DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to provide an introduction to Christian beliefs about revelation and scripture, the triune God, creation and providence, human beings as the image of God, the fall, evil, and sin. Attention will be given to biblical and historical theological approaches to these doctrines. The aim of the course will be for students to become familiar with these doctrines, and also to consider how they relate to theological reflection in our contemporary setting and 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 1300 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. (242 pp.) ISBN: 9780802847553. Pub.price: $40.00.

Kärkkäinen, V-M. The Doctrine of God: A Global Introduction. Baker, 2004. (316 pp.) ISBN: 9780801027529. Pub. price: $30.00.

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

Special topics, choose one:

Beilby, J.K. & P.R. Eddy. Divine Foreknowledge: Four Views. InterVarsity Press, 2001. (221 pp.) ISBN: 9780830826520. Pub. price: $20.00.

Bouma-Prediger, S. For the Beauty of the Earth: A Christian Vision for Creation Care. IVP, 2001. (240 pp.) ISBN: 9780801036958. Pub. price: $24.99.

Fiddes, P. Participating in God: A Pastoral Doctrine of the Trinity. Westminster John Knox, 2001. (320 pp.) ISBN: 978-0664223359. Pub. price: $30.00.

Kärkkäinen, V-M. The Trinity: Global Perspectives. WJKP, 2007 (400 pp.) ISBN: 9780664228903. Pub. price: $40.00.

Moltmann, J. The Trinity and the Kingdom: The Doctrine of God. Fortress, 1993. (276 pp.) ISBN: 9780800628253. Pub. price: $23.00.

Murphy, N. Bodies and Souls, or Spirited Bodies? Cambridge University Press, 2006. (164 pp.) ISBN: 9780521676762. Pub. price: $26.99.

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

Plantinga, A. Not the Way It's Supposed to Be: A Breviary of Sin. Eerdmans, 1996. (216 pp.) ISBN: 9780802842183. Pub. price: $22.00.

Schwarz, H. Creation. Eerdmans, 2002. (254 pp.) ISBN: 9780802860668. Pub. price: $29.00.

Shuster, M. The Fall and Sin: What We Have Become as Sinners. Eerdmans, 2003. (280 pp.) ISBN: 9780802809940. Pub. price: $30.00.

Volf, M. Exclusion and Embrace. Abingdon, 1996. (336 pp.) ISBN: 9780687002825. Pub. price: $28.00.

A contextual/intercultural/interreligious studies choose one:

Boff, L. Trinity and Society. Wipf & Stock, 2005. (288 pp.) ISBN: 9781597521383. Pub. price: $30.00.

Cone, J.H. God of the Oppressed. Orbis, 1997. (300 pp.) ISBN: 9781570751585. Pub. price: $20.00.

Evans, J. We Have Been Believers: An African American Systematic Theology. Augsburg Fortress, 1993. (192 pp.) ISBN: 9780800626723. Pub. price: $20.00.

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

Johnson, E. She Who Is: The Mystery of God in Feminist Theological Discourse. 10th Anniversary ed. Crossroad Pub. Co., 2002. (344 pp.) ISBN: 9780824519254. Pub. price: $29.95.

Kapolyo, J. M. The Human Condition: Christian Perspectives through African Eyes. IVP, 2005. (170 pp.) ISBN: 9780830833023.

Kärkkäinen, V.-M. Trinity and Religious Pluralism. Ashgate, 2004. (197 pp.) ISBN: 9780754636465. Pub. price: $29.95.

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

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

Tennent, T.C. Christianity at the Religious Roundtable. Baker Academic, 2002. (270 pp.) ISBN: 9780801026027. Pub. price: $26.00.

1. Active class participation through interactive Moodle postings every two weeks based on assigned reading (20%).

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

3. Two book reviews: one 4-5 page written book review (15%) and one review submitted as group presentation to the rest of the class (15%).

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