DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to provide an introduction to Christian beliefs about the person and work of Jesus Christ; the Holy Spirit; justification and sanctification; election; and the life of faith. Attention will be given to biblical and historical theological approaches to these doctrines. The aim of the course is that students will become familiar with these doctrines, and consider how they relate to theological reflection in our contemporary setting, including how these Christian beliefs shape ministry and the church today.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: As men and women who will participate in the manifold ministries of Christ, an essential part of preparation for Christian ministry is to learn to think theologically through issues of faith and ministry so that they can equip those they lead for service.

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: This course will be conducted via the Internet on a ten-week schedule aligned with Fuller's academic calendar. Course content will be presented through introductory and summative video presentations provided at the start and conclusion of each unit. Students are required to read all assigned reading (about 1500 pages, not including reading for final research paper), interact regularly with this material, with each other, and with the instructor through online forums, written essays, and other individual and collaborative assignments that promote active learning.

REQUIRED READING:

Grenz, Stanley J. Theology for the Community of God. Eerdmans, 2000. (chapters 9-16; 217 pages) ISBN: 9780802847553. Pub.price: $40.00.

Kärkkäinen, V-M. Pneumatology: The Holy Spirit in International, Ecumenical, and Historical Perspectives. Baker, 2002. 208 pages. ISBN: 9780802842572. Pub.price: $26.00.

Kärkkäinen, V-M. Christology: A Global Introduction. Baker, 2003. 304 pages. ISBN:

9780801026218. Pub.price: $28.00.

Several chapters/articles to be accessed electronically through Moodle (approximately 300 pages)

Special topic, choose one:

Barr, W. R., ed. Constructive Christian Theology in the Worldwide Church. Eerdmans, 1997 (parts 4 and 6). ISBN: 9780802841438. Pub.price: $39.00.

Beilby, J., and B. R. Eddy. The Nature of the Atonement: Four Views. InterVarsity Press, 2006. 208 pages. ISBN: 9780830825707. Pub.price: $20.00.

Davis, S., et al., eds. The Incarnation (2004). 430 pages. ISBN: 9780199275779. Pub.price: $50.00. The Redemption (2006). 384 pages. ISBN: 9780199288755. Pub.price: $50.00. The Resurrection (1998). 400 pages. ISBN: 9780198269854. Pub.price: $45.00. Oxford University Press.

Dunn, J. D. G. Christology in the Making. 2nd ed. Eerdmans, 1996. 489 pages. ISBN: 9780802842572. Pub.price: $45.00.

Green, J. B., and M.D. Baker. Recovering the Scandal of the Cross. InterVarsity Press, 2000. 232 pages. ISBN: 9780830815715. Pub.price: $17.00.

Green, M. I Believe in the Holy Spirit. Rev. ed. Eerdmans, 2004. 350 pages. ISBN: 9780802827678. Pub.price: $22.00.

Gunton, C. E. The Actuality of the Atonement. T & T Clark, 2003. 236 pages. ISBN: 9780567080905. Pub.price: $55.00.

Husbands, M., and D. Treier. Justification: What's at Stake in the Current Debates. InterVarsity Press, 2004. 278 pages. ISBN: 9780830827817. Pub.price: $23.00.

Lutheran World Federation, Roman Catholic Church. Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification. Eerdmans, 2000. 47 pages. ISBN: 9780802847744. Pub.price: $8.00.

Tiessen, T. L. Who Can Be Saved? Reassessing Salvation in Christ and World Religions. InterVarsity Press, 2004. 511 pages. ISBN: 9780830827473. Pub.price: $28.00.

A contextual/intercultural/interreligious study (relevant sections) choose one:

Bonino, J. M., and R. R. Barr. Faces of Jesus: Latin American Christologies. Wipf & Stock, 2002. 192 pages. ISBN: 9781592440979. Pub.price: $22.00.

Chung, S. W., ed. Christ the One and Only: A Global Affirmation of the Uniqueness of Jesus. Baker, 2005. 272 pages. ISBN: 9780801028540. Pub.price: $28.00.

Comblin, J. The Holy Spirit and Liberation. Wipf & Stock, 2004. 232 pages. ISBN: 9781592445622. Pub.price: $26.00.

Grant, J. White Women's Christ and Black Women's Jesus. Scholar's Press, 1989. 280 pages. ISBN: 9781555403034. Pub.price: $50.00.

Isherwood, L. Introducing Feminist Christologies. Pilgrim Press, 2002. 139 pages. ISBN: 9780829814835. Pub.price: $17.00.

Imbach, J. Three Faces of Jesus: How Jews, Christians and Muslims See Him. Templegate, 1993. 151 pages. ISBN: 9780872431942. Pub.price: $12.95.

Küster, V. The Many Faces of Jesus: An Intercultural Christology. Orbis, 2001. 250 pages. ISBN: 9781570753541. Pub.price: $29.00.

Peacore, L. The Role of Women's Experience in Feminist Theologies of Atonement. Pickwick Publications, 2010. 254 pages. ISBN: 9781556358036. Pub.price: $28.00.

Stinton, D. Jesus of Africa: Voices of Contemporary African Christology. Orbis, 2004. 320 pages. ISBN: 9781570755378. Pub.price: $25.00.

Sugirtharajah, R. S. Asian Faces of Jesus. Orbis, 1993. 250 pages. ISBN: 9780883448335. Pub.price: $30.00.

Summer, G. The First and the Last: The Claims of Jesus Christ and the Claims of Other Religious Traditions. Eerdmans, 2004. 225 pages. ISBN: 9780802863348. Pub.price: $23.00.

Yong, A. Beyond the Impasse: Toward a Pneumatological Theology of Religions. Baker, 2003. 208 pages. ISBN: 9780801026126. Pub.price: $22.00.

1. Active class participation (10%).

2. Interactive bi-weekly Moodle postings based on assigned reading (10%).

3. Five 1-2 page reflection essays (20%).

4. Two book reviews: one 4-5 page written book review (20%) and one review submitted as group presentation with which the rest of the class interacts (10%).

5. One 10-page research paper (30%).