DESCRIPTION: A survey of the major developments in theology since the Protestant Reformation, with emphases on English Puritanism, Protestant Orthodoxy, Pietism, Wesleyanism, and the dialogue with Enlightenment and post-Enlightenment thought from Schleiermacher through Barth, Vatican II, and the rise of contextual theologies.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: There are four objectives to this course. First, that students become familiar with the central theological doctrines and developments in post-Reformation Protestantism as well as those that resulted from cultural shifts provoked by the Enlightenment and its modern legacy. Second, that students gain an understanding of the theological controversies of the period from diverse points of view, including the perspectives of the original participants and those of historians today. Third, that students practice the close reading of selected primary sources in order to analyze and faithfully articulate the theological arguments of a historical text. Fourth, that students reflect on the perennial nature of the doctrinal controversies that shaped Christian identity in this period as these doctrines and practices have engendered contemporary Christian diversity and ecumenical conversation.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: By introducing a significant body of theological and historical data, the course seeks to lead students to a broader perspective on their own ecclesiastical traditions, beliefs, and practices, as well as to a sympathetic appreciation for the unity and diversity of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church of which they are a part. Intensive work in primary sources will help students to acquire an improved facility in the analysis of theological arguments and an increased ability to articulate the meaning of the Christian faith in its historical development--skills that will also benefit the student's reading, understanding, and exposition of Scripture itself.

COURSE FORMAT: Class will meet twice weekly in two-hour sessions for four hours of lecture per week, with occasional discussion sessions devoted to student papers as assigned (below).

REQUIRED READING:

Hägglund, Bengt. History of Theology. Rev. ed. Concordia, 2007 [140 pp. read].

Lessing, Gotthold. Lessing's Theological Writings. Ed. Henry Chadwick. Stanford, 1956 [75 pp. read].

Packet of photocopied readings, available from bookstore. (This packet includes major excerpts from the Westminster Assembly, James Arminius, John Wesley, Friedrich Schleiermacher, Karl Barth, the Second Vatican Council, and James Cone.) [509 pp.]

Web-based articles on recent theological trends, available at <www.fuller.edu/library/> [100 pp.].

Cross, F. L. The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 3rd ed. Oxford, 1997.

Douglas, J. D. The New International Dictionary of the Christian Church. Paternoster Press, 1978.

González, Justo L. A History of Christian Thought. Vols. 2-3. Abingdon, 1987.

Muller, Richard A. Dictionary of Latin and Greek Theological Terms. Baker, 1985.

Placher, William C. A History of Christian Theology. Westminster, 1983.

1. Assigned readings, to be completed as preparation for lectures.

2. Three short papers on primary source readings; each 20% of course grade.

3. Comprehensive final examination; 40% of course grade.