Summer 2017/Fuller Online

HT500

Murphy

HT500: THE CHURCH’S UNDERSTANDING OF GOD AND CHRIST IN ITS HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT (4 Units: 160 hours). Karen R.J. Murphy, Ph.D.

DESCRIPTION: HT500 is a survey of patristic theology and early church history that focuses especially on the doctrine of God, including the Christian church’s development of trinitarian and christological theology and creeds in its dialogue with its opponents and with its multiple cultural contexts, including the empires, languages, religions, and philosophies of the ancient Asian, African and European regions. Related topics and themes to be addressed may include the role of the apostolic fathers and apologists, the controversy with Gnosticism, tensions between Eastern and Western forms of Christianity, and selected doctrinal developments that extend through the Protestant Reformation to today.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students who complete HT500 will demonstrate: (1) a basic historical and theological knowledge of the doctrines of God and Christ as those and other selected doctrines emerged in the early church and developed to this day; (2) a basic competence in interpreting this history and theology and an ability to evaluate these theological issues and their historical 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 for a total of 40 instructional hours. 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: ~1300 pp. required reading

Gonzalez, Justo L. A History of Christian Thought: From the Beginnings to the Council of Chalcedon: Vol. I Revised. Abingdon Press, 1987. ISBN: 978-0687171828, Pub. Price $33.99 [383 pp.].

Gonzalez, Justo L. The Apostle’s Creed for Today. Westminster John Knox Press, 2007. ISBN: 978-0664229337, Pub. Price $14.00 [92 pp.].

Norris Jr., Richard A., Ed. And Trans. The Christological Controversy. Fortress Press, 1980. ISBN: 978-0800614119, Pub. Price $24.00 [140 pp. assigned].

Placher, William.Reading in the History of Christian Theology, Vol 1: From its Beginnings to the Eve of the Reformation. Westminster, 1988. ISBN: 978-0664240578, Pub. Price $25.00 [70 pp. assigned]

Plantinga, Richard J., Thomas R. Thompson, Matthew D. Lundberg. An Introduction to Christian Theology. Cambridge University Press, 2010. ISBN: 978-0521690379, Pub. Price $34.99 [151 pp. assigned].

Sittser, Gerald L. Water From a Deep Well: Christian Spirituality from Early Martyrs to Modern Missionaries. InterVarsity Press, 2010. ISBN: 978-0830837458, Pub. Price $24.00 [123 pp. assigned].

Readings packet (~350 pp., online).

RECOMMENDED READING:

Frend, W. H. C. The Rise of Christianity. Fortress Press, 1984. ISBN: 978-0800619312, Pub. Price $55.00.

Malone, Mary T. Women & Christianity: Vol I: The First Thousand Years. Orbis Books, 2000. ISBN: 978-2895070962, Pub. Price $24.00.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. Instruction, including videos, audio lectures, PowerPoint presentations, experiential learning activities, etc. [20 hours].
2. 250-word weekly forum posts (12%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome # 2 & 3] [10 hours].
3. 250-word weekly replies (8%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2 & 3] [10 hours].
4. Assigned readings [~1,300 pp.] [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1]. [80 hours].
5. Weekly quizzes (20%; the lowest two quizzes will be dropped). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 2, and 3]. [5 hours].
6. One 3-5 page integration/reflection paper (10%; credit/no credit). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2 & 3]. [5 hours].
7. Two 5-page [1,250 word] research/analytical essays (15% each). [This Signature Assignment is related to learning outcome #2 & 3]. [20 hours].
8. Final exam covering readings and lectures (20% of final grade). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 2, & 3]. [10 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet the TH1 or TH4 requirement in the 120 MDiv and 80 MAT Programs (Fall 2015). Option to meet the TH1 requirement in the 80 MATM and 80 MAICS Programs (Fall 2015). Meets the CHA requirement in the 144 MDiv program.

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.