DESCRIPTION:

The doctrines of ecclesiology and eschatology will be treated with reference to their biblical, classical, and contemporary theological expressions. The course is intended to challenge students to develop their own understanding of the nature and life of the church, ministry, sacraments, death, resurrection, judgment, heaven and hell.

This course is designed to provide the student with an overview of principal doctrines of the Christian faith. Such knowledge is deemed essential to the ministry of preaching and teaching in the church of Christ and helpful in the daily living of the Christian life.

The course will consist of lectures (approximately two and a half hours a week) and discussion (approximately half an hour a week). Lectures will not cover the whole material that belongs to Systematic Theology III (and is listed in the above course description) but will rather concentrate on key eschatological problems. Discussion time is designated to help the students with comprehension of the reading materials.

Grenz, S. J. Theology for the Community of God. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1994 (pp. 603-859).

Moltmann, J. The Coming of God. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1996.

Hauerwas, S. and H. Willimon. Resident Aliens. Nashville: Abingdon, 1989.

Volf, M. Work in the Spirit: Toward a Theology of Work. New York: Oxford University Press, 1991, (pp. 88-122).

Volf, M. Photocopied material.

Hick, J. Death and Eternal Life. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1980.

Küng, H. The Church. Garden City: Doubleday, 1976.

Moltmann, J. Church in the Power of the Spirit. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1977.

Ratzinger, J. Principles of Catholic Theology: Building Stones for a Fundamental Theology. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1987.

Zizioulas, J. Being as Communion. Crestwood: St. Vladimir's Press, 1985.

Wallis, J. The Soul of Politics. Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 1994.

Short papers, midterm quiz, and a take-home exam. In lieu of short papers and the midterm, students who have previously taken overview courses in Christian doctrine may write a research paper.

None.

Meets M. Div. core requirement in Systematic Theology III (STC).

Take-home.