Spring 2018/Pasadena

ET552

Kim

ET552: THEOLOGY IN THE PUBLIC SPHERE (4 Units: 160 hours). Dr. Sebastian Kim.

DESCRIPTION: This course examines the nature, rationale and methodologies of public theology by exploring appropriate public engagement of theology in contemporary society. It employs biblical, historical, theological and socio-political methodologies to examine theoretical considerations and practical engagement of Christian churches in the public sphere. It will develop a definition of public theology as critical, reflective and reasoned engagement of theology in the wider society. Topics to be covered include the following: biblical and theological concepts of the public sphere; public theology in Christian tradition; methodologies of public theology; issues of public theology including Christian peace-making, ecological crisis, economic justice, and secular politics.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: By the end of this course students will be able to (1) reflect biblically and theologically on the engagement of theology in the public sphere; (2) Discuss the methodology of public theology with reference to specific contexts and academic disciplines; (3) demonstrate a critical awareness of the application of Christian theology to particular issues in the socio-political, cultural, and economic spheres; and (4) apply skills of critical interpretation and analysis to various public issues relating to Christian theology.

COURSE FORMAT: This class meets once per week for three-hour sessions for a total of 30 hours of classroom instruction in the forms of lectures and discussion plus 10 hours of directed learning activities for a total of 40 instructional hours.

REQUIRED READING: A total of 1,200 pages of reading is required.

Benne, Robert. The Paradoxical Vision: A Public Theology for the Twenty-first Century. Fortress Press, 1995. ISBN: 978-0800627942, Pub. Price $22.00 (available in the library) [110 pp. assigned].

Cady, Linell E. Religion, Theology, and American Public Life. SUNY, 1993. ISBN: 978-0791413043, Pub. Price $31.95 (available in the library) [118 pp. assigned].

Graham, Elaine. Between A Rock and A Hard Place: Public Theology in a Post-Secular Age. SCM Press, 2013. ISBN: 978-0334045984, Pub. Price $88.00 (available in the library) [106 pp. assigned].

Kim, Sebastian. Theology in the Public Sphere. SCM Press, 2011. ISBN: 978-0334043775, Pub. Price $64.00 (available in the library) [90 pp. assigned].

Stackhouse, Max L. Public Theology and Political Economy: Christian Stewardship in Modern Society. University Press of America, 1991. ISBN: 978-0819183019, Pub. Price $55.99 (available in the library) [97 pp. assigned].

Storrar, William and Andrew Morton, eds. Public Theology for the 21st Century. T & T Clark, 2004. ISBN: 978-0567088925, Pub. Price $80.95 (available in the library) [150 pp. assigned].

Stott, John. Issues Facing Christians Today, 4th ed. Zondervan, 2006. ISBN: 978-0310252696, Pub. Price $19.99 (available in the library) [180 pp. assigned].

Williams, Rowan. Faith in the Public Square. Bloomsbury, 2012. ISBN: 978-1408187586, Pub. Price $29.95 [160 pp. assigned].

Selected articles from the International Journal of Public Theology (available in the library) [approximately 200 pages].

RECOMMENDED READING:

Bacote, Vincent E. The Spirit in Public Theology: Appropriating the Legacy of Abraham Kuyper. Wipf & Stock, 2010. ISBN: 978-1608999965, Pub. Price $22.00 (available in the library).

D'Costa, Gavin, Theology in the Public Square: Church, Academy and Nation. Blackwell, 2005. ISBN: 978-1405135108, Pub. Price $55.95 (available in the library).

de Gruchy, John. Christianity and Democracy: A Theology for a Just World Order. CUP, 1995. ISBN: 978-0521458412, Pub. Price $43.99 (available in the library).

Forrester, Duncan. Christian Justice and Public Policy. CUP, 1997. ISBN: 978-0521556118, Pub. Price $57.00 (available in the library).

Kim, Sebastian & Katie Day, eds. A Companion to Public Theology. Brill, 2017. ISBN: 978-9004336056, Pub. Price $172.00 (available in the library).

Mathewes, Charles. A Theology of Public Life. CUP, 2007. ISBN: 978-0521539906, Pub. Price $57.00 (available in the library).

Moltmann, Jürgen. God for a Secular Society: The Public Relevance of Theology. SCM Press, 1999. ISBN: 978-0800631840, Pub. Price $23.00 (available in the library).

Mouw, Richard J. Adventures in Evangelical Civility: A Lifelong Quest for Common Ground. Brazos Press, 2016. ISBN: 978-1587433917, Pub. Price $24.99 (available in the library).

Storkey, Alan. Jesus and Politics: Confronting the Powers. Baker Academic, 2005. ISBN: 978-0801027840, Pub. Price $30.00 (available in the library).

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. 1,200 pages of required reading (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1 & 2]. [80 hours].
  2. Class attendance and participation (10%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1-4]. [30 hours].
  3. Eight 250-word critical reflections, one per week for eight weeks of the course, posted to the online discussion forums on the reading, experience, and lecture topics. Two 125-word responses to classmates’ posts each week. (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1-3]. [16 hours of DLAs].
  4. One 600-word book review of any of the required or recommended reading (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-3] [4 hours].
  5. A research essay on an assigned topic [3,000 words] (40%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2, 3 & 4]. [30 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet the TH5 requirement in the 120 MDiv Program.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.

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.