Winter 2010

FSW - Phoenix

ST 502

Glenn

ST502: SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY II.  Al Glenn.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

 

DESCRIPTION: The Study of theology seeks to help the student to understand the Christian faith by confronting him/her with its critical problems and orienting him/her in the basic biblical, historical and philosophical sources. This course will include a study of Christ and the provision of salvation through ChristÕs work: repentance, justification, conversion, atonement and the work of the Holy Spirit – sanctification.

 

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: It is crucial that students develop an orderly understanding of the major doctrinal themes of the Christian faith; that they think creatively in the theological arena as a means of clarifying and deepening Christian convictions and; that they apply these theological beliefs to the contemporary intellectual, ethical and social issues that confront those in ministry.

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have demonstrated (1) an orderly understanding of the major doctrinal themes of the Christian faith, (2) an understanding of the range of theological options and the reasons for this diversity; (2) creative thinking in the theological arena as a means of clarifying and deepening Christian convictions; (3) the ability to apply these theological beliefs to contemporary intellectual, ethical and social issues in their own experience and church setting; and (4) an understanding of the role of cultural diversity in theology.

 

COURSE FORMAT: Class will meet weekly over a period of 10 weeks, 3 hours per meeting for lecture and discussion.

 

REQUIRED READING:

á       Gundry, S. Ed. Four Views on Salvation in a Pluralistic World. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1995. [288 pp.] ISBN: 0310212766.

á       Oden, Thomas C. The Word of Life: Systematic Theology, Vol. 2. San Francisco: HarperCollins, 1992. [608 pp.] ISBN: 0060663642.

á       Oden, Thomas C. Life in the Spirit: Systematic Theology, Vol. 3. San Francisco: HarperCollins, 1992. [548 pp.] ISBN: 0060663499.

á       Olson, Roger E. The Westminster Handbook to Evangelical Theology. Louisville: JohnKnox, 2004. ISBN: 0664224644.

á       Collateral Resource: Karkkainen,Veli-Matti.  Christology. A Global Introduction. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2003. ISBN: 0801026210. [Must Read: Christ in the Contemporary World: Contextual Christologies (Part 4)] 

 

ASSIGNMENTS:

Theological Position Statements:

(Nature of paper and due dates given in class, including grading critera.)

1.     The nature of the unity of the person of Jesus Christ as God-Man. Exegesis of Phil. 2:5-8. Relevance for atonement? 7 pages.  (15%)

2.     Salvation: Regeneration, conversion, repentance, faith, justification and atonement. Approx. 3 pages per topic. (30%)

3.     Sanctification. Be very specific. HOW do we grow in Christ-likeness. Also, the relation between faith and works. 7 pages. (15%)

Type your position statements as if this were a summary of you Statement of Faith for Ordination.  This is YOUR theology – what you believe – not Oden, Olson, or Glenn. You may quote these and other sources sparingly.  You must use Scripture and sound reason.

4.     Salvation

a.Summary of HickÕs Pluralism. Very precise! In your own words. Do not quote text. Paraphrase if need be. Not a critique! Summary to show you accurately understand this position. Get it right!

b. Summary of PinnockÕs Inclusivism.

c. Critiques of the following: Hick, Pinnock, and Particularism or Exclusivism.

d.Your theological view of the issue of salvation.  (40%)

 

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: MDiv.: STB; MAT: STB; MACL: STB

FINAL EXAMINATION: No.                                                      

 

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification.