DESCRIPTION: This course provides an overview of the Christian beliefs about Christ, the Spirit, and the Christian experience of salvation. These topics will be considered in the context of a Trinitarian theology articulated in a systematic framework, in dialogue with contemporary ecumenical and contextual/intercultural perspectives.

COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: This course is designed to help the students acquire (1) a basic understanding of the issues in their contemporary expressions and how historical developments have led to the current approach; (2) skills towards developing a personal theology in dialogue with various views and the practices of the church; (3) an ability to recognize the implications of the Christian faith for the broader ecumenical, cultural and religious diversity, and engage positions other than their own in a constructive manner.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Participants will be stimulated to develop an ability to think theologically that will prepare them to address issues they encounter in their ministry in light of the Bible and of the far-reaching theological wisdom of the church.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet weekly in a three-hour session for lectures and discussions.

REQUIRED READING:

CHOOSE ONE foundational text:

Grenz, S. J. Theology for the Community of God. Eerdmans, 2000 (pp. 243-460; preferred text).

Berkhof, L. Systematic Theology. Eerdmans, 1939; reprint 1991 (pp. 305-553).

Erickson, M. J. Christian Theology. 2nd ed. Baker, 2003 (pp. 677-1032).

Pannenberg W. Systematic Theology. Vol. 2. Eerdmans, 1994 (pp. 277-464).

OR Choose another systematic theology text and obtain instructor's approval no later than the first day of class.

CHOOSE TWO topical texts:

Green, J. B., and M. D. Baker. Recovering the Scandal of the Cross. InterVarsity Press, 2000.

Kärkkäinen, V.-M. One with God: Salvation as Deification and Justification. Liturgical Press, 2004.

Shults, F. L., and Sandage, S. J. The Faces of Forgiveness. Baker, 2003.
OR Blue, K. Authority to Heal. InterVarsity Press, 1987.

Weinandy, T. G. In the Likeness of Sinful Flesh: An Essay on the Humanity of Christ. T&T Clark, 1993.

OR chose another text and obtain instructor's approval no later than the first day of class.

CHOOSE ONE contextual/intercultural/interreligious text (150 pp.):

Barr, W. R. Constructive Christian Theology in the Worldwide Church. Eerdmans, 1997.

Comblin, J. The Holy Spirit and Liberation. Orbis, 1989.

Cone, J. H. A Black Theology of Liberation. 2nd ed. Orbis, 1986.

Greene-McCreight K. Feminist Reconstructions of Christian Doctrine. Oxford University Press, 2000.

Parsons, S. F., ed. The Cambridge Companion to Feminist Theology. Cambridge Univ. Press, 2002.

Pinnock, C. A. Flame of Love: A Theology of the Holy Spirit. InterVarsity Press, 1993.

Ramachandra, V. The Recovery of Mission: Beyond the Pluralist Paradigm. Paternoster, 1996.

Tiessen, T. L. Who Can Be Saved? Reassessing Salvation in Christ & World Religions. IVP, 2004.

Yong, A. Beyond the Impasse: Toward a Pneumatological Theology of Religions. Baker, 2003.

OR chose another text and obtain instructor's approval no later than the first day of class.