Southern Methodist University Christian Theology: Faith Seeking Understanding RELI 3304-001 January 2018 Dr. James Kang Hoon Lee Assistant Professor of the History of Early Christianity Office: 210A Selecman Hall Office Hours: By Appointment Contact: jklee@smu.edu, (214) 768-1400 Course Description This course is an introduction to the academic discipline of Christian theology as faith seeking understanding (fides quaerens intellectum, following Anselm of Canterbury) through the study of primary sources, including Scripture Old and New Testaments and the writings of the Christian tradition. Emphasis will be placed on the grasp of fundamental theological concepts through an engagement with primary texts in their historical contexts. Students will also gain facility in reading the Bible through interpretive lenses (i.e. Jewish and Christian commentaries) while exploring the development of Christian doctrine according to major controversies and councils in the Church (e.g. Nicaea I, Constantinople I, Chalcedon, Trent). The goals of the course are: 1. To introduce students to the discipline of theology as faith seeking understanding ; 2. To provide students with a basic knowledge of the sources of Christian theology; 3. To gain facility with various hermeneutical approaches to Scripture (historical-critical, literary, figurative, etc.); 4. To acquaint students with major doctrinal developments and theological achievements in the history of Christianity, and to identify what is at stake in certain theological claims; 5. To explore the relationship between theology and history, with attention to historical contexts, and to consider how theology may transcend historical limits; 6. To assist students in their investigation of major issues, challenges, and questions. Student Learning Outcomes 1. Students will describe, explain and/or employ some of the principles and theoretical methods of religious studies/christian theology. 2. Students will demonstrate the ability to critically reflect on or apply methods, theories, or principles of religious studies/christian theology via a focus on a specific area of or set of issues (see goals of the course above).
2 Course Requirements 1. Attendance. Attendance and timeliness are required. Class will begin promptly. Absences and habitual tardiness will result in grade reduction at the instructor s discretion. 2. Class Participation and Short Papers: 50%. Students will engage primary texts, and must come to class prepared to discuss the readings. To that end, students are required to write a brief paper (at least 1 page, no more than 2 pages, approx. 300-600 words) for each unit of readings. NB: These are NOT reflection papers or descriptive papers. They must contain a coherent thesis that explains the meaning of the primary text/s. They may also raise questions about the reading. These papers will be used as part of our discussion, and they will be turned in at the end of each class. Each short paper will receive a grade of,, +, or -. In order to receive full credit for this portion of the course, one must receive 8. For every missing, there is a corresponding drop in the grade (e.g. 7 = B, 6 = C, etc.). If one receives 3 +, one will receive credit for an additional. In addition, the instructor reserves the right to administer pop quizzes on any class day. 3. Final Exam: 50%. The final exam will consist of key terms and concepts, passage identification, and a comprehensive essay. Classroom Technology Policy Laptop computers may be used for word processing purposes only; no web-surfing in class. Please put away cell phones and refrain from use (except for emergencies). The instructor reserves the right to confiscate laptops, cell phones, or any other devices used inappropriately in class. Required Texts The Holy Bible. Any translation is acceptable; preferred translation is Revised Standard Version. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2005. ISBN: 978-0898708332. Augustine. Confessions. Maria Boulding, tr. 2nd ed. The Works of Saint Augustine: A Translation for the 21st Century; pt. 1, v.1. Hyde Park: New City Press, 2012. ISBN 9781565484450. Ratzinger, Joseph (Pope Benedict XVI). In the Beginning : A Catholic Understanding of the Story of Creation and Fall. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995. ISBN 978-0802841063. All other readings are available on Canvas [C] Grade Scale 94-100= A 80-83= B- 60-69= D 90-93= A- 77-79= C+ 0-59= F 87-89= B+ 74-76= C 84-86= B 70-73= C- Students are expected to abide by the SMU Student Honor Code. Plagiarism of any kind is prohibited. For further details, see the University Catalogue.
3 Course Schedule The course will meet Monday, January 8-Thursday, January 18, from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. daily. We will not meet MLK holiday weekend (January 13-15). Monday, January 8: Christian Theology Part I: What is Theology? Read: Anselm [+ 1109], Proslogion, Preface: Faith Seeking Understanding ; Thomas Aquinas [+ 1274], Summa Theologiae, Q. 1, A. 1, What is sacra doctrina? ; Aidan Nichols, The Habit of Theology, from The Shape of Catholic Theology [C] Recommended Reading (not required): Robert Sokolowski, The God of Faith & Reason, Beginning with Anselm [C] Part II: Faith & Reason The Sources of Theology Read: Selections from Fides et Ratio [C]; Selections from Second Vatican Council, Dogmatic Constitution on Revelation, Dei Verbum [C] Recommended Reading: Joseph Ratzinger, Belief in the World of Today, from Introduction to Christianity [C] Tuesday, January 9: God & Creation in the Bible Part I: Creation in the Old Testament Read: Genesis 1 2:3; Joseph Ratzinger, In the Beginning, pp.1-39; Augustine [+430], The Literal Meaning of Genesis [C] Recommended Reading: Enuma Elish Catholic Study Bible Reader s Guide (RG) 92-93 ( The Fruits of Source Criticism ); Leon Kass, Evolution and the Bible: Genesis 1 Revisited, Commentary 86 (Nov 1988):29-39 [C] Part II: Adam and Eve Read: Genesis 2:4 3:24; James L. Kugel, The Bible as it Was, Adam and Eve, pp. 67-82 [C]; Joseph Ratzinger, In the Beginning, pp. 41-74 Recommended Reading: Joseph Ratzinger, The Consequences of Faith in Creation, from In the Beginning, pp. 79-; Stephen Barr, Evolution, Darwin, and Catholic Belief [C] Wednesday, January 10: The Bible & Scriptural Interpretation Part I: Marcionism & Gnosticism Read: Marcion, Antitheses; The Reality of the Rulers [C] Part II: Early Christian Soteriology
4 Read: Irenaeus of Lyons, Against Heresies; Origen, On First Principles, Homily 27 on Numbers [C] Recommended Reading: Jaroslav Pelikan, Whose Bible is It?, pp. 29-47, 100-117; Luke Timothy Johnson, The New Testament as the Church s Book [C] Thursday, January 11: The Early Church Part I: The Church & Martyrdom Read: Selections from letters of Ignatius of Antioch; Martyrdom of Perpetua and Felicitas [C] Part II: Early Christian Worship & Liturgy Read: Justin Martyr, Apology; The Didache; Robert Louis Wilken, The Spirit of Early Christian Thought [C] Friday, January 12: Trinity & Incarnation Part I: Arianism, Christology, & Trinity Read: Arius, Letter to Eusebius, Letter to Alexander; Athanasius, Against the Arians Book I; Creed of Nicea; Augustine, The Trinity [C] Part II: Incarnation & Christology Read: Gregory of Nazianzus [+390], Theological Orations; Nestorius and Cyril, Letters; Council of Chalcedon [C] Monday, January 15: NO CLASS (Read Augustine, Confessions, Books 1-9) Tuesday, January 16: Grace & Human Freedom Part I: Augustine Read: Augustine, Confessions, Books 1-9 Part II: Augustine continued Read: Augustine, On Nature and Grace; City of God; Exposition [2] of Psalm 30 [C] Wednesday, January 17: Medieval Mysticism Part I: Bonaventure & the Franciscans Read: Bonaventure [+1274], The Mind s Road to God; 4 th Lateran Council [C] Part II: Women Mystics Read: Hildegard of Bingen [+1179], Scivias; Catherine of Siena [+1380], The Dialogue Thursday, January 18: Reformations & Modern Theology Part I: Luther, Calvin, Trent
5 Read: Martin Luther [+1546], The Babylonian Captivity of the Church; John Calvin [+1564] & Trent, A Reformation Debate [C] Part II: Reform in Spain and France Read: Teresa of Avila [+1582], The Life of Teresa of Jesus; John of the Cross [+1591], Dark Night of the Soul, Sayings of Light and Love; Thérèse of Lisieux [+1897], Story of a Soul [C] Disability Accommodations Students needing academic accommodations for a disability must first register with Disability Accommodations & Success Strategies (DASS). Students can call 214-768-1470 or visit http://www.smu.edu/provost/alec/dass to begin the process. Once registered, students should then schedule an appointment with the professor as early in the semester as possible, present a DASS Accommodation Letter, and make appropriate arrangements. Please note that accommodations are not retroactive and require advance notice to implement.