Fall 2014 T 1:00-3:50 PM Email: aspark@united.edu ST 502 DA-t-E Andrew S. Park 937-529-2269 (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: III. GOALS Required Reading (RQ): James Cone, Black Theology of Liberation (BTL) William Hordern, A Layman s Guide to Protestant Theology (LGPT) ISBN: 0020854706 or ISBN: 157910925X Tyron Inbody, The Faith of the Christian Church (FCC) Owen Thomas & Ellen Wondra, Introduction to Theology (IT) Recommended Reading (RC): Randy Clark, There is More (TIM) Bernard Lohse, A Short History of Christian Doctrine (SHCD) Alister E. McGrath, The Christian Theology Reader: The 3 rd or 4 th edition Andrew S. Park, The Wounded Heart of God (WHG) Rosemary Ruether Sexism and God-Talk (SGT) 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 email messages. VI. CALENDAR OF TOPICS AND READINGS: Sept. 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 30 Neo-Orthodoxy & Karl Barth RQ: Hordern LGPT Chs. 5 & 6 Reinhold Neibuhr and Paul Tillich RQ: Hordern LGPT Chs. 7 & 8 Bultmann, Bonhoeffer, & Theology Today RQ: Hordern LGPT Chs. 9, 10, &11 RC: Clark TIM Intro & Ch 3 Oct. 7 The Content of Theology RQ: Inbody FCC Ch1; Cone, BLT Ch. 1 RC: Thomas & Wondra, IT Ch. 1
The Sources and Norm of Theology RQ: Cone, BLT Ch. 2 RC: Ruether, SGT Ch. 1 Revelation RQ: Inbody FCC Ch 3 RC: Thomas & Wondra, IT Ch. 2; Cone, BLT Ch. 3 Oct. 14 Authority RQ: Thomas & Wondra, IT Ch. 3 RC: Inbody FCC Ch 2; Lohse, SHCD Ch. 1 Trinity RQ: Inbody FCC Ch 4 (V); Thomas & Wondra, IT Ch. 4 RC: Johnson & Clark, EGH, Ch 6 (handout); Lohse, SHCD Ch. 2 21 God RQ: Inbody FCC Ch 4 (I-II); Cone, BLT Ch. 4 RC: Thomas & Wondra, IT Ch. 5 God RQ: Inbody FCC Ch 4 (III & IV) RC: Ruether, SGT Ch. 2; Bohler, GTW Ch 1. 28 Creation & Providence RQ: Thomas & Wondra IT Chs. 6 & 7 RC: Clark TIM Ch 9 & 10; Inbody FCC Ch 5 & 6 Nov. 1 * First paper due Humanity RQ: Thomas & Wondra IT Ch. 8; Cone BTL Ch. 5 *A midterm group oral exam Nov. 4 Sin RQ: Inbody FCC Ch 7; Park WHG Intro and Ch. 4 RC: Lohse SHCD Ch. 4; Thomas & Wondra IT Ch. 9 Christ RQ: McGrath, Christian Theology: Introduction Ch 11 (handout) RC: Ruether SGT Ch. 5
11 Christ RQ: Inbody FCC Ch 8; Cone BLT Ch. 6 RC: Thomas & Wondra IT Ch. 10 Salvation RQ: Inbody FCC Ch 9: 216-234; Park WHG Ch. 6 (handout) RC: Thomas & Wondra IT Ch. 11 18 Justification RQ: Inbody FCC Ch 9; Thomas & Wondra IT Ch. 12 RC: Park WHG Ch. 5; Lohse SHCD Ch. 6 Holy Spirit & Sanctification RQ: Inbody FCC Ch 9 and 10 (I) RC: Vickers, Holiness and Mediation ; Davis, Engaging Amos Young s Foundational Pneumatology... (Handout), Thomas & Wondra IT Ch. 14 Nov. 24-28 Reading Week & Thanksgiving Break Dec. 2 Election & Predestination RQ: Thomas & Wondra IT Ch. 13 History & Eschatology RQ: Inbody FCC Ch 12 (I-IV) RC: Thomas & Wondra IT Chs. 15 & 16 Dec. 6 *The Final Paper due. 9 Church RQ: Inbody FCC Ch 10 (II-V); Cone BTL Ch. 7 RC: Thomas & Wondra IT Ch. 17 Sacraments RQ: Inbody FCC Ch 11 (II-V); Thomas & Wondra IT Ch. 18 RC: Lohse SHCD Ch.5 16 Worship & Ministry RQ: Inbody FCC Ch 11 (I); Thomas & Wondra IT Chs. 19 & 20 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 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. VIII: USING ONLINE RESOURCES For information about how to access UnitedOnline and where to find help if you need it may be found on the seminary website at http://online.united.edu/. Help guides are also available in the student computer lab and in the Student Handbook. IX. METHOD OF DETERMINING FINAL GRADE: 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 guideline sheets for preparation before the group oral exams. You will turn in your answers after the exams. These exams are only for pass or fail. 3. Each student should turn in two research term papers (8-11 pages). Their due dates are Nov 1 st (an email copy) and Dec 6 th (an email copy). An alternative to the submissions of two papers is to turn in one large paper (16-22). You should select a subdivided topic from any major doctrines, not from social problems, ethical issues, or major figures. Present the views of two or three other major theologians with critical reflection (positive or negative criticisms) and then articulate your own idea while integrating theirs. It is crucial and necessary for you to present your own position.
Any plagiarism will cause dismissal from United. The criteria of grading are the depth of research, analytic and synthetic abilities, originality, insight, accuracy, coherence, & lucidity. Late papers will be downgraded. They must be typewritten and double-spaced. Adhere to the guidelines of the Turabian style in the 7 th or 8 th edition (http://www.press.uchicago.edu/books/turabian/turabian_citationguide.html and http://www.eturabian.com/turabian/index.html). 4. 4. 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 30% Mid-term Paper 35% Semester Paper 35% Mid-term Exam Pass/Fail Final Exam Pass/Fail Total 100% X. REFERENCES: 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, 1998. Baker, Heidi. Compelled by Love. Charisma House, 2008. Barth, Karl. Evangelical Theology: An Introduction. New York: Holt Rinehart and Winston, 1963.. Dogmatics in Outline. London: SCM Press, 1949. Bohler, Caroline. God the What (GTW). Skylight Paths, 2008. Brock, Rita, Journeys by heart : a Christology of erotic power. New York : Crossroad, 1988.
Cobb, John, The Process Perspective. Jeanyne Slettom, ed. St. Louis: Chalice, 2003. Evans, James H. We Have Been Believers : An African-American Systematic Theology. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1992. Ford, David. Theology : A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: New York, 2000. Giannaras, Chrestos. Elements of Faith : An Introduction to Orthodox Theology. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1991. González, Justo L. Christian Thought Revisited : Three Types of Theology. Maryknoll, N.Y.: Orbis Books, 1999.. Mañana : Christian Theology from a Hispanic Perspective. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1990. González, Justo L., and Zaida Maldonado Pérez. An Introduction to Christian Theology. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2002. Grenz, Stanley J., and John R. Franke. Beyond Foundationalism : Shaping Theology in a Postmodern Context. Louisville, Ky.: Westminster John Knox Press, 2001. Grenz, Stanley, and Roger E. Olson. Who Needs Theology? : An Invitation to the Study of God. Downers Grove, Ill., USA: InterVarsity Press, 1996. Grudem, Wayne, Systematic Theology. Zondervan, 2009. Hanson, Bradley. Introduction to Christian Theology. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1997. Hart, Trevor A. Faith Thinking : The Dynamics of Christian Theology. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1996. Hodgson, Peter Crafts, and Robert Harlen King, eds. Christian Theology : An Introduction to Its Traditions and Tasks. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1994. Jinkins, Michael. Invitation to Theology. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 2001. Johnson, Bill and Clark, Randy. The Essential Guide to Healing, Minneapolis: Chosen, 2011. Keller, Catherine From a broken web : separation, sexism, and self. Boston : Beacon Press, c1986. McGrath, Alister E. Christian Theology: An Introduction. 3rd ed. Oxford: Malden MA, 2001.
Migliore, Daniel L. Faith Seeking Understanding: An Introduction to Christian Theology. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2004. Murphy, Nancey C. Beyond Liberalism and Fundamentalism : How Modern and Postmodern Philosophy Set the Theological Agenda. Valley Forge, Pa.: Trinity Press International, 1996. Pannenberg, Wolfhart. An Introduction to Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids, Mich.: W.B. Eerdmans, 1991. 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, 1991. Sölle, Dorothee. Thinking About God : An Introduction to Theology. London SCM Press: Philadelphia, 1990. Stone, Howard W., and James O. Duke. How to Think Theologically. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1996. Marjorie Hewitt Suchocki. God, Christ, Church : a practical guide to process theology. New York : Crossroad, 1982. Marshall, Molly, Joining the Dance: A Theology of the Spirit. Valley Forge: Judson Press, 2003. McGrath, Alister E. Christian Theology: An Introduction. Chichester, West Sussex: Wiley-Blackwell, 2001. Tanner, Kathryn. Jesus, Humanity and the Trinity: A Brief Systematic Theology. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2001. Tillich, Paul, Systematic Theology 3 vols. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Vickers, Jason. Minding the Good Ground. Waco: Baylor University Press, 2011. Ware, Frederick L. Methodologies of Black Theology. Cleveland, Ohio: Pilgrim Press, 2002. Watson, David and Abraham, William. Key United Methodist Church Beliefs. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2011.