DESCRIPTION: This course in an introduction to the doctrines of ecclesiology and eschatology, including the topics of worship, sacraments, death, resurrection, judgment, heaven and hell, and the nature and life of the church. The course is intended to provide students with the resources for developing their own understanding about these areas of Christian theology.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: A thoughtful understanding of the life and worship of the church is important to Christian ministry and will influence what is preached and taught. Therefore it is essential for students to begin forming a framework from which they will carry out their ministries as well as live their Christian lives. Students are encouraged to consider their own faith traditions in dialogue with others who may be from a different spiritual heritage.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have demonstrated (1) a basic understanding of key theological issues in their traditional and contemporary expressions; (2) an ability to reflect theologically upon the course topics; (3) skills towards developing one's own theology in critical dialogue with various views; and (4) an appreciation of ecumenical and cultural diversity.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet weekly for three-hour sessions. Class time will be divided among lectures, discussion, and student presentations.

REQUIRED READING:

Grenz, Stanley J. Theology for the Community of God. Eerdmans, 2000 (relevant sections). ISBN: 9780802847553. Pub.price: $40.00.

Kärkkäinen, Veli-Matti. An Introduction to Ecclesiology. InterVarsity Press, 2002. 238 pages. ISBN: 978-0-8308-2688-9. Pub. price: $20.00.

Bauckham, R. & T. Hart. Hope Against Hope. Eerdmans, 1999. 252 pages. ISBN: 978-0-8028-4391-3. Pub. price: $20.00.

A text on a special topic: choose one:

Farrow, Douglas. Ascension and Ecclesia. Eerdmans, 1999. 356 pages. ISBN: 978-0-8028-2791-3. Pub. price: $34.00.

Gelder, C. van, ed. Confident Witness. (Gospel and Culture Series.) Eerdmans, 1999. 332 pages. ISBN: 978-0-8028-4655-6. Pub. price: $29.00.

Grenz, S. J. The Millennial Maze. InterVarsity Press, 1994. 239 pages. ISBN: 978-0-8308-1757-3. Pub. price: $18.00.

George, T. Pilgrims on the Sawdust Trail: Evangelical Ecumenism. Baker, 2004. 240 pages. ISBN: 0801027640. Pub. price: $19.99.

Hauerwas, S. & Willimon, W. H. Resident Aliens: Life in the Christian Colony. Abingdon, 1989. 175 pages. ISBN: 9780687361595. Pub. price: $17.00.

Gibbs, E. & Bolger, R. K. Emerging Churches. Baker 2006. 352 pages. ISBN: 978-0801027154. Pub. price: $19.99.

Kärkkäinen, V.-M. Toward a Pneumatological Theology. Ed. Amos Yong. UPA, 2002. 316 pages. ISBN: 978-0761823896. Pub. price: $65.50.

Moltmann, Jürgen. The Church in the Power of the Spirit. Fortress, 1993. 430 pages. ISBN: 978-0800628215. Pub. price: $25.00.

__________. The Coming of God: Christian Eschatology. Fortress, 2004. 412 pages. ISBN: 978-0800636661. Pub. price: $25.00.

Newbigin, L. The Gospel in a Pluralistic Society. Eerdmans, 1989. 255 pages. ISBN: 978-0802804266. Pub. price: $24.00.

Schwartz, H. Eschatology. Eerdmans, 2000. ISBN: 978-0-8028-4733-1. 448 pages. Pub. price: $26.00.

Stackhouse, J. G., ed. Evangelical Ecclesiology: Reality or Illusion? Baker 2003. 240 pages. ISBN: 978-0801026539. Pub. price: $24.00.

Volf, M. After Our Likeness: The Church as the Image of God. Eerdmans, 1998. 314 pages. ISBN: 978-0-8028-4440-8. Pub. price: $32.00.

A contextual and/or intercultural text (sections relevant for the course): choose one:

Anderson, A. African Reformation: African Initiated Christianity in the Twentieth Century. Africa World Press, 2000. 300 pages. ISBN: 978-0865438842. Pub. price: $24.95.

Barr, W.R. Constructive Christian Theology in the Worldwide Church. Eerdmans, 1997. 553 pages. ISBN: 978-0802841438. Pub. price: $39.00.

Boff, L. Ecclesiogenesis: The Base Communities Reinvent the Church. Orbis, 1986. 115 pages. ISBN: 9780883442142. Pub. price: $22.00.

Evans, J. We Have Been Believers: An African American Systematic Theology. Augsburg Fortress, 1993. 192 pages. ISBN: 978-0800626723. Pub. price: $20.00.

Farley, M. & S. Jones, eds. Liberating Eschatology: Essays in Honor of Letty M. Russell. Westminster John Knox, 1999. 280 pages. ISBN: 978-0664257880. Pub. price: $29.95

González, J. Mañana: Christian Theology from a Hispanic Perspective. Abingdon, 1990. 186 pages. ISBN: 9780687230679. Pub. price: $20.00.

Mbiti, J. New Testament Eschatology in an African Background. Oxford University Press, 1971. 228 pages. ISBN: 978-0198216599.

Oduyoye, M. A. & M. Kanyoro, eds. The Will to Arise: Women, Tradition, and the Church in Africa. Wipf & Stock, 1992. 230 pages. ISBN: 978-1597524742. Pub. price: $26.00.

Parratt, J. Reinventing Christianity: African Theology Today. Eerdmans, 1995. 228 pages. ISBN: 978-0-8028-4113-1. Pub. price: $21.00.

Parsons, S.F., ed. The Cambridge Companion to Feminist Theology. Cambridge University Press, 2002.288 pages. ISBN: 978-0521663809. Pub. price: $32.99.

Russell, L. M. Church in the Round: Feminist Interpretation of the Church. Westminster John Knox, 1993. 256 pages. ISBN: 978-0664250706. Pub. price: $30.00.

Schüssler Fiorenza, E. Discipleship of Equals: Critical Feminist Ekklesia-logy of Liberation. Crossroad, 1993. 384 pages. ISBN: 978-0824512446. Pub. price: $29.95.