Introduction to Theology GTHEO /002 Winter 2015 (Jan 7 Mar 31, 2016) Meeting Times: Thursdays, 1-4pm. (except Feb 18 Reading Week)

Transcription

1 Instructor: Chris Wells Office: 2MS08 Phone: (204) The United Centre for Theological Studies University of Winnipeg Introduction to Theology GTHEO /002 Winter 2015 (Jan 7 Mar 31, 2016) The instructor may make minor corrections or changes before the first class. After the beginning of the class, the instructor and participants may mutually negotiate changes to the syllabus in order to better meet learning goals of the participants and their program. Location: TBD Meeting Times: Thursdays, 1-4pm. (except Feb 18 Reading Week) Course Communication Platforms: This course will utilize Nexus and Cisco WebEx. 1 Course Description: An introduction to the task and methods of theological thought in Christian churches. The major teachings of Christian theologians and churches will be examined. Learning Outcomes: 1. Demonstrate familiarity with several key theological ideas, texts, and theologians from the 2 nd century CE to the present. 2. Identify the purpose and tasks of the discipline of theology. 3. Show awareness of various methods of theology. 4. Demonstrate understanding of the contextual nature of theology. 1 Distance students will take part in the course using Cisco WebEx. If you have taken part in a webinar using WebEx, GoToMeeting, or similar products, you will have some familiarity with what this will be like. During class sessions, a high quality webcam will allow you to see and hear the instructor and other students meeting face to face in Winnipeg. Before you register, we ask that you contact the instructor or Sandy Peterson to make sure Cisco WebEx works with your computer and you are comfortable with using it to take a class. You will need to have a computer with a webcam so that other students can see and hear you. And you will need a high speed internet connection, which includes microwave connections in rural areas. If you have a PC, it should have an Intel Core2 Duo CPU 2.XX GHz or AMD processor, with 2 GB of RAM, and be running Windows XP, Vista, 7, or 8, or the latest version of Chrome or Firefox. Your computer will also need to have JavaScript and Cookies enabled and Active X enabled and unblocked for Microsoft Internet Explorer (recommended). If you have a Mac, it should have an Intel processor with 512 MB of RAM running Safari 10.5, 10.6, 10.7, 10.8, or the latest version of Firefox or Chrome. It will also need to have JavaScript and Cookies enabled and Plug-ins enabled in Safari. If the last two paragraphs are Greek to you, either the instructor or Sandy Peterson will be glad to help you, or put you in contact with our Cisco WebEx experts at the University of Winnipeg, who would also be glad to help you. But the required test of the system before you register should identify and resolve any issues.

2 2 5. Show understanding of several types of critiques of theologies in various periods with special attention to the contemporary period, recognizing the influence of a theologian s social location on their theology and discuss the ways their interpretation might legitimate or subvert structures of oppression. 6. Give expression to the journey of constructing and communicating (written and oral) a theology in both academic and creative forms. Student s Learning Outcomes (add your own) Course Materials Beyond Textbooks: This course will utilize a UofW web-based course platform called Nexus. You are automatically put on the course site when you register for the course. Use the same user id and password that you use for WebAdvisor to log on to the course site. Readings not found in the textbooks are available here, and, if necessary, recordings of the class. Required Textbooks (should be available at University Bookstore) Anderson, William P. Introduced and Edited by. A Journey Through Christian Theology: With Texts from the First to the Twenty-First Century. Second Edition. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, (JTCT) Budden, Chris. Following Jesus in Invaded Space: Doing Theology on Aboriginal Land. Princeton Theological Monograph Series. Eugene, OR: Pickwick Publications, Sölle, Dorothee. Thinking About God: An Introduction to Theology. Trans. John Bowden. London: SCM Press, NB Other required readings will be available in electronic form on Nexus. (ON). Reading is required for the first class (see Schedule of Topics and Readings below) Recommended books: Hall, Douglas John. Thinking the Faith: Christian Theology in a North American Context. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, Migliore, Daniel L. Faith Seeking Understanding: An Introduction to Christian Theology. 2 nd ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, Schweitzer, Don & Derek Simon. Ed. Intersecting Voices: Critical Theologies in a Land of Diversity. Ottawa: Novalis, Taylor, Mark Kline. Remembering Esperanza: A Cultural-Political Hermeneutic for North American Praxis. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, Assignments and Due Dates 1. Critical Book Review (Jan 28) 20%

3 3 2. Research Paper on a theological theme (1 st Draft, Feb 23, Final Copy, Mar 31) 40% 3. Class Presentation on a theologian (various dates) 15% 4. Creative Reflective Piece (April 14- or in class) 10% 5. Informed Class Participation 15% 1. Critical Book Review of Dorothee Sölle s Thinking About God: An Introduction to Theology. The review should be 5-7 pages in length and include the following: 1. A complete bibliographical citation of the book in Turabian/Chicago Style 2. Introductory statement; 3. Information about the author; 4. Statement of the purpose of the book; 5. Summary of content this is an overview highlighting the main ideas and arguments employed by the author (page numbers in brackets may be used for quotes from the text rather than footnotes); 6. Critique--an assessment of the work in terms of its content and style, and an evaluation of its relevancy or usefulness in relation to the course topic. You should point out both positive and negative aspects of the book. The review should also set the book in the context of other writings on the subject; 7. Concluding statement. Numbers 1-5 should take up approximately ½ of the Review, with 6 and 7 making up the remainder. 2. Research Essay 15 pgs. (double-spaced, New Times Roman 12pt font, including cover page, footnotes, and bibliography in Turabian/Chicago Style). Choose a theological theme and explore five diverse approaches to the theme. Diversity would include methodological and doctrinal approaches along with the gender and cultural identities of the authors. Diversity should also include both contemporary and historical expressions. How would you evaluate the various positions? Which do you find the most helpful in the constructive (or deconstructive) development of your own theology? Why? The Research Essay should include: 1. Evidence of thorough research (8-10 books and several articles, normally including the courses Required Textbooks and Recommended Readings). 2. Evidence of understanding, critical thought and originality. 3. Development of a thesis. 4. Must be related to the focus of the course. 5. Good organization, i.e., Intro, Body (with sections), and Conclusion. 6. Correct form: Title page, footnotes, bibliography (Chicago Style). 7. Proof read for grammatical and spelling errors.

4 4 DO NOT PLAGIARIZE: Plagiarism is a serious academic offence that consists of presenting either someone else s actual words or someone else s ideas as your own. REFERENCE YOUR SOURCES CONSISTENLY THROUGHOUT. 3. Class Presentation ½ hour. Choose a theologian and present to the class an introduction to their life and work. Also, explain your response to their theology and how it informs and/or challenges your own theological deconstruction/construction. 4. Creative Reflective Piece Theology is and, it is (or, is not) important today because 5-10 pages. This may be a creative piece that after consultation with the instructor may be other than textual. 5. Informed Class Participation students are expected to do the reading for each class and prepare at least one informed comment or question per class. Scale Letter Numeric Letter Numeric Letter Numeric A B C A B C A D F below 50 Schedule of Topics and Readings Week 1: Theological Methods Guthrie, Jr., Shirley C. Preface to Revised Edition and Who Is a Theologian? Christian Doctrine. Louisville, KT: John Knox Press, Rev. ed., 1994, ix-xiv, (Available on Google Books: gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false ) Migliore, Daniel L. Methods of Asking Theological Questions, Faith Seeking Understanding: An Introduction to Christian Theology. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2004, Available on Nexus = ON. Selected readings from JTCT - Justin Martyr ( ) 12-21; Tertullian ( ) 28-33; Thomas of Aquinas ( ) , 174; Karl Barth ( ) , ; Paul Tillich ( ) (55 approx. pages numbers) Week 2: Theology (God, The Trinity) JTCT Augustine of Hippo ( ) , ; Anselm of Canterbury ( ) ; Dorothee Sölle ( ) Thinking About God, ; Arius ( ) Athanasius ( ) & Creed of Nicea (325) 41-58; Gregory of Nyssa ( ) 59-60, 73-78; Hildegard of Bingen ( ) ; ON Carter Heyward (1945-) 6pgs (64) Week 3: Christology (Person and Work of Jesus as the Messiah) JTCT Irenaeus of Lyon

5 5 ( ) 21-28; Gregory of Nazianzus ( ) 66-72; Leo the Great (d. 461) and Definition of Chalcedon (451) ; Anselm of Canterbury, ( ) 153, 54; Peter Abelard ( ) ; Friedrich Schleiermacher ( ) ; David Strauss ( ) ; Karl Rahner ( ) ; Rosemary Radford Ruether (1936-) (53) Week 4: Adversus Judaeos ON: Chris Wells papers: Augustine of Hippo on the Jews & Origen and John Chrysostom on the Jews 22; Gregory Baum s Introduction to Rosemary Radford Ruether s Faith and Fratricide: The Theological Roots of Anti-Semitism 1-22; Mary C. Boys Has God Only One Blessing? Judaism as a Source of Christian Self-Understanding 5-14, 31-35, ; Krister Stendahl ( ) Paul Among Jews and Gentiles 1-7. (79) (Extras: Other early inter-religious theologies: Wells Tertullian, Justin and Irenaeaus and the Romans, and Early Christian Writing on Islam: John of Damascus, Theodore Abû Qurrah & Timothy, Patriarch of Baghdad ). Week 5: Pneumatology (Holy Spirit), Mysticism and World Renewal JTCT Basil the Great ( ) 61-65; Johannes Meister Eckhardt ( ) ; Hildegard of Bingen ( ) ; Julian of Norwich ( ) ; Catherine of Sienna ( ) ; ON Migliore Faith Seeking Understanding ; Augustine in McGrath s Christian Theological Reader CTR ; Energy for Life, Krister Stendahl 9-22; The Holy Spirit and Liberation, José Comblin 43-51, (55) Week 6: Anthropology and Soteriology (Humanity and Salvation) JTCT Origen of Alexandria ( ) 33-40; Thomas à Kempis ( ) ; Erasmus of Rotterdam ( ) ; Martin Luther ( ) ; ON, CTR Gustaf Aulén ( ) ; J. Denny Weaver (1941-) ; Valerie Saiving ( ) ; ON The Humanity of God Karl Barth 37-38, (72) Week 7: Ecclesiology (Christian Churches) JTCT John Calvin ( ) ; Menno Simons ( ) , ; Council of Trent ( ) ; Søren Kierkegaard ( ) ; Second Vatican Council ( ) Gaudium et Spes & Nostra Aetate ; Presbyterian Church (USA) Confession of ; ON CTR (Barmen Declaration) ; (A New Creed; UCC) (57) Week 8: Oikology (Ecumenism, Eco-Theology), Ethics and Eschatology JTCT- Sallie McFague (1933-) ; Dietrich Bonhoeffer( ) ; Hans Küng (1928-) ; Pierre Teilhard De Chardin ( ) ; ON Gregory Baum on Rosemary Radford Ruether s Unfulfilled Messianism; Migliore, Faith Seeking Understanding Eschatology and Ethics ; Jürgen Moltmann Ethics of Hope Transformative Eschatology Earth (67) Week 9: Contextual/Liberation Theologies Selection from David Bosch s Transforming Mission: Paradigm Shifts in Theology of Mission, (Maryknoll: NY, Orbis 1991), JCTC Latin American Theology: Gustavo Gutiérrez (1928-) ;

6 6 Black Theology: Martin Luther King, Jr. ( ) ; James Cone (1938-) , ; Sölle s Thinking About God 32-41, ON Queer Theology: Christ Handbook of U.S Theologies of Liberation, Carter Heyward Coming Out: Journey Without Maps Carter Heyward ; Homosexuality, Queer Theory, and Christian Theology Laurel Schneider 7-11; Robert Goss Jesus Acted Up: A Gay and Lesbian Manifesto,72-85 (88) Week 10: Mariology & Feminist Theology JCTC Julian of Norwich ( ) ; Mary Daly ( ) ; Letty Russell ( ) ; Rosemary Radford Ruether (1936-) ; Phyllis Trible (1933-) Sölle s Thinking About God ON Cathecism of the Catholic Church on Mary (plus intro by Pope John Paul II) 11 pgs. Migliore Sin and Self-Loss: Karl Barth and the Feminist Critique of Traditional Doctrines of Sin. Many Voices, One God: Being Faithful in a Pluralistic World (53) Week 11: Theology on Stolen Land Chris Budden Following Jesus in Invaded Space: Doing Theology on Aboriginal Land. ON Robert Warrior Cowboys, Canaanites and Indians ; George Tinker Jesus, Corn Mother and Conquest: Christology and Colonialism (selections from book + 29) Week 12: Missio-theology Missio Dei and the Oikos ON Selections from Bosch s Transforming Mission: Paradigm Shifts in Theology of Mission, Orbis, ; ON Selections from Bevans and Schroeder s Constants in Context: A Theology of Mission for Today (Maryknoll: NY, Orbis, 2004), 1-11; (75) NB All topics may not be covered. Inclusive Language The United Centre for Theological Studies encourages the use of inclusive language for human beings and God in both classroom discussions and in academic writing. Inclusive language is that which does not discriminate based on characteristics of gender, sexual orientation, age, race, ethnicity, disability, religion, or minority. Academic Policies Students must familiarize themselves with the University of Winnipeg s policies on appeals and academic misconduct such as plagiarism or cheating. United Centre for Theological Studies Calendar available at Withdrawal A student who is considering withdrawing from the course is requested to speak with the instructor. The last date to withdraw without academic penalty is March 1(check website for conformation). A withdrawal form is required. Not continuing to attend

7 7 classes only does not qualify for course withdrawal. Contact the UCTS office for more info. ( ). Accessibility Services and Resource Centre Information about services and academic accommodations for disabilities is available on-line at All information about disability is confidential. Security and Community Ambassador Services The phone number for UW security guards is 6666 on campus and off campus. In emergencies, police, fire, and ambulance services can be reached by dialing on campus. During the Fall and Winter there are Safe Walk and Safe Ride programs. Both can be contacted by phoning 9272 on campus and will escort faculty, staff, and students to their cars. More information and a personal safety brochure are available at The UW Security & Community Ambassador Services seeks to guarantee the safety of students, faculty, staff, visitors and other users of University of Winnipeg facilities, while preserving a philosophy of unhindered community access. Post-syllabus Quotations According to Stultitia, the Goddess of Folly, theologians are full of big words and newly-invented nonsense. Erasmus of Rotterdam to his moronic friend Sir (St., to some) Thomas More in his In Praise of Folly [53], JCTC, 206 It is my conviction that theology is too serious to allow humans to think theologically without playfulness and irony. To try to be as serious as the subject would be arrogant, and could lead the hearer/reader to believe that I consider everything to be as precisely as I describe it. Of late I have become even more convinced of the theological necessity of irony and of its nobler cousin humor as a safeguard against idolatry. I believe that to be the reason why Jesus chose to speak in parables, most of which have a humorous twist. And the Jewish tradition, rabbinic, Hasidic, and contemporary, is marked by a persistent cultivation of telling of stories with humorous slant a point often missed by serious theologians. Krister Stendahl in his Preface to Paul Among Jews and Gentiles, 1976, viii. The great poets often show us the justice imaginable, and women theologians are often poets. Three of the women who have been the most important feminist influences on my theology Delores Williams, Carter Heyward, and Dorothee Soelle are all poets first of all. They taught me to see theology as the poetry of the Christian life, the space where we articulate our pain and dreams. For me, theology doesn t begin by positing doctrinal truth from which you can deduce fixed intellectual conclusions. You don t begin with true language for God that is discursive and deductive and has all of the logical capacities of the languages of science. Rather theology is a kind of bricolage, where you patch together laments, visions, possibilities, dreams, hopes and prayers. Theology gives us beliefs to be lived, connections that you must bet your life on. You find the speech, the words, that you dare to utter. It s very much that kind of

8 8 impressionistic naming of what s possible that inspires us, that lures us and leads us on. There s always this suggestibility with theology; it is not a static or fixed form of truth. As I have already made clear here, I think more and more women work at theology as if it was the poetry of the Christian or religious life and perceive it not so much as giving normative cognitive content about God, but as helping us to imagine a world in which the power of God is present and active. So I see theology not as Let s get it right and then we can apply it to the earth in order to find out what to do question, but rather the ongoing process in which we name our hope, we celebrate it, we give praise for it, we sing it, and we move on. We name our way of imaging the world, but then we have to buckle down to the hard work of discerning and working for change. My bias is always on the side of organizing for change, and I sometimes suspect that forms of spirituality that shun the hard work of ethics are merely feminine, not feminist. Beverly Harrison, Working with Protestant Traditions: Feminist Transformations Interviewed by Marilyn Legge in Justice in the Making: Feminist Social Ethics. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2004, 148. (add some of your own)