Fall 2015/Fuller Online

HT503

Alfaro

HT503: THE CHURCH’S UNDERSTANDING OF CHURCH, HUMANITY, AND CHRISTIAN LIFE IN ITS THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION (Spanish) (4 Units: 160 hours). Sammy Alfaro.

DESCRIPTION: HT503 is a survey of systematic and philosophical theology that focuses especially on revelation and scripture; creation and providence; theological anthropology (human identity and nature, the image of God, the fall, sin, and evil), soteriology (the election, calling, justification, regeneration, and sanctification of the Christian), and ecclesiology (the ministry and mission of the church). The course reflects the historic Christian church's development of these doctrines in dialogue with its opponents and with its cultural context. Related topics and themes to be addressed may include the development and articulation of the inspiration and authority of scripture, God's work in creation, human persons in relation to God, and the place of the church in the purposes of God. In addition, the course will engage Latina/o theologians in dialogue with other contextual/intercultural perspectives to highlight the need for doing theology with global acumen.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students who complete HT503 will demonstrate: (1) a basic critical theological knowledge of the conceptual and normative dimensions of the doctrines of revelation, creation and providence, anthropology, soteriology, and ecclesiology as those and other selected doctrines emerged in the early church and developed to this day; (2) a basic competence in interpreting historic and contemporary perorations of these doctrines and an ability to evaluate these theological issues and their historical and contemporary development; and (3) a critical and sympathetic appreciation for the breadth, unity, and diversity of the Christian church.

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: 1,100 pp. of required reading.

Fernández, Eduardo C. La Cosecha: Teología Hispana contemporánea en Estados Unidos (1972-1998). Buena Prensa, 2009. ISBN: 978-0814642801, Pub. Price $26.95 [300 pp. assigned].

Goizueta, Roberto S. Caminemos con Jesús. Hacia una teología del acompañamiento. Convivium Press, 2009. ISBN: 978-1934996102, Pub. Price $31.99 [300 pp. assigned].

González, Justo. Breve Historia de las Doctrinas Cristianas. Abingdon Press, 2007. ISBN: 978-0687490905, Pub. Price $19.99 [250 pp. assigned].

Other selected readings to be made available via e-Reserves in pdf and/or online, including selections from authors like Augustine, Pelagius, Aquinas, Calvin, J. Comblín, J. Sobrino, I. Ellacuria, and J. Moltmann [approximately 250 pp. assigned]

a. Historical Texts (150 pp.)

Augustine, selections from Confessions and On Free Will (available at: http://www.augustinus.it/spagnolo/

Aquinas, “Treatise on Humanity,” Questions 75-76, 82-84, 91-96 (available at http://biblioteca.campusdominicano.org/suma.htm)

Calvin, on Scripture, Book 1, ch., 6-9; on human nature, Book 2, ch. 1-6; on grace, Book 3, ch. 1-3; on the church, Book 4, ch. 1-2; in Institutes of Christian Religion (available at http://www.iglesiareformada.com/Calvino_Institucion.html, tr. H. Beveridge).

b. Contemporary Texts (max. 100 pp):

Sobrino, Jon & Ignacio Ellacuria, Mysterium Liberationis: Conceptos Fundamentales de la Teología de la Liberación, Editorial Trotta, 1990. Selected chapters on anthropology, grace, sin and the church.

Moltmann, J. “Dimensiones de una Teoría Actual de la Iglesia” & “Los Signos Característicos de la Iglesia” in La Iglesia,Fuerza del Espíritu: hacia una ecclesiología mesiánica. Ediciones Sigueme, 1977.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. 1,100 pages of required reading [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1-3]. [70 hours].
2. Online Instruction with video lectures, PowerPoint presentations with audio, and annotated papers. [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1] [20 hours].
3. Weekly online interaction consisting of a 250-300 word opening post and three response posts of 200 words. (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1-3]. [30 hours].
4. Three 500-word reading responses. (30%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1-2]. [15 hours].
5. A research paper (2,000-2,500 words, 8-10 pp.) on a topic of the student’s choice within the course description parameters. (20%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1-3] [20 hours].
6. Two essay exams (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 2]. [5 hours]

PREREQUISITES: Spanish.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet the TH2 or TH4 requirement in the 120 MDiv and 80 MAT Programs (Fall 2015). Option to meet the TH2 requirement in the 80 MATM and 80 MAICS Programs (Fall 2015). Meets the STB requirement in the 144 MDiv Program.

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.