DESCRIPTION: This course explores four major themes in Systematic Theology: (1) the sources and norms for speaking intelligibly and credibly about the Christian God (revelation and authority); (2) the nature and character of the Christian God (theology proper); (3) the experience of God in creation and its sustainment (creation and providence); (4) the experience of God in ourselves and our fellow human beings (anthropology, the fall, evil and sin).

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Participants will work toward developing a personal theological framework to use as a tool to think theologically through the topics of the class. A personal theological framework and ability to think theologically are essential for all aspects of Christian life and ministry.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have demonstrated (1) a basic understanding of the issues under discussion in their theological development and in their contemporary expression; (2) ability to evaluate and articulate aspects of their experience of God theologically; (3) ability to recognize and evaluate the implications of the Christian faith for ministry in diverse ecumenical, cultural, and religious contexts.

FORMAT: The class will meet twice a week for five weeks, in four-hour sessions for lectures and discussions.

REQUIRED READING:

*Dyrness, W. & Kärkkäinen, V.-M., eds., Global Dictionary of Theology. InterVarsity Press, 2008 (selected required and recommended entries) 996 pp. ISBN: 9780830824540. Retail price: $50.00.

Migliore, Daniel. Faith Seeking Understanding: An Introduction to Christian Theology. 2nd ed. Eerdmans, 2004. 439pp. (pp. 1-162, 301-329). ISBN: 9780802827876. Publisher price: $27.00.

Kärkkäinen, Veli-Matti. The Doctrine of God: A Global Introduction. Baker Academic, 2004. 315pp. ISBN: 0801027527. Publisher price: $21.99.

Schwarz, Hans. Creation. Eerdmans, 2002. 254 pp. ISBN: 0802860664. Publisher price: $29.00.

Choose one text on a special topic (interactive book review required):

Beilby, J.K. & P.R. Eddy. Divine Foreknowledge: Four Views. InterVarsity Press, 2001, 221 pp. ISBN-13: 978-0830826520. Publisher price: $20.00.

Bouma-Prediger, S. For the Beauty of the Earth: A Christian Vision for Creation Care. 2nd ed. Baker Academic. 240 pp. ISBN-13: 978-0801036958. Publisher price $24.99.

Fiddes, P. Participating in God: A Pastoral Doctrine of the Trinity. Westminster John Knox, 2001. 212 pp. ISBN: 9780664223359. Publisher price: $29.95.

McFadyen, A. Bound by Sin: Abuse, Holocaust and the Christian Doctrine of Sin. Cambridge University Press, 2000. 272 pp. ISBN: 9780521438681. Publisher price: $35.99.

McKim, D.K. The Bible in Theology & Preaching. Wipf & Stock, 1999, 250 pp. ISBN-13: 978-1579102449. Publisher price: $26.00.

Moltmann, J. The Trinity and the Kingdom: The Doctrine of God. SCM, 1991. 276 pp. ISBN: 9780800628253. Publisher price: $23.00.

Murphy, N. Bodies and Souls or Spirited Bodies? Cambridge, 2006. 164 pp. ISBN: 9780521676762. Publisher price: $25.99.

Pinnock, C. Most Moved Mover: A Theology of God's Openness. Baker, 2001. 218 pp. ISBN: 9780801022906. Publisher price: $24.00.

Plantinga, A. Not the Way It's Supposed to Be: A Breviary of Sin. Eerdmans, 1996. 216 pp. ISBN: 978-0802842183. Publisher price: $22.00.

Tupper, Frank E. A Scandalous Providence. Mercer University Press, 1995. 468 pp. ISBN: 0865544697. Retail price: $35.00.

Wink, Walter. Unmasking the Powers. Augsburg Fortress, 1993. 240pp. ISBN: 9780800619022. Publisher Price: $22.00.

Choose one contextual/intercultural/interreligious text (interactive book review required):

Boff, L. Trinity and Society. Orbis, 1988. 288 pp. ISBN: 9781597521383. Publisher price: $30.00.

Cone, J.H. God of the Oppressed. Orbis, 1997. 257 pp. ISBN: 9781570751585. Publisher price: $20.00.

Gonzáles, J. Mañana: Christian Theology from a Hispanic Perspective. Abingdon, 1990. 186 pp. ISBN: 9780687230679. Publisher price: $20.00.

Johnson, E. She Who Is: The Mystery of God in Feminist Theological Discourse. Continuum, 1992. 344 pp. ISBN: 9780824519254. Publisher price: $29.95.

Kimmel, A.F., Jr., ed. Speaking the Christian God: The Holy Trinity and the Challenge of Feminism. Eerdmans, 1992. 348 pp. ISBN: 9780802806123. Publisher price: $32.00.

McDermott, G. R. Can Evangelicals Learn from World Religions? InterVarsity Press, 2001. 233 pp. ISBN: 9780830822744. Publisher price: $18.00.

Parratt, J. Reinventing Christianity: African Theology Today. Eerdmans, 1995. 228 pp. ISBN: 9780802841131. Publisher price: $21.00.

Tennent, T.C. Christianity at the Religious Roundtable. Baker Academic, 2002. 270 pp. ISBN: 978-0801026027. Publisher price: $27.00.