DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to provide a foundational understanding of Christian beliefs about revelation and Scripture, the triune God, creation and providence, human beings as the image of God, and the fall, evil, and sin. Corollary current issues, such as Latino/a theological anthropology, human beings as male and female, ecology, and the relationship of Christian tradition to emerging religiosities will be discussed. On the basis of biblical and socio-historical developments, a contemporary Evangelical-Latino/a theology will be constructed in dialogue with ecumenical, contextual-intracultural, and traditional spiritualities.

COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have demonstrated (1) a foundational knowledge of the central doctrines of Christianity, particularly: revelation and Scripture, the trinity, creation and providence, the image of God in humanity, the fall, evil, and sin; (2) an understanding of the interrelated character of these doctrines as experienced and expressed within Latino/a religious communities; (3) an acquaintance with an ecumenical environment disclosing a range of cultural and historical variations informing a diverse and yet common ground for the practice of these Christian beliefs; (4) an ability to reflect theologically upon contemporary and controversial themes particularly, human sexuality, ecology, and emerging cultures; (5) an integrated experience where doctrine and spiritual practices forge a domestic-based spirituality for Latino/a ministry.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Christianity, as experienced and expressed within the religious geography of Latino/a communities, is multicontextual, multicultural, economically and socially challenging, in constant growth, and popular in character. Naturally then a sound biblico-doctrinal formation informed by traditional and contextual theological views and endowed by a domestic spirituality are vital for any ministry worker interested in impacting these communities and their greater contexts.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet weekly for three-hour sessions. Students are expected to study beforehand the required readings for the week and take part in assigned presentations.

REQUIRED READING:

Boff, Leonardo. La Santísima Trinidad es la mayor comunidad. Madrid: Paulina, 1988.

González, Justo L. y Zaida Maldonado Pérez. Introducción a la teología Cristiana. Abingdon, 2003.

Grudem, Wayne. Doctrina Bíblica: Enseñanzas esenciales de la fe cristiana. Miami: Vida, 2005

Jewett, Paul. El Hombre como varón y hembra. Miami: Caribe.

Moltmann, Jürgen. Dios en la creación. Salamanca, España: Sígueme, 1987.

_________. ¿Que es teología hoy? Salamanca, 1992.

Course Reader CD: selections from10 Devocionales Clásicos, by Richard Foster and James B. Smith.

1. Students are expected to have studied the reading assignment for the week in its entirety.

2. Each week students will prepare a two-page reflection paper based on the reading (40%).

3. Students will give class presentations on their "reflection essays" that articulate a personal critical response on the assigned topic as well as an illustration of how such a doctrinal expression is embodied in their own religious setting (10%).

4. A Personal Creedal Document (of doctrines discussed in this course), 10 pp. (20%).

5. A Final [Take Home] Exam (30%).