Winter 2014/Pasadena

ST503

Wessling

ST503: SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY 3: ECCLESIOLOGY AND ESCHATOLOGY. Jordan S. Wessling.

DESCRIPTION: This course discusses Christian beliefs about ecclesiology and eschatology. The topics include: the nature and mission of the church, sacramental theology, and last things (specifically, death, resurrection, judgment, heaven and hell, and the consummation of creation).

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: A solid theological foundation is an essential part of preparation for Christian ministry and spiritual formation. An important part of that foundation is understanding the biblical, historical and contemporary contexts for the life and worship of the church and the eschatological vision that influences church practices.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have demonstrated (1) a basic understanding of key historic and contemporary theological issues within the doctrines of ecclesiology and eschatology; (2) an ability to reflect theologically upon the course topics; (3) the skills necessary for developing one’s own theology in critical dialogue with various views; and (4) an awareness of ecumenical and cultural diversity.

COURSE FORMAT: This course will be conducted online on a ten-week schedule aligned with Fuller’s academic calendar. Students are required to interact with the material, with each other, and with the instructor regularly through online discussions, reading, and other assignments that promote active learning.

REQUIRED READING: At least 1,200 pages.

**Hunsinger, George. The Eucharist and Ecumenism. Cambridge University Press, 2008. ISBN: 978-0521719179, Pub. Price $30.00 [336 pp. assigned].

* Kärkkäinen, V.-M. An Introduction to Ecclesiology: Ecumenical, Historical & Global Perspectives. InterVarsity Press, 2002. ISBN: 978-0830826889, Pub. Price $20.00 [238 pp. assigned].

* Migliore, Daniel. Faith Seeking Understanding: An Introduction to Christian Theology. 2nd ed. Eerdmans, 2004. ISBN: 978-0802827876, Pub. Price $28.00 [chs. 11-14, 75 pp. assigned: 248-300 and 330-353].

* Schwartz, H. Eschatology. Eerdmans, 2000. ISBN: 978-0802847331, Pub. Price $36.00 [448 pp. assigned].

Plus choose ONE of the following:

* Evans, J. We Have Been Believers: An African American Systematic Theology. Fortress, 1993. ISBN: 978-0800626723, Pub. Price $20.00 [54 pages: 1-12 and 139-182].

* González, J. Mañana: Christian Theology from a Hispanic Perspective. Abingdon, 1990. ISBN: 978-0687230679, Pub. Price $20.00 [64 pages: 21-74 and 157-168].

* Lee, Sang Hyun. From a Liminal Place: An Asian American Theology. Fortress, 2010. ISBN: 978-0800696689, Pub. Price $24.00 [85 pages: 1-31 and 123-178].

* Lincoln, E.C. & Mamiya, L.H. The Black Church in African American Experience. Duke, 2001. ISBN: 978-0822310730, Pub. Price $29.95 [536 pp.].

* Mbiti, J. New Testament Eschatology in an African Background. Oxford University Press, 1971. ISBN: 978-0198216599, Pub. Price not available [228 pp.]. ***OUT OF PRINT.

* Russell, L.M. Church in the Round: Feminist Interpretation of the Church. WJKP, 1993. ISBN: 978-0664250706, Pub. Price $30.00 [256 pp.].

RECOMMENDED READING:

* Boff, L. Ecclesiogenesis: The Base Communities Reinvent the Church. Orbis, 1986. ISBN: 978-0883442142, Pub. Price $22.00 [115 pp.].

* Braaten, C. E., and Jenson, R. W. The Ecumenical Future. Eerdmans, 2004. ISBN: 978-0802826718, Pub. Price $24.00 [245 pp.].

** Flint, Thomas C., and Michael C. Rea, eds. The Oxford Handbook of Philosophical Theology. Oxford University Press. ISBN: 978-0199596539, Pub. Price $55.00 [624 pp.].

* Fudge, E.W. & Peterson, R.A. Two Views of Hell: A Biblical and Theological Dialogue. InterVarsity Press, 2000. ISBN: 978-0830822553. Pub. Price $18.00. [228 pp.].

* Gelder C. van, ed. Confident Witness. (Gospel and Culture Series.) Eerdmans, 1999. ISBN: 978-

0802846556, Pub. Price $29.00 [332 pp.].

* _________. The Essence of the Church: A Community Created by the Spirit. Baker, 2000. ISBN: 978-0802846556, Pub. Price $29.00 [208 pp.].

* Gibbs, E. & Bolger, R.K. Emerging Churches. Baker 2006. ISBN: 978-0801027154, Pub. Price $19.99 [352 pp.].

* Grenz, S.J. Theology for the Community of God. Eerdmans, 2000. ISBN: 978-0802847553, Pub. Price $40.00 [723 pp.].

* _________. The Millennial Maze. InterVarsity Press, 1994. ISBN: 978-0830817573, Pub. Price $18.00 [239 pp.].

* Guder, D.L. & Barrett, L., eds. Missional Church. Eerdmans, 1998. ISBN: 978-0802843500, Pub. Price: $28.00 [280 pp.].

* Hauerwas, S. & Willimon, W.H. Resident Aliens: Life in the Christian Colony. Abingdon, 1989. ISBN: 978-0687361595, Pub. Price $17.00 [175 pp.].

* Jones, Tony. The Church is Flat: The Relational Ecclesiology of the Emerging Church Movement. JoPa Productions, 2011. ISBN: 978-0615524313, Pub. Price $19.97 [230 pp.].

**Kvanvig, Jonathan. The Problem of Hell. Oxford University Press, 1993. ISBN: 978-0195084870, Pub. Price $85.00 [192 pp.].

* McDermott, Gerald R., ed. The Oxford Handbook of Evangelical Theology. Oxford University Press.

ISBN: 978-0199335992, Pub. Price $55.00 [552 pp.].

* McPartlan, Paul. Sacrament of Salvation: An Introduction to Eucharistic Ecclesiology. T&T Clark, 1995. ISBN: 978-0567292995, Pub. Price $29.95 [144 pp.].

* Moltmann, Jürgen. Coming of God: Christian Eschatology. SCM Press, 1994. ISBN: 978-0800629558, Pub. Price $29.00 [412 pp.]

* Parratt, J. Reinventing Christianity: African Theology Today. Eerdmans, 1995. ISBN: 978-

0802841131, Pub. Price $21.00 [228 pp.].

* Parry, Robin, and Chris Partridge, eds. Universal Salvation: The Current Debate. Eerdmans, 2004.

ISBN: 978-0802827640, Pub. Price $28.00. [319 pp.].

* Schmemann, A. Introduction to Liturgical Theology. Tr. Moorhouse. 3rd ed. St. Vladimir’s, 1997. ISBN: 978-0822310730, Pub Price $27.95 [220 pp.].

* Stackhouse, J.G., ed. Evangelical Ecclesiology: Reality or Illusion? Baker 2003. ISBN: 978-0801026539, Pub. Price $24.00 [240 pp.].

* Volf, M. After Our Likeness: The Church as the Image of God. Eerdmans, 1998. ISBN: 978-0802844408, Pub. Price $32.00 [314 pp.].

**Walls, Jerry. Heaven: The Logic of Eternal Joy. Oxford University Press, 2007. ISBN: 978-0195340723, Pub. Price $24.99. [272 pp.].

**_________. Hell: The Logic of Damnation. University of Notre Dame Press. ISBN: 978-0268010966, Pub. Price $19.00 [182 pp.].

**_________. Purgatory: The Logic of Total Transformation. Oxford University Press, 2011. ISBN: 978-0199732296, Pub. Price $35.00 [232 pp.].

* Ware, Timothy. The Orthodox Church: New Edition. Penguin, 1993. ISBN: 978-01401465651, Pub. Price $17.00. [368 pp.].

* Webster, John, Kathryn Tanner, and Iain Torrance, eds. The Oxford handbook of Systematic

Theology. Oxford University Press. ISBN: 978-0199569649, Pub. Price $55.00 [768 pp.].

*  Indicates text is introductory to intermediate

**Indicates text is intermediate to advanced

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: 100-120 hours total class time.

  1. Weekly posts (250-400 words) reflecting on assigned reading and weekly responses to the posts of classmates (100-200 words each) - (30%). [4-5 hours reading/week; 2-3 hours posting/week]

  2. “Reading Response Paper” (4-7 pages) reflecting on the selected book – (20%). [8-10 hours preparing & writing]

  3. “My Theological Statement Paper” (1-3 pages), which summarizes, in a structure similar to the great creeds of the church, what you believe about core issues within the doctrines of ecclesiology and eschatology – (15%). [5-7 hours preparing and writing]

  4. Research paper (8-12 pages) on a specific teaching within the doctrines of ecclesiology and eschatology – (35%). [15-20 hours preparing & writing]

PREREQUISITES: None. Yet, at least one course in biblical studies and in historical theology/church history as well as philosophical theology, are strongly recommended.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Systematic Theology “C” (STC).

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.