Spring 2019/Fuller Online

ET552

Kim

ET552: THEOLOGY IN THE PUBLIC SPHERE (4 Units: 160 hours). Dr. Sebastian Kim.

DESCRIPTION: This course examines the nature, rationale and methodologies of public theology by exploring appropriate public engagement of theology in contemporary society. It employs biblical, historical, theological and socio-political methodologies to examine theoretical considerations and practical engagement of Christian churches in the public sphere. It will develop a definition of public theology as critical, reflective and reasoned engagement of theology in the wider society. Topics to be covered include the following: biblical and theological concepts of the public sphere; public theology in Christian tradition; methodologies of public theology; issues of public theology including Christian peace-making, ecological crisis, economic justice, and secular politics.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: By the end of this course students will be able to (1) reflect biblically and theologically on the engagement of theology in the public sphere; (2) Discuss the methodology of public theology with reference to specific contexts and academic disciplines; (3) demonstrate a critical awareness of the application of Christian theology to particular issues in the socio-political, cultural, and economic spheres; and (4) apply skills of critical interpretation and analysis to various public issues relating to Christian theology.

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: A total of 1,200 pages of reading is required.

Benne, Robert. The Paradoxical Vision: A Public Theology for the Twenty-first Century. Fortress Press, 1995. ISBN: 978-0800627942, Pub. Price $22.00 (available in the library) [50 pp. assigned].

Cady, Linell E. Religion, Theology, and American Public Life. SUNY, 1993. ISBN: 978-0791413043, Pub. Price $31.95 (available in the library) [60 pp. assigned].

Graham, Elaine. Between A Rock and A Hard Place: Public Theology in a Post-Secular Age. SCM Press, 2013. ISBN: 978-0334045984, Pub. Price $88.00. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [106 pp. assigned].

Kim, Sebastian. Theology in the Public Sphere. SCM Press, 2011. ISBN: 978-0334043775, Pub. Price $64.00. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [90 pp. assigned].

Kim, Sebastian & Katie Day, eds. A Companion to Public Theology. Brill, 2017. ISBN: 978-9004336056, Pub. Price $172.00 (available as an e-book in the library) [120 pp. assigned].

Stackhouse, Max L. Public Theology and Political Economy: Christian Stewardship in Modern Society. University Press of America, 1991. ISBN: 978-0819183019, Pub. Price $55.99 (available in the library) [97 pp. assigned].

Storrar, William and Andrew Morton, eds. Public Theology for the 21st Century. T & T Clark, 2004. ISBN: 978-0567088925, Pub. Price $80.95 (available in the library) [150 pp. assigned].

Stott, John. Issues Facing Christians Today, 4th ed. Zondervan, 2006. ISBN: 978-0310252696, Pub. Price $19.99 (available in the library) [120 pp. assigned].

Williams, Rowan. Faith in the Public Square. Bloomsbury, 2012. ISBN: 978-1408187586, Pub. Price $29.95 (available in the library) [160 pp. assigned].

Selected articles from the International Journal of Public Theology (available in the library as e-journal) [approximately 260 pages].

RECOMMENDED READING:

Bacote, Vincent E. The Spirit in Public Theology: Appropriating the Legacy of Abraham Kuyper. Wipf & Stock, 2010. ISBN: 978-1608999965, Pub. Price $22.00 (available in the library).

D'Costa, Gavin, Theology in the Public Square: Church, Academy and Nation. Blackwell, 2005. ISBN: 978-1405135108, Pub. Price $55.95 (available in the library).

de Gruchy, John. Christianity and Democracy: A Theology for a Just World Order. CUP, 1995. ISBN: 978-0521458412, Pub. Price $43.99 (available in the library).

Forrester, Duncan. Christian Justice and Public Policy. CUP, 1997. ISBN: 978-0521556118, Pub. Price $57.00 (available in the library).

Mathewes, Charles. A Theology of Public Life. CUP, 2007. ISBN: 978-0521539906, Pub. Price $57.00 (available in the library).

Moltmann, Jürgen. God for a Secular Society: The Public Relevance of Theology. SCM Press, 1999. ISBN: 978-0800631840, Pub. Price $23.00 (available in the library).

Mouw, Richard J. Adventures in Evangelical Civility: A Lifelong Quest for Common Ground. Brazos Press, 2016. ISBN: 978-1587433917, Pub. Price $24.99 (available in the library).

Storkey, Alan. Jesus and Politics: Confronting the Powers. Baker Academic, 2005. ISBN: 978-0801027840, Pub. Price $30.00 (available in the library).

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. 1,200 pages of required reading. [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1 & 2]. [80 hours].
  2. Guided online learning and participation, for example through video lectures, PowerPoint presentations, group work, interactive activities, readings, webinars (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-4] [30 hours].
  3. Eight 250-word critical reflections, one per week for eight weeks of the course, posted to the online discussion forums on the reading, experience, and lecture topics. Two 125-word responses to classmates’ posts each week. (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-3] [16 hours].
  4. One 600-word book review of any of the required or recommended reading (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1 and #4] [4 hours].
  5. A research essay on an assigned topic [3,000 words] (40%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2, 3 & 4]. [30 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet the TH5 requirement in the 120 MDiv Program.

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. Copyright 2019 Fuller Theological Seminary.