DESCRIPTION: This course is specially designed to introduce Psychology students to the discipline of theology, with the aim of helping participants develop as constructive Christian theologians. Topics that will be considered include (1) theological method, (2) revelation, (3) God, (4) creation/ providence, and (5) humankind. The course is intended to challenge SOP students to develop and appropriate their own understanding of these topics in the context of their professional preparation.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have demonstrated (1) a basic understanding of the theological topics stated above; (2) an ability to engage in theological dialogue on these topics in light of their professional preparation; (3) skill in developing one's own theology using Bible, history, one's church community, experience, and culture; (4) an appreciation of theology's ecumenical and cultural diversity.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Understanding the principal doctrines of the faith, as well as how to think theologically, is foundational to any integrative work as a Christian health care professional.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet weekly for a three-hour session for lecture, discussion, media presentations, and small group activity.

REQUIRED READING:

Grenz, S. J. Theology for the Community of God. Eerdmans, 2000 (215 pp.).
or Placher, W. C., ed. Essentials of Christian Theology. Westminster John Knox, 2003 (175 pp.).

Johnson, Elizabeth. Quest for the Living God. Continuum, 2007 (228 pp.).
or Gutiérrez, Gustavo. The God of Life. Orbis, 1991 (189 pp.).

Johnston, Robert K. Doing Theology. (Available in the Fuller bookstore; 200 pp.).

Marshall, I. Howard. Beyond the Bible. Baker, 2004 (127 pp.).

Murphy, Nancey. Bodies and Souls, Or Spirited Bodies? Cambridge University Press, 2006 (147 pp.).

Pinnock, Clark. Most Moved Mover. (186 pp.) Baker, 2001.

Scholer, David. Women in Ministry. Covenant Publications, 1983-1984 (10 pp.).

Course Reader of selected articles and stories; films; biblical texts; FTS Statement of Faith (150 pp.).

Thompson, John. Reading the Bible with the Dead. Eerdmans, 2007 (227 pp.).
or Theissen, Gerd. The Bible and Contemporary Culture. Fortress, 2007 (152 pp.).

An Inconvenient Truth (d. Guggenheim, 2006).
and Bouma-Prediger, Steven. For the Beauty of the Earth. Baker Academic, 2001 (174 pp.).

Anderson, Ray. On Being Human. Fuller Theological Seminary Press, 1982 (226 pp.).
or Gonzalez, Michelle. Created in God's Image. Orbis, 2007 (184 pp.).

George, Timothy, ed. God the Holy Trinity. Baker Academic, 2006 (155 pp.).
or Migliore, Daniel. The Power of God and the God of Power. Westminster John Knox, 2008 (133 pp.).

González, Justo. Mañana: Christian Theology from a Hispanic Perspective. Abingdon, 1990 (167 pp.).
or Koyama, Kosuke. Waterbuffalo Theology. Orbis, 1974 (215 pp.).