exam 15 Sin RQ: Hart, Truth Aflame Ch. 6; Park WHG Intro and Ch. 4 (handout) RC: Williams, Renewal Theology Ch. 10; Thomas & Wondra IT Ch. 9 Christ RQ: Hart, Truth Aflame RC: Ruether SGT Ch. 5; 22 Christ RQ: Williams, Renewal Theology Ch. 15; Cone BLT Ch. 6 RC: McGrath, Christian Theology: Introduction Ch 11; Thomas & Wondra IT Ch. 10 Salvation RQ: Hart, Truth Aflame ; Park WHG Ch. 6 (handout) RC: Williams, Renewal Theology Ch. 14; Thomas & Wondra IT Ch. 11; 29 Justification RQ: Williams, Renewal Theology 2 Ch. 3 RC: Park WHG Ch. 5; Thomas & Wondra IT Ch. 12 Holy Spirit & Sanctification RQ: Hart, Truth Aflame Ch. 8; Williams, Renewal Theology 2 Ch. 4 & 6 RC: Vickers, Holiness and Mediation ; Davis, Engaging Amos Young s Foundational Pneumatology... (Handouts), Thomas & Wondra IT Ch. 14 May 6 Election & Predestination RQ: Williams, Renewal Theology 2 Ch. 1; McGrath, Christian Theology: Introduction (handout) RC: Thomas & Wondra IT Ch. 13 History & Eschatology RQ: Hart, Truth Aflame Ch. 9 RC: Thomas & Wondra IT Chs. 15 & 16; Inbody FCC Ch 12 (I-IV) May 8 *The Final Research Paper due

5 . 13 Church RQ: Hart, Truth Aflame ; Williams, Renewal Theology 3 Ch. 1 RC: Williams, Renewal Theology 3 Ch. 2-4; Thomas & Wondra IT Ch. 17; Cone BTL Ch. 7 Sacraments RQ: Hart, Truth Aflame ; Alister E. McGrath, Christian Theology Ch. 16 (handout) RC: Thomas & Wondra IT Ch. 18; Inbody FCC Ch 11 (II-V) 20 Worship & Ministry RQ: Williams, Renewal Theology 3 Ch 5-6; Thomas & Wondra IT Chs. 19 & 20 (handouts) RC: Clark TIM Ch 11 & 12; Ruether SGT Ch. 8 *The final group oral exam VII: SEMINARY STANDARDS A. Inclusive language United Theological Seminary has an official policy regarding the use of Inclusive Language. The policy may be found in the Seminary Catalog and further explained in the Student Handbook. If you have specific questions, please see me. B. Academic Integrity 1. Student integrity regarding all work assigned in this class is a basic expectation of the Seminary community. A detailed policy regarding what constitutes a violation of academic integrity can be found in the Student Handbook. Any plagiarism may cause dismissal from United. VIII: USING ONLINE RESOURCES For information about how to access United Online and where to find help if you need it may be found on the seminary website athttp:// Help guides are also in the student computer lab and in the Student Handbook. For online help, please onlinehelp@united.edu. IX. METHOD OF DETERMINING FINAL GRADE:

6 A. COURSE EVALUATIONS: 1. Class attendance, preparation of required reading, and substantive participation in class discussion are expected. Substantive participation means that you analyze, digest and question the subject matter presented by the instructor (through lectures, reading assignments and research) and your classmates. You are encouraged to constructively challenge your own and your classmates' perspectives. 2. On reading assignments and lecture contents, two (midterm and final) open book oral exams will be given. I will distribute questions at least one week before the group oral exams. You will turn in your answers after the exams (Midterm exam 4/8, Final exam 5/20). These exams are only for pass or fail. The exams will be like Family Feud. 3. Each student should place a research paper (12-22) in the drop box by May 8 th (Fri).You should select a subdivided topic from any major doctrines. Avoid any social problems, ethical issues, major figures, or major theological movements. Present a theological problem, review two or three other major theologians solutions for the problem with critical reflection (positive or negative criticisms), and then provide your own resolution or solution in light of those theologians ideas. It is crucial and necessary for you to present your own position. 4. The criteria of grading are the depth of research, analytic and synthetic abilities, originality, insight, accuracy, coherence, & lucidity. A late paper will be downgraded. Papers must be typewritten and double-spaced. Adhere to the guidelines of the Turabian style in the 7 th or 8 th edition ( and Please use primary resources beyond the text books. 5. If anyone should miss a class session, please notify the instructor and submit a summary of that day s reading assignments (3-5 pgs, single space). The negligence of such a submission will cause downgrading. If you miss one third of class sessions, you will automatically fail this course. B. Method of Determining Grade: The grade will be calculated in the following way: Class Attendance, Preparation & Contributions 20% Semester Paper 80% Mid-term Exam Pass/Fail Final Exam Pass/Fail Total 100% X. REFERENCES:

7 Introduction To Theology Anderson, William. A journey through Christian Theology : with texts from the first to the twenty-first century. Minneapolis, MN : Fortress Press, c2010. Badham, Roger A., ed. Introduction to Christian Theology : Contemporary North American Perspectives. Louisville, Ky.: Westminster John Knox Press, Baker, Heidi. Compelled by Love. Charisma House, Barth, Karl. Evangelical Theology: An Introduction. New York: Holt Rinehart and Winston, Dogmatics in Outline. London: SCM Press, Bohler, Caroline. God the What (GTW). Skylight Paths, Cobb, John, The Process Perspective. Jeanyne Slettom, ed. St. Louis: Chalice, Evans, James H. We Have Been Believers : An African-American Systematic Theology. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, Ford, David. Theology : A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: New York, Erickson, Millard. Christian Theology. Baker Academic, Giannaras, Chrestos. Elements of Faith : An Introduction to Orthodox Theology. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, González, Justo L. Christian Thought Revisited : Three Types of Theology. Maryknoll, N.Y.: Orbis Books, 1999 González, Justo L., and Zaida Maldonado Pérez. An Introduction to Christian Theology. Nashville: Abingdon Press, Grenz, Stanley J., and John R. Franke. Beyond Foundationalism : Shaping Theology in a Postmodern Context. Louisville, Ky.: Westminster John Knox Press, Grudem, Wayne, Systematic Theology. Zondervan, Hanson, Bradley. Introduction to Christian Theology. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, Hart, Trevor A. Faith Thinking : The Dynamics of Christian Theology. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1996.

8 Hodgson, Peter Crafts, and Robert Harlen King, eds. Christian Theology : An Introduction to Its Traditions and Tasks. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, Jinkins, Michael. Invitation to Theology. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, Johnson, Bill and Clark, Randy. The Essential Guide to Healing, Minneapolis: Chosen, Keller, Catherine From a broken web : separation, sexism, and self. Boston : Beacon Press, c1986. Lohse, Bernard A Short History of Christian Doctrine Marshall, Molly, Joining the Dance: A Theology of the Spirit. Valley Forge: Judson Press, McGrath, Alister E. Christian Theology: An Introduction. 3rd ed. Oxford: Malden MA, Migliore, Daniel L. Faith Seeking Understanding: An Introduction to Christian Theology. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, Pannenberg, Wolfhart. An Introduction to Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids, Mich.: W.B. Eerdmans, Peters, Ted. God: The World's Future. Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress Publishers; 2nd edition (September 2000) Roberts, J. Deotis. A Philosophical Introduction to Theology. London SCM Press: Philadelphia, Stone, Howard W., and James O. Duke. How to Think Theologically. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, Tanner, Kathryn. Jesus, Humanity and the Trinity: A Brief Systematic Theology. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, Tillich, Paul, Systematic Theology 3 vols. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Vickers, Jason. Minding the Good Ground. Waco: Baylor University Press, Ware, Frederick L. Methodologies of Black Theology. Cleveland, Ohio: Pilgrim Press, Watson, David and Abraham, William. Key United Methodist Church Beliefs. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2011.