Spring 2015/Fuller Online

ST503

Ireland

ST503: SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY 3: ECCLESIOLOGY AND ESCHATOLOGY (4 Units: 163 hours). Marèque Ireland.

DESCRIPTION: This course explores Christian beliefs about two major Christian doctrines: ecclesiology and eschatology. Topics include: the nature and life of the church of the church, including its ministry and mission and sacraments. We will also examine different approaches to the parousia, death, resurrection, new creation, judgment, millennium, heaven and hell. While we will explore contemporary evangelical theologies, students will also engage with other Christian traditions and intercultural perspectives.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon completing this course the student will have demonstrated (1) a basic understanding of issues in their traditional and contemporary expressions; (2) an ability to reflect theologically and critically upon the course topics; (3) skills towards developing one’s own theology in critical dialogue with various views; (4) an acquaintance with a range of cultural and contextual matters that shape our understanding of theological issues; (5) an appreciation of ecumenical and cultural diversity.

COURSE FORMAT: This course will be conducted online on a ten-week schedule aligned with Fuller’s academic calendar for a total of 40 instructional hours, which is outlined below in the assignment and assessment section. 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: 1,100 to 1,150 pages of required reading from the following:

Course Reader (available on eReserves through Moodle) including essays and articles from contemporary theology, including but not limited to: Kasper, Congar, Patout, DelColle, et. al. (around 100 pages).

Grenz, S.J. Theology for the Community of God. Eerdmans, 2000. ISBN: 978-0802847553, Pub. Price $40.00 [pp. 1-25, 4610-659 assigned].

Kärkkäinen, V.-M. An Introduction to Ecclesiology. InterVarsity Press, 2002. ISBN: 978-0830826889. Pub. Price $20.00. [238 pp.].

Schwartz, H. Eschatology. Eerdmans, 2000. ISBN: 978-0802847331, Pub. Price $26.00 [448 pp.].

Select ONE text on a special topic:

Barr, W.R. Constructive Christian Theology in the Worldwide Church. Eerdmans, 1997. ISBN:978-0802841438, Pub. Price $39.00 [553 pp.].

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

Farrow, Douglas. Ascension and Ecclesia. Eerdmans, 1999. ISBN: 978-0802827913, $34.00 [356 pp.].

Fudge, E.W. & Peterson, R.A. Two Views of Hell. InterVarsity Press, 2000. 978-0830822553, Pub. Price $18.00 [228 pp.].

Gelder, C. van. The Essence of the Church: A Community Created by the Spirit. Baker, 2000. ISBN: 978-0802846556. Pub. Price $29.00 [332 pp.].

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

González, J. Mañana: Christian Theology from a Hispanic Perspective. Abingdon, 1990. ISBN: 978-0687230679, Pub. Price $20.00 [186 pp.].

Grenz, S.J. 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 if the Emerging Church Movement. JoPa Productions, 2011. ISBN: 978-0615524313, Pub. Price $19.97 [230 pp.].

Lincoln, E.C. & Mamiya, L.H. The Black Church in African American Experience. Duke, 2001. ISBN: 978-0822310730, Pub. Price $23.96 [536 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: 978-0800636661, Pub. Price $28.00 [412 pp.].

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

Schmemann, A. Introduction to Liturgical Theology. Tr. Moorhouse. 3rd ed. St. Vladimir’s, 1997. ISBN: 978-0822310730, Pub. Price $27.95 [536 pp.].

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

Ware, Timothy. The Orthodox Church: New Edition. Penguin, 1993. ISBN: 978-0140146561, Pub. Price $18.00 [368 pp.].

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

Zizioulas, J.D. Being as Communion: Studies in Personhood and the Church. St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press. 978-0881410297, Pub. Price $24.00 [269 pp.].

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1,100-1150 pages of required reading. [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1-5] [70 hours].
Weekly video instruction and PowerPoint. [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1-5] [20 hours].
Weekly online interaction and assignments (30% of grade). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 2 & 3] [25 hours].
One theological textual analysis (1250 words, 5pp.) (20% of grade). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 2-5] [8 hours].
A short eschatology research paper (2,000 words, 8 pp.) on a topic of the student’s choice within the course description parameters (25% of grades). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1 & 2] [20 hours].
A short eschatology research paper (2,000 words, 8pp) on a topic of the student’s choice within the course description parameters (25% of grade). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1 & 2] [20 hours].

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 144 MDiv core requirement in Systematic Theology "C" (STC).

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.