Spring 2012
FNW-Seattle
ST503
Burton

 

DESCRIPTION: The doctrines of ecclesiology (the church) and eschatology (last things/hope for the future) will be addressed in light of the biblical witness, as well as their classical and contemporary formulations.

 

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE & MINISTRY: This course is designed to introduce the student to two essential and often controversial doctrines of the Christian faith (ecclesiology and eschatology). The ultimate goal of the course is that for the practice of true Christian worship, ministry and mission, each student will develop (1) a faithful and relevant contextualization of personal biblical/theological convictions, (2) a solid theological foundation in a time of great change, challenge and opportunity, and (3) an understanding of the theology and practice of the Christian sacraments, the issues of vocation and ordination and the theme of Christian hope.

 

COURSE GOALS/LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have demonstrated (1) a basic understanding of issues in their traditional and contemporary expressions; (2) an ability to reflect theologically upon the topics for this course; (3) skills towards developing one's own theology in critical dialogue with various views; (4) an acquaintance with a range of cultural and contextual matters that shape our understanding of theological issues; (5) an appreciation of ecumenical and cultural diversity.

 

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet 3 hours weekly for 10 weeks for a total of 30 hours. The content of the class will be a combination of lecture, discussion and other teaching methods as appropriate.

 

REQUIRED READING:

COMMON TEXTS TO ALL STUDENTS:

• Kärkkäinen, Veli-Matti. An Introduction to Ecclesiology. IVP. 2002. ISBN: 9780830826889 (233pp) $20.00.
• Bloesch, Donald. The Last Things. IVP. 2004. ISBN: 9780830827572 (265pp) $20.00.
• Tennent, Timothy. Theology in the Context of World Christianity How the Global Church Is Influencing the Way We Think about and Discuss Theology. Grand Rapids. Zondervan. 2007. 320pp. ISBN: 0310275113. $24.99.

CHOOSE ONE from each doctrinal heading as your PRIMARY AND SPECIFIC texts

For Ecclesiology:

• Jinkins, Michael. The Church Faces Death: Ecclesiology in a Post-Modern Context. Oxford. 1999. 9780195128406 (104 pp) $95.00.
• Johnson, Elizabeth A. Friends of God and Prophets: A Feminist Theological Reading of the Communion of Saints. Continuum, 1998. ISBN: 9780826411983 (486 pp) $36.95.
• Moltmann, Jürgen. The Church in the Power of the Spirit. Harper & Row, 1977. ISBN: 9780800628215 (407 pp) $25.00.
• Volf, Miroslav. After Our Likeness: The Church as the Image of the Trinity. Eerdmans, 1998. ISBN: 9780802844408 (326 pp) $32.00.

For Eschatology:

• Bauckham, Richard, and Trevor Hart (eds). Hope against Hope: Christian Eschatology in Contemporary Context. Eerdmans, 1999. ISBN: 9780802843913 (240 pp) $20.00.
• Braaten, Carl, and Robert Jenson, (eds). The Last Things. Eerdmans. 2002. ISBN: 9780802848789 (170pp) $18.00.
• Moltmann, Jürgen. The Coming of God. Fortress, 1996. ISBN: 9780800629588 (390 pp) (out of print. Will need to borrow from a library)
• Polkinghorne, John. The God of Hope and the End of the World. Yale. 2002. ISBN: 9780300098556 (150pp) $16.00.

 

RECOMMENDED READING: Other texts NOT chosen as primary texts from the above lists.

 

ASSIGNMENTS:

1.     20% Reading as required for each class period (background to lecture AND in order to engage in informed discussion) requiring to be recorded in a reading journal. Note: Karkkainen and Bloesch texts must be read prior to the first class meeting.

2.     60% (30% for each) Two 7-10 page research and reflection papers as assigned

3.     20% Final Exam (take home)

 

PREREQUISITES: None

 

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: MDiv, MA/BST: STC; MAT, MACL: ST

 

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes, a take home reflection/integration essay paper

 

Note: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design, but is subject to modification.                                                   (10/10)