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.
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: