Fall 2013/Pasadena

ST501

Johnston

ST501: SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY 1: THEOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY. Robert K. Johnston.

DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to introduce 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, (5) humankind, and (6) sin. The course is intended to challenge students to develop and appropriate their own understanding of these topics in the context of their professional preparation.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Understanding principal doctrines of the faith, as well as how to think theologically, is foundational for the Christian minister and to all integrative work by Christian professionals.

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 one’s 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.

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

REQUIRED READING:

González, Justo. Mañana: Christian Theology from a Hispanic Perspective. Abingdon, 1990. ISBN: 978-0687230679, Pub. Price $20.00 [167 pp.] OR Koyama, Kosuke. Waterbuffalo Theology. Orbis, 1974. ISBN: 978-0883447024, Pub. Price $24.00 [215 pp.].

Grenz, S. J. Theology for the Community of God. Eerdmans, 2000. ISBN: 978-0802847553, Pub. Price $40.00 [215 pp.] OR Placher, W. C., ed. Essentials of Christian Theology. Westminster John Knox, 2003. ISBN: 978-0664223953, Pub. Price $40.00 [175 pp.].

Johnson, Elizabeth. She Who Is. Crossroad Herder, 2002. ISBN: 978-0824511623, Pub. Price $30.00 [228 pp.] OR Gutiérrez, Gustavo. The God of Life. Orbis, 1991. ISBN: 978-0883447604, Pub. Price $28 [189 pp.] OR Volf, Miroslav. Allah: A Christian Perspective. HarperOne, 2011. ISBN: 978-0061927072, Pub. Price $15.00 [262 pp.].

Johnston, Robert K., ed. Doing Theology (PDF; 150 pp.).

Pinnock, Clark. Most Moved Mover. Baker, 2001. ISBN: 978-0801022906, Pub. Price $24.00 [186 pp.].

Plantinga, Cornelius. Not the Way It’s Supposed to Be. Eerdmans, 1995. ISBN: 978-0802842183, Pub. Price $22.00 [205 pp.].

Course Reader of articles/stories/films/biblical texts/FTS Statement of Faith (105 pp. & 2 films).

RECOMMENDED READING:

Wright, N. T. The Last Word: Scripture and the Authority of God. HarperOne, 2005. ISBN: 978-0060872618, Pub. Price $13.00 [146 pp.].
Or McKnight, Scott. The Blue Parakeet: Rethinking How to Read the Bible. Zondervan, 2008. ISBN: 978-0310284888, Pub. Price $19.00 [229 pp.].

Anderson, Ray. On Being Human. Fuller Theological Seminary Press, 1982. ISBN: 978-0802819260, Pub. Price $20.00 [226 pp.].
Or Joel Green, Body, Soul, and Human Life: The Nature of Humanity in the Bible. Baker Academic, 2008. ISBN: 978-0801035951, Pub. Price $22.00 [180 pp.].

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. Two 1-page outlines (5%), two 2-page (20%), two 3-page (20%), and one 5-page (15%) reviews of and interaction with selected readings/course material.

  2. Take-home final exam (30%).

  3. Class participation and required reading completed by class time (10%).

PREREQUISITES: None

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Systematic Theology “a” (STA); meets program requirement for MATM or MAT (effective Winter 2010).

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes, take-home final examination.


NOTE: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. Textbook prices are set by publishers and are subject to change.