Summer 2019/Fuller Online

ST557

Tibbs

ST557: EASTERN ORTHODOX THEOLOGY (4 Units: 160 hours). Dr. Eve (Paraskevè) Tibbs.

DESCRIPTION: Orthodox and Protestant Christians often reveal a mutual ignorance of each other's tradition. This course will introduce students to Orthodox theology through a survey of the principal theological vehicles which have shaped its present identity. This course will survey the origins and development of the apostolic, primitive church, pursuing the western and eastern trajectories from a historical, theological, and practical perspective. Key topics will include comparative views of the creation, fall, free will, salvation, the doctrine of God, the apophatic tradition, ecclesiology, sacramentality, Christology and pneumatology, the theology of the icon, spiritual life and eschatology. Included will be an evaluation of the areas of convergence and divergence.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon successful completion of this course, students (1) will have gained a wider perspective on theology, church history, and sacramentality; (2) will have a better understanding of some of the differences between Orthodox Christianity and the Catholic and Protestant traditions; and (3) will have an increased understanding of the worship and worldview of millions of Orthodox Christians in Russia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and America.

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: selections from the following texts, not to exceed 1,000 pages.

ELECTRONIC COURSE READER (Canvas) contains essays and primary texts by ancient authors, such as: Irenaeus of Lyons, Ignatius of Antioch, Athanasius of Alexandria, Hippolytus of Rome, Cyprian of Carthage, and Dionysius of Alexandria; and contemporary authors such as: Anthony Bloom, Alexander Schmemann, Frances Young, Georges Florovsky, John Zizioulas, and Maxim Vasiljevic [Approx. 250 pp.].

Payton, James R. Light from the Christian East: An Introduction to the Orthodox Tradition. IVP, 2007. ISBN: 978-0830825943, Pub. Price $24.00. [240 pages]. This text is available as an eBook at Fuller’s library.

Schmemann, Alexander. For the Life of the World: Sacraments and Orthodoxy. St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 1973. ISBN: 978-0913836088, Pub. Price $18.00. [130 pages assigned].

Ware, Timothy (Met. Kallistos). The Orthodox Church. 3rd Rev. ed. St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, 2015. ISBN: 978-0141980638, Pub. Price $18.00. [Approx. 100 pages assigned].

Student will choose one text from a list of texts provided on the syllabus, which will allow the student to explore an area of specific interest in more depth. [150-200 selected pages].

RECOMMENDED READING: Please see course syllabus for list of recommended reading.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. Approximately 1000 pages of required reading. [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, & 3]. [65 hours].
  2. Weekly video lectures [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, & 3] [25 hours].
  3. Weekly forum posts (200-250 words) reflecting on class material and weekly responses to classmates’ posts (150-200 words) (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, 3] [25 hours].
  4. Two critical analysis papers (4-6 pages each) (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome 1, 2, 3] [15 hours preparing & writing].
  5. Final research paper on an assigned topic (8-10 pages) (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 2, 3] [25 hours preparing & writing].
  6. Visit to an Orthodox church during a worship service with 2-page reflection (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1 & 3] [5 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet the TH4 requirement in the 120 MDiv and 80 MAT Programs (Fall 2015)

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.

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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.