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-and-a-half-hour sessions. Students are expected to study beforehand the required readings for the week and take part in assigned presentations.

REQUIRED READING:

Boff, Leonardo. Gracia y experiencia humana. Trotta, 2001

Canobbio, Giacomo. Pequeño diccionario de teología. Sígueme, 1996

Foster, Richard, and James B. Smith., eds. Devocionales clásicos. Mundo Hispano, 2004.

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.

Moltmann, Jürgen. El Espíritu de la Vida. Sígueme, 1998.

Ropero, Alfonso. Filosofía y Cristianismo. Clie, 1997

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 pages (20%).

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